Hello,

I have finally gotten to a point in my Leather Restoration Write-up where I can post it. I am posting it before I am complete because I know some of you are planning on doing this project pretty soon.

This write-up is incomplete because it lacks information on filling leather cracks and because I have not included dye application techniques. I plan on updating the write-up sometime after the first of the year to include these topics. At that time I will probably also add some more images and update the layout.

You will be able to find all of the updates through this thread as they are posted. To make it easy, I will post a change log in this thread and update this post.

The write-up:
Release Number: 1
Release Date: December 26, 2004
File Type: Adobe PDF
File Size: 508 KB
Click here to download (http://home.comcast.net/~e36m52/bfc/dec2004leatherproject/LeatherRestorationProject.pdf)

Please let me know if you have any questions or if you would like to see something added to this write-up, and be sure to check back for updates :buttrock

Andrew
96328is

This is one of the best write-ups I have ever seen. I was planning on documenting my process for the purpose of aiding people, but I now see no purpose in doing so.

The pictures, text, and logic are very easy to follow and leave very minimum question left unanswered in my mind. Thanks a lot, you ROCK!

This is one of the best write-ups I have ever seen. I was planning on documenting my process for the purpose of aiding people, but I now see no purpose in doing so.

The pictures, text, and logic are very easy to follow and leave very minimum question left unanswered in my mind. Thanks a lot, you ROCK!

Thanks! Glad to help!

If anyone has questions, please post them here so that we can get the unanswered questions answered and into the write-up :buttrock

Happy Holidays...

Andrew has been a great help!

I sent him a PM asking the following questions:

1. Which kit did you order and was there enough supply? I ordered Kit #3 (should be arriving today), and I'm trying to do front and back seats.

2. What did you do when it came to the stitched seams?

3. I have M-stripes on my seats....should I mask them with masking tape?

4. I am planning on covering the area with a large plastic bag and blowing hot air into the bag. You said I should do this until the seats get warm and take up the oil. Once this is done, do I still have to let the oil sit overnight?

He responded:

1. Product supply

I also ordered kit 3 as well, and you should have plenty of dye. Actually, I am guessing that I’ll use just over half of the dye that was supplied. After mixing the dye, you may want to pour the dye into 2 separate Tupperware containers. That way, you can store one container and have one for the project. Be sure to mix the dye before you separate it into the two containers, though, since you want the dye in both containers to match.

The one thing that I almost ran out of was the Surface Preparation Solution, although if you are thorough in Procedure 3 you should be all set. When I did my first seat, I used the Surface Preparation Solution instead of the Soap/Alcohol/Water mixture, so that is probably why I ran low.

As far as the Rejuvenator Oil and Pristine Clean, you should be in good shape. I went a bit crazy with the Rejuvenator Oil and I’m just about out, but I could have probably used a bit less. I ended up just ordering another bottle of that for maintenance. The product you’ll use the least amount of is Pristine Clean, although you’ll use it for regular maintenance.


2. Stitched seams

I’m not sure if you’re asking about repairing stitched seams, or preparing them, or dyeing them, so I’ll shed some light onto each of those topics

Repairing them - you may have to take them to a fabric store or something. My aunt does sewing and embroidery on the side, so I am going to send my drivers side leather up to her to have the hip bolster re-stitched.

Preparing them - just be careful not to sand the thread itself. I personally didn’t give them any more attention than the rest of the seat, you just have to be conscious with the sandpaper.

Dyeing them - Again, I didn’t give them special attention. You can go directly over them with the Dye.


3. M-Stripes

You may want to see if you can remove the M-Stripes. I know that they were just snapped in place in the older models, so I’m guessing they are the same now. If you can’t remove them, then yes, I’d use masking tape to keep them from getting stripped or dyed. But still, I have to believe they’ll come off...


4. Rejuvenator Oil Sitting Time

Yes, I would still allow the seats to sit overnight. By the time you get to this step, you’ll be ready for a break anyway!

---

The M-Stripes are actually leather on my seats and are sewn in, so I guess I will have to mask them. In regards to the stitching, I was referring to the nuances of dying them, which you nailed on the head. Thanks!

I do have another question though...

How coarse was the steel wool you used? There seems to be 4 levels of coarseness that I saw in my recent trip to the hardware store.

I do have another question though...

How coarse was the steel wool you used? There seems to be 4 levels of coarseness that I saw in my recent trip to the hardware store.
The steel wool I used came in a package with 4 different coarsenesses. I used the stuff at the bottom of the package, which was very fine. I suggest you use the finest stuff you can get a hold of. Surely the fine steel wool you saw will do the job...

The steel wool I used came in a package with 4 different coarsenesses. I used the stuff at the bottom of the package, which was very fine. I suggest you use the finest stuff you can get a hold of. Surely the fine steel wool you saw will do the job...

OK, thanks again :D

this thread may be old but this is a great write up. i was wondering if its possible to dye black vadors dove gray?????? i rather dye them then buy used ones and sell mines. my blk ones are not in great conditon anyway.

thanks for the great writeup, I just ordered kit 3 from leatherique and plan on doing my whole interior. Can't wait to start!

quick question though, about how much time did it take to do your interior?

Also what can I do to get started while I'm waiting for the kit to arrive? They say it'll be about 2-3 weeks to colormatch.

do you have to remove the color off your seat and dye it back? with my seats there are parts that are fading can i just dye that single panel and not go through the entire seats/?

any tips on getting the dye off the seams? My seats are kinda old so the threads arent as strong.

did anyone save this article. If so can you repost it? thanks so much.

I would really like to get a copy of this too!

yUP ITS GONE. I think we need to have it put into post form on this board so it wont dissappear. Can you re host the file again?

id love to get the file as well
thanks!
-silver36

me too.....need the file!

If I dont find anyone who wants to trade me or sell me some mulberry vaders then I am also going to be interested in viewing this write up.

any word as to whether or not someone has a copy of the steps outlined?

Here's the file from the original post
Clicky! (http://www.sfu.ca/~devonw/m3/LeatherRestorationProject.pdf)
:buttrock

Thanks guys...anyone know where to buy the dye, and how to make sure I am getting the right color?

Thanks,
Dan