interior recolouring leatherique.

[Allan NZ P5b]

I have recieved the rest of my leatherique product, the super prep and colour matched dye.
Here are some pictures of progress so far.

Front seat disasembled.

seat back refoaming

Seats restitched and back together

Picture of my man cave very tidy at moment

another as above showing car interior bits

vamaul luxan grain label from inside rear seat

Rear seat back being hand restiched

Rear seat back with most of old dye removed by wet sanding with super preping solution and now used as a test for dye application meathods. The photos probably don't show it but the area done has difernet textures and opacity as I am tring different pads to apply it with will remove it and redo once I am happy with technique.

close up of dye test note colour in photo is way off but actual colour is very close to the correct buckskin they match to a swatch you send them.

Regards

[Phil Nottingham]

As to re- colouring I will accept that its the only option when the original has gone like yours!


I did not realise that "Vaumol" was used as late as the 1970's as this was used on my 1938 P2 as well

[Allan NZ P5b]

Prior to removing the old, cellulose coating my leather was actually OK. Better than most that have had only minimal maintenance. The problem was with cracks, softness and split seams. The colouring was consistent. The variances in colour you now see is the colour of the tanned hide with its coating removed. It is actually quite dark, the stains on the inside are where I have applied rejuvenator oil to soften the leather, and none of these photos show the leather prior to removing the old coating. I also want to improve the life span of the leather as I use the car daily and especially the hand of the leather. I am aiming for a softness similar to a new vehicle my direct comparison is a 2002 Volvo. I expect to own the car a long time and the better I can get it now the longer it will last.
Here are some before pics not many as I just got stuck in I have plenty after I started removing die





OH just so you know it rains here too

so been in the man cave preping leather most of the day.

Did a lot of reseach including www.colourlock.nl/ they have an applicator in New zealand and came to the conclusion that properly applied leatherique is the closest to a factory applied coating for looks and durability it also sticks to vinyl well and we have vinyl pannels on the rover seat fronts and some hidden pannels. plus piping.

Regards

[Allan NZ P5b]

Pictures of interior ready to Re dye
The man cave has spread to the upstairs snug for warmth need 20+ degrees Celsius, Stacked the furniture at other end of room, I have the heating turned on and rest of family is cursing me its like a sauna at 23+ and I need to hold it there for 2 days. Here the trim is ready all preped with the old coating removed.



2 coats on will let dry for a day or so and then put a third on some panels I think?


Finally settled on a new type of acrylic brush with special split fibre ends to apply the dye for the first 2 coats, the dye is very thin and dries with no brush marks. For the 3rd coat I will brush most of it and also pad it on with a sea sponge in places. My test indicate this replaces texture where years of use have smoothed out the grain (like base of drivers seat) or on areas that have had cracks or damage filled that are too smooth and need something to replicate a natural finish.
Most is now touch dry but they say don't move for 48 hours
It feels so soft, unbelievable that it is the same leather.



Looks good too, lots of grain shows though, I am happy only 1 more front seat to go and the gear lever area trim to do. Front seat is all repaired, just need to strip off old dye and recolour. Next weekend is a 3-day weekend as on Monday the 6th we celebrate Queens Birthday. Should finish it all then.

Regards

[Smallfry]

Looks really good Allan......

How did you apply it in the end ? What with I mean ?

[Allan NZ P5b]

All the interior is now dyed, The first lot I have started reassembling here are some pics.










Regards

[David]

Excellent results Alan.

Taking your time has certainly paid dividends!

[Deleted]

The seats are a credit to you Alan.

Could you post details/prices of the products you used and where you purchased them? Any tips on technique would also be a great help. I would like to refurb the leather seats in my P5B and would be rapt if they could finish up looking something like yours.

Regards, PaulB.

[Allan NZ P5b]

www.leatherique.com/

I purchase the products direct from thes people and they answered all email enquiries very promptly including questions during the process but the instructuions were very good.

here is a very good overview on their front page
www.leatherique.net/Leatherique%20bookletREV5.pdf

hope this helps

[Deleted]

Many thanks Alan. I will check out that website.

PaulB.

[Allan NZ P5b]

roverp5.proboards31.com/index.cgi?action=display&board=interior31&thread=1117859304&page=1
here is a link to my post on the reassembly

[Guus]

Hi Allen,
Can you describe on a high level how you came about actually removing the cushion? I haven't found a thread dealing with this. Does is require to remove the compete seat?
Thanks a lot!

Regards
Guus