Ecru leather touch up
#166
So who is right? 1Willy says it's dyed and others say it's painted. What's the real scoop? Or is this like "which is the best oil to use?" kind of question?
#167
1) My seats and center console are holding up perfectly. Absolutely no flaking....none....and this is a daily driver. The color match is perfect
2) This indeed is painted leather (at least on my 2002 it is), not dyed, as I learned by looking at a cross-section of the leather when I restitched a seam. I'll note again that I prepped the seats meticulously using the SEM cleaner (smelled strongly of alcohol - and I used a brush to scrub, especially at the seams) and the prep (surface softener).
3) Then I just used good spray technique (a wet coat without overloading, long overlapping strokes). I painted the seams first, then filled in the panels. Take the seats out, or carefully, completely mask. Don't underestimate the overspray - those aerosol droplets travel! Also, have 1 more spray can than you think you'll need because as someone else mentioned the spray starts to drip when the can still has about 1/4 to 1/8 left in it.
4) Friends have noticed - can't believe when I tell them I painted the seats - looks OEM. I'm a perfectionist and would not recommend this for our Lexus' unless I was completely confident in the recommendation
2) This indeed is painted leather (at least on my 2002 it is), not dyed, as I learned by looking at a cross-section of the leather when I restitched a seam. I'll note again that I prepped the seats meticulously using the SEM cleaner (smelled strongly of alcohol - and I used a brush to scrub, especially at the seams) and the prep (surface softener).
3) Then I just used good spray technique (a wet coat without overloading, long overlapping strokes). I painted the seams first, then filled in the panels. Take the seats out, or carefully, completely mask. Don't underestimate the overspray - those aerosol droplets travel! Also, have 1 more spray can than you think you'll need because as someone else mentioned the spray starts to drip when the can still has about 1/4 to 1/8 left in it.
4) Friends have noticed - can't believe when I tell them I painted the seats - looks OEM. I'm a perfectionist and would not recommend this for our Lexus' unless I was completely confident in the recommendation
#168
'So how much can you cover with 1 can? 1 seat, 2 seats, seat & door panel? I'm going to re-do the interior of mine in the spring when the weather warms up again.
#169
Advanced
iTrader: (13)
So I did this today and well it turned out great. This is the process I used though:
1 - Clean seats with Lexol diluted in warm water with a grey scotch pad (just to see if cleaning can take anything off)
2 - I sanded the seats with 320 grit sand paper, this seemed to not just smooth the leather out but also take off a layer of 'paint'? I say paint because sanding dust was the color of the seats.
3 - vacuumed dust off
4 - wipe down with 90% alcohol and grey scotch pad. This really made me think it is paint because it had the same effect of paint, it started removing or thinning the paint and the grey pad was turning white.
5 - wipe down with clean cloth
6 - quick wipe down with a clean microfiber and alcohol.
7 - Mask
8 - Spray the SEM 15003
Before:
After:
I obviously can't make a statement on longevity of it but if anything happens I'll update.
1 - Clean seats with Lexol diluted in warm water with a grey scotch pad (just to see if cleaning can take anything off)
2 - I sanded the seats with 320 grit sand paper, this seemed to not just smooth the leather out but also take off a layer of 'paint'? I say paint because sanding dust was the color of the seats.
3 - vacuumed dust off
4 - wipe down with 90% alcohol and grey scotch pad. This really made me think it is paint because it had the same effect of paint, it started removing or thinning the paint and the grey pad was turning white.
5 - wipe down with clean cloth
6 - quick wipe down with a clean microfiber and alcohol.
7 - Mask
8 - Spray the SEM 15003
Before:
After:
I obviously can't make a statement on longevity of it but if anything happens I'll update.
#170
From Leather World Technologies, website:
Nearly all auto leather is a pigmented/top coat dye (emphasis added). The products listed on this page make this assumption. If you believe you have a different situation, consult Identifying Leather in our leather manual and contact us.
Nearly all auto leather is a pigmented/top coat dye (emphasis added). The products listed on this page make this assumption. If you believe you have a different situation, consult Identifying Leather in our leather manual and contact us.
#171
Lead Lap
kuWuPt, nice job! An amazing transformation!
#173
Driver School Candidate
So I did this today and well it turned out great. This is the process I used though:
1 - Clean seats with Lexol diluted in warm water with a grey scotch pad (just to see if cleaning can take anything off)
2 - I sanded the seats with 320 grit sand paper, this seemed to not just smooth the leather out but also take off a layer of 'paint'? I say paint because sanding dust was the color of the seats.
3 - vacuumed dust off
4 - wipe down with 90% alcohol and grey scotch pad. This really made me think it is paint because it had the same effect of paint, it started removing or thinning the paint and the grey pad was turning white.
5 - wipe down with clean cloth
6 - quick wipe down with a clean microfiber and alcohol.
7 - Mask
8 - Spray the SEM 15003
Before:
After:
I obviously can't make a statement on longevity of it but if anything happens I'll update.
1 - Clean seats with Lexol diluted in warm water with a grey scotch pad (just to see if cleaning can take anything off)
2 - I sanded the seats with 320 grit sand paper, this seemed to not just smooth the leather out but also take off a layer of 'paint'? I say paint because sanding dust was the color of the seats.
3 - vacuumed dust off
4 - wipe down with 90% alcohol and grey scotch pad. This really made me think it is paint because it had the same effect of paint, it started removing or thinning the paint and the grey pad was turning white.
5 - wipe down with clean cloth
6 - quick wipe down with a clean microfiber and alcohol.
7 - Mask
8 - Spray the SEM 15003
Before:
After:
I obviously can't make a statement on longevity of it but if anything happens I'll update.
Thank for any info on this!
#174
Driver School Candidate
Hello....will this process work on the drivers door arm rest?
Don
U can respond via email: ondajob@mac.ccom
Don
U can respond via email: ondajob@mac.ccom
#177
Lead Lap
Looks much better Rob. Nice job.
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CCC-TT (06-14-20)
#178
Lead Lap
Leather dye should last at least two years with regular use after application before requiring further touch up. It often lasts much longer. Wear patterns and care determine how long the dye will last.
#180
Lexus Test Driver
Just got done fixing some terrible Ecru seats in my SC430.
Take a look.
https://youtu.be/U7BFntfaTtI
Take a look.
https://youtu.be/U7BFntfaTtI
did the seat doctor product clean and dye the leather?
i need to do this to my wife’s 2007 SC430 with ECRU leather.
BTW, I am east of you, near Cocoa Beach