Restore Leather, $40!! You GOTTA see this!

This is amazing. Is there any way this could be added as a general stickie inside a stickie? Referenced from DSMtuners.com, not a seller ad, just a regular. Thread can be found here:

http://dsmtuners.com/forums/showthread.php?t=195218

Read on!


Leather all cracked up? Easy/cheap fix! (Pics/Writeup)
I just saw this on the bimmer forums so I'll just quote strait from there, I haven't done this personally but I think a lot of the members here could benefit from it. This was all done by a product called "Leathemagic".

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.

Before and after pictures:

http://img352.imageshack.us/img352/5940/after19vt.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

Holy crap I don't believe it! That looks awesome and for only $40.

Those seats look brand spankin new! When my seats go to hell, I will definately have to keep this in mind. Nice find shpyder.

Great find indeed. Since we already have more than enough stickies on the main page, and there really isn't a topic similar to this, i'm going to make it a sticky in the non performance section for now.

Great find indeed. Since we already have more than enough stickies on the main page, and there really isn't a topic similar to this, i'm going to make it a sticky in the non performance section for now.


Thanks man! I can't wait to try this on all my family's cars. lol!

WOW.. definately an awesome find bro!!!!! Good job!!

i will have to try it on a junk yard car before i test on mine but great find!

... anyone actually try it here? Looks too good to be true.. lol.. I wanna see more pics.. that's awesome

... anyone actually try it here? Looks too good to be true.. lol.. I wanna see more pics.. that's awesome
I think I'm the only one who has actually came close to doing this. I dyed my seats all black and they turned out very nice when I was finished... Although I didn't experiment with sanding them down or anything. That part made me a bit nervous. lol

I think I'm the only one who has actually came close to doing this. I dyed my seats all black and they turned out very nice when I was finished... Although I didn't experiment with sanding them down or anything. That part made me a bit nervous. lol
where's the pics? Before/ Afters??

looks really great. So did you try getting rid of the cracks then?

looks really great. So did you try getting rid of the cracks then?
Nah... After I dyed it black it was pretty hard to notice the cracks as much. So I just am not gonna worry about it unless they get worse in the future.

Nah... After I dyed it black it was pretty hard to notice the cracks as much. So I just am not gonna worry about it unless they get worse in the future.
That's just what gets me.. it looks so good, I can't believe that's the before and after.. I guess I'm too skeptical. If it really works and restores it that well, awesome!