Leather/vinyl interior restoration - need test mules!

[Fordtrucktexan]

FYI... I've already covered this with Mark and we have agreed I can seek testers before officially going public.

A few people here know I've done a few interior touch ups for friends that needed it. I.e. spot touchups, leather steering wheel coloring, etc. Today I pondered the idea of possibly doing this for the general public (advertising mainly online first, expanding from there).

What I will be offering is primarily color restoration of automotive interior leather and vinyl based trim items. As of right now I cannot repair/replace worn stitching, torn/damaged leather or vinyl, etc. Color restoration can hide those surface cracks that leather is famous for. I'd prefer to restore items back to their original color but color changing is possible, but be advised it will not last as long as the original color would.

Before anything happens... I need to know the products I use will hold up and see what the demand is for this. I only know of one other person in the area offering this service and he's usually booked solid (mostly by dealers). That's where you come in. I'm looking for around 8 test subjects, I'm looking for:

discolored steering wheels
faded door panels
leather seats with hairline surface cracks or discoloring
worn/discolored arm rests and console lids
faded dashboard tops
etc

These jobs will be priced at or below cost depending on complexity and size. I will need you to test the items I repair in your own vehicle for at least 90 days and let me know how well the repair holds up.

I will be posting photos or previous work done... most of you have seen the Saturn seat test mule that got kicked around at Kohl's the past few weekends.

Feel free to ask any questions

[EGwhite]

I just redid my whole interior w/ SEM products. Came out great. Although im still trying to find a way to redo my headliner w/out the glue coming undone. I can tell you more about my interior job, what i used, steps etc if you wanna know

[Fordtrucktexan]

That's what I'm using, SEM products, mostly their custom mix line

[beckertb]

Do you have any interest in restoring a plastic console in a 04 denali xl? Looks to me like it is going to have to be sanded down and painted?

ben

[Fordtrucktexan]

I'm interested... is it scuffed up or just need new color coat?

[beckertb]

I'm interested... is it scuffed up or just need new color coat?

It isn't scuffed up at all, but it looks like the paint is just lifting up. I have looked at a few others online and they look to be doing the same.....you can literally just scrape it off with your fingernail.....

It's just a grey slightly textured surface--doesn't seem to be anywhere else in the interior so nothing that has to be an exact match.

ben

[lilindienplaya]

yeah ive seen lots of my friends GM vehicles that have the finish just bubble up and then peel off its like skin of paint that peels once it starts

[Fordtrucktexan]

It isn't scuffed up at all, but it looks like the paint is just lifting up. I have looked at a few others online and they look to be doing the same.....you can literally just scrape it off with your fingernail.....

It's just a grey slightly textured surface--doesn't seem to be anywhere else in the interior so nothing that has to be an exact match.

ben

Can you get the color code off the door jam? I can get an exact match, no problems with that at all. Shame it's not black, I have a case of GM Onyx Black hard plastic and soft plastic dye for another project lol

[Fordtrucktexan]

yeah ive seen lots of my friends GM vehicles that have the finish just bubble up and then peel off its like skin of paint that peels once it starts

I've seen that a lot too... not sure why it's so prevalent in GM vehicles but Dodge and Ford both have a problem with it too. Ford even went as far to release it's own series of 8oz color-dye spray cans that were factory color matched to their vehicle interiors, but they're unavailable now.

[beckertb]

I can get the color code. Again, doesn't have to be perfect. It is just a slightly textured gray now. I think it is the same in all of them. I guess it really wouldn't even matter if it is black--just so it is all the same color......

ben

[Twinky]

You saw the interior of my mustang. It could use some touch ups in places. Paints coming off the plastic trim around the shifter, would you be interested in taking a look?

[Fordtrucktexan]

You saw the interior of my mustang. It could use some touch ups in places. Paints coming off the plastic trim around the shifter, would you be interested in taking a look?

That sounds like an easy fix... and if your color code is medium parchment (most Ford stock tan interiors) I had that color until last week lol, I can get some more, just shoot me the interior trim code so I can be sure of the color.

Ben, if it's not too much trouble shoot me the interior trim code, just in case I can only spot touch it up... don't want to have different shades. From what I can tell, the Denali consoles have carpet at the bottom too.

[EGwhite]

I am just finishing up painting all of my interior in the rex. Its came out really good. Granted its cost me a good bit of $ but everything looks brand new & the quality looks like its going to last

Steps:

Clean parts w/ fine scotch brite & hot soapy water
Acetone w/gloves
2 Coats of klenstrip bulldog paint adhesive
2 Coats of SEM Satin black Color coat for (vinyl, plastic, carpet)


I used it on the carpet as well. seeing as the fibers are plastic dye doesnt really stick.


