I recently began restoring the leather upholstry in my SEC and thought some of you might be interested in seeing the process.

This close up of the armrest will give you an idea of how dry and cracked the leather was throughout the interior.

The first step was 4-5 applications of Leatherique's Rejuvenator. I let each application absorb into the leather for about a day per application. To apply it I massaged the Rejuvinator into the leather using a sponge.

After several applications of that, I went over all the leather with Leatherique's Prestine Clean which actually seems to draw dirt and old dye up out of the leather. I used this solution for a couple of applications applying it with paper towels and rubbing it in with 320 grit wet/dry sandpaper.

When I began, the leather was as hard as cardboard, cracked, and worn-looking. By the time I had finished the stop with the Prestine Clean, it was becoming soft and supple again. Leatherique claims it will return leather to a "glove-leather" state. I didn't really believe their hype completely at first, but I am fast becoming a believer.

I've just begun the third phase which involves the use of Leatherique's Prepping Agent and 400 grit sandpaper. The leather seems to get softer, smoother, and more supple at each step along the way. I'll post more pictures as I go along.

Attached Thumbnails

         

__________________
" We have nothing to fear but the main stream media itself . . . ."- Adapted from Franklin D Roosevelt for the 21st century

OBK #55

1998 Lincoln Continental - Sold
Max 1984 300TD 285,000 miles - Sold
The Dee8gonator 1987 560SEC 196,000 miles - Sold
Orgasmatron - 2006 CLS500 90,000 miles
2002 C320 Wagon 122,000 miles
2016 AMG GTS 12,000 miles

Looking good!

I got so excited with it on Saturday, I was tempted to stop there. I can't wait to see how it will look when I'm done. I had to take one of the seats over to a friend's house yesterday to show her. She couldn't believe it, either.

It's dirty, tedious, hot work, but the results are definitely worthwhile!

__________________
" We have nothing to fear but the main stream media itself . . . ."- Adapted from Franklin D Roosevelt for the 21st century

OBK #55

1998 Lincoln Continental - Sold
Max 1984 300TD 285,000 miles - Sold
The Dee8gonator 1987 560SEC 196,000 miles - Sold
Orgasmatron - 2006 CLS500 90,000 miles
2002 C320 Wagon 122,000 miles
2016 AMG GTS 12,000 miles

Greast job Dee8- looking forward to the "final photos."

__________________
"It's normal for these things to empty your wallet and break your heart in the process."
2012 SLK 350
1987 420 SEL

Why, thank you, Mistress. I hope to have all of it done before the next GTG.

__________________
" We have nothing to fear but the main stream media itself . . . ."- Adapted from Franklin D Roosevelt for the 21st century

OBK #55

1998 Lincoln Continental - Sold
Max 1984 300TD 285,000 miles - Sold
The Dee8gonator 1987 560SEC 196,000 miles - Sold
Orgasmatron - 2006 CLS500 90,000 miles
2002 C320 Wagon 122,000 miles
2016 AMG GTS 12,000 miles

Tonight I went over all the leather in the car with Prepping Agent. This I applied with 400 grit sandpaper. At each step of the way the leather seems to get softer and more flexible.

This is the point where I also used Leatherique's Crack Filler. The Crack Filler I just rubbed into the cracks with my fingers and wiped off the excess. It looks almost like spackling compund once it's on the leather. I let this dry for 20-30 minutes and then wet sanded it with 400 grit paper. The surface is much smoother now.



Tomorrow I'll begin the redying process.

Attached Thumbnails

         

__________________
" We have nothing to fear but the main stream media itself . . . ."- Adapted from Franklin D Roosevelt for the 21st century

OBK #55

1998 Lincoln Continental - Sold
Max 1984 300TD 285,000 miles - Sold
The Dee8gonator 1987 560SEC 196,000 miles - Sold
Orgasmatron - 2006 CLS500 90,000 miles
2002 C320 Wagon 122,000 miles
2016 AMG GTS 12,000 miles

How can you stand to do that without gloves? Don't get me wrong, I work as a truck maintenance mechanic and I'm no stranger to getting my hands filthy but sanding, staining and interior cleaning is just NASTY stuff. I bet your hands will be blue for a week.

