BMW 323i saved. - Page 3

Scottwax · 07-14-09, 07:16

What kind of an idiot would make a color change like that in the first place?

Looks so much better now. Looks like what my ColorGlo rep does, although I don't know if he does actual color changes. It would be great if you could do a full write up some day, step by step (more detail than this thread).

Jakerooni · 07-14-09, 07:28

What other details do you want scott...

I guess I can walk through the process a bit better of the dying process. Basically I started out with 80 grit sand paper to get the "paint" part off. Once that was mostly gone I swithced over to 220 grit and smoothed it all out. No rough edges or anything just nice soft leather remaining. Then I took my air gun and blew it all off nice and thruough. Took my purple power and misted a MF towel and went over the seats again to get any remaining dust off the seats. Let that air dry why I taped everything off that didn't need dyed. Once it was all prepped up I heated up the leather with the heat gun to get it nice and aborbant and then started dying the leather with light coats. It dries really really fast. So by the time you're done with the seat you're pretty much ready to start the second coat. I put 3 coats on. All together it took 6 cans of dye to get it all done. After it was all dyed I then went back over with my steamer covered with a MF towel to seal it all up and soften it a bit. (Not sure if it really helped but it seemed to) Then I gave it all a Vodoo treatment to give it some conditioning oils... And that was pretty much it.

snowskate · 07-14-09, 07:52

The customer must have been floored with the result!!!

MuttGrunt · 07-14-09, 08:01

Epic interior indeed.... sick work jake! how long did the carpeting take to clean?

Jakerooni · 07-14-09, 08:07

The carpeting was actually pretty quick. One of the nicer sides of BMW interiors. I think I spent all of maybe 20-30 minutes on the carpeting... With the seats out it made it a lot easier as well.

Got More Wax · 07-14-09, 08:10

Good Job, Jake! Looks good! I would love to see a pic of the owner when he picks it up!!!

Thanks for the RV tip today! Think I'm gonna pass on that beast!

Andy

Gianni D · 07-14-09, 08:19

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jakerooni

What other details do you want scott...

I guess I can walk through the process a bit better of the dying process. Basically I started out with 80 grit sand paper to get the "paint" part off. Once that was mostly gone I swithced over to 220 grit and smoothed it all out. No rough edges or anything just nice soft leather remaining. Then I took my air gun and blew it all off nice and thruough. Took my purple power and misted a MF towel and went over the seats again to get any remaining dust off the seats. Let that air dry why I taped everything off that didn't need dyed. Once it was all prepped up I heated up the leather with the heat gun to get it nice and aborbant and then started dying the leather with light coats. It dries really really fast. So by the time you're done with the seat you're pretty much ready to start the second coat. I put 3 coats on. All together it took 6 cans of dye to get it all done. After it was all dyed I then went back over with my steamer covered with a MF towel to seal it all up and soften it a bit. (Not sure if it really helped but it seemed to) Then I gave it all a Vodoo treatment to give it some conditioning oils... And that was pretty much it.

What's the life expectancy of this dye?? 1-2 years or this is going to outlast the vehicle??

Legacy99 · 07-14-09, 08:31

Quote:

Originally Posted by JuneBug

Wow Jake, one of the most amazing things I've ever seen on a detailing forum! Can't wait to see the finished product.

I agree, but how long will that dye last?

grungy · 07-14-09, 08:44

This is one of the few speechless moments on here....

Jake - the transformation of the interior is priceless!

Jakerooni · 07-15-09, 05:28

Well I used the same dye on a Lesabre about 2 years ago and it still looks as good as the day I put it on. So it should last quite a while. I've been using the SEM line up since the 90's and I've never had anyone come back because it didn't hold up for any reason. But there dosen't seem to be a listing on the label about what the manufacture tends to think. It's a flexable coating that seems to go for the long haul on vinyl and leather... Carpet is another issue..

Jakerooni · 07-16-09, 08:52

Well customer finally came to pick it up and couldn't believe the difference. Gave me a nice tip too LOL.. Took a bunch of cards and said he'll be passing the word around.

JuneBug · 07-16-09, 09:48

That's great, I think that detail and his story will get you more work than all the mainstream advertising available. This really is an amazing detail, and goes to show that most people care more about how the interior looks, and bro, you sure made chicken salad outta chicksh!t on this!