Podguy

I think I suggested there might be a problem with all the acetone and stuff.

Get some leatherique prep agent. With some maybe 320 wet or dry and the prep agent you should be able to remove and smooth out the bad dye job.

Once the dye is gone use some of the reguvinator oil to bring life back to the leather.. After that you should be able to get the leather to look good. Leatherique dyes are water based and less toxic than most. They also make a filler that works great although takes a bit of patience to apply

Or you could save a lot of labor and buy a cover from Rob

Jadz928

Rob does make a very nice, virtually seamless vinyl cover. Only stitches are on the ends. Can't remember if he french stitches (factory style), or concealed.

3000teeth

I'm pretty well invested now in the Color-Plus stuff. I bought the $151 kit, which came out to like $200 with shipping, a brush, etc. Otherwise, I'm going to follow your instructions (with the exception of around the stitching, which I've mangled in one place already). I just ordered a bunch of stuff from Bob (which is sitting at the Fed Ex depot now --three weeks early! Thanks Bob!) $689 for a new leather dash is kinda outside my budget at the moment, but it might come to that.

Dean_Fuller

Why not go with vinyl on the dash. It is cheaper and it will wear better in direct sun. Budd's kit is just over $200 or so I think. My sons car has a Budd vinyl cover installed.

The camera flash makes it look a little shiney...it really is not. Blends well really and will not shrink in the sun like leather. If you want the smell them just stuff some fresh leather under the seats.

For reference...the pod is new leather, the center console is OLD leather, dash and glove box is new vinyl.

Just an idea.

3000teeth

BTW, Dan, I also ordered their filler, which I've used to try to fix the cracks in my pod. I just added one more coat and will sand that when it's dry. It seems to work well, since I prepped it well, but now I have to paint it and am planning on using the color-plus. Any tips for getting a leathery look --like crumpled-up newspaper or plastic bags?

3000teeth

OK, I see the kit now. It's $229 for vinyl and $319 for leather. Hmmm...

Podguy

Texturing is something I have struggled with for far too long. There is really no slick way to get it right. The filler will finish smoother than the leather. This will show up as a shiny spot when dyed. They do make texture maps. You can buy them or make them. There is a paste you can buy that will dry as a rubber and pick up the finest texture. You could use them with the filler on the last coat to get a texture.

http://superiorrestoration.com/

The company sells an excellent silicon solvent. I use it as a prep before dying vinyl and some times leather.

depami

Anyone have experience putting one of these on? I haven't noticed any threads on this yet but am interested in the process / level of difficulty.

Dean, did I miss a chapter of Marvin?

Dean_Fuller

Yep...dash recover starts on page 41. Its not bad at all to do. I did it and I am no rocket scientist. I will be happy to help in any way I can. PM me for a phone number if that helps.