Leather Dye

[naplesE30]

Ok guys I need some input here. I have a full leatherique seat dye kit. I am going to dye my e34 seats back to orginal grey color. I have done all the prep steps and dyed the back seat and it looks like ass. I used a high quality brush but it shows streaks and brush marks. The dye color is uneven as well, some areas light other areas dark. So I put another coat of dye on and it looks even worse, now it looks like shitty plastic coated seats. So, obviously brushing the dye is not the way to go. I am going to strip the dye with acetone and try again. Question is should I find someone who can spray the leatherique dye on, or should I switch to a different product like SEM and use their rattle can stuff. ANy input or insight is greatly appreciated. Also, the grain on the seat bottoms are very worn and smooth. This amplifies and brush strokes or imperfections in the dye. The seat back have a good amont of leather grain still and they look ok. I will also be dying my door cards.

[Javier h]

where did you get the brush?

Did the brush come with the package? I did mine with a brush and had no significant streaks. Can't tell and I'm just as meticulous as the next guy.

That being said, nothing replaces a spray gun. From my experience, these things tend to rub off or crack over time. For me, its never perfect but does the job well enough until the next application.

[Tricked 323i]

Ok guys I need some input here. I have a full leatherique seat dye kit. I am going to dye my e34 seats back to orginal grey color. I have done all the prep steps and dyed the back seat and it looks like ass. I used a high quality brush but it shows streaks and brush marks. The dye color is uneven as well, some areas light other areas dark. So I put another coat of dye on and it looks even worse, now it looks like shitty plastic coated seats. So, obviously brushing the dye is not the way to go. I am going to strip the dye with acetone and try again. Question is should I find someone who can spray the leatherique dye on, or should I switch to a different product like SEM and use their rattle can stuff. ANy input or insight is greatly appreciated. Also, the grain on the seat bottoms are very worn and smooth. This amplifies and brush strokes or imperfections in the dye. The seat back have a good amont of leather grain still and they look ok. I will also be dying my door cards.

If you can not find what you need I have dye kits that work well by applying them with foam brushes. Here are some that have used my products.
Kevin

http://www.mye28.com/viewtopic.php?t=37462&highlight=artisan+dye

[StereoInstaller1]

Kevin, I assume those spray just fine too?

I didn't know until last night you sold dye.

[Tricked 323i]

Kevin, I assume those spray just fine too?

I didn't know until last night you sold dye.

I have not been selling dyes that long. What happened is that I sent my bmw hide colors to my dye maker and he matched everyone one of them that I use. When I do color changes I sell dye to my upholstery customers to freshen up their interiors. I have been getting a number of inquiries on it though so I now sell it as a stand alone product. I have had others spray it with great success.
Kevin

[naplesE30]

It seemed like the pigment of the dye settled out while I was applying the dye. So would you guys stick with the leatherique and spray it or go with SEM dye? Anyone have experiece with both? Also, the leatherique seems to have a lot of bubbles when applying it by brush does your dye do this TRICKED 323?

Not looking to invest much money on this project as I am just looking to refresh the interior before I sell it. If anyone is interested in a 92 525it with 74k on it let me know.

[td325ic]

I'd give the Leatherique another try but this time use a different method of applying the dye.

I'd put aside the foam brushes and/or foam applicators. The foam is what causes all the little bubbles. I had that same problem, the bubbles are a pain in the ass and when they dry they leave spots.

When doing it by hand I use a similar technique to this:

Wipe Dye Technique

The latest and greatest method to use Leatherique Dye on your project.

Items required:

1. "Bounty Brand" paper towels

2. Warm Water

3. Leatherique Dye

4. A Bowl

5. rubber or latex gloves

Step "A"

Take a Bounty Brand paper towel and dip it in the warm water. Now WRING it dry

Make the Towel into a "Powder Puff" NO edges allowed.

Step "B"

Touch the "PUFF" into the bowel of dye (you want a little not a big BLOB. WIPE the towel wet with dye on the surface in a circular motion. NO BACK AND FORTH PLEASE!

Step "C"

Relax in 20 minutes your project should be dry. Can speed it up with a hair dryer if you wish.

Look at the project need for dye, more than likely if you did it correct the first time, then repeat Step "B" as required till you are done.

We have been using this technique for over 5 years and it is the best way to get an ALMOST match to be PERFECT. YOu can do a whole car in about 20 min.

If you had the gloves on all you have to do is dispose of the towel and gloves, pour the dye back in the bottle, put the lid on and store in a dry location out of the sun for future touch up.

What I found that works better is instead of using a Paper Towel, which will eventually start to fall apart and leave bits of paper stuck to leather, is to rather use a tight woven cloth that doesn't have a lot of lint. I get this wet, wring it out, then make a puff pad. I apply some dilluted dye to the pad, and then I apply the color to the leather in a stipple pattern. Basically I apply it in a random pattern so it looks even and blended.

A hair dryer or heatgun will really speed things up when applying it this way.

I'd suggest taking a fine brush and brushing in the dye in all the tight crevices first that you won't be able to get to later with the pad.

The other thing that might affect why your seats are looking like they are plastic coated is because you may be applying the dye too thick. Try diluting it with some water so you get thinner coats.

Spraying will produce the most even blended finish, especially on large flat areas like on the rear seats, but spraying can be a bit overkill if you're just doing touchups. Just like any other painting with a spray gun, you'll have to be careful you don't get hair, dust, bugs stuck to the wet dye. You don't really have to worry about those as much when applying it by hand as you're working with much smaller areas at a time.

If the Leatherique doesn't give you a nice finish then give Kevin's dye a try. I've been using SEM Sure Coat before but now I'm pretty happy with my initial tests with Kevin's dye. His dye produces a really nice eggshell gloss that matches new leather. Very easy to work with and not blotchy.

[naplesE30]

Update:

Re dyed the rear seats using SEM and it looks freaking great. I am super happy with the end product of the SEM classic coat, We will see about the durability of it.
Does anyone have a better product or method for stripping old dye then acetone and sand paper. The fronts are going to take forever to strip off the old leatherique dye using the acetone method.