Need some assistance. I saw a thread a while back that suggested a company that sells leather dyes. I have a 2001 XKR with Ivory (code NED) seats. The leather is in good shape, its only the drivers seat and to a lesser extent the passenger seat that are showing dye wear. The car has 65K miles.

I think the company in question was a UK company. Any advice or suggestions are welcomed. Also, if you have re-dyed your seats what techniques or process did you use. Do the seats have to come out for best results.

Thanks

Gary

 

I have not tried it, but others have reported using this product with very good results. You will, undoubtedly hear some first hand accounts, that's what makes this such a great forum.

Leather dye JAGUAR xk8 xjs x300 x type s type xj8 xj12 convertible xJ8 x320 x308 | eBay

 

This is the product I have seen recommended: Leather Care | Leather Cleaner

Apparently, it does not peel like some other products. I have not yet used it myself, but would be interested in the experience of others, as I my driver's seat in ivory could do with sprucing up a bit.

 

You probably saw this thread:

https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/x...ht=leather+dye

Follow the posts in that thread for details and pics. Doug used a US supplied leather dye and I used a UK one. We came to the conclusion they were equally effective.

Note also best results obtained using an AirBrush to apply.

I didn't take the seats out but its not a difficult to remove them.

Graham

 

I also have the Ivory (NED) seats. I used the UK product Gliptone Scuffmaster Leather Care | Leather Cleaner with mixed results. I think my problem was the seats had been repaired at some point with a slightly darker dye and matching the color was difficult. It worked well on the scuffs, but less well on the slightly cracked areas.

Cleaning the seats thoroughly is a must! Be careful not to scrub too hard as it may take off finish (ask one who knows). Multiple cleanings with light agitation worked best. A soft upholstery brush is good or just use a sponge applicator and work up a good foam.

I do highly recommend Gliptone's leather conditioner, which is available in the US. It leaves the seats feeling very soft and gives off a nice leather smell. Dries easily and doesn't leave a sticky surface. And their stain stick is amazing. Even took off a red wine stain without any damage to the seat.

 

I restored my ivory Recaro driver's seat about 18 months ago using a specific kit from the Furniture Clinic in the UK. The colour match was perfect and the dye has held up very well, but the finish is shiny, rather than the satin textured finish on the other seats.

Ever since, I have been looking for a good retrimmer to completely replace the leather on the driver's seat. I have also enquired at Jaguar dealers and been told that replacement covers are only sold in pairs to ensure a perfect colour match... at a cost of around $4,800

These colour restoration kits are good as a cheap stop-gap solution.

 

Jag#4, Red wine stain on seat.....Hmmmmmmmmm, makes me wonder how that got there.

 

Member NikasilNik had Elite Restorations, a local specialist in Beverley, West Yorkshire retrim the driver's seat in his XKEC multi award winning XK8.

Leather repair, leather furniture restoration, leather upholstery repair, leather car seat care, car trimmers, leather restoration, leather interior repair,auto upholstery, bumper repair,cleaning leather furniture,Leather,leather car seat restoration

Could be worth an enquiry...........

Graham

 

This restoration was done with products from the "Furniture Clinic", the finish can be adjust from matt to gloss depending on the final clearcoat finish used.

Process was;

Scrub with two types of solvent and scotch pad.
Sponge on dye base coat.
Spray over with more dye basecoat.
Spray on sealer
Spray on top coat

These are the seats from my 33 year old 450Sl.

 

Thanks for that, Graham. Beverley is in East Yorkshire actually, but more importantly only about 15 minutes from my parents' house. I'm going to visit in a couple of weeks with the Jag, so I might give them a call to see if they can do my seat while I'm up.

 

Let's have none of your French driving techniques on the A1(M) please. It could make Yorkshire a no-go area for Frost Blue XK8 Coupes!

Graham

 

Thanks for all the advice--The Gliptone product was the one I was looking for. Not sure I will do now or wait till spring--Seats are not horible--just showing wear in color--leather is fine

Gary

 

n17gary, I couldn't tell from your post if you were in US or other side of Atlantic. Several members of BMW forum and also here had good results with Leatherique, a US product. I'm going that route myself soon.
RJ____________
97 XK8 86K mi