Hey guys, a couple questions about dying my door panel. This is what I have now
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y207/98BMWZ3/100_1507.jpg

I bought some black "hockey sticks" that go in place of the beige I have now. What I want to do is dye the "leopard" print crap black. Never liked it when I bought the car and just can't take it anymore. I searched and only came up with seat restoration/dying results, nothing really specific to what I want done.

Now this "leopard" print stuff is kinda bumpy when you run your hand over it. I've read through the instructions on leatherique.com and they suggest using sand paper to help remove the old dye. Wouldn't the sand paper rip off those bumps? It's not the smooth leather we have on our seats. Would it even need sanding? Is there just some dye stripper I can put on there, clean up and then redye black? Or do I even need to stripper the old dye, can I just apply the dye right over top?

I asked Andy at leatherz.com and he said he doesn't have any experience at dying leather, so he couldn't help me. Sure, I could send the pieces to leather.z and have them recover it in really nice leather, but that costs money. So I would rather just dye it myself and if it doesn't turn out the way I want, then I'll send it to leatherz in the distant future to get covered.

Any input is greatly appreciated. Thanks!

If you are going to do it yourself, here is what I recommend.

Order the black leather dye from this place

http://www.texasknife.com/ (http://www.texasknifesupply.com)

Part number: FPOBL

Apply it with a cotton ball (use gloves). Let it dry completely. It WILL dye any leather completely black. In fact...it will dye ANY porus surface black...

Pull the panel and try it on a test piece on the back of the panel first...but I am pretty sure it will work. I make knives and I use that stuff to dye all of my sheaths black.

After the dye, use some kind of leather sealer on it. Lexol is fine if you want a shine...neatsfoot oil is good if you want less shine.