My M3 vader seats with the pronounced side bolsters are in excellent shape especially considering theyve got 68k miles on them. This comes from regular use of Leatherique Rejuvenator Oil and Prestine Cleanse.

Over the years, the side bolster on the left side of the driver seat bottom receives more wear from the action of dragging your leg over the bolster as you sit, and get out of, the driver seat. There is one small area on this bolster that is about 1/2" wide and maybe 2" long where, in strong daylight, you can see the color is getting a little 'thin'. No cracking.. .just a hint of beige showing through the black, which you cant even see in indoor lighting.

So I dont want to dye the whole seat or anything like that... So George at Leatherique suggested I purchase the Steering Wheel refinishing kit which contains 4 oz of black dye, prep solution, and a clearcoat which is used to cover the steering wheel job... Then, all we did is stipulate BMW Black for the color of the dye, and the stuff arrived yesterday.

Heres my question to any of you who have experience with the Leatherique dye. Since the area I want to touch up is so small, I was wondering if its absolutely necessary to use the prep solution which removes old dye. I was thinking maybe I could just brush a small amount of the BMW black dye over the area, thin enough, so that it will blend in nicely with the surrounding color. George said to use the prep solution on the area, but the area is so small, and the condition of the dye isnt all that bad, Id just like to hear from somebody that has used the dye without removing the old dye first via the Prep solution, and how it turned out..

Thanks.

If you've been using Leatherique to clean and condition and nothing else I think you'll be fine. If the new dye does flake off it wouldn't be much trouble to redo.

If you've been using Leatherique to clean and condition and nothing else I think you'll be fine. If the new dye does flake off it wouldn't be much trouble to redo.


Ok.. thanks much. Its such a small spot where the dye is just starting to get a little thin, that you can only see it at all in bright daylight, and even then I think id have do point it out to you. So Ill brush on a tiny bit over it and see how it does, without prepping first. Some guys say to thin it out, to avoid brush marks.. Have you found that to be a good idea yourself? And why do they say to dump it out into a container, and apply it from there... This is a small 4 oz plastic bottle. .Why couldnt I just shake it up in there, and dip the small brush I plan to use to apply it? Again, I guess with such a small area, I guess I can use my own rules to an extent...

For application on a small area I would try daubing the dye on with a clean lint free cloth in several light coats. I think it would be easier to blend the new and old together this way.

When I did my seats I poured the dye into a larger container and thinned it with water as I was spraying it on. I would still do this even if I planned on using another application technique. I believe it would easier to controll streaking from brush overlap and overall color eveness.

Good luck with your project, I was very happy with the way my seats turned out.

For application on a small area I would try daubing the dye on with a clean lint free cloth in several light coats. I think it would be easier to blend the new and old together this way.

When I did my seats I poured the dye into a larger container and thinned it with water as I was spraying it on. I would still do this even if I planned on using another application technique. I believe it would easier to controll streaking from brush overlap and overall color eveness.

Good luck with your project, I was very happy with the way my seats turned out.

Thanks for your reply.. Now that youve had experience using the Leatherique dye, how do you feel about doing an area like mine, which is basically 1/4 to 1/2" wide and 1-2" long where the color is still present, but slightly thinner; no cracking.. just thinner from abrading against bluejean leg on part of a side bolster.... How do you feel about eliminating the prep solution step and going right to dabbing on the dye? Your post seems to indicate that you agree that its worth a try. Since the color is only slightly thin there, and otherwise in great shape, Im reluctant to hit it with the full fury of the kit, totally removing the color that is there. I usually believe in trying the mild approach first; then it if peels off to easily, thats when Ill come back with the full prep solution treatment first... Does that make sense to one who has used the stuff before?

Clean the spot really well with Pristine Clean then give the method you've worked out a try. You can't go wrong. I agree that it seems un-necessary to hit it with the full blown treatment when the damage is so small and minor. I would urge you to go easy with the dye until you get the results you're after. You can always apply more dye.

For a good leatherique tutorial (more than what you're asking, but still a good read), see the following thread:

http://www.detailersclub.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2479&highlight=leatherique