Conditioner for dyed leather?

It depends on WHEN it was dyed, and with what. If it was a recent redye with water-based like Leatherique, you don't want to use anything on it except a barely damp rag. If the dye job was several months ago, then you can use any common off-the-shelf leather conditioner on it, or get something mailorder like Leatherique Prestine Clean (or Rejuvinator Oil if it seems dried out), or the leather products from Griots Garage.

 

I used Griot's Garage Leather Care on my 308's interior last week. It made a big difference. Yes, some of the dye was on the cloth, but not enough to make me worry. I also checked my clothes for the next few rides and no black or red from the pipeing.

Griot's Garage also sells a Leather Rejuvenator. I have not used this, but I plan to buy it for the future.

I used to detail cars and have not found anything that is as good as Griot's Garage products.

Hope this helps. Have fun!

 

I'd use two products:

1. 303 aerospace protectant for the dye because the dye is really bonded together and to the leather with a polymer or plastic and the 303 is made for this. Also 303 provides the most uv and ozone protection. They dye is succeptable to re-fading quicker than the original leather.

2. Lexol for the leather. It has the smallest molecule of any leather conditioner and would be able to penetrate through the dye into the leather. Furthermore it has no silicone that could break down the bond from the leather to the dye.

Use the Lexol 1st let it dry for a few hours then the 303.

 

I use nothing but Leatherique products on my cars. I have used other things in the past and although not disappointed by other brands, the Rejuvinator Oil works the best - and does no harm. That is a clinching key for me as I am maintaining a Ferrari 308GTB, a Mercedes SL500, a BMW 740iL and a Land Rover Discovery II.

-rick

PS: Oh yea, forgot to say: The 308GTB's seats are dyed with Leatherique's water-based dye. The BMW is 'touched up' with Leatherique dye.

 

Perhaps a dumb question here, but when you say " Dyed" do you mean redyed after the factory. would you recommend a different course if dealing with the original leather. ?

 

Re-dyed is a misnomer. Connolley leather from our era is lacquered - in essence, painted, not vat dyed. On my 308, I stripped the lacquer off of the leather and refinished it with Leatherique 'dye'. That 'dye' is a latex-based polymer-something-or-other but is a top-coating just like the Connolley finish - except that it is water based.

http://www.aubard.us/Ferrari/Interior will take you to a lot of pictures of the leather work, which to date, is not completed. I am changing the gray-blue color I used 5 years ago back to original dark navy.

http://www.leatherique.com is, I think, the Leatherique site.

Enjoy!

rick

 

LEATHERIQUE .......ALL THE WAY.... ITS OUTSTANDING!!!!

Drop George an email with your question/concerns. He's always willing to lend a helping hand.....

 

I use Leatherique and it works well.

 

I've read alot about the Leathertique products & redoing the seats of cars but I have fundamental question; Is it essential that the seats be removed from the car in order to do the Leathertique application? What are the tricks to a good Leathertique application & rejuvination project? Thanks for the suggestions.

 

Having 20 plus years of owning and maintaining fine automobiles Lexol is the only conditioner I trust on any type of dyed leather. It is natural made of lanolin isn't at all greasy or sticky.

If you own a fine automobile it should have quality leather with moderate wear. In this case I wouldn't clean it with anything other than a slightly damp cloth. Cleaning is unnecessary unless the leather is really dirty and worn. I would also be careful of trying to spot in dye in worn areas. You can easily make it lose worse than in it's natural state. Lexol will make even worn areas look darker but natural. Take a look at my interior of my 85qv. You can spend your vacation at dads house enjoying the Ferrari instead of working on the seats with all kinds unnecessary products. Have fun.
Image Unavailable, Please Login
Image Unavailable, Please Login
Image Unavailable, Please Login
Image Unavailable, Please Login
Image Unavailable, Please Login

 

Read www.fca-se.org/conc_leather.htm

 

Thanks for the link, Mike. I am really looking forward to doing this myself!

 

You never keep a car long enough to do any work on it yourself!

 

Absolutely! A wonderful product.

 

I know my history with f-cars but I have done a lot of work on this car myself and I will definitely re-dye my leather before I let it go. In fact, the only way I can see myself getting rid of this car is if a really special 328 comes up for sale. Like my Azzurro '89 for example.