Leatherique Results

[silver2k2]

So my seats had some minor tears, and cracks like many of us with light colored seats. I had heard of leatherique products on the Bimmer boards and thought I would give them a try. I am pretty happy with the results considering I spent 90 bucks.

Before





After

[Skibane]

From their website, it looks like they offer several products. Which ones did you use?

[Q_SHIP]

My guess is crack filler and dye.

[EQwhipD]

I agree because I have used Leatherique conditioner and you could barely notice the difference. The clear coat on these seats are very hard to penetrate. But whatever he used has some awesome results!

[CrimsonQ]

Damn that crazy?? How does it feel to touch?

[silver2k2]

Thanks for the comments guys

I used the rejuvinator oil to get the leather soft again, then pristine clean.

I wet sanded the entire seat with 500 then 600 grit removing all the oil dye and getting back down to raw leather

I then used leather and craft glue to patch and pulled the cracks back together. I would glue one side then pull the leather together and glue the other side, I then filled with crack filler layer by layer and sanded again. Its pretty close to body work.

The seats feel great to the touch soft and supple. The dye was custom matched and is perfect. I didnt need to do the back seats and you cannot tell the difference

There are some minor brush marks that I plan to sand out wit 1500 grit then I will put them back in the car.
Modified by silver2k2 at 2:26 PM 5/24/2007

[ILuvNkdChx]

Hard work pays off! Those look awesome!

[goody90q45]

Looks Great! How many hours labor per seat? Is Leatherique only available by mail order and not in stores? I think we're going to be knocking your doors down looking for details.

[silver2k2]

Yes only mail order. Its hard to say how much time was spent I spent a little time each day doing the steps.

I put on the oil and let it sit in the hot sun for two days re-applying as the oil soaked in and pushed the dirt out of the leathers pores.

Then patched maybe two 15 minute sessions

Then many 5 -10 minute sessions of just filling the cracks, letting it dry, filling more etc.

Sanding took a while maybe 1.5 hours to get all the old dye off

As with all painting its all in the prep, it only took about 20 mins to paint it.

The only skill this project really requires is patience and time you can leave your seats alone

[qsiguy]

Very nice, I'll have to add that to my long to-do list now, thanks a lot! It's getting to be a really long list.

[elwesso]

very nice! I am interested to hear about its longevity...

[silver2k2]

The vendor says it should last as long as the factory finish, or longer since it will now be cared for. However if I get three years out of it I will be happy for the time and money involved.

[elwesso]

Very nice. The only reason I ask is that I saw a writeup that a guy wiht a tan leather interior in a E28 M5 and after about a year of driving it didnt look mint anymore. It still looked good, but it was starting to recrack in the area. he didnt post any information about how it was cared for, but one would have to assume if he went this far he didnt skimp on other stuff later.

[silver2k2]

yeah we will just have to wait and see, again prep is key, if he didnt get all the old degraded dye off before he redyed that could be the problem. They give you plenty extra dye doing it again would be much less work given all the cracks and holes are filled.

[tkd_q45]

Awesome! How much did it cost in materials from Leatherique?

[silver2k2]

It was 90 for the kit with a custom color match. A few dollars on 500 and 600 grit sand paper, and a few buckd for square of leather and leather glue from a local craft store.

[qsiguy]

Did you happen to take any progress photos you can post?

[silver2k2]

You know I meant to, at the time my camera was dead and then I forgot about it.

[NASCARLANCE]

Looks 100% better to me.Do you have any close-ups to compair to the before pictures?It would be nice to see the worst places in before and after pictures.On the rips, do you just glue a piece of leather in under the tears? Then fill the crack with filler?I got a friend who does auto upholstery, next time I see him I'll ask him if he has any knowledge of the longevity of this.I'm sure if you went to an upholstery shop they would say it's junk and the only route to go would be to have them install new covers on your seats.

[silver2k2]

I will look for some better closeups. yeah you want to glue one side let it dry then pull the leather back togther and glue the other. I used leather fuzzy side up but you can use canvas as well

[KoukiS14]

HOLY CRAP!! I wish I had that for my S14 -- the seats weren't that bad, but they'd have been brand new.

I will keep it in mind as my QX4 wears.

[Jeff Williams]

Wow! That is a huge difference!

I may use that on my old Corvette seats. I bought a new set for $475. It would be cool to recondition the originals, and sell them or use them in another Vette.

You know, I may just wet sand my seats in Lola, and re-dye them just to make them more soft. I don't have any bad spots on them, but I really don't like the shiny finish on them. I prefer the matte finish, personally.

[yotertruckcustom]

yeah we will just have to wait and see, again prep is key, if he didnt get all the old degraded dye off before he redyed that could be the problem. They give you plenty extra dye doing it again would be much less work given all the cracks and holes are filled.

It may be the way he gets into the car. a lot of cracks and creases made in leather seats are made by the driver sliding across the seat when entering and exiting the vehicle. the trick is to pick yourself up and set yourself in the middle of the seat.

[goody90q45]

....a lot of cracks and creases made in leather seats are made by the driver sliding across the seat when entering and exiting the vehicle. the trick is to pick yourself up and set yourself in the middle of the seat.

I agree. I got new seats in the last month and I'm much more conscious about how I get into the seat as well as the clothes I'm wearing. No more shorts with metal zippers in the rear pocket. Velcro rear pockets for me from now on (or lay a towel down first). I don't think I'll be lucky enough to find another set of seats like these. Gotta make them last.

[yotertruckcustom]

I agree. I got new seats in the last month and I'm much more conscious about how I get into the seat as well as the clothes I'm wearing. No more shorts with metal zippers in the rear pocket. Velcro rear pockets for me from now on (or lay a towel down first). I don't think I'll be lucky enough to find another set of seats like these. Gotta make them last.

Keep them moistureized regulaly too. Try to use products that are pH balanced and contain minimal to no silicone. The same goes for other interior panel conditioning. Also, when the seats start to get dirty and discoloring in the the creases, which is inevitable, use a good stiff brish (yes I said stiff) and a mild cleaner/degreaser and scrub them clean. You will be amazed in the clean feeling that you will get. Be sure you condition them right after they dry. For materials, consult a local detail shop, NOT A DOLL UP SHOP. Doll up shop cars come out covered in tire dressing, go to some one with a reputation of excellent work.

I work at a detail shop, not a doll up shop.

[AlabamaDan]

Remarkable change in the seats. I've got some that are starting to crack a little. Perhaps I should do something before they get too far gone.

Your seats look lighter? Are they?