Restored and Refinished the Leather in the Hundy

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Very cool to know that worn seats can be rejuvenated. In the meantime, what's the best leather product to preserve seats that are still in good shape? I've heard lexol is good... any input would be greatly appreciated.
 
What color/dye product did you use? Also, did you brush it on?

I used Colorplus's Surflex and on large surfaces, like an entire seat bottom, I had problems with brush marks - even after multiple coats.
 
Do you work for Leatherique Products?:)

No, I'm a Sales/Design Engineer for an Industrial/Recreational Refrigeration Company. This truck is some of my handy-work...

Very cool to know that worn seats can be rejuvenated. In the meantime, what's the best leather product to preserve seats that are still in good shape? I've heard lexol is good... any input would be greatly appreciated.

This Rejuvinator Oil and Pristine Clean stuff is supposed to be some of the best stuff. Not cheap at all, but it made the old stiff leather buttery-soft.

What color/dye product did you use? Also, did you brush it on?

I used Colorplus's Surflex and on large surfaces, like an entire seat bottom, I had problems with brush marks - even after multiple coats.

I have the color code info at my office. I'll post it next week. I actually used a small terrycloth hand towel (clean, of course) to dip and apply the dye. Basically "rubbed" it in.
 
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I did my reasearch and chose leatherique products. I got the Rejuvinator Oil, Pristine Clean, Prepping Agent, Crack Filler, and Leather Dye. I got enough to do the front and middle rows completely for $170. Not bad, as long as it lives up to it's reputation...

I'm guessing you ordered kit #4? What dye color did you go with? Interested to see how the color turns out for you after the ripening period.
 
I'm guessing you ordered kit #4? What dye color did you go with? Interested to see how the color turns out for you after the ripening period.

First, you have to call a Toyota Dealer with your VIN to get your interior color code. My leather is the tan / light-oak typical of the UZJ's. I have the code at my office and I'll post it here when I'm at my desk next week.

I would STRONGLY suggest that you call the people at Leatherique. They take that dealer code and ensure that you get the correct color dye. Also, mention that you are on the "Landcruiser Forum" and they will give you a discount (if they don't have any current specials).

I honestly don't know what kit number I got (just checked - I got Kit #3). I got 32oz of each: Rejuvinator Oil, Pistine Clean, Prepping Agent, and Dye along with a little container of the crack filler. I called the lady, explained what I had and what I wanted to do, and she told me what I needed. I needed to restore suppleness to front and middle-row seating and re-dye all surfaces on both rows. Looking at how much I've used, I'll have a good bit left over. However, with that said, I've used probably 10-oz of dye so far. 16-oz would NOT be enough to do both rows.
 
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Nice job on the write up. I have done the Rejuvinator Oil and Pristine Clean on my seats, all three rows, and probably need to do it again, just because of the stiffness. I do have one spot on the arm rest that could use the crack filler and dye, so I may look into that on my next go around.

Once again, great job!
 
I just looked at my invoice. I definitely got Kit #3 in "Land Cruiser Light Oak LA40" color...
 
Very cool to know that worn seats can be rejuvenated. In the meantime, what's the best leather product to preserve seats that are still in good shape? I've heard lexol is good... any input would be greatly appreciated.

Use Leatherique cleaner and rejuvenator for normal maintenance as well. Stuff can't be beat. Closest I've found is Zymol, Lexol is OK, but Leatherique is the best.
 
would have never believed a repair kit could do such a nice job! nice work bama!

now if I could figure out how to repair the tear in the perforated leather in the wife's ES...
 
The Zymol leather cleaner is good stuff and easy to get at Target.

bamachem - Impressive work! Can you give us an estimate of how much time it took to get that good a result.
 
I couldnt care what my seats look like anymore, I just wish the seat heater worked again, and the foam wasnt so worn out and was as comfy as my "new" one.

Great job though!
 
As far as color-fastness goes, I took a wet WHITE rag and rubbed all over the surfaces I dyed with quite a bit of pressure. I had zero color transfer to the towel. Nothing. Very impressive.

For the prep w/ the Oil, it took maybe 15-minutes each day to apply and rub it in. Another 10 or so to remove it the next morning.

The Prepping agent and Wet Sanding took maybe an hour total, if that. I didn't sand much at all, to be honest. More of a once-over for most places.

Putting the crack filler on was 15-min. By the time I finished applying it, the first areas were dry and ready to sand. I was careful with the sanding, so it took me maybe 40-45 min.

I took a towel with some Pristine Clean on it and wiped everything down and let it dry at that point.

Each dye coat took probably 20-30 min, being careful to keep it on the seats and off of the carpet, console, etc. I did have a couple drips on the carpet, and it came right up with a wet towel. Same for the console and seat belt fasteners. Very easy clean-up.

Over the entire process, I would sat that I only had ~5 hours work at most. A HUGE majority of my time was just letting the stuff dry so I could move on to the next step.

Like I said early on - Patience is key...
 
Bamachem,

Thanks for the great info. The pictures are not showing up anymore for me at least. Is there anyway they could get restored? Also I think you've sold the truck but a long term follow up on how they are holding would be awesome!


About to order everything to tackle mine.

Thanks again!
 
Bamachem,

Thanks for the great info. The pictures are not showing up anymore for me at least. Is there anyway they could get restored? Also I think you've sold the truck but a long term follow up on how they are holding would be awesome!


About to order everything to tackle mine.

Thanks again!

FWIW I paid $250 to have a professional restore both front seats, and the 2nd row seat. The front passenger's seat required a little extra work, as there was slight cracking. He made my seats look brand new! It has now been over 1 year since I had the work done, and all is still perfect.

I found my repair guy through a local Automotive Interior repair shop. Hope you can do the same.
 
Pics?
 

I don't have before pics, but I can get pics posted up tomorrow. I was VERY impressed with the work completed. The restored 14 year old leather seats literally look brand new, even 1 year later. I was fully prepared to spend $$$ to replace the seats with new leather, I had no idea leather could be restored like that. He said that the cracking on the passenger's seat was actually cracking in the dye, not the leather itself. He sanded it down and re dyed it. It sure looked to me like the leather had gone to crap, so I couldn't believe my eyes when he had it smooth as butter again.
I also had the same guy look at the leather on my X5, and he said that there was one spot that could not be repaired because it was toughened due to water.
 
Is this something any upholstery shop knows how to do?
 

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