Zaino, Leatherique Leather Dye, & My Leather

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BoneSS

New member
I got my SS last November. The leather was in excellant shape besides some driver's side bolster wear, and a tear on the back vinyl of the drivers' seat. I had both those replaced this past summer. There was a small place on the rear drivers' side seat that looked dried out and discolored after some Meguirs cleaner/conditioner removed a black mark over top the place. I recently ordered some Z9/Z10 to use on the seats. The Zaino worked awesome and removed the shiny/slick look the seats had, and totally changed there color. The only bad thing is, after talking to Sal about this afterward, is that the dye on the seats was worn over the years (a 98 w/ 28k) and the use of a good product that really does a great job, caused the dye to come off somewhat. The results can be seen in the pictures below. Sal mentioned leatherique's dye, and said it couldn't hurt to try it. What do you all think? Below is a link to the product, and a few links to testimonials. I would have bought a custom leather interior at the start of all this, before I spent $130 on a repair, but I did not know this would happen. What do you all think?



http://www.leatherique.com/products.htm



http://home.insightbb.com/~todd.kenyon/leather.htm

http://www.imperialclub.com/Repair/Interior/Leather/leather1.htm

http://www.mbcoupes.com/repairarticles/leatherrepair/leatheriquetreatment.htm





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If your SS is a '98, then some wear and tear is to be expected. The Big Three tends to coat their leather with a very thin coat of clear vinyl (or so I've read), and that increases it's longevity, plus it prevents color transfer (to your clothing).



The thing with a custom leather interior is that you don't know if that new leather is coated or not, nor do you know whether the leather dye is sprayed on, or is vat dyed (which is supposed to be better, but a hell of a lot more expensive). With a custom interior, you may dish out a lot of bucks, only to end up with more headaches two or three years down the road, trying to keep it's appearance up.



Only advise I can give there is to research as much as you can about automotive leather, and go in forewarned and forearmed with information to ask questions like crazy before you buy anything.



As far as the Leatherique restoration approach - sure it will work, but if this car is your daily driver, do you want to put up with dye transfer for three weeks, while the dye sets up and cures? That would be one of the factors you have to consider.
 
I would just live with it unless you are really concerned about "perfect" or it bugs you. Pictures don't look horrible but I see the problem.



Personally, I would have to REALLY be committed to keeping the car long term before I would do anything at all. Also, I would re-do before dye.



It's not my call and I'm sorry I don't have an answer for your dye question. Hope you get a happy conclusion to your problem.:up
 
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