Im in, too!
leather seat conditioner/cleaner
- Thread starter tmils470
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2001LC
SILVER Star
I'm very interested in how Leatherique has worked out for everyone?
I most interested in the results from doing the whole process of using crack filler and re-dye.
Is crack filler holding and invisible?
Is the dye coming off in subsequent cleanings or holding as good as new from the factory?
I most interested in the results from doing the whole process of using crack filler and re-dye.
Is crack filler holding and invisible?
Is the dye coming off in subsequent cleanings or holding as good as new from the factory?
Initial results were awesome, and for the most part, it seems to be holding up really well. In the first pic, you can see my DS bolster is really worn..both the foam and the leather. I attempted to smooth out some of the creases with the crack filler before I re-dyed, and the dye has started to crumble off there. Specifically, in the creases. To really fix that area, I should have replaced the foam, reinforced the leather there by gluing a piece thick suede to the underside and not used the crack filler there. Leatherique also makes a clear coat for high-wear areas. I'll try that when I touch it up.
If you zoom in on pic 2, the center console had some deep scratches and the armrest was in rough shape. Those "cracks" are what the crack filler is intended for and they are still perfect, but also not as high-wear as the bolster. I also had a few spots on the rear seats where I used the crack filler where it's still invisible and no issues with the dye adhering.
For the first week or so, the seats had a rubbery feel, but that has since gone away. So I think extending the time between the re-dye and using them will increase durability by allowing more cure time.
I'm very happy with my results, and I made a bunch of little mistakes along the way. The main one being not taking advantage of their color-matching. That would have made for a lot less work.
Holy cow, that amazing work. Can you tell me your procedure and the products you used?
2001LC
SILVER Star
The filler must set hard, and not something fibrous & flexible bonding with and too fibers. I was going to use crack filler in all bolsters (1st & 2nd row), but now I'm thinking that's not a good idea. Like your seats, I don't have any cracks that have opened exposing foam, but some are deep and wide. So I gather from what you've said; only use filler in spots that will not be flexed. Is that a fair assessment?
Some say dye comes off on sequent lite cleaning/wiping, I assume you've not clean again yet, but what your thoughts?
FYI: It was your early post in a different thread that made me switch to Leatherique (nice job by the way), and buy the 32oz bottles to condition and clean. I was just about pulling the trigger and send them a sample (head rest) for dye and fill kits. Now I'm not sure!
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loeky
SILVER Star
Echoi
Echoing the request - interested in a product list as I've never used leather dye.
My seats aren't anywhere this bad and picked up some Griot's based on this thread to clean/rejuvinate. Might add dye to the situation if necessary after seeing how far the moisturizing goes.
Great work!
Echoing the request - interested in a product list as I've never used leather dye.
My seats aren't anywhere this bad and picked up some Griot's based on this thread to clean/rejuvinate. Might add dye to the situation if necessary after seeing how far the moisturizing goes.
Great work!
Here is what the DS seat looks like 3 months later:
Again, I believe it was more user error than product.
I used kit #3 towards the bottom of this page:
ORDER Products | Leatherique Restoration Products
...but I would recommend doing it differently than I did. I will try to do a more thorough write-up this weekend. For now...
1. Get them to color match a dye from a sample that is representative of the good leather/vinyl left in your truck. This will save you a ton of work.
2. A full re-dye is only necessary if you want to change the color. Getting a non-color-matched dye will force you into doing a full re-dye.
3. If you've tried to repair the leather before, it will be more work. You've got to get that stuff off before the Rejuvenator Oil or Prestine Clean will even work its magic.
4. Rejuvenator Oil and Prestine Clean are great products to maintain your leather and the first steps in a re-dye. Buy some, use it, repeat.
5. The oil works better with heat. I.e. Park in the sun and let it bake in over the weekend. Start your leather project in July not January.
Again, I believe it was more user error than product.
I used kit #3 towards the bottom of this page:
ORDER Products | Leatherique Restoration Products
...but I would recommend doing it differently than I did. I will try to do a more thorough write-up this weekend. For now...
1. Get them to color match a dye from a sample that is representative of the good leather/vinyl left in your truck. This will save you a ton of work.
2. A full re-dye is only necessary if you want to change the color. Getting a non-color-matched dye will force you into doing a full re-dye.
3. If you've tried to repair the leather before, it will be more work. You've got to get that stuff off before the Rejuvenator Oil or Prestine Clean will even work its magic.
4. Rejuvenator Oil and Prestine Clean are great products to maintain your leather and the first steps in a re-dye. Buy some, use it, repeat.
5. The oil works better with heat. I.e. Park in the sun and let it bake in over the weekend. Start your leather project in July not January.
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2001LC
SILVER Star
I did buy the 32oz land cruiser special direct from Leatherique. Parked in sun for 2 1/2 days, but temps were a bit cool (30 to 70 deg) at that time. I used a spray bottle to apply Rejuvenator to all three row and doors and such. I could really tell what was and wasn't leather for the first time rubbing this stuff on by hand.
I only used ~20% of Rejuvenator bottle and 80% of cleaner. This is much less rejuvenator than recommend, but coverage was great and thick. I'm going to order more cleaner and do second application in the hot sun. After looking at your after use, I feel filler would be a waste on any area that flexes. Additionally I'm not yet convinced that Leatherique is best stuff: the feel of the seats are a little stiffer after my one treatment, more so than I was expecting. I'm hoping for better results on a second treatment, where I'll really load it on thick.
I assuming all the darkest spot/cracks that we now see are where you used the filler? I also see some fading/wearing off of dye in lower center of back area, that I assume only die was used here (no filler)?
What say you and the other here: Is it ok to have bare seats facing directly in sun with rejuvenator on, or better to cover with black trash bags facing sun or face away from sun covered or not?
I'm looking forward to your right-up and will hold off on ordering anything at this point until I see why you say "user error".
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Finally got the write-up posted: Leatherique: products, process and before/after pics
Photo above is the seat bottom. "lower center of back area" is not fading/wearing, but no crack filler was used on it either.
I read nothing in my research that confirmed or denied that doing either helped or hurt the process. You might get a little more heat with the black bags in the sun. If anything, you'd be able to drive it while the oil is on there.
I explained in detail in the other thread and have sent an email to Leatherique asking what I could have done differently. I didn't use crack filler on the rear bolsters and they also have their fair share of creases. Dye seems to be holding up there and they've seen some traffic, but not like the driver's seat. I don't mind the creases, I think they add character.
