Leatherique question - how much of what is needed?

[BigKriss]

Santa says he's bringing along a leather reconditining kit from http://www.leatherique.com.au/

I've read Bruno's writeup. I want to do a total treament on buffalo leather. I'm unsure how much Rejuvenator and Prestine Clean I need. Is the custom dye worthwile also? http://www.leatherique.com.au/products.php

Passenger front seat example

[Jr ///M5]

You might also look at Color-Plus products. They have kits depending on what you are trying to accomplish. A kit that will soften the leather, clean it and color it will run about $115 US for a custom color match with 99.7% accuracy on matching the existing leather color. You will have to send at least a 1" square piece of your leather interior, usually from the underside of the back seat.

Bill R. has used this product and sprayed the color dye through an old paint sprayer with factory results. The instructions are very detailed on the Color Plus website, and if you follow them to the letter, you are assured excellent results.

I have used the Color Plus custom color match system and can honestly say they do an excellent job.

If you have an area that you can work in, and can do without the car for about 3 days, remove the seats and use the spray technique. They will look like brand new again. No kidding...

Good luck with the project Kriss, hope this helps some, Santa's going to bring you some seats that look like new!

[BigKriss]

I thought about Colourplus but there are no distributors in Australia. Thats my only worry and sending stuff the USA, paying for it, postage etc. Sometimes it can be a hassle. I'll look into it a bit more. Thanks Jr //M5.

[angrypancake]

I thought about Colourplus but there are no distributors in Australia. Thats my only worry and sending stuff the USA, paying for it, postage etc. Sometimes it can be a hassle. I'll look into it a bit more. Thanks Jr //M5.

Kriss,

I emailed the customer support at Leatherique, asking them what it would take to do a color change of my seats, and this was the response:

Hi Nat;
Considering the age of the leather, I'd first suggest starting with a quart
of Rejuvenator and Prestine Clean to get the leather healthy, supple,
restore tensile strength, and luxurious suppleness. Then prepping, then you
can redye it any color you choose.
The two tone look is very popular. Yes, you can redye any color once the
surface is prepped.
I'd suggest kit 4, it comes with a quart and a pint of dye, in black as
you'll be doing a color change and will need two coats, then a pint of the
red.
We look forward to assisting you,
Regards,
George


hope this helps

[wingman]

Let us know how you go with this bigkriss. My seats appear to be in better nick than yours but I'm a perfectionist.

[shogun]

kristian,
it is important that they know that you have buffalo leather and not cow hide.
I have a friend in Germany which is a pro on that and he send me the stuff he mixed for my Highline which has Thai water buffalo leather.
He says that this leather has to be treated different from other leather.
I do not know the details and I have not yet started with the seats in the Highline as I presently have half of the engine out from the V12, as I want to change a lot of parts to make the car completely redone. All fuel lines out, new injectors, new oxygene sensors, alternator out, intakes out, throlle vales and MAF's out etc.
Maybe end of summer 2006 the car will be on the road again in old glory. I am not in a hurry with this project, as I have the other 750iL as my daily driver. That Highline is my project car.

[BigKriss]

Thanks for that Shogun. I will inquire more, firstly I'll ring up the Australian supplier and then I'll email Leatherique from the USA. I hope I get similar answers.

[shogun]

Kris, maybe it helps you,
I just checked my papers, the leather is called
Siam Grey II Buffalo, option # is 0308
Here some pics of th untreated as is now leather
http://bmwe32.student.utwente.nl/shogun/DSC00006.JPG
http://bmwe32.student.utwente.nl/shogun/DSC00007.JPG
rear the center armrest, underneath is the cooler box
http://bmwe32.student.utwente.nl/shogun/DSC00008.JPG
http://bmwe32.student.utwente.nl/shogun/DSC00009.JPG
http://bmwe32.student.utwente.nl/shogun/DSC00010.JPG

on my other Highline the leather is the same, but the front seats also have lost a lot of paint, but no cracks
http://www.bimmerboard.com/members/t...l/CIMG3470.jpg

[BigKriss]

Thankyou once again Shogun. I just checked by VIN number and from the ETK catalogue came up with this;

http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts...95&hg=52&fg=60

How do I know what type of buffalo leather I have? and will it matter Shogun, or is all buffalo leather treated different from cow hide?

[shogun]

I went to the dealer and gave them my VIN and got a print out online of the cars specification and all options which were ordered.
That is why I know the option for the buffalo leather.

As I said, I have no knowledge about leather treatment. Ask the experts. If you do not know the leather type and color, the cut off a small piece of the original color (from under the rear seat is best) and send it to them. Then they know exactly what you have and what the color is.
My friend in Germany asked me for the same sample.
He said for the black leather seats of my dolphin grey Highline he does not need a sample, but for any other color and leather type.

In Germany most of the people with older cars or oldtimers order from Lederzentrum, they are said to be very good. They have also an agent/distributor in New Zealand but not in AUS. Here is something from their website about leather care.
http://www.lederzentrum.de/international.html

So what I got is this:
Friction damages and fading (mostly driver seat) can be renewed with our Leather Fresh. The colour of the leather will be restored and the original protection coat will be renewed.
------------
The NZ page
http://www.leathertec.co.nz/index.htm