Faded leather. Leave as is, dye? | FerrariChat

Faded leather. Leave as is, dye?

Discussion in '360/430' started by 67bmer, Jan 21, 2024.

This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate links, including eBay, Amazon, Skimlinks, and others.

  1. 67bmer

    67bmer F1 Rookie
    Silver Subscribed

    Oct 28, 2015
    2,962
    MD
    Tinkering with doors this winter.

    I am going to get the plastic parts refinished.

    I started to notice the color variation of the leather on the interior. To my eye, it's so bad I began wondering if it is all original. It is. Car started out in FL and got faded.

    I am wondering if I should try some of the dyes available?
    Even it out a little or leave as is?
    I would be interested in hearing if anyone else has tried it and how it went!

    I really didn't realize how dirty they are until I got them out of the car for the pictures! The color under the grab handle is probably representative of what it looked like originally.

    Image Unavailable, Please Login
     
  2. clean512

    clean512 Formula 3

    Feb 4, 2010
    2,111
    Full Name:
    Josh @jtcarprojects
    It's funny where the dark part is actually where the door is closed section. And the light part is from the sun. I would try a extremely deep clean. Check out Larry from Ammo. Some of his videos might help. But a clean will make it better butnot perfect.
     
  3. GogglesPisano

    GogglesPisano F1 Rookie
    Silver Subscribed

    Sep 13, 2022
    3,205
    East Bay, California
    Full Name:
    Joe
    Agree that cleaning will make it better, especially that arm rest. However, the damage has been done. Unless you dye the entire panel, it's never going to match. up. There are some pretty good dye guys, but it's mostly a top coat that will be sprayed on, dying your thread in the process. I would much rather look for a good used set from a coupe on eBay, resell yours afterward to gain back some money. Should end up cheaper than a good dye job and the leather will be all original. Then you'll realize that your seats don't match :D
     
  4. boba fett

    boba fett Formula 3
    Silver Subscribed

    Feb 24, 2019
    1,104
    England UK
    First step is to do the leatherique Pristine cleaner treatment, I think you will be surprised how well that will come up.
     
  5. KC360 FL

    KC360 FL Formula 3

    Jun 20, 2017
    1,946
    Melbourne Florida
    Full Name:
    KGC
    ^^^^ Try this first.

    I have a Crema interior and I did the Leatherique deal. First the cleaner then followed with the matching "dye" from Colourlock.

    The color match was right on but unfortunately it is more kind of a paint instead of something that will soak into the leather. It worked out OK but you need to kinda find a system of how you apply it so it looks natural. It did seem to get a better look after a few hundred miles and it does clean up nicely.

    Image Unavailable, Please Login
     
  6. boba fett

    boba fett Formula 3
    Silver Subscribed

    Feb 24, 2019
    1,104
    England UK
    I get what you mean with that stuff its good to do a small patch or creases scratches but not a whole panel, it will look rubbish!

    To full reno a door panel or seat / bolster, it needs to be done by a pro and costs Dollar, a plaster is no good!
     
  7. 67bmer

    67bmer F1 Rookie
    Silver Subscribed

    Oct 28, 2015
    2,962
    MD
    Its Rejuvenating now... I had to order more Pristine Clean.
    Image Unavailable, Please Login

    I am also attempting to repair some of the plastic parts prior to refinishing.
    Image Unavailable, Please Login
     
    boba fett likes this.
  8. KC360 FL

    KC360 FL Formula 3

    Jun 20, 2017
    1,946
    Melbourne Florida
    Full Name:
    KGC
    Loctite Super Glue works great on the plastic pieces.
    In my business, I have experimented with all brands of "super glue" and they are not created equal.
    But with that said, I'd probably order new plastic bezels (if available).

    Keep us here posted on the progress ;)
     
  9. Alpintourer

    Alpintourer F1 Rookie
    Owner Silver Subscribed

    Jul 20, 2013
    3,845
    The Low Country
    Full Name:
    Dave Steven
    Body oils can be another factor in color fading. I like the Leatherique system to deep clean. Then maintain with whatever you like the smell of.
     
  10. Chewys5

    Chewys5 Formula 3
    Miami 2018 Owner

    May 17, 2010
    1,318
    Texas
    Full Name:
    Shawn R
    If you are okay sending me the broken parts. We will happily recreate a new one for you and send you back the original.
     
  11. Chewys5

    Chewys5 Formula 3
    Miami 2018 Owner

    May 17, 2010
    1,318
    Texas
    Full Name:
    Shawn R
    Here are a few examples of what we do.
    Image Unavailable, Please Login
     

    Attached Files:

  12. Scottrx7tt

    Scottrx7tt Karting

    Oct 5, 2023
    230
    Lenoir City, TN
    Full Name:
    Scott Williams
    These are still available new. They aren’t even that expensive
     
  13. 67bmer

    67bmer F1 Rookie
    Silver Subscribed

    Oct 28, 2015
    2,962
    MD
    That is what I used!

    They are not quite as pretty as I hoped, but they are amazingly stiff and strong now. I super glued at the cracks and then bonded some .003inch stainless steel shim stock to them.
    Image Unavailable, Please Login

    Image Unavailable, Please Login

    I think I have read every negative article about Leatherique I can find on the web. I feel that if you follow the recommended process with the Rejuvenating oil for a few days and follow that up with a Pristine Clean they look as good as they can. If you wait 24 hours after the Pristine Clean to assess your work, I think you will be really happy!
    Image Unavailable, Please Login

    This photo really shows how much the leather has faded! There is black goo holding the driver's side molding onto the door. I don't know what it is and if it its supposed to be there or someone put it there. I am afraid to remove it.
    Image Unavailable, Please Login


    I know. I have had them offered. I think new ones are actually less expensive than getting these refinished. That was my backup if this failed completely.

    However, as Dave says, new ones will get sticky too! New ones will also crack again too! They could crack, but I doubt it.
     
  14. 67bmer

    67bmer F1 Rookie
    Silver Subscribed

    Oct 28, 2015
    2,962
    MD
  15. anotherred360

    anotherred360 Formula Junior

    Jan 10, 2015
    278
    USA
    Very nice! Good idea with the shim stock. I've been using gem clips with epoxy for broken plastics on my old Landcruiser.
     
  16. 67bmer

    67bmer F1 Rookie
    Silver Subscribed

    Oct 28, 2015
    2,962
    MD
    I have been working up to dyeing my leather. When I was a kid I built Tamiya models and had an airbrush. I got it out and started experimenting...

    So far, pretty happy with the results. I am not trying to achieve "like new" perfection, just more uniformity.

    You can really see the variety of colors here.
    Image Unavailable, Please Login

    Image Unavailable, Please Login
     
    f355spider likes this.

Share This Page