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Subject: If you have leather issues, look here - pics! Author: noahas : member since June, 2005 : 276 posts Posted on: 2005-09-08 00:10:56

Ok, hopefully this will help people.

I am a poor photographer, but I tried to take pics that might help get the idea across. The alternative to this was to replace the center console at $270 from Crevier, I think I will do something else with the $230 I saved.

Warning, I am not a perfectionist, but I was extremely happy with the dye job here. The only thing I might have changed is that I may have thinned the dye a touch (see instructions w/ Leatherique on doing this). Also, in full Disclosure, the whole process took maybe 4 minutes.

First, how the center console looked before I started, it was bothering me how crappy it looked from sweat and rubbing, etc.




For a better feel on the difference, here is a pic after applying the Leatherique conditioner, and while it is still wet, you get a much better idea of how the leather had issues.





First, I removed the center console in 2 minutes thanks to instructions on e38.org Next, I used 400 grit sandpaper from Ace and wet sanded minimally (took 20 secs. for whole thing) just to rough up the leather so it absorbs the dye. Also, taped off what I didn't want to have turn beige ...




Then I took a foam paint brush ($0.99 at Ace) and applied the dye. Like any "paint" type product, when it goes on and is wet, the color looks like it will be way off, but once it dries, it looks much better.




Then reinstalled. This picture is when it had only been applied about 20 minutes earlier, it is supposed to cure after 48 hours and then you can buff and take the shine off (plus it is a bad picture with the flash) and it blends in even better with the rest of the car.



Also, in an experiment, if you have door trim in this condition (which I had seen on other e38's), just apply as needed, it blends nicely and makes the door trim look nearly perfect.




All in all, $39 well spent for the dye. I have also just touched up small areas of leather wear and it blends quite nicely without having to redo the entire surface. Let me know if you have any questions.

-- 96 750iL 92k miles, back in love with after getting (and applying) my new found knowledge from here & at e38.org including: using Forever Black, Zaino, Autostick touch up pens, Langka Blob Remover, fixing my Xenon headlights, installing clear corners and making fake silver stars with paint mist on amber bulbs, chromelinging the headlights, replacing door panel, reinforcing front seat trim, 35% window tinting, replacing microfilters and under dash cabin filters, and upgrading old UGDO to work with rolling code garage door opener!

• Leatherique is money well spent!! - noahas 2005-09-04 12:13:50 (877 views)
  • Post some pictures! Thanks for the review. (nt) - dwightf 2005-09-04 15:36:45 (410 views)
    • If you have leather issues, look here - pics! (pic) - noahas 2005-09-08 00:10:56 (1089 views)
      • Did you just do the top of console? or did you do the sides too? (nt) - photekz 2005-12-01 21:25:01 (351 views)
        • I just did the top, but in hindsight, I would do the whole thing now (nt) - noahas 2005-12-03 01:38:24 (345 views)
      • Re: If you have leather issues, look here - pics! - photekz 2005-11-24 23:53:40 (336 views)
        • Headrests - photekz 2005-11-25 15:05:47 (302 views)
        • I think it looks very close considering I was trying to match - noahas 2005-11-25 02:08:31 (393 views)
          • Re: I think it looks very close considering I was trying to match - photekz 2005-11-25 15:02:31 (290 views)
            • I would call Leatherique. You have some good questions - noahas 2005-11-25 16:42:27 (349 views)
              • Re: I would call Leatherique. You have some good questions - photekz 2005-11-25 22:46:52 (349 views)
      • Re: If you have leather issues, look here - pics! - mista7 2005-11-20 05:02:59 (371 views)
      • How do i order that dye? - photekz 2005-11-12 21:03:28 (339 views)
        • I called in the order - noahas 2005-11-17 23:28:48 (378 views)
      • Would like to know how to get this product for Grey colour leather - ))))nadeem(((( 2005-10-12 16:52:55 (359 views)
        • go to leatherique.com they ship internationally (nt) - noahas 2005-10-12 22:45:20 (354 views)
          • Too bad as they do not ship internationally - ))))nadeem(((( 2005-10-13 12:36:51 (366 views)
            • How about their international distributors? (url) - noahas 2005-10-13 12:39:06 (379 views)
      • Wow! that turned our really great. Congrats & thanks for sharing. (nt) - sealbeach740 2005-09-09 22:30:01 (413 views)
      • Re: If you have leather issues, look here - pics! - kc 2005-09-09 17:59:52 (440 views)
        • I gave them my color code which I received from the dealer - noahas 2005-09-10 09:44:26 (497 views)
      • Good work! (nt) - davidc 2005-09-08 04:28:39 (391 views)
    • I am going to start the redye process Tuesday, I will post pics then - noahas 2005-09-04 20:05:52 (448 views)