leather restoration materials

[Trabantdave]

Hi,

just back from 2 weeks in sunny France (in the Saab convertible, not the Minor alas; still the Saab is 15 years old 140k and no problems over 1500 miles, apart from inaccurate speed monitoring on my part resulting in a 90-euro fine from those fine chaps in the Gendarmerie....) and am debating if I should brighten up the leather on my 1960 4-door.

Has anyone performed a leather refurb using the kits of colourant that are advertised in Practical Classics etc, and how good are the results?

Can anyone recommend a supplier and tell me what colour the red leather colour would be called on a '60 finished in Old English White?

Back off to France in a month or so and this time by Minor, only going to Suisse-Normande this time so it is a short drive from the port; I doubt if I will collect another ticket at Morris speeds!

Regards

Dave

[Kevin]

I would use a leather feeding kit first to improve the flexibility before using a dye type of kit.

[Masher]

I have used one of the kits to restore/revive the leather seats and console in my E-type jag. The one I used is the one you see at all the shows in the midlands - leather forever who are supplied (I think) by furniture clinic

I was a bit sceptical/worried before using it since I didn't expect it to be any good. In use it is very impressive - as the articles say, you remove contaminants and existing surface then spray on new colour - being water based it is very forgiving and you can't go wrong. You can play with the final finish to get just the amount of gloss/matt you want

Only advice I would give is make sure you provide a sample of the existing leather from under the seat so they can match properly. Also the medium size kit was more than enough to do 2 seats and console - it goes a long way

[Trabantdave]

Thanks for your input there, I have a bottle of leather food and did try a bottle of painty stuff on the Saab from Ebay, which looked great when first applied but you would not know now it had been done.... What a difference in hide quality; the Minor is three times the age of the Saab and the leather looks and feel so much better.

I will give the seats a good slap-up feed and get in touch with the Leather Forever and Furniture Clinic people

Thanks again

Dave