FredR

Just thought I would share with the list an image of my newly refurbished seats- part of my current ongoing maintenance programme.

If you saw these things before they were sent in you would not believe the transformation. They have previously been refurbed and although looking good initially did not last that way too long. This time they have removed the previous work, applied something to help soften up the leather once more and then re-coloured them.

The leather now feels very nice and supple and to all intents and purposes looks like new. How well it will stand up remains to be seen but looking good so far

Just wish I had taken a picture before we started.

Rgds

Fred

wpgshark

We'll all want to know what you used?

WallyP

I'm in the middle of redoing the leather on an '03 Mercedes S430. The prior owner obviously never used any softener of any kind, and the fully-perforated leather was falling to bits.

You can buy excellent used factory leather skins for the Mercedes very reasonably. Front seat leather $100 each, complete rear seat leather $200 or less...

Call JoAnne and get the dye, and you're in business!

FredR

All I know at the moment is that the refurb kit comes from Italy. As with most things the secret pies in the preparation which in this case took quite some time apparently.

Will try to find out a bit more info shortly for those interested.

To get both the seats recovered over here with decent leather was going to cost around $750 and most of that in the material, but then there is the problem of matching the rears and covering those would have cost an additional $500.

Not sure what the bill for the work will be- I have been a show car for my friends detailing shop on a few occasions so he tends to be reluctant to charge when we try something new as he knows I will not complain if all does not go to plan - not that it ever has.

Regards

Fred

Gary Knox

Looks great Fred. For wpgshark, I've recently started restoring some leather in a '74 BMW 3.0 CS. Based on a conversation with Rob Budd, owner of Classic 9 Leather Works (major interior restorations on all P cars), I'm using Leather Therapy for the work. I like their 'soap' for cleaning, and their softener/restoring product as well.

I've always had good results with the products from Color Plus (Joann is mentioned previously by Wally). Several people have recently used and liked products from Leather Magic. When I investigated them, I find they have MANY dye colors in a 'stock' blend, while Color Plus has only a few (but will custom mix to match what you have). There is large price difference between custom colors and stock colors. So investigation may be worthwhile!

BIMMERMIKE

Please post or email pics of '74 BMW 3.0 CS.......great looking vehicle!!
Thanks

MainePorsche

I used a stock BMW color from Joanne. Price was right, and getting additional colorant was reliable for the color.

DepDawg

Check out leatherique.com, it has a great lesson on restoring leather, not to mention products that perform near miracles to leather.

ltoolio

+1

Just applied their Rejuvinator and Pristine Clean to my rear seats and console and the look beautiful and feel very supple.

I've got some Glipstone Conditioner I'm going to apply in the Spring to bring out some more of the leather smell.

Gary Knox

BimmerMike: Send me your direct e-mail and I'll forward a pix of the CS. I don't want to clutter up a pristine P-car Forum with a picture of a car from Munchen!!

wpgshark

I've used the leatherique, on the 88 with full leather, with mixed results. The seats, doors and quarters came out really nice, the leather dash had some spots release. The theory is that at sometime there was armor all or some other silicone substance used on it, and that my prep did not remove it all. This is an acceptable theory, I haven't repreped and redyed the dash yet only time will tell.

On my sons 944s I used the filler on some cracks on the bolster, filled them nicely but the dye didn't hold on the filler.

Here are some pics, you need a very understanding wife if you're going to do a full leather interior in your basement.

The hand dying of the piping on the seats was a challenge.

Seats had been done previously, new dye a little more yellow than what was on there.

I haven't installed it in the car yet, 89 moved to the top and the 88 still needs to be painted

FredR

So seats back in the car- see pic below.

I also refurbed the interior transmission cover trim piece that was looking very tired. A couple of the mount holes were trashed and a section at the front had snapped off. For the latter I tried to fabricate a piece of hardboard into the shape of the missing piece and then sort of fastened it to the main body using Gorilla tape. For the damaged holes I used the dremel to cut out a small section of the damaged area and wedged a replacement section into the gap and again secured with Gorilla tape. We cleaned the cover and then using contact adhesive re-attached it to the board. Not quite 100% there yet but a significant improvement nonetheless.

Rgds

Fred