Recovering worn leather.

[Jesda]

http://www.cadillacforums.com/....html

Product called SEM.

[jltibbs]

So which set is 'recovered'?

[paranoidjack]

Clearly the after! Look at left hip wear marks on driver's seat.

[maxnix]

Using alkaline products such as soap on leather ensures the rapid degradation of that leather.

[paranoidjack]

Seems designed for it! Odd they would offer a product that damaged the leather...99% of those things sold "don't do anything," but to actually damage it?

http://www.levineautoparts.com/diforuse.html

Two step process - remove factory hard coat, and apply new one?
Modified by paranoidjack at 1:03 PM 5/10/2009

[tfvesquire]

I used a different product called Colorbond to recolor my seats, armrests, door panel inserts and center storage console lid and box. I was going to use the SEM Classic Coat, but they it only comes in a few colors and my tan/beige wasn't one of them. I used the Ford Sand color the first tiem and didn't like it. I chose the Light Parchment (No. 337) the second time and really prefer it. Finally, I used a product called Leatherique to clean, soften and prep my seats.

I tried to recolor my old front seats, but they were too far gone (stiff, cracked, and too many parts were worn down to the suede leather) and after a few months, they started looking like crap again. I picked up a decent set of seats from an anniversary edition with the stone beige interior that were in great shape. When I started my project, my goal was to recolor the seats in the original color beige, but after looking at a new Infiniti in the showroom, I really liked the light tan leather in the EX model so I decided to recolor everything and give my interior a brightening. It looked nice and clean and definitely updated.

The most difficult part of this project was getting the correct color from the color sample chart Colorbond sent me. Don't use the one online because depending on your computer monitor hue, you could end up ordering a totally different color. The first time around, I was told they were in the process of modifying their color batches and it took me several tries to get the color I wanted. They were a very good company to work with and will do their best to get you what you need. I did this project twice and I estimated it took me about 6-7 cans to recolor both front seats, headrests, both rear seat sections, all armrests and door panel inserts and the center console parts. At $14.95 a can, it can be quite pricey if you mess up and order the wrong color. Around $100.00 is a lot cheaper than a new interior.

One caveat --- If you do order from Colorbond, make sure they send you cans from the same color batch. The new cans will come with a tinted cover that is supposed to match the color inside the can. The old ones have a white can top with a colored sitcker on it.

I will try and post some photos of my interior, but I don't have any before photos. You should be able to tell immediately that my 98's interior is a lot brighter than the original drab tan/beige. I love the way it turned out and I get lots of compliments on it as well. There will stil be a couple of stress cracks in your drivers seat that will reappear after a few weeks of use, but if you prep your seats and don't spray it on too thick too quickly, you should end up with a nicely finished product.

I was able to recolor the stone beige (like taupe) seats to the lighter tan with no problems. The trick is to remove the seats from the car and then remove all of the trim before spraying anything. Plus, little details like taping over the stitched airbag labels and seat tracks will leave you with almost professional results.

If anyone has any questions, don't hesitate to contact me. Good luck on this -- it will take you more than one weekend to do it right. Too much color at once will leave you with sticky, tacky seats because the solvents have to evaporate. Lighter, thinner coats and proper dry time intervals is the key.

Ted

Modified by tfvesquire at 8:55 AM 5/11/2009
Modified by tfvesquire at 8:59 AM 5/11/2009

[Denver90Q]

Did you have to remove everything to spray it? I know Leatherique makes a water based product that can be brushed on. Would be interested to see how it holds up after a few months of heavy use.

[texasoil]

The leather in the Q45's I have -92,94 , have a surface coating, like a paint, and are not vat dyed or anything like that. The color is a coating applied to the leather. Any recoating has to be solvent based to adhere to the old paint surface. Water based stuff won't work.

[kosmo69]

I've used leatherique cleaner and rejuvenator w/ good success.