Lol! Right?
Hoping to get the Xidas swapped over soon. Had to get it legal first.
It looks REALLY high parked next to the NA.
Lol! Right?
Hoping to get the Xidas swapped over soon. Had to get it legal first.
It looks REALLY high parked next to the NA.
Agent☣Orange (11-19-2017)
Congrat. Looks like fun!
93' LE - FM II and more
253k miles
Smile
kung fu jesus (11-21-2017)
Awesome progress so far!!!
kung fu jesus (11-22-2017)
Thanks for your help Alex!
I pulled the MSM seats from my NA to prep them for refinishing. They arent too bad, so I dont anticipate too much of an issue.
The drivers side bolster shows the most wear:
I started using a fresh sponge with a little soap and warm water. I washed and scrubbed them (gently), twice, then wiped them down with fresh water and clean towels, twice.
I waited for them to dry, then applied Colourlock heavy cleaning foam. I worked it in side to side, rubbing all the leather surfaces:
After doing both seats, I went back and rinsed it off with fresh, warm water and another clean towel (twice again to be sure to get it all off).
I am waiting for the surfaces to dry before applying the dye. I used the clean scotchbright of the sponge to rough the surfaces.
Agent☣Orange (11-25-2017),Greasemonkey2000 (02-04-2018),HarryB (11-25-2017),JamieH (11-25-2017),MiataQuest (11-25-2017),ScratchNSniff (11-26-2017),tsingson (11-25-2017)
I hit my groove, so I kept going. My set isnt nearly as bad as the set I restored for my friend.
I started with the tedious, detailed bit.
The trick here is that the dye will color the contrasting top stitch, so I have to be reaaaaally careful and take my time. Heres how I did it:
Yeah, I dipped a q-tip in the dye, and steadied my hand against the bolster. Sort of like pin striping, but the q tip leaves a more natural texture than a brush (would leave brush strokes). I chase each application with the heat gun and after 2 applications, I start to make progress:
After 4 light applications, it looks great:
With the tough part done, I focus on working the rest of the seats. This is a little less tedious, and done with a fine synthetic sponge. The dye has to be applied by dabbing/stippling the panel end to end, then apply the heat with the gun. Two to three passes on each leather panel took me about 2 hours for both seats, 3-3.5 altogether for cleaning and dye applications. Like I said, this pair was already in pretty good condition.
I will let these sit for a couple of hours and apply the UV protectant and wear prohibitor.
Agent☣Orange (11-25-2017),fwdtamiya (12-03-2017),Greasemonkey2000 (02-04-2018),HarryB (11-26-2017),JamieH (11-25-2017),MiataQuest (11-25-2017),newoldm (02-02-2020),Phatmiata (11-28-2017),tsingson (11-25-2017)
I waited a couple of hours, then applied the UV protection and wear prohibitor:
After about an hour, I worked in the protectant. This is AKA elephant fat. Agent Orange should be thoroughly aroused at the combination of leather, latex, and lube:
I massaged in the fat and then, yup you guessed it, applied heat to get the leather to pull it in.
I will soon wipe off the excess with a clean towel and let the seats rest over night.
Agent☣Orange (11-25-2017),Greasemonkey2000 (02-04-2018),JamieH (11-26-2017),newoldm (02-02-2020),Paul B (11-25-2017),tsingson (11-25-2017)
Final buff. Altogether, about 5 hours including rest.
Drivers seat:
Passenger seat:
Bryan (08-29-2019),Demon I Am (11-27-2017),fwdtamiya (12-03-2017),Greasemonkey2000 (02-04-2018),HarryB (11-26-2017),JamieH (11-26-2017),MiataQuest (11-26-2017),newoldm (02-02-2020),Phatmiata (11-28-2017),tsingson (11-26-2017)
I think you’ll be more successful dying black than my buddy who did it in tan. He did the same process, sanding, scuffing and staining but the amazing results soon faded.
No todo que es oro brilla.
I wont disagree. Tan, and lighter colors, are much tougher and are treated differently. Not all leather dyes are as durable either.Originally Posted by Agent[emoji1282
I have had great results with darker colors but the entire surface should be treated.
Lighter colors absorb dirt and oils in ways that show differently if they were re-dyed in spots. The extra steps afterward help to prevent the absorption.
Wow, they look almost brand new!
kung fu jesus (11-26-2017)
No moss under my feet. ;) Did a little work today.
fwdtamiya (12-03-2017),Greasemonkey2000 (02-04-2018),HarryB (11-26-2017),JamieH (11-26-2017),MiataQuest (11-26-2017),Paul B (11-26-2017),Phatmiata (11-28-2017),tsingson (11-26-2017)
Vacuumed and washed the floor pans and tunnel (ugh!).
Starting to transfer the dash...be back later!
BRGNA8 (11-28-2017),Demon I Am (11-27-2017),fwdtamiya (12-03-2017),Greasemonkey2000 (02-04-2018),JamieH (11-27-2017),MiataQuest (11-26-2017),Paul B (11-26-2017),Phatmiata (11-28-2017),tsingson (11-26-2017)
Knocked off more ugly by swapping the guts of my tan dash to a black one.
Washed the HVAC tubes, too!
Busy 24 hours, but satisfying. The best is yet to come!
BRGNA8 (11-28-2017),Bryan (08-29-2019),fwdtamiya (12-03-2017),Greasemonkey2000 (02-04-2018),HarryB (11-27-2017),JamieH (11-27-2017),MiataQuest (11-27-2017),Paul B (11-26-2017),Phatmiata (11-28-2017),tsingson (11-26-2017)
Damn, you waste no time! Great work sir!
kung fu jesus (11-27-2017)