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Over the years tried a couple of leather repair and dye kits but wan't very satisfied. Found this https://classicleatherdye.com/ and tried their liquid kit and just finished up the repair and recolur of the steering wheel and it was very simple.
The kit came with color dye, cleaner, leather filler, patch material, glue, a spatula, and sand paper. An real good set of instructions.
No affiliation, just a pretty good product based on my first use.
Hopefully it will be durable, The really emphasis conditioning after the repair so I may spring for their conditioner also.
Here are a couple pictures, Still working on the drivers seat bolster. The steering wheel's top rim had several nicks and other damage that required filling in the leather.
This is the Caramel color for 13MY, Slightly lighter but I'm still conditioning the areas so I'm expecting it to become a bit darker.
Over all a lot better than what was damaged and worn.
Hard to keep the dye off the contrasting stitching, but it doesn't seem to absorb in to the material so I'm using the cleaner to try to remove. The filler is a little more differcult.
Now comes the durability test over time.
I had an 88 VDP that I tried to improve the seat color and conditioning and it was practically impossible, the seats had turned to what was refared to a hard cardboard finish.
I'm not tring to get a concours finish just fixing glaring problems.
In the process of determing which convertable top I will use since the rear window has has been reattached in sevral locations already.
Just had the car repainted which was a huge problem but finally got it back with a reasonably good job.
Just trying to keep the car another 5 years or so, as yall know they don't have this model anymore and not really interested in any of the newer models. Refinished total steering wheel. Have one small area to touch up. Top rim had several areas that had to filled and sandded. Working on filling and coloring driverside bolster. The contrastimg stiching is rather differcult to maintain in the real worn areas but still a lot better IMHO.
it looks great!
I redyed the seating area of my front seats of my 2008 xk conv and was quite happy with the results. Unfortunately for me the perforated portions are failing so new leather will be in store if I want it to look better. I'm also dyeing the front seats of my old xk8.
wk
Here are a couple pictures, Still working on the drivers seat bolster. The steering wheel's top rim had several nicks and other damage that required filling in the leather.
This is the Caramel color for 13MY, Slightly lighter but I'm still conditioning the areas so I'm expecting it to become a bit darker.
Over all a lot better than what was damaged and worn.
Hard to keep the dye off the contrasting stitching, but it doesn't seem to absorb in to the material so I'm using the cleaner to try to remove. The filler is a little more differcult.
Now comes the durability test over time.
I had an 88 VDP that I tried to improve the seat color and conditioning and it was practically impossible, the seats had turned to what was refared to a hard cardboard finish.
I'm not tring to get a concours finish just fixing glaring problems.
In the process of determing which convertable top I will use since the rear window has has been reattached in sevral locations already.
Just had the car repainted which was a huge problem but finally got it back with a reasonably good job.
Just trying to keep the car another 5 years or so, as yall know they don't have this model anymore and not really interested in any of the newer models. Refinished total steering wheel. Have one small area to touch up. Top rim had several areas that had to filled and sandded. Working on filling and coloring driverside bolster. The contrastimg stiching is rather differcult to maintain in the real worn areas but still a lot better IMHO.
this looks beautiful! I have the very same interior in my 12 xk. It’s almost perfect but I have a scratch on the leather like made by a ring. I’m not very handy and my fear is turn a small issue into a major one. How difficult it is from 1 to 10?
If you can get someone to make you a dye match, use a super fine tip brush to fill in the scratch only. Other option with water based dye is sponge it on and then quickly wipe off so only the scratch retains the dye.
[QUOTEHow difficult it is from 1 to 10?[/QUOTE]
I'd give it between 3 and 5.
Once you get over the hurdle of lightly sanding the area,
Coloring from seam to seam in the area that is being repaired also tends to make it easier.
Also mutiple light coats is a definite key to sucess IMHO. Which is emphasised in the instructions.
Follow the instructions and it works and you can always use the cleaner to manage mistakes.
Like I said I tried other products over the last 25 years on our jags and todate this was the simplest.
the kit comes with 8 ounces of dye so that is enough to do probably the front seats and some.
I'd give it between 3 and 5.
Once you get over the hurdle of lightly sanding the area,
Coloring from seam to seam in the area that is being repaired also tends to make it easier.
Also mutiple light coats is a definite key to sucess IMHO. Which is emphasised in the instructions.
Follow the instructions and it works and you can always use the cleaner to manage mistakes.
Like I said I tried other products over the last 25 years on our jags and todate this was the simplest.
the kit comes with 8 ounces of dye so that is enough to do probably the front seats and some.
Good luck[/QUOTE]
Thanks, I'm giving it a shot.
I only have to do the steering wheel that has kind of scratch that seems to be from a ring or something. Thanks!
Leather repair
