[alfa] Leather Dye on a TVR

["George Washington" <halogenbulb@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

Be careful with that Laquer thinner!!!!!!!!

It is important to know how leather interiors are made before starting this 
process.

Most leather used for interiors in relatively modern cars use a drum or vat 
dye process.  However when the interiors are assembled there are variations 
in the leather color from one seating surface to another so an additional 
leather 'dye/paint' is sprayed onto the leather surface to create a uniform 
look.  You might not realize this but all leather interiors are done this 
way.

This is why you need to be careful with that Lacquer thinner.  Yes it will 
take off the bad dye job done by the previous owner but it will also take 
off the factory done dye job.  When you are finished with the thinner you'll 
realize that your seats will look very odd indeed.  If you go this route 
then you'll need to have them re-dyed yet again.

To do it correctly you'll need to remove the old dye as you intended, then 
lightly sand the leather and then re-dye the leather with a QUALITY leather 
dye.  Once you are finished the leather will look identical if not superior 
to the original leather surface.  It is imperative that you use a quality 
dye product otherwise your seats will look awful and it will flake off.  A 
quality dye should last for many many years.

Here is a source of a good leather dye:  www.leatherique.com

If you follow their instructions to the letter you'll be quite pleased with 
the results.

I know that the process of sanding and 'painting' your leather sounds 
absurd, but this is really the way it is done.



Tim Annett
Email: tim6@domain.elided

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