Yeah, I know I should wear gloves, but I just never think of it until my hands are totally stained. My finger nails are now outlined in blue. I'll definitely put gloves on before I start with the dying.

I'd hate to dye without my gloves on!

__________________
" We have nothing to fear but the main stream media itself . . . ."- Adapted from Franklin D Roosevelt for the 21st century

OBK #55

1998 Lincoln Continental - Sold
Max 1984 300TD 285,000 miles - Sold
The Dee8gonator 1987 560SEC 196,000 miles - Sold
Orgasmatron - 2006 CLS500 90,000 miles
2002 C320 Wagon 122,000 miles
2016 AMG GTS 12,000 miles

Tonight, I began dyeing the seats. I started with the back seats, which I had removed from the car. Leatherique recommends that you pour the dye into an open container so that it can be stirred and mixed completely.

They also recommend using a small nylon bristle brush for the seams and pleated areas and larger one for the large smooth areas. If the dye is thinned suficiently, it can be sprayed on.

Attached Thumbnails

         

__________________
" We have nothing to fear but the main stream media itself . . . ."- Adapted from Franklin D Roosevelt for the 21st century

OBK #55

1998 Lincoln Continental - Sold
Max 1984 300TD 285,000 miles - Sold
The Dee8gonator 1987 560SEC 196,000 miles - Sold
Orgasmatron - 2006 CLS500 90,000 miles
2002 C320 Wagon 122,000 miles
2016 AMG GTS 12,000 miles

Wow ... what a labor intensive process! You're doing a great job Dee8go. I can't wait to see the final result in person. It looks like you're finally into the stage where the fun is (obvious visual results).

If I ever get an MB with leather, I'll be trying this stuff too. I wonder if they have a product that dyes MB-Tex effectively.

__________________
Chad
2006 Nissan Pathfinder LE
1998 Acura 3.0 CL
OBK#44
"Pleasure in the job puts perfection in the work." - Aristotle (384-322 B.C.)

SOLD
1985 300TD - Red Dragon
1986 300SDL - Coda
1991 - 300TE
1995 - E320
1985 300CD - Gladys

I'll let you know, Chad. The standard color I bought does not match exactly. I'll have to see if I can use the Leatherique dye on the non-leather parts to make everything match.

I have to say, it looks pretty good so far, though.

Anybody know where I can get 1200 grit sandpaper?

__________________
" We have nothing to fear but the main stream media itself . . . ."- Adapted from Franklin D Roosevelt for the 21st century

OBK #55

1998 Lincoln Continental - Sold
Max 1984 300TD 285,000 miles - Sold
The Dee8gonator 1987 560SEC 196,000 miles - Sold
Orgasmatron - 2006 CLS500 90,000 miles
2002 C320 Wagon 122,000 miles
2016 AMG GTS 12,000 miles

I just recently bought 1200, 1500, and 2000 grit at the local Pep Boys in their auto body section.

__________________
Chad
2006 Nissan Pathfinder LE
1998 Acura 3.0 CL
OBK#44
"Pleasure in the job puts perfection in the work." - Aristotle (384-322 B.C.)

SOLD
1985 300TD - Red Dragon
1986 300SDL - Coda
1991 - 300TE
1995 - E320
1985 300CD - Gladys

Yes, you can dye MB-Tex (aka vinyl) with Leatherique's water-based dye. It's all in the prep work.

__________________
Douglas
New York

The directions don't mention anything about dyeing MB Tex or vinyl. What do you do to prep that?

__________________
" We have nothing to fear but the main stream media itself . . . ."- Adapted from Franklin D Roosevelt for the 21st century

OBK #55

1998 Lincoln Continental - Sold
Max 1984 300TD 285,000 miles - Sold
The Dee8gonator 1987 560SEC 196,000 miles - Sold
Orgasmatron - 2006 CLS500 90,000 miles
2002 C320 Wagon 122,000 miles
2016 AMG GTS 12,000 miles

Send an e-mail to Leatherique. They're good about answering their mail.

__________________
Douglas
New York