How to Touch up a Seat with Dye?
 

I have a 2016 es350 with only 60,000 miles on it and is in great shape, I thought.

I haven't done anything to the seats except wipe them down so I decided to condition them so they wouldn't dry out.

I used Leatherique's Rejuvenator and Pristine Clean. All was fine until I was finishing my driver's seat.

I put the cleaner on it and when I tried to wipe it off, it wouldn't wipe smoothly, it was bringing up black dots and I was afraid I was taking off the covering so I stopped.I wiped it down with warm water too and applied more Rejuvenator.

There's one small spot on the bottom right side about 2" x 1" where it is light gray and the seats are black.

On the left side on the bolster and next to it, some of it is lighter and blotchy and I'm hoping I might be able to buff it out enough to blend it to look ok.

I called the person at Leatherique and he said this is just normal wear and it will be fine with a little dye. I checked out videos on You Tube and there are seats on there in terrible condition, cracked and torn, that look great again, so I'm confident this will be ok if I do the right thing. I also need to be very careful because it has an off white stitching.

This morning I Googled the differences in dyes and it looks like the oil ones are best, but I need to decide which one to get. 🤔

The entire interior looks new except for this now.

I'd appreciate any advice you can give me, Thanks so much!
https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.clu...f67ded1ce.jpeg
https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.clu...f6853085a.jpeg

Leather Renew has kits to exactly match your leather to re-dye the seats. I have done this on my 2010 RX350 as have several other members. They have an easy to find color chart. I recommend the brush on kit, using a foam brush. Follow their preparation directions. Then get their clear coat to top coat the color coat as it will last a lot longer with a clear coat. I found this out the hard way. However the white stitching on your seats does make it a more difficult project. You may want to contact a local car upholstery shop.
​​​​​​https://leatherrenew.com/?srsltid=Af...cPdIvSnDqu8M9A

Here is a thread from the RX forum with photos of my seats and others seats. https://www.clublexus.com/forums/rx-...-terrible.html

Thanks. I'm running it over to a place nearby right now to get their opinion. This really looked fine until I did this. I'm still wondering if the large part could just be dirty and if I could just try some saddle soap on it? I'll see what he says.

Saddle soap will not help. The leather is coated with polyurethane, as is almost all car leather.
I bet the shop can spot dye it.

No, he didn't want to spot dye it, he said he'd have to do the entire seat for $350. My concern is my light thread and he said they cover it with a thin tape, but I'm not very trusting.

I'm going to try to get a couple of other opinions, but I'm thinking I might order the dye and see how the small section comes out. I think as the larger section sits with the Rejuvenator oil more, I might be able to get that to all blend to look ok.

I can assure you, I looked to see if you were in IL. ;)

I'm going to have to call Renew because I didn't see a black for a 2016 es if I'm looking at it correctly. I'll call Lexus with my VIN number too.

Thanks so much again, I appreciate it.

I think you are Leather Renew color code 2131 - It is listed as (blue)black for the ES 2006-2020. https://leatherrenew.com/color-chart.../20-lexus/file

The interior color code should be on the driver door plate by the VIN.
To find your Lexus interior color code, open your driver's side door and look for the information label (a sticker) on the door jamb. This label contains a C/TR line with the exterior paint code and the interior trim code after the slash, such as C/TR 3P1 / FA09, where FA09 is the interior trim code. If you can't find the sticker, you can call a Lexus dealership's parts department and provide your VIN to get the code and name of your interior color.

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Thx, I did see that, but I wasn't sure when it said blue.

BTW, I forgot to tell you, your seats you did look great!

I looked on the door and it says C/TR: 212/LB23, but when I tried to check it out, it gave me the car paint color, not the leather?

I called them, but they didn't answer or call back. Do U think I just need to order a small container of the dye or do I need the kit? Some videos just put the dye on & others put something on afterwards?

Thanks again.

LB23 is the color code for your black trim and seats. So get the 2131 from Leather Renew.
Black Trim Code=LB23
Just splurge and buy their kit with the foam brushes for $33.99 as it provides everything you need in one package. Also get the clear coat to top it for $14.00 https://leatherrenew.com/products/si.../leather-clear
So for $50 you can fix your seat. It may look so good afterward you want to do the whole seat. If you paint the main cushion and get paint in the seat air holes, use a toothpick to clear the holes.
You do need to prepare the leather for painting according to their instructions. You may need a few thin coats as they work better than a thick coat of paint.
Get some blue painters tape to cover the white stitching.

Troy called me back today and I did order the exact kit you said, but he didn't say to get the clear coat. I'll call tomorrow & see if I might still be able to add it to the order.

I think I'd be chicken to do the whole seat because there's a narrow area that needs dye between the stitching. I wasn't sure I even trusted the pro to do it for me & not mess it up? I honestly wouldn't care if the stitching was black, but I really don't want this to get crazy & have to do the entire car. I'll be so happy if I get this to look right.

If I get the clear coat, will it look different than the rest of the seat I'm not doing?

Thx again, fingers crossed & defintely going to pray this looks ok. :)