OK, I just Dyed my front seats and Armrests using Leathermagic and... PICS/WRITE-UP

[gota525i]

It came out great. Let me begin by saying the kit was purchased through Leathermagic and comes with the Dye, Cleaning Prep solution, Latex Golves, Conditioner, small 220 grit sandpaper, areosole type can if you want to spray the dye on but it is very small, wedge type applicator as well as very nicely detailed instructions. Not bad for a little over $40. My seats are Dove Grey so for those with Dove Grey seats, I found their Light Silver Nappa matches a whole lot better then the Dove Gray color they also sell. Their Dove Gray is way to dark.

So let's move on first to the writeup and then follow with some before and after pics. Now let me state that I did not remove the seats, only tilted the back part as far as it would go down.

I highly recommend doing this in a lint free environment in your own garage where your not obstructiing another car or if you live in apartment, do it in your designated spot as the last thing you need is to do it somewhere else and then realize you can't sit in your seat for the next few days while the dye is curing.

Things you will need:
Large garbage bags or newspaper to cover surrounding areas
Additional sheets of both 220 and 1000 grit sandpaper
Woolite for cleaning seats (6 parts Water, 1 part Woolite)
Mr. Clean Magic erasers also for cleaning, it works wonders
Soft or Medium soft toothbrush for hard to reach areas when you clean
Towels for any slippage of material etc..
Spray bottle of clean warm water
Spray Bottle of mild soap with water
Some type of dye applicator, I used those wedge type ones with the handle
Terry Cloth Applicator pad/sponge

Now onto the steps: - I waited till it was a sunny warm day, 90 degrees with o humidity
1. Vacuum, Vacuum, Vacuum. especially in the crevices, use a small firm painting brush in crevices if needed to remove all dirt particles.
2. Clean areas where you are dying the leather with Woolite first the follow up with Mr. Clean magic Eraser and the spray bottle with water and soap mixture. If you want to use some other cleaners, by all means..
3. Wait an hour for leather to dry out.
4. Wearing the latex gloves, apply the Leather prep with the applicator spong on seat, you will notice some of the color fading away, that's a good thing.
5. Wait an hour to dry
6. Start sanding with the 220 grit sandpaper but VERY lightly and make sure to be careful around the seams.
7. Wipe down seat to remove sandpaper residue with a damp cloth. Use the clean water, NOT the one with soap.
8. Wait an hour
9. Time for applying the dye, brush in light coats to avoide streaking and wait at least a half hour to dry, depending on how how it is outside of course. Keep add a few more light coats until you are satisified, waiting for each coat to dry.
10. Wait a few days and then apply some conditioner like Lexol or Leatherique. The kit also comes with condditioner which has a leathery smell but is very small.

In some areas I applied a bit too much dye and they seams are somewhat covered up but hey, it was my first try.

Anyways, I am sure I be missing something here but if it comes to me, i'll edit the post.

Onto the pics:

[gota525i]

ArmRests:

[gota525i]

Bigger View:

[M-crazy]

Thats Extremely Nice.
IT came out mint like factory.

[amancuso]

Wow! That looks fantastic!

[wayfast]

wow that looks so much better. nice job

[sirtiger]

great write up....damm... great job man

[NewmanJ]

Whoa
Thats hot...

[e36'n]

great write up....damn....I just ordered Dove grey...how bad is the match...is it worth sending back for the light silver nappa?

edit: I just went and checked on the website, what number is the dye you ordered?

thanks

[gota525i]

great write up....damn....I just ordered Dove grey...how bad is the match...is it worth sending back for the light silver nappa?

Thanks for the nice comments guys. ^^ Top is their Dove Gray, Bottom is underside of my Dove Gray armrest...

edit: I just went and checked on the website, what number is the dye you ordered?

thanks

BMW438N

[eurotunerwerks]

did you not need to fill the cracks in? the dye just does it? isn't there a filler? my seats look like yours and if i dn't need the filler that is great. i need to order now

[eurotunerwerks]

also, do you have a link to the kit you bought?

[gota525i]

did you not need to fill the cracks in? the dye just does it? isn't there a filler? my seats look like yours and if i dn't need the filler that is great. i need to order now

I suppose some filler would have helped, though I said in the write up to lightly sand, my seat needed a bit more sanding to get it somewhat even uniform level. Overall, you can barely see faint shadows of some crack here and there but unless you really look close, it's not visible.

also, do you have a link to the kit you bought?

First kit you see on the page..
http://www.leathermagic.com/Secure/e...log.asp?prdc=4

[2kwiq]

i've used this before and it holds up well. it lasted over a year in my lexus.
however, it wasn't as supple as i wanted it to be. especially since i used the patching putty.

my question is, has anyone ever tried doing a different color? i am interested doing my interior in white...you think that will cover over the tan?

[eurotunerwerks]

thanks man

[eurotunerwerks]

i've used this before and it holds up well. it lasted over a year in my lexus.
however, it wasn't as supple as i wanted it to be. especially since i used the patching putty.

my question is, has anyone ever tried doing a different color? i am interested doing my interior in white...you think that will cover over the tan?

i think it will be tuff dying anything white that isn't already white. i know tan is a lighter color and if it worked, that would be the color to do it with but i would think it would be tuff.

[gota525i]

my question is, has anyone ever tried doing a different color? i am interested doing my interior in white...you think that will cover over the tan?

It should, you will just need to do a few more coats then normal as it is harder to go from a dark color to a lighter color.

[dmurray14]

OK, here's my question -

My driver's side seat has some wear on the left side bolster on the back portion of the seat. It's worn down so it's not smooth anymore, almost like a alcantara feel. What can I do to fix this before I dye it?

Dan

[DOJLEO]

those look great! i love that color.

[Inv3ctiv3]

Holy jesus that is incredible !! I think I might just have to do this now. One question tho, how do they feel? Are they hard and scratchy or soft like normal?

[yellowbullet]

was the $40 kit only good for two seats and two armrests? you didn't touch your rear seats?

[gota525i]

Holy jesus that is incredible !! I think I might just have to do this now. One question tho, how do they feel? Are they hard and scratchy or soft like normal?

Well both seat bottoms were already a mess and the outer bolsters were firm from the beginning, the center part is still soft, not as soft as normal but we will see how they feel after throwing on some conditioner.

was the $40 kit only good for two seats and two armrests? you didn't touch your rear seats?

Right, did not touch the backseats and still had a little less then half an 8oz bottle left.

[LittleBlueBMW]

interested
can one dye something like a darker color to the natural tan? I want better seats but color matched to my interior.

[MillerTime1nine]

omg thats awesome, nicely done

[Jean-Claude]

WOW!!!! THAT LOOKS AWESOME!!! Great job, dude!!!