Leather Seat Repair Using Leatherworld...
01-24-2015, 10:28 PM
#31
Rennlist Member
Thread Starter
So after much consideration and searching I was able to locate a three spoke "sport" steering wheel and a three spoke airbag (from two separate vendors on Ebay) for very reasonable prices. Both pieces were listed as "Tan", and even though they looked close, I wasn't overly optimistic that they'd match my Savanna Beige interior. Since I've still got plenty of Leatherworld dye leftover from my seat repair I figured if they didn't match I'd just refinish them. Well, even though they were close, they didn't cut it. They didn't show any real damage per se' (no gouges or anything like that) there were some worn spots and the color was far enough off that it would have bothered me 
Anyway, here come some photo's... Original 4 spoke first (this is as I was removing it to install the three spoke - it's not a good photo, but it's pretty heavily worn and would have needed refinishing anyway if I kept it) 
This is the airbag and three spoke wheel as I received them - you can see they're quite a bit darker than after the refinish...
After cleaning but before applying first coat of finish 
First coat of finish
Second coat of finish - you can see the original color on the inside of the hub
Installed close-up
Installed from outside the car
So, that's pretty much it. Once again, I've got to say I'm really happy with this stuff! Only time will tell how it holds up, but we'' see...
Anyway, here come some photo's... Original 4 spoke first (this is as I was removing it to install the three spoke - it's not a good photo, but it's pretty heavily worn and would have needed refinishing anyway if I kept it) 
This is the airbag and three spoke wheel as I received them - you can see they're quite a bit darker than after the refinish...
After cleaning but before applying first coat of finish 
First coat of finish
Second coat of finish - you can see the original color on the inside of the hub
Installed close-up
Installed from outside the car
So, that's pretty much it. Once again, I've got to say I'm really happy with this stuff! Only time will tell how it holds up, but we'' see...
01-25-2015, 01:14 AM
#32
Burning Brakes
I'm so grateful for your write up. My experience with my graphite grey interior has been very positive too - I did the console by the shifter last weekend as well as the horseshoe surround of the centre console (the dye works on plastic too).
01-26-2015, 12:35 PM
#33
Rennlist Member
Thread Starter
No problem - If I wasn't so happy with the results, I probably wouldn't have posted. Just so no-one thinks I'm some sort of shill for LW, There are several other companies out there making similar products. Leatherique is the one that comes to mind immediately. While I haven't used their product, I've been told by someone who has seen the results in a BMW that they were very impressed. The cost seems to be very similar. Now I've just got to do my shifter **** and e-brake handle. 
05-14-2015, 01:42 PM
#34
Drifting
Thread bump. How is the color holding up?
05-14-2015, 02:59 PM
#35
Rennlist Member
Thread Starter
Oh, it's fine so far...I don't drive the car all that often (basically weekends and nights once in a while. It was also in my shop most of the winter). I actually did the shift ****, boot and e-brake handle as well. Everything looks really good, and for what driving I have done there has been no "wear" (at least visually) to speak of.
05-14-2015, 10:49 PM
#36
Burning Brakes
Oh, it's fine so far...I don't drive the car all that often (basically weekends and nights once in a while. It was also in my shop most of the winter). I actually did the shift ****, boot and e-brake handle as well. Everything looks really good, and for what driving I have done there has been no "wear" (at least visually) to speak of.
05-14-2015, 11:56 PM
#37
Drifting
Good to hear. Did either of you place any sort of topcoat or protectant over the finished product? Or did you only use what was supplied in the kit?
05-15-2015, 10:20 AM
#38
Rennlist Member
Thread Starter
Just the kit for me (there's a product in there called "protectant" that you slather on after the refinish - I've done that a few times, and will do it periodically in the future) and I went with the "Flat" color coat as I figured it would get "buffed up" from natural contact with the surfaces...It's worked out just fine. I think BAL used the "medium gloss"...
08-31-2015, 09:28 AM
#40
I used Leather Renew about a year ago on my seats, console, horseshoe, wheel, etc, and I think it's held up quite well. This is my DD. Just did a refresh touch up on the seats and wheel, but that took less than an hour. NOT an exact match for my graphite grey, but close enough for my needs.
08-31-2015, 11:01 AM
#41
Rennlist Member
Thread Starter
So, since this thread has popped back up, I'll give an update. The LW product is holding up very well and looks as good as it did when I first applied it over the winter. My car has gotten a fair amount of use since April/May (about 3000 miles) and the steering wheel has been cleaned several times. No signs of wear through on either the steering wheel or brake handle. I'm pretty amazed that the seat repair has held up beautifully, as it was pretty badly torn and worn. Overall I'm very happy with the $80.00 spent and the few hours (probably 10 -12 total) that it took me to do the work.
Last edited by dporto; 08-31-2015 at 02:12 PM.
08-31-2015, 12:49 PM
#42
Burning Brakes
So, since this thread has popped back up, I'll give an update. The LW product is holding up very well and looks as good as it did when I first applied it over the winter. My car has gotten a fair amount of use since April/May (about 3000 miles) and the steering wheel has been cleaned several times. No signs of wear through on either the steering wheel or break handle. I'm pretty amazed that the seat repair has held up beautifully, as it was pretty badly torn and worn. Overall I'm very happy with the $80.00 spent and the few hours (probably 10 -12 total) that it took me to do the work.
08-31-2015, 02:13 PM
#43
Rennlist Member
Thread Starter
