Leather restore and dye.

[Hewsly]

Hello, recently got these new front seats although as you can see from the pictures they are pretty tatty ATM. Could anyone help me step by step on how to bring them back properly including the product needed. I know they are going to need the cracks filled and the leather re dyed. Cost effective also. Thanks :drink:

http://i1009.photobucket.com/albums/af218/Welshydavies23/d39e9515.jpghttp://i1009.photobucket.com/albums/af218/Welshydavies23/2917fcf0.jpg
http://i1009.photobucket.com/albums/af218/Welshydavies23/e0702db9.jpg
http://i1009.photobucket.com/albums/af218/Welshydavies23/1647a361.jpg
http://i1009.photobucket.com/albums/af218/Welshydavies23/68551fdb.jpg

Thanks

[Stefan_Wood]

Gliptone Liquid Leather GT11 - GT12

GT12
1 / Damp cloth over the leather
2 / Rough pad but not to rough with some GT12 leave for 10min's
3 / Wipe off with a damp cloth, repeat step 2 with a normal sponge and repeat again if you still think they are not clean with a micro fibre cloth

G11
1 / Make sure seat's are dry
2 / Rub GT12 over the seat's i like to do it with my hand as i can get in all the crack's and massage the leather, leave for 10mins
3 / Repeat if matt finish and colour is not back to how it should be

[Hewsly]

Thanks, is there no need for any dye then? Or is that in the product?

[Stefan_Wood]

Thanks, is there no need for any dye then? Or is that in the product?

Best thing to do is buy those products follow the steps and see what the seats come out like in the end, it will reduce some of the creases and bring out all the dirt so the colour is equal, after that have a look at the seat's and see if they need die.

Also you can get all the products form here

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BMW-Car-leather-Seat-dye-e36-e46-e81-e90-e60-M3-etc-/320607364582?pt=UK_Car_Accessories_Car_Care_Cleani ng&hash=item4aa5b025e6

Your seats are listed and they also show a picture of yours

[TypeRDavid]

This is a thread from a chap on DW that actually did a proper repair job on his Jeep, depends on how far you want to go and how much you want to spend really, He also mentions the Furniture clinic offer a colour match service, which would be handy.

http://www.detailingworld.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?t=198550&highlight=leather+repair

Gliptone is good, but not THAT good! :)

[Hewsly]

So would people say firstly clean with Gliptone and then dye? The vaders aren't cracked as such yet so I won't be filling cracks but surely I can re-dye them to get them back again?

[Stefan_Wood]

So would people say firstly clean with Gliptone and then dye? The vaders aren't cracked as such yet so I won't be filling cracks but surely I can re-dye them to get them back again?

Clean with gliptone, then dye leave until dry, then condition.
Heard with the conditioning bit you can use a hairdryer to open up the leather to get into the crack's easier but im not sure if that would just dry the leather out further

[Ashleyp]

Stefan, stick to the cloth interior of your furio; you DON'T condition leather.

modern leather doesn't need conditioner, it doesn't help it...

I got your PM mate, youll need some form of leather repair kit if the cracks are relatively deep, it makes it easier to re-dye the leather if you repair it now anyway - http://www.furnitureclinic.co.uk/Leather_Repair_Kit.php

on that site you can also get a leather recoulouration kit, and then send a small (10p) sized bit of leather to them so they can send out the correct colour dye. - http://www.furnitureclinic.co.uk/Leather_Colourant_Kit.php

if you follow the instructions, it's not too hard. mines not come out perfect, but it's a hell of a lot better than it was before, and a hell of a lot cheaper than paying someone to get it to the look it was new.

an example using similar products in the US: http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/showthread.php?t=389764

Gliptone leather cleaner is good though if you use a lot of elbow grease and a nail brush or something.

Ultimately, it's as David says; it depends how far you want to go with it. I had worse cracks than yours in my drivers seat so got the leather repair kit. you may not need it though.

[Stefan_Wood]

Ashley for a start I have the gti leathers in my car and they do need conditioning I went to a special and he told me that is what I have to do if they are dry with cracks, secondly you say you dont condition new leather, his grey leathers are not new.
I have done those steps I said up there my self and they came out brilliant compared to what they were.

[Ashleyp]

Ashley for a start I have the gti leathers in my car and they do need conditioning I went to a special and he told me that is what I have to do if they are dry with cracks, secondly you say you dont condition new leather, his grey leathers are not new.
I have done those steps I said up there my self and they came out brilliant compared to what they were.

The speacialist you spoke to was a salesman too?

You should also note, i didn't use the word "new" leathers, i used the word "modern" leathers.

modern leathers need protecting, not conditioning. Water alone is enough to condition modern leathers and keep them supple.

Modern automotive finished leather upholstery used by 95% of OEM is a multi strata covering over the leather hide; pigmentation (colour) and an abrasion resistant urethane.

If your seats are protected properly, then the vast majority of conditioners will just sit on top of the leather creating a film which just picks up dust / dirt / sweat etc and leaves a nasty greasy look to your interior.

Simply put; Finished leathers only requirement is to be kept clean and protected, urethane doesn’t require conditioning

[Ashleyp]

Something else worth mentioning, is that you can clearly see that parts of OP's leather has actually cracked, not just dried up - which of course, naturally happens through wear and tear, especially if the vaders previous owner didn't care for them.

No conditioner / treatment / cleaner / protectant will magically make the leather repair it self. For a repair you need to fill in the cracks, and re-dye them if a near new finish is desired.

[Stefan_Wood]

He sold the occasional product's that he use's
Im only going on what i have done and been told to do on my leather's
When i used the cleaner and conditoner the leather's came out alot better than before and the crack's did not go away but a vast improvement was made on them.
Also the matt look came back and got rid of the shiny look that most people think is the clean look for leather's.
Im not trying to argue with you as you seem to know your stuff im just stating what i have done and it worked

[wassy78]

What they going in once you have treated them ?

[Hewsly]

Thank you ashley completely forgot about this! i am buying the products you reccomend as we speak! Thank you also stefan for your help!

Wassy, yes they are going in when i have restored and dyed them. I only bought front as they where from a mate and cheap and the rears arent any differnt bar the M stripes!

[Hewsly]

What they going in once you have treated them ?

oh, if you mean what car. My 328

[Hewsly]

Stefan, stick to the cloth interior of your furio; you DON'T condition leather.

modern leather doesn't need conditioner, it doesn't help it...

I got your PM mate, youll need some form of leather repair kit if the cracks are relatively deep, it makes it easier to re-dye the leather if you repair it now anyway - http://www.furnitureclinic.co.uk/Leather_Repair_Kit.php

on that site you can also get a leather recoulouration kit, and then send a small (10p) sized bit of leather to them so they can send out the correct colour dye. - http://www.furnitureclinic.co.uk/Leather_Colourant_Kit.php

if you follow the instructions, it's not too hard. mines not come out perfect, but it's a hell of a lot better than it was before, and a hell of a lot cheaper than paying someone to get it to the look it was new.

an example using similar products in the US: http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/showthread.php?t=389764

Gliptone leather cleaner is good though if you use a lot of elbow grease and a nail brush or something.

Ultimately, it's as David says; it depends how far you want to go with it. I had worse cracks than yours in my drivers seat so got the leather repair kit. you may not need it though.

Was just checking the videos out the company had made. I need the colour restoration not the repair! My seats are just haggard and discoloured not ripped or burnt ect. Thank you for directing me to that site. I'll be buying some ASAP!

[Hewsly]

if you wonder why i said i was buying them as we speak then i said buy some ASAP, is becuase i realised after i watched the videos and im going to ring up on monday to get the right colour :P