In this video (around 3:30) it shows the tanning/dyeing process being done in large rotating drums and then the leather gets pressed. It's a wet process and the color is completely absorbed by the leather, not painted. Leather tanning - Leather manufacturing - Leather production - www.leder-info.de - YouTube
Watch that video at 4:35. The finished color is sprayed on. This is how it was explained to me by the outfit that refinished my seats as well.
Yes, the hides are tanned, which doesn't wear off, but the finish dye is sprayed on, same as if you 'redye.' I agree it would be an issue for a color change as the dye won't match as it wears, but for the same color it's basically the same thing. As to it being delicate,maybe, but I don't know that it's possible to be more delicate than the factory finish. Ferrari don't put the hard clear coating over the dye like say bmw or Mercedes, that keeps it nice and soft but not so great for wear based on my understanding and experience. My 155k mile bmw 740 has less bolster wear than my 355, but the leather is nowhere near as nice to the touch.
You are indeed correct...but somehow it is more delicate when it's diy. I followed all instructions carefully and the finish is a lot more delicate than the original. I still advocate doing it because it refreshes the interior but don't expect the same thing.
Guys, I don't think redying is a bad option (aside from stitching) but that's not a direction I plan to take on the seats. I'm cool with a little dye touch up but I want the seats to be in new condition. So far, I'm looking at CoachTrim and Re-Originals and I think the prices I've been quoted are reasonable given the amount of work. I've looked at a few others and have eliminated them. One would not even send me a leather sample until an order was placed and I paid 50% down.....Hmmmmm? No-Thanks
I had mine professionally done and I am not sure of the process or the materials used. After two seasons it still looks like it did when they did it. Of course it does not alter areas that have changed shape on account of wear, it just makes the color uniform and matching and eliminated the worn pigment areas. For what it costs and the results, I would redo it until such point that the seats just don't look good anymore because of deformation.
Looks great actually! I wouldn't think you could do that without loosening up the original stitching but it looks like that wasn't a problem.
Can't you have it steamed/ironed to tighten it back up? There's probably a limit to how much restoration you can do and keep it looking good vs. new, but I've seen some pretty amazing things done. If it's trashed, yeah replace it, but if it's still in decent shape and not dried out or ripped, I would at least attempt to restore it.
Pete, I know you were asking Bob but in my case, the drivers seat is pretty bad - very worn, worn stitching, etc. The passenger seat is not that bad - I will still clean it up but I think it would be not the best idea to only recover one. based on the amount of money to attempt to make these right, I'd rather spend a bit more and know they will be new and right. But, that's just me and my objective on the car.
Yes matching front seats is a issue, If I seen non matching seats I would pass it by thinking of a used car dealer trick
The passenger seat looks like new, the drivers seat looks fine for me. The inset cushion part is most telling of age but the color is still perfect. The stitching in it has small frays and it looks like it has been sat on for 17 years lol. I think that in order for it all to look like new it would need to be redone upholstery wise.
Vents coming apart - I could never understand refinishing these assembled... Image Unavailable, Please Login
That's interesting as that is the part I just sent to SNM. And I noted when I received it back that there was still sticky stuff on the sides of the vent where not visible. So, he does not immerse these things
Guys, the center vent comes apart pretty easy. The side vents, not as much - but I did pull out the grate - just not the thumb know that controls them.
I don't know what I'm doing 5 minutes from now let alone when this car is done - who knows? , I certainly don't As long as I can afford it, I'll probably keep it
Ashtray stripped and bead blasted Edit, no idea why the post has a frown... Image Unavailable, Please Login
So today I received a black leather sample from Coach Trim and one from World Upholstery. The one from Coach Trim is perfect!! (Color and texture) Get the leather correct is no easy task. Do your homework folks. About a year ago Bradan sent me one (no disrespect whatsoever) but it was just like my airbag recover (that I am doing again). The texture was like a porcupine (a pattern of small dots that made up the texture) I'm awaiting samples from Re-Originals but so far Coach Trim seems to be a strong candidate. Image Unavailable, Please Login
