Steering wheel dyeing

[Santara man]

Originally Posted by Fifer

Hi Tony,
Can you recommend a sealer that is compatible with this kind of dye?

Thanks,
Fifer

Have a look at KevF6's reply he just about covered it
I got my kit from Furniture clinic.

[KevF6]

Try not to use a brush. A fine sponge is good and dab n roll not wipe. Or use a micro roller which is what I use they give an awesome finish, especially on the seats: https://www.trade1st.co.uk/paint-rol...ers-2-2-5-inch The blue ones are best and you'll need the roller handle.

Finally don't forget to use a hair dryer because that evens out the liquid when drying and makes the job quicker

[Nick Greg]

I colour changed a cream to Sandstone Grey 2 years back with Studies dye. Didn;t even bother cleaning it first and it still looks perfect after 2 years. Car used every day. Didn't use a sealer either. Just a small piece of sponge and 3 or 4 light coats. Dead easy

[Rsnail]

Sorry but I'm not english and I don't know all these terms haha, but as far as I know of light coats, that means layers right, so you applied the dye in 3 layers?

[KevF6]

Yes thin coats/layers. One may be enough, it all depends on how many it takes to look good.

The way I have described is the professional way, I'm not going to tell anyone that they should do it this/that way - I can only advise afterall. All coloured leathers have a lacquer on them and for good reason. The fact that Nick hasn't cleaned it beforehand or lacquered it after is very chancy, and he has been very lucky. I guess you could equal it to a dirty, slightly greasy kitchen wall - would you want to repaint it without cleaning it?

The 'dyes' (I give up lol) are all usually made the same way regardless of where they are purchased, so quality is usually uniform.

Happy colouring!

[T-Cut]

Originally Posted by KevF6

I only do leather restoration as a full time job

It's always good to hear from someone who knows what they're talking about. Thanks for your input.

TC

[Nick Greg]

Kav apologies if I poo poo'd your expertise! I'm one of those blokes who just gets on with it without reading the instructions! Sometimes it works sometimes not. On this occasion it did.
On a side issue how do you repair split piping on the seats. I bow to your undoubted experience on this!

[KevF6]

Hey Nick

No worries mate, it wasn't taken in any sort of negative way at all so sorry if it seemed that way - it's just that I don't get much input from members when they ask and it gets a bit frustrating. Maybe that's the wrong word but you know what I mean. Maybe I mean lonely

With the split leather you can buy thin sheets of sticky patches that you cut to size. You peel the film off then place it underneath the split so that the sticky side is facing upwards towards the leather so that when you place the leather back down gently - it creates a permanent bond. Failing that then you can get normal sub patches that require leather glue to be put under the leather so that it sticks to the patch.

Then if need be it's a simple case of filling the crack with leather filler (its flexible), waiting until it dries then sand it down. Once done to your satisfaction then simply dab on some colour, then spray a bit of lacquer on and your good to go.

Hope that helps!

Kev

p.s. I don't deserve any bowing!

[Nick Greg]

Many thanks Kev, nice job for a sunny day in Spring! Just for once I may follow the instructions exactly!

[Gate Keeper]

Originally Posted by KevF6

Try not to use a brush. A fine sponge is good and dab n roll not wipe. Or use a micro roller which is what I use they give an awesome finish, especially on the seats: https://www.trade1st.co.uk/paint-rol...ers-2-2-5-inch The blue ones are best and you'll need the roller handle.

Finally don't forget to use a hair dryer because that evens out the liquid when drying and makes the job quicker

Thank you for contributing to the thread with useful and specialist knowledge. What's your opinion about Gliptone Scuff Master Dyes?

Here is a post I wrote up in 2010....

Originally Posted by Gate Keeper

This morning I took a drive to see a supplier in Luton who carefully matched up the steering wheel and leather seats for liquid colour dye and Gliptone liquid leather 'gentle cleaner' and Gliptone liquid leather 'conditioner' (with the smell which one loves/hates). He first cleaned up the wheel with the gentle cleaner using the liquid and a nylon nail brush before matching up the right colour. Apparently, Rover Smokestone comes in two shades. I will probably end up doing the whole wheel.

I picked up enough for 12 months and so was a good deal. He is the nearest supplier to where I am in north london. He is on ebay and told me he also sells those air fresheners which give off the smell of new leather. I did not bother with those. I had a leisurely drive back. My mate who came with me has had to drive back to the supplier this afternoon as the smokestone colour dye he bought, turned out not to be the right shade for his 75. What bad luck!