Testarossa interior color change

Great idea; please post it all to us Hosam !!

 

Can you please explain the re-dye process ? Is the paint sprayed on the parts like a bonnet ?

Is there a way to prevent the stitching to get filled with paint ?

 

Shaik,
I hope you dont mind If I slightly hijack your thread but thought I would link a basic 'how to' for Melvok.

This was a simple Re-dye on my wifes Jaguar that I did a couple months ago. But to answer your question Mel, the 'dye' is specialty spray paint with a bunch of elastomer in it so it flexes.

http://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/xj-x308-xj8-xjr-27/my-2002-vdp-seat-leather-re-dye-project-63656/

I have redyed two of my Porsches and a Lotus Esprit that had Magnolia (Creme) hides. Prep is the key. Take your time, prep the hydes properly and they will come out looking beautiful.

Im really looking forward to Shaik's re-color! I dont know if I would have the Cahones to do it.

Edit: Dye comes in different mediums. I used the spray method, but it also comes in a tin that is wiped on or you can use a HPLV gun.

 

What about the stitching Christian ... can you preserve them ... ?

 

If its French stitching.......say, red thread on black leather, no. Unless you mask off the seams (stitching) and blend the color towards the seam. Not possible with a complete color change unless you un-stich everything and resew it after. Most seat wear is around the drivers side bolster and outer seam that exposes the hide. Thus you will need to redye the leather that is under the seam threads.

Most seats use similar color thread so its not a big deal to over spray the thread. Not noticeable unless you are looking for it as the thread absorbs some of the dye. Not all, but some. Thin coats are better around seams.

Im a big fan of the 90-10 rule. 90% improvement for 10% of the cost. I did the wifes Jag for $40ish and some elbow grease. The pictures speak for themselves. A good redye will last a couple years of moderate use.

I would say that a black TR would be a no brainer to redo the seats. Black hides a lot of blems. Tan would be a little more difficult to match the leather with the rest of the cockpit. But If you bought new seat leather from GAAH (sp) or World Upholstery, it wouldnt match 100% anyway due to the natural patina from years of UV etc. Its a trade off.

I think your main question is how noticeable is the threads after being dyed? Or more importantly, does it look cheap/tacky? Not as noticeable as the big worn spot on the outer bolster on most TR's and it is definitely a big improvement. The only alternative is replacing the 5 hides (upper, lower, left, right and headrest) per seat or replacing just the worn side bolster. Then you will have a side by side mismatch. IMHO that would be more noticeable that threads that have been redyed.

Again, Shaik I hope you dont mind the minor hijack. Im excited to see how you tackle this project as there is more than one way to skin the cat (or Horse in this case)!

 

I had two great ideas (to me anyway!) about preserving stitching but only did one of them.

1) After thoroughly cleaning the seats, take a crayon the color of the stitching, and lightly 'color' the stitching with the wax. When you apply water-based color coat, the wax will resist the color, leaving them mostly as is.

2) Use 'dry brush' technique when you color near the stitching, 'pushing' the color onto the leather with the ends of brush bristles. This, instead of 'flooding' the area with color will give you the lightest coating, and not have the clogging built up look that is so telltale.

I only did method #2, and it was totally effective. Search "survivor interior" on the 328 forum. Many pics. Page showing dry brush and 'wiping' here...

http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/showthread.php?t=237990&highlight=survivor+interior&page=3

Best wishes!

 

Any updates???

 

Looks like a nice job. Did you dye the carpet too or replaced it?

 

Light beige means cream? Mine looks creama ( I think) but over the years it's turned yellowish . I would like to do a small color restoration but I am not too sure what color is my seat, only that I can determine what leather color code to buy. I saw there are three colors for the leather cream VM3997, natural vm 3218, bridge vm 3234.

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