Leather repair/dye
#16
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#17
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you're in LA? Call Pacificmatchpaint
Look 'em up on instagram or yelp.
Look 'em up on instagram or yelp.
#18
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I think I paid $250 to have both seats, the steering wheel, and the armrest completely cleaned up and refurbished on my truck. If possible, I'd try to avoid telling someone on the phone it is a Porsche (not that you did). I think he have you the you-must-be-rich-guy pricing.
Last edited by StormRune; 11-18-2018 at 10:45 AM.
#19
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Thread Starter
I think I paid $250 to have both seats, the steering wheels, and the armrest completely cleaned up and refurbished on my truck. If possible, I'd try to avoid telling someone on the phone it is a Porsche (not that you did). I think he have you the you-must-be-rich-guy pricing.
#20
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#21
if the work is done correctly, the material penetrates the leather just like the original dye. If it isnt preped or sprayed right it sits on top and will feel dry and look like its flat
#23
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What drcollie is telling you is real good info. I’ve been in the high end shoe business for 40 plus years. Have made millions of pairs of shoes using full aniline leather. The leather in our cars is easier to repair because it has a pigmented surface finish. Easier to match that than the cow as you are matching the finish not the hide.
Lots of options for repair DIY or professional that will be unnoticeable. $155 is not robbery just a premium.
Lots of options for repair DIY or professional that will be unnoticeable. $155 is not robbery just a premium.
#24
Difficult to tell extent of damage but I had similar but about twice size. Be wary of OPC general trim specialists who may just colour it. I took mine to a leather repair specialist and told him that I was gonna just apply some colour and wax it in. He said worst thing I could do. The outer really thin skin like paint (epidermis) on the leather is where the strength is. The thick fibrous stuff underneath is really weak and prone to separating under pressure. Apparently anything like silicone applied to this sub layer will weaken it even more. He applied/did something to the fibrous sub-layer before rebuilding (not just refinishing) the outer skin and then colouring (somehow). Took him all morning in stages applying layer after layer and waiting to dry/activate. Completely invisible. £125 UK. So maybe $170. He also said worst thing people do to cuts or tears in leather is to try stick edges together and seal with superglue.
#25
Pro
Thread Starter
Difficult to tell extent of damage but I had similar but about twice size. Be wary of OPC general trim specialists who may just colour it. I took mine to a leather repair specialist and told him that I was gonna just apply some colour and wax it in. He said worst thing I could do. The outer really thin skin (epidermis) on the leather is where the strength is. The thick fibrous stuff underneath is really weak and prone to separating under pressure. Apparently anything like silicone applied to this sub layer will weaken it even more. He applied/did something to the fibrous sub-layer before rebuilding (not just refinishing) the outer skin and then colouring (somehow). Took him all morning in stages applying layer after layer and waiting to dry/activate. Completely invisible. £125 UK. So maybe $170. He also said worst thing people do to cuts or tears in leather is to try stick edges together and seal with superglue.
#26
Cool, if you're sure and a bit handy. I'd be a bit wary, at the very least of blending colour in. The specialists mix colour to exact match, otherwise it could show a contrast. Also, that's not paint on the surface. As I said, very thin layer of pigment dyed leather or so I think. It does look very minor but I'd probably still wait until maybe if your car goes in for a service to a dealer with specialist on call. Hey, but who am I to give advice, I don't really know.
#27
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Thread Starter
Cool, if you're sure and a bit handy. I'd be a bit wary, at the very least of blending colour in. The specialists mix colour to exact match, otherwise it could show a contrast. Also, that's not paint on the surface. As I said, very thin layer of pigment dyed leather or so I think. It does look very minor but I'd probably still wait until maybe if your car goes in for a service to a dealer with specialist on call. Hey, but who am I to give advice, I don't really know.
#28
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Thank you for the additional insight. Actually the scuff is super minor- seemingly only removing the paint on the surface, being rubbed off by my the fabric of my pants, I guess. There's no evidence of any leather being stripped away. I shot Colourlock an email to see what they say about matching the color. I really think a very light sand with a tiny makeup sponge dabbing application would do the trick.
#29
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When Ford did the King Ranch series, they decided to use a pure aniline hide in the truck, that is almost never done because pure anilines fade from UV exposure. Also, they are vegetable-dyed hides, not topcoated. So yes, you will see a huge variance due to those two factors that will increase over time as sunlight will fade certain areas quicker. Aniline hides will also soil easier and pick up spots from stains. A vehicle interior is a pretty harsh climate for a pure aniline leather.
Every other car maker that I know of uses either finished leather or semi-aniline, both are topcoated with pigments (basically painted). There is nothing special about Porsche leather, its actually pretty cheap leather as hides go.
Every other car maker that I know of uses either finished leather or semi-aniline, both are topcoated with pigments (basically painted). There is nothing special about Porsche leather, its actually pretty cheap leather as hides go.