928Westchester

Thanks again to forum members, directing me to techniques necessary to refresh my 30year old panels. SEM Classic Coat (Medium Parchment) was 95% match to existing. Disassembled both door panels. Sanded down scratched up spots with 1500grit. Wipe down with wet towel, let dry real good, followed by SEM leather Prep, then 3 coats of paint. Fully dry over night, then reassemble. After 3 evenings, they look as if just rolled off factory floor (at least the door panels.) Slowly getting rest of interior back to it's glory days. I put 2 L-brackets bent slightly in, screwed and epoxyed, as the typical window section was flaring up. Happy to share any pointers if anyone has questions. (Wish I had taken some "before" pictures, but I think the "after" pictures speak for them selves.)

MjRocket

Those look Fantastic!

I'd Really love more details on the L bracket procedure you performed to repair the top edge please.

Thx

MainePorsche

Nice work.

hacker-pschorr

Wow....

bureau13

So that paint is actually applied to the leather itself? I had no idea that stuff existed...pretty cool. The results look fantastic...

Five-8

That does look very nice indeed. I am wondering though, how much change to the "feel" of the leather is there after the paint is applied?

Cheers,

bureau13

I'm guessing this would not be suitable for seats or any other more flexible, "high contact" area?

MainePorsche

Would be no difference on the doors if done with an appropriate spray - not just 'spray paint'.

Would not be suitable for the seats. Must use a specifically designed paint for this. Adherence and flexibility are crucial. I did my seats with ColorPlus.com paint - result was phenomenal - smooth, supple, flexible. Interior looks brand new. ColorPlus colorants are specifically designed for leather.

928Westchester

The paint is super durable. I mean, rub it down with armor-all type cleaner the next day and no problems. The feel is just the same - the feel of leather is quite nice. I didn't use on seats (had them recovered professionally) but as you can see in the paint can, it shows a car seat on the label, so I would think it's possible. As for L-bracket, the leather shrinks over time and the window area lifts up, often exposing wires seen from outside. very unsightly. I bent it back to it's original shape, and then some - then (IMPORTANT) ratchet strapped in two areas (protecting the finish) to hold the shape and angle. Then, 2 L-brackets from home depot (bent it to conform to the shape and angle of panel) which was epoxed generously all around. Finally held there with 1/2" screw. The panel is thinner, so I had to add 3 washers to avoid puncturing through. Adding one more picture. Hope this helps.

MjRocket

That does help thank you...Think I may try this on my drivers side door.

MainePorsche

For use on a door, a dash, rear/ceiling panels the vinyl/leather spray paints will work. On your seats, they will not last.
The non-contact, non-'pressured' panels will hold the color if prepped right.
Seats are different. The frictional forces on it are obvious. The mobility, creasing of the leather requires a specific type of adherence. The appropriate product will form a 'skin' that adheres to every 'nuance' of the leather as it moves. Vinyl spray paints do not do this.
My vinyl dash is black and I've had great success in repairing the cracks and painting it. To get it pristine took more then one crack repair/coloring per crack. I have the 'feel' of this colorant product known to me. I did more or less the same with my seats using ColorPlus products. A lot more surface prepping involved, and several episodes of getting the silicon based 'leather' products used in the past cleared before total adherence took place. The seat colorant from ColorPlus forms a 'skin' - it moves with the leather and is indistinguishable from it. This is what you want for the seats.
I'm very happy with a good vinyl spray in non-stressed areas where 'spray' is appropriate.
Seats are not this area.