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Here is a close up of the right side bolster on the driver side base.
Here is a close up of the right side bolster on the driver side base.
0 2013/04/11 09:29:59
After removing the seats from the car I took the backs off to make it easier to do the work. I figured it was would be hard enough to do with the pleats along the sides of the bottoms and the insert in the backs. Here is the drivers side base. You can see the right side lower bolster is well worn and there are some pretty deep creases on the the front.
After removing the seats from the car I took the backs off to make it easier to do the work. I figured it was would be hard enough to do with the pleats along the sides of the bottoms and the insert in the backs. Here is the drivers side base. You can see the right side lower bolster is well worn and there are some pretty deep creases on the the front.
0 2013/04/11 09:29:59
Here is the driver side back. The outside bolster (right in this pic as my car is LHD) was in the worst condition which is understandable as this area gets the most use/abuse over time.
Here is the driver side back. The outside bolster (right in this pic as my car is LHD) was in the worst condition which is understandable as this area gets the most use/abuse over time.
0 2013/04/11 09:29:59
Here is a closer look at the driver side bolster. I thought it was pretty bad and this area was the main reason I wanted to restore the seats and figured I needed new covers. As I researched my options I discovered that re-dying the seats after properly prepping them was a viable option.
Here is a closer look at the driver side bolster. I thought it was pretty bad and this area was the main reason I wanted to restore the seats and figured I needed new covers. As I researched my options I discovered that re-dying the seats after properly prepping them was a viable option.
0 2013/04/11 09:35:43
The first step in a re-dye is to remove as much of the original dye as possible. This is done using copious amounts of auto body lacquer thinners and elbow grease. A nasty, messy, time consuming job to be sure. Here is the driver side back 1/2 stripped
The first step in a re-dye is to remove as much of the original dye as possible. This is done using copious amounts of auto body lacquer thinners and elbow grease. A nasty, messy, time consuming job to be sure. Here is the driver side back 1/2 stripped
0 2013/04/11 09:35:43
The next step after stripping the old finish would be to resurface/fill any deep cracks. The badly worn area on the bolster did not actually need to be resurfaced as it turns out and as it was the worst area on the seats I did not even bother with the effort to fill and sand the seats. As I had skipped resurfacing the next step was to recondition the seats. After lightly sanding the leather with a 320 grit paper I used a product from Color Plus called Soffener. This made the leather very soft and pliable.
The next step after stripping the old finish would be to resurface/fill any deep cracks. The badly worn area on the bolster did not actually need to be resurfaced as it turns out and as it was the worst area on the seats I did not even bother with the effort to fill and sand the seats. As I had skipped resurfacing the next step was to recondition the seats. After lightly sanding the leather with a 320 grit paper I used a product from Color Plus called Soffener. This made the leather very soft and pliable.
0 2013/04/11 09:43:46
After cleaning and conditioning the leather I masked of the areas I would not be applying the new dye to.
After cleaning and conditioning the leather I masked of the areas I would not be applying the new dye to.
0 2013/04/11 09:43:46
The backs prepped for spraying on the new colour.
The backs prepped for spraying on the new colour.
0 2013/04/11 09:43:46
Here are the seat bases after me shooting the first coat of new colorant.
Here are the seat bases after me shooting the first coat of new colorant.
0 2013/04/11 09:59:10
The driver side back after stripping, cleaning, conditioning, and ready for the application of new dye.
The driver side back after stripping, cleaning, conditioning, and ready for the application of new dye.
0 2013/04/11 09:59:10
The driver side back after the coat of dye has been applied.
The driver side back after the coat of dye has been applied.
0 2013/04/11 09:59:10
A close up of the passenger side bolster. Looks almost new to me. I swapped the seat backs when I reassembled them seeing as the driver side gets so much more use and to "wear level" the seats as best I could.
A close up of the passenger side bolster. Looks almost new to me. I swapped the seat backs when I reassembled them seeing as the driver side gets so much more use and to "wear level" the seats as best I could.
0 2013/04/11 10:07:21
The driver side seat ready to go. I will say that the surface feels a bit rough. I buffed the seats with a cloth and that did help and perhaps the surface will feel smoother over time. I blame this on spray gun inexperience and not the product. It isn't too bad and the improved looks more than compensate.
The driver side seat ready to go. I will say that the surface feels a bit rough. I buffed the seats with a cloth and that did help and perhaps the surface will feel smoother over time. I blame this on spray gun inexperience and not the product. It isn't too bad and the improved looks more than compensate.
0 2013/04/11 10:07:21
Here are my seats after being restored and ready to be put back in the car. They look great (I think).
Here are my seats after being restored and ready to be put back in the car. They look great (I think).
0 2013/04/11 10:07:21
The driver side bolster after applying the dye.
The driver side bolster after applying the dye.
0 2013/04/11 10:08:00
Seats reinstalled.
Seats reinstalled.
0 2013/04/11 10:14:45
All in all I'm really happy with how the refinishing of the seats went and at this point I'd highly recommend the Color Plus products. Would I do it again? I'm not sure about that. The amount of prep time I put in was substantial.
All in all I'm really happy with how the refinishing of the seats went and at this point I'd highly recommend the Color Plus products. Would I do it again? I'm not sure about that. The amount of prep time I put in was substantial.
0 2013/04/11 10:14:45