My car is getting back from paint 2morow or thursday & ill be putting all the interior back in & ill post pics.

P.S. have you heard of people using linseed oil & paint thinner mix? i was going to do that originally

[Fordtrucktexan]

As long as you use SEM Soap and SEM Plastic/Leather Prep, you won't need paint adhesive.

[EGwhite]

As long as you use SEM Soap and SEM Plastic/Leather Prep, you won't need paint adhesive.

But that route is more expensive. reason why i did it the way i did.

[seth]

I am just finishing up painting all of my interior in the rex. Its came out really good. Granted its cost me a good bit of $ but everything looks brand new & the quality looks like its going to last

Steps:

Clean parts w/ fine scotch brite & hot soapy water
Acetone w/gloves
2 Coats of klenstrip bulldog paint adhesive
2 Coats of SEM Satin black Color coat for (vinyl, plastic, carpet)


I used it on the carpet as well. seeing as the fibers are plastic dye doesnt really stick.


My car is getting back from paint 2morow or thursday & ill be putting all the interior back in & ill post pics.

P.S. have you heard of people using linseed oil & paint thinner mix? i was going to do that originally

why dont you make your own thread? lol

[Fordtrucktexan]

But that route is more expensive. reason why i did it the way i did.

I hear ya man... just be careful if you use those petroleum based solvents, (I'm glad you didn't) They're not good for plastic as they tend to soften it up. Softening is good for paint adhesion, bad for the quality of the plastic and texture, it tends to smooth it out.

Not to mention SEM coatings are all water-based, and those solvents are oil-based, they won't like each other and the coating will probably fail sooner than it should.

Post pics of the Rex interior, it should look pretty oem if you used SEM coatings.

[EGwhite]

why dont you make your own thread? lol
I probably will on Dseries and might post it up on here as a DIY.
I hear ya man... just be careful if you use those petroleum based solvents, (I'm glad you didn't) They're not good for plastic as they tend to soften it up. Softening is good for paint adhesion, bad for the quality of the plastic and texture, it tends to smooth it out.

Not to mention SEM coatings are all water-based, and those solvents are oil-based, they won't like each other and the coating will probably fail sooner than it should.

Post pics of the Rex interior, it should look pretty oem if you used SEM coatings.

Yea plus using hot soapy water you can see if there is any oil left in the vinyl because it will have shiny spots. Then the acetone just dries it out and cleans it even more.

If i can get some good quality pics i will. Gettin my car back from paint 2morow so im hoping to have all the interior back in by fri-sat.

Oh & it looks better than OEM imo. OEM is like eehhh i wanna be black but idk

[Fordtrucktexan]

I probably will on Dseries and might post it up on here as a DIY.


Yea plus using hot soapy water you can see if there is any oil left in the vinyl because it will have shiny spots. Then the acetone just dries it out and cleans it even more.

If i can get some good quality pics i will. Gettin my car back from paint 2morow so im hoping to have all the interior back in by fri-sat.

Oh & it looks better than OEM imo. OEM is like eehhh i wanna be black but idk

I always just soaked parts in a hot bath of basic dishwashing soap, and then rinsed and sanitized for the SEM-spec preparation. And I know how you feel about that color, IIRC it's called Honda Grey... I re-colored an Acura RSX leather steering wheel in that color and sometimes it was grey, sometimes it was black.

My Saturn interior is mostly tan but the door panels, lower trim, seats and carpet are Saturn OEM black. That's what the case of GM Onyx Black is for, going to recolor the whole smash in pure black except for the carpet, it's aftermarket and is good to go. The leather seats have faded into a charcoal grey (they're only 16 years old, lol) so they'll be the first to get reconditioned. After that comes the dashboard and all the upper trim, then the rear window dash. Should be fun.

[FB_RX-Seven]

i know my drivers seat in my f250 is too far gone due to tears and whatnot. but all of the rest of the interior is tear free. its a light tan leather but has black spots everywhere like the color is coming out? tried cleaning it but didnt do anything. id really hate to get all new leather instead of the 1 seat. is there anyway to restore it back to a solid color tan? its a early 99 f250 4 door lariat with their normal tan color

[Fordtrucktexan]

Yep... and being a 99' F250 your interior color is medium prarie tan. The color is wearing off the leather. It's an easy fix, I did it on my stock Lariat leather seats in my truck before I replaced them with Katskin leather. Lmk if you want it fixed and I'll give you a good quote.

