Subject: Re: Couple Questions,Okay I'll try to answer. Author: bob91750 : member since November, 2007 : 182 posts Posted on: 2009-07-27 09:19:47

1) If you read through this booklet which gives all the basics on leather you will see that the lacquer thinner is an option for leather seats installed before 1991. My guess is that BMW continued finishing their seats in lacquer for many years beyond the switch over in '91 to more environmentally friendly finishes by other manufactures. I started off using the prepping agent supplied with the kit and wet sanded as directed. I found that although the prepping agent is pretty good at breaking down the finish with work, the lacquer thinner is hands down the way to go! It is a recommended alternative to using the prepping agent as outlined in the booklet above. The key, I think, is that when you are satisfied with the dye removal with the lacquer thinner, is to then apply the rejuvenator liberally and let it sit at least over night then use the pristine clean. Make sure that the leather is completely dry before beginning the dying process. I found the whole process very forgiving.

As an aside,make sure that you are completely satisfied with your dye job before quitting the dying process. I wish I had given my seats one more light coat of dye. There are still some shadows here and there that I will have to touch up.

One last thing, at the end of the dying process, I used 600 emery on the seats all over then followed up with 1000 to buff up. It seems that the air brush process leaves a light dusting of dye dust on the surface and the emery is just to get rid of that dust. You can also use emery to get rid of runs which you will have until you get the air brush figured out.

2) The motor is most likely the lumbar motor but I can't verify. As I disassembled my seats, I found several plugs here and there that were not hooked up to anything. My guess is that BMW used a standard harness with every available option for that model year then only needed to plug in to the options ordered. Those extra plugs were neatly zip tied out of the way.

As to retrofitting the passenger seat with the lumbar support, I don't see why not. On my car there is a slot for another switch right behind the seat heater switch the same as on the drivers seat and the plugs should be available in the factory harness if my assumption is correct. When you get the two seats out of the car the passenger side should be a mirror image of the drivers seat in that area.

(Remember to expect the unexpected and don't get discouraged!!)
Thanks, Bob
'91 750IL DC78993 10/90 (126k miles)
'91 Allante (151k miles)
'38 Dodge (Hot Rod Project torn down)

• Front seat refinishing,pretty long (pic) (url) - bob91750 2009-07-25 00:13:52 (336 views)
  • Nice job, you and others are going to shame me into trying that (nt) - htrdbmr 2009-07-27 08:11:27 (56 views)
    • Re: Nice job, you and others are going to shame me into trying that - bob91750 2009-07-27 08:42:45 (59 views)
  • Couple Questions - cvillebimmer 2009-07-26 23:20:21 (82 views)
    • Re: Couple Questions,Okay I'll try to answer. (url) - bob91750 2009-07-27 09:19:47 (66 views)
      • Thanks for the reply - cvillebimmer 2009-07-27 12:08:59 (53 views)
        • Re: Thanks for the reply,You're very welcome! - bob91750 2009-07-27 15:24:33 (51 views)
          • Woohoo! (pic) (url) - cvillebimmer 2009-08-16 22:33:20 (23 views)
            • Re: Woohoo! They look great!!! Very nice indeed!!! - bob91750 2009-08-27 20:32:50 (12 views)
              • Thanks Bob! I guess I need to find some 800 grit emery paper... - cvillebimmer 2009-08-28 14:05:06 (5 views)
  • Great job on the seats! (nt) - bcweir750 2009-07-26 20:24:13 (50 views)
  • I've seen enough of these seat resto threads! (pic) - cvillebimmer 2009-07-26 14:18:24 (123 views)
    • Re: I've seen enough of these seat resto threads! - bob91750 2009-07-27 09:28:09 (52 views)
  • Nice work, Bob! They look great. (nt) - DavidC 2009-07-25 04:03:00 (52 views)
    • How long do these chemicals take to 'cure' before you can move on to next step? (nt) - bcweir750 2009-07-27 11:46:02 (61 views)
      • Re: How long do these chemicals take to 'cure' ? - bob91750 2009-07-27 14:51:51 (72 views)