Dyeing black seats to saddle color | FerrariChat

Dyeing black seats to saddle color

Discussion in 'Technical Q&A' started by bitstream, Nov 3, 2008.

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  1. bitstream

    bitstream Guest

    Is it possible to get very good results using the Leatherique products to dye black seats and door panels to the Leatherique saddle color? Unfortunately, my one regret with my 1989 348tb is the black interior. Should I consider dyeing the leather, or do I have to bite the bullet and re-upholster the seats and door panels? The leather is currently in very good condition. Thanks for any input.
     
  2. Jedi

    Jedi Moderator
    Moderator Lifetime Rossa Owner

    Mar 18, 2008
    32,335
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    Dave
    While I've never dyed to a LIGHTER color, only the same or darker (previous Non-F cars),
    I would have to say it just ain't gonna work. You'd have to do some sort of extreme
    bleach FIRST, then dye back to saddle. Most likely either not possible or would damage
    the leather during bleaching.

    New leather, IMO, is always a better way (albeit MUCH more expensive) to go.

    Just my two one-hundredths of a dollar.

    Jedi
     
  3. mwr4440

    mwr4440 Five Time F1 World Champ
    Rossa Subscribed

    Jun 8, 2007
    58,067
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    Mark W.R.
    No expert, but I have NEVER had any luck going lighter from a darker starting point, with any porus material like leather.
     
  4. fou

    fou Formula 3

    Feb 1, 2007
    2,232
    Central Virginia
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    Call me the breeze
    #4 fou, Nov 3, 2008
    Last edited: Nov 3, 2008
    Why not sell the car and buy the color combo you want? It seems that would be the way to go both financially and common sense wise. What are there, some 3,000 tb made, and if the car is in good a condition as you say, why mess it up?
     
  5. SonomaRik

    SonomaRik F1 Veteran

    for about $5k you can redo all the interior leather in anycolor you want, installed.

    Dye will not work very well where the under color is darker than the overlay.
     
  6. saw1998

    saw1998 F1 Veteran

    Jun 8, 2008
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    Scott
    I agree with all above. If you car was an older 308 or 328, when Connolly used the spray-on method of dye application, rather than the more modern vat-immersion approach, it MIGHT be possible (as the dye does not penetrate as deeply). If you try to remove the dye on your leather you will, in all probability, end up with a "suede-like" finish from the all the abrasive rubbing.
     
  7. Formula Uno

    Formula Uno F1 Veteran

    Oct 8, 2008
    6,659
    New York City
    I would like to dye my 308's headliner and area around the rear window black....it is white now. Any experience with white to black?
     
  8. bitstream

    bitstream Guest

    Are you fairly certain that the 1989 leather color was vat-dyed, as opposed to sprayed-on? This would seem to be the critical factor. How could I determine this for certain?
     
  9. f355spider

    f355spider F1 World Champ
    Owner Rossa Subscribed

    May 29, 2001
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    USA
    The only really satisfactory result is going to require new leather.
     
  10. spirot

    spirot F1 World Champ

    Dec 12, 2005
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    Atlanta
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    Tom Spiro
    VAT dyed is perforated with tons of little holes ... like you see in most brand new cars. I think the 348 is sprayed on.

    I think you may be able to get the results you want, however I think you would have to go from Black to a neutral gray then to Saddle.... to get close to good results. very time consuming. George at Leatherique can really walk you thru the process.
     
  11. bitstream

    bitstream Guest

    Thanks for the info. It doesn't have any tiny holes, so hopefully it was sprayed on.
     
  12. BIGHORN

    BIGHORN In Memoriam

    Sep 18, 2006
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    FLORIDA/NEW MEXICO
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    JOHN F KELLY
    Black is the best color for not showing dirt or wear.
     
  13. f355spider

    f355spider F1 World Champ
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    May 29, 2001
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    +1. Tan will look worn/dirty in half the time.
     

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