How to recolor faded leather seats

[Mike E.]

I'm dealing with a pair of saddle leather seats from a 72 that have done their usual fade to a tan/olive green/ugly mix. Is there a safe way to recolor them that will adhere well for the reasonably long term. A "friend" suggested shoe polish--that would be a lasting reminder of a mistake, in my book.

[Jean C.]

Re: How to recolor faded leather seats

Mike, ditto your opinon of using shoe polish! Even if it would resolve the color issue, a wax base substance such as shoe polish would produce a slick surface totally not desireable on seat surfaces.

Interior dye sprayed with a gun both worked great on my vinyl dash pads in my '64. I presume, perhaps erroneously, that your leather seats would accept the dye just as well as vinyl. Granted, my lard butt isn't sitting on the dash pads so I don't know how the dye wears with continual use as would be the case on a seat surface.

Cheers,

[Mike M.]

Re: How to recolor faded leather seats

I'm dealing with a pair of saddle leather seats from a 72 that have done their usual fade to a tan/olive green/ugly mix. Is there a safe way to recolor them that will adhere well for the reasonably long term. A "friend" suggested shoe polish--that would be a lasting reminder of a mistake, in my book.

if there are any shoe repair shops left in yer area, see if they can supply a leather dye. i wouldn't use a vinyl paint on leather.mike

[Richard M.]

Re: How to recolor faded leather seats

Mike, I've used dye for leather on our jag and it worked great. I got it from the UK, just checked but he doesn't have US makes. Just poked around on ebay and found this:

http://cgi.ebay.com/TANDY-LEATHER-FIEBINGS-PROFESSIONAL-OIL-DYE-SADDLE-TAN_W0QQitemZ370137063895QQihZ024QQcategoryZ146334QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Maybe?

Rich

[Thomas N.]

Re: How to recolor faded leather seats

The recoloring of leather seats in Ferrari's and other cars is quite common. One of the suppliers of materials is leatherique. Their website is http://www.leatherique.com/. Usually you clean the seats, then wash the seats down with thinner, scuff up the leather, fill in any cracks, then apply the dye. This is the abridged version, but if I remember correctly the steps are outlined on the website. I've used their cleaner and rejuvinator oil for quite some time on my Italian car with leather seats, and am very satisfied. Usually, with most dye suppliers, if you send a sample of your seat (take a piece from underneath that isn't faded), they can match a dye color, if it isn't standard.

[Dick W.]

Re: How to recolor faded leather seats

Rich, I have used the product that you listed and it leaves the leather looking like it was painted. It leaves a heavy build up and a very glossy finish.

The leatherique looks like it might be worth investigating

[Richard M.]

Re: How to recolor faded leather seats

Hmmm good info Dick. I haven't used it, just poked around and saw it.

On the Jag I used a product called "Scuffmaster", made in England. It worked very well and was a perfect match. They only have colors for Jags and Rovers though.

Rich

[Steven B.]

Re: How to recolor faded leather seats

Mike E., what Mike McC. said, try a shoe repair/leather shop. Last summer I was looking for the same answer and an upholstery shop and a Chevy dealer each sent me to the local shoe repair shop. They have dyes that are very flexible they use on shoes, purses, brief cases, belts, etc. I first tried some on a pair of the wife's shoes and then on a very soft and flexible 10 year old brief case with exceptional results. The seats are next. I was told they can match colors (they certainly did an excellent job on my tan brief case). Next step is to ask them to do my seats.

Good Luck!

Steve

[Thomas N.]

Re: How to recolor faded leather seats

The website from leatherique is not as good as it once was. If you look at their site, and click on the leather care site under the box "links to our other sites", it brings up their old website, and has more information. I would recommend you give them a call also. They are very good at answering questions. They've been at this for a while, and really know their stuff and are quite helpful.
Also, here is a link to a Fclub website talking about redying seats, a firsthand approach. It might be worthwhile reading. http://www.nwrfca.org/faq/leatherdye.htm