The re-coat will also wear off but like the stock color, it'll take some time.

[EGwhite]

I always just soaked parts in a hot bath of basic dishwashing soap, and then rinsed and sanitized for the SEM-spec preparation. And I know how you feel about that color, IIRC it's called Honda Grey... I re-colored an Acura RSX leather steering wheel in that color and sometimes it was grey, sometimes it was black.

My Saturn interior is mostly tan but the door panels, lower trim, seats and carpet are Saturn OEM black. That's what the case of GM Onyx Black is for, going to recolor the whole smash in pure black except for the carpet, it's aftermarket and is good to go. The leather seats have faded into a charcoal grey (they're only 16 years old, lol) so they'll be the first to get reconditioned. After that comes the dashboard and all the upper trim, then the rear window dash. Should be fun.

Soaking it in a bath tub sounds like a huge mess lol
& yea im not to found of the chameleon color. I did however keep the grey trim the same. Literally the only thing i havent painted is the floor mats. Im gunna get new ones.
Ive calculated up a ruff estimate of how much ive spent on painting my interior and exterior trim & its probably cost me $200+

20 yr old car: $600
Making the interior look minty fresh: $200
Making the exterior look the same: $649

Having one of the cleanest/cleanest in a 100+mile radius: Priceless

[beckertb]

That sounds like an easy fix... and if your color code is medium parchment (most Ford stock tan interiors) I had that color until last week lol, I can get some more, just shoot me the interior trim code so I can be sure of the color.

Ben, if it's not too much trouble shoot me the interior trim code, just in case I can only spot touch it up... don't want to have different shades. From what I can tell, the Denali consoles have carpet at the bottom too.

The color is 03 GMT 830 Rear Md DK Pewter II. I'll attach a pic of what the console looks like..........

[beckertb]

http://images2e.snapfish.com/232323232%7Ffp537%3B4%3Enu%3D569%3B%3E382%3E254%3E WSNRCG%3D32%3C%3B%3A%3A%3A469345nu0mrj

http://images2e.snapfish.com/232323232%7Ffp537%3B%3A%3Enu%3D569%3B%3E382%3E254% 3EWSNRCG%3D32%3C%3B%3A%3A%3A46%3A345nu0mrj

[Fordtrucktexan]

Gotcha... easy fix, at least it looks like it. I'll get the color and PM you when it's in.

[beckertb]

Gotcha... easy fix, at least it looks like it. I'll get the color and PM you when it's in.

Theres a wear spot on the drivers seat, too that could use a touch up.......interested in that, too?

thanks again
ben

http://images2e.snapfish.com/232323232%7Ffp53832%3Enu%3D569%3B%3E382%3E254%3EWS NRCG%3D32%3C%3B%3A9%3A%3B%3B9345nu0mrj

[Fordtrucktexan]

Interesting... if you don't mind I'd like to take a closer look at it when I do the console. I want to see how it did that because it doesn't look like there's a lot of wear on the seat to cause it.

[beckertb]

Interesting... if you don't mind I'd like to take a closer look at it when I do the console. I want to see how it did that because it doesn't look like there's a lot of wear on the seat to cause it.

The photo is deceiving. There is actually a considerable amount of weare on the seat for a 60k mile truck..........

[Fordtrucktexan]

The photo is deceiving. There is actually a considerable amount of weare on the seat for a 60k mile truck..........

Gotcha. It looks fixable but if it wore through the upper layer of the leather it won't be a good fix, it'll just cover up the wear for a while depending on how often it's sat on. I've repaired similar damage on my old leather seat upholstry in my truck

[Grinch]

i got a steering wheel for a 2001 f150 that needs to be restored

[Fordtrucktexan]

Post pics if you can... is the leather damaged?

[FB_RX-Seven]

sorry i never got back to u on the f250... 4097798284 gimme a call or txt and let me know how much... i have covers covering the front seats right now cuz the drivers seat is torn to shit frmo the guy before me not taking care of the leather. but all of the rest is fine. just needs color

[Fordtrucktexan]

sorry i never got back to u on the f250... 4097798284 gimme a call or txt and let me know how much... i have covers covering the front seats right now cuz the drivers seat is torn to shit frmo the guy before me not taking care of the leather. but all of the rest is fine. just needs color

The original Ford leather isn't that great to begin with, just getting in and out daily wearing blue jeans will rip it up in a few years. But yea I can restore that color at least on the parts that are still good. Will shoot you a txt msg

[FB_RX-Seven]

cool deal