Connolly leather dye question

Connolly is back in business but in a more limited way. In any event I am sure they don't supply dye.

A good leather guy can mix some dye to match. That is important especially because depending on color and age it changes over time and an exact match when new is not always an exact match now.

 

Talk to a couple of local high end dealers in the area. They all have mobile dent guys and mobile leather repair guys. Get it to one of them. I have a guy that is a magician with worn damaged leather and he tours the area with a truck doing it for dealers etc.

 

I opted for some minor repair on my seats last year. I simply went with a local vendor that did on-site work for one of the "chain" leather services.

He color matched the dye, prepped the seat, patched the cracking, sealed the spot, including a final finish to match the sheen. Been 4 months now and the repair is still perfect, no fade or dye coming off. Overall, I was amazed at how good it turned out. This was for a cracked bolster, so I suspect simple wear in the color would be even better.

Added a before and after of the bolster repair. Both sides of the driver's seat looked about like that. The color variance in the images is due to my crappy iPhone camera, not the work.

I wouldn't hesitate to let a leather repair guy with a good portfolio of work and some experience fix my seat. So long as the color is matched, it seems like a pretty hard job to screw up if the prep work is done. In fact, I kept some of the extra dye and have since airbrushed a few minor spots on my dash myself.

Pricing was very reasonable as well.

On-site color match is key! Leather can fade unevenly, and even the finish itself (shiny, eggshell, matte) can make the colors seem off if it isn't matched.
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Information about World Upholstery & Trim


World Upholstery & Trim
1320 E Main St Santa Paula, CA 93060
Toll Free: +1 (800) 222-9577
Local: +1 (805) 921-0100 Fax: +1 (805) 921-0101
E-mail: [email protected]

They have the dye and samples to mail you.....

I took the seats completely apart (8 pieces) when I got the TR. Wiped it down with lacquer thinner to remove crappy dye job by a pro. If needed, use 1500 sand paper CAREFULLY to smooth any rough spots. Spray and wipe with their leather prep. I then sprayed VERY light mists of dye followed immediately by a hair dryer on low. Spray again, hair dryer again. Spray again, dryer again until you are satisfied. Came out GREAT...PS I even re-did the straps with Pirelli rubber webbing straps....

 

Many owners on this site have indicated satisfaction with Leatherique. Home Page | Leatherique Restoration Products.
Have not used their products myself but plan to in the near future. They are currently doing a custom color match for me.

Brewman

 

Some of the owners in South Florida have used a representative from this company. I have attached a link to find one nearest to your location. Hope this helps.

Leather, Vinyl, Cloth, Hard Plastic Repair and Restoration

 

Hi flashman,

I had to find out that the new "Conolly" leather apparently has only the name in common with the old real Conolly leather !!! Don´t be fooled - if you have the chance try to see and FEEL!!!! old sample booklets from Conolly and compare them to the sample books of the new Conolly-named company - you should be ready for surprise… not only "colour-wise" or "structure-wise" it is different but more sadly "quality-wise" it is a total different story, it just doesn´t feel right…
I guess someone is trying to make big bucks by producing substandard leather together with using a name that was formerly known for being a brand standing for top notch quality…. Just my impression

I am in contact with some Ferrari-Classiche specialists here south of the alps and may be they have knowledge of a good source, especially when it comes to original restoration and/or repair of interiors - I´ll let you know…

Tobi.

 

Exactly.

I used to live in the same road as the old Connolly Brothers Curriers factory in SW London and have always had an interest in the company. A number of suppliers are trying to use the name but none match up.

In fact the story of the Connolly brand is one of the most unfortunate examples of a world brand being ruined by terrible management. It should be used as an example in business schools of how not to run a company. Its rather a British thing, great at innovation and craftsmanship, not very good at management.

 

I use Color Plus (google them) I have dyed several of my old Porsches when the seats became worn. It is water based so until it dries you can wipe it off . They guarantee a 99% color match.

 

Check out www.theleatherinstitute.com

I had them do my seats and they just finished a new owners TR seats. They do a lot of high end aircraft interiors and matched the color perfectly

The cost is reasonable and IMO the best alternative short of reupholstery

No affiliation.

 

I also have used Color Plus on Jaguar and Ferrari seats. I re-did the seats in an '84 Mondial QV, and they came out looking good as new. Those seats were in very rough shape when I started, and came out looking great. If you can cut a piece of leather from under the seat where is was not exposed to sunlight and send it to Color Plus, they will match it exactly. That's what I did with the Mondial, and the dye was a spot-on match to the original. NAYYY, just a satisfied customer.

p.s. I found that the Color Plus instructions were very easy to follow and it was not a complex job to do the seats. If you have a "touch-up" spray gun, they come out better than if you paint the dye on or apply it with a cloth.

 

Hey guys,

as promised two weeks ago I tried to get a hold of my contacts at Michelotto resp. Luppi and Ferrari classiche judges forwarding questions concerning the new Conolly leather and what to do in case you want to get the best material that is closest to the original in strength, feel, quality and colour…

First of all what they told me was, that they did see the new Vaumol and other leather samples made by the new Connolly some time ago and were deeply surprised, as all samples did indeed look very different in color, structure and feeling compared to the old ones.
It surely felt softer and more stretchy in comparison to the original old Connolly Leathers.
In their opinion that had to be the result of new/modern chrome or chemical tannin.

They told me that by using the cheaper modern chrome or chemical tannin not only color is affected but also the hides will be damaged on the inside and will stretch out more to all sides. The sides will stretch out easily after mounting as well, which will give wrinkles very quick. But it is cheaper to produce at the end…. When classic Leather has to be made on the traditional way, time consuming and expansive natural classic tannin has to be used. The benefits are qualitywise immense, but it is of course much more expensive at the end.

According to them the best source for getting classic leather in the most original way would be a company in the Netherland named HVL-classic leather. They are able to provide the best knowledge, hardware and material when it comes to classic Ferraris and Maseratis interior questions or issues. They have the best reputation among Ferrari & Maserati classiche judges in regards to quality and originality …

You can find it under:

HVL Class Leather® - Home

or

HVL - Exclusive Italian Interiors

Hope that could clarify a little…

 

thanks for the info Tobi

meanwhile Henk van Lith (HVL) is pretty well known in the "inner circles" and your information confirms his outstanding status


best
Michael

 

That someone is the Conolly family. Even the old "Top notch leather" wasn't all that good.