Dyeing Black interior seats to Saddle brown colour. Finished and it has been fitted in the car. .

[sive s]

Hi.

I am gonna start this thread to help the people who want to have a try at dyeing there interior seats and doorcards.

I am bought some black leather interior seats etc. I have ordered the kit from Furniture clinic today to change the colour. Should arrive on monday.

I will try and get steps on how i did it. should take a week, but going to take my time.

I will let the pictures show you, what colour i have chosen.

Thanks sive

Edited August 12, 2013 by sive s

[mjn]

Keeping an eye on this, as fancy dying my black seats, to make them 2 tone.

[starkie7]

Keeping an eye on this, as fancy dying my black seats.

x2

[CharlE46]

Good luck with it all sive, I'll be watching with interest as I'm bored of my black leather. I've heard/read a lot of good things about the furniture clinic dyes

[marc l]

I'm interested in this too

[sean_mc_83]

Good luck mate, can't wait to see what colour you've chosen...just to let you know I'm very impressed with the kit so far, heres a pic of my door card:

[mit]

Hmm, thinking about it, I reckon this kit would probably be better for the tar stain on my red seats than the one I bought from Bespoke Leathering! But I'm still going to try and use theirs to sort the stain on my car anyway

[sive s]

Keeping an eye on this, as fancy dying my black seats, to make them 2 tone.

Thanks mate. i think black seats look boring sometimes. Rather have some colour to brighten the interior.

Keeping an eye on this, as fancy dying my black seats.

x2

Thanks will keep you all informed. Few of us are trying this out i think.

Good luck with it all sive, I'll be watching with interest as I'm bored of my black leather. I've heard/read a lot of good things about the furniture clinic dyes

Thanks bruv. Think the same as you mate. even before i got the new interior i was deciding what to do with it.

Yeah keep on reading mate, if you want any more link let me know will post it on here. For everyone to know how to. Got all of them bookmarked.

I'm interested in this too

Watch the thread mate , will keep you all updated.

Good luck mate, can't wait to see what colour you've chosen...just to let you know I'm very impressed with the kit so far, heres a pic of my door card:

Thanks mate. I have been reading yours for a bit, trying gather as much info on how to do it. Good thing is that for the other people, they will be able to see which finish they would like. As you have gone for the matt one and i have gone for the semi matt finish.

The finish looks very good, was tempted to do it in red but was worried it would not end right. You have proved it can be done. Well done. .

Hmm, thinking about it, I reckon this kit would probably be better for the tar stain on my red seats than the one I bought from Bespoke Leathering! But I'm still going to try and use theirs to sort the stain on my car anyway

I was not sure which one to go for too mit. I was looking at furniture clinic, bespoke leathering and also leather repair company(the ones who were at the DC13 event).

I chose this one as it had the right colour i wanted(also they provided the air gun and canisters too). i know this is not gonna be the only time i would do this. will be doing this on the next car, if i cant find the right combo. .

Edited August 5, 2013 by sive s

[sive s]

Yo.

Kit arrived today went for the large kit from funiture clinic. Going to start prep it today. here are some useful link i have found for advice on how to do it.

http://www.furnitureclinic.co.uk/recommendation_popup.php?product=COLOURKIT&type=recommendation&uid=11

http://www.bespokeleathering.com/images/stories/pdfs/sponge-techniques.pdf

few more other link i have found on bmw forums.

http://www.e46zone.com/forum/topic/18317-has-anyone-actually-dyed-their-interior/page-2?hl=leatherique

http://www.e46zone.com/forum/topic/42088-two-tone-interior-project/#entry620126

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=777877

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=779458

[sive s]

hey.

The package of the dye kit arrived like midday today.

The colour i have gone for is New England Saddle brown. I think this is the only one in a e46 in the UK. Its seen in the e9X 3 series. It a bit darker than cinnamon.

[

1.

Started prepping some of the armrest pads and the rear seats. Did like 6 panels out of the 19 which will be needed to do.

The top one has been prepped , the bottom one is gonna get it done. ^^^^^

all of them done, getting ready for the next process below.

The hardest and time consuming bit was the prep. Make sure you order another bottle. as i accidentally dropped it a bit.

2.

Once this was done i used the alcohol liquid too remove some of the rest of the sealant and wax.

3.1

Then used the sponge provided to brush the dye on the panels. I did 1 coat of this. then used the brush to get to the seams and hard parts. Did one more layer with the sponge. (so three coats using the brush and the sponge). I used the hairdryer to let it dry quicker.

The two bits on the bottom and the left have had the first coat. You can see the edges has more dye as i was trying to get the stitches done first. The ones on the right have just had the 2nd coat with the brush.

When it came to the backrests i started off dyeing the back then the front. as then i can let one dry with the hairdryer then turn it around. then dye the front.

3.2.

Once i had done the above i got the air brush gun ready. easy to use but the adapter for the canister is a pisstake. i was getting annoyed with it. Also get a bucket of warm water and put the canister in it too cool it down quicker.

Once you get used to it it gets easier. i did like 3 light coats of dye.

All of them done above, still needs to cure and dry. ^^^^

Here is the comparison of the black leather and the saddle brown leather.

I have not started putting the sealant or semi matt finish will get all of them done first.

Thanks for reading.

[sean_mc_83]

Looks good mate... quick tip in regards to the adapter for the propellant cans, I was having the same problems until a small rubber o-ring fell out of it. Might want to check if that's the issue.

[DJ Syxx]

Like the colour choice like a caramel colour. Seats will be the challenge but i am guessing your working your way up with the small bits first lol.

[bungers]

Not a huge fan of the colour at the mo if I'm honest but may warm to it once all finished. Good effort though!

[Carlosos]

Looks really nice buddy. Well done keep it up. Can't wait to see finished product. Ps glad you picked a rare colour.

[Chimp Choker]

me likey

bigger balls than me to do this though

mine would end up looking like a political map of asia

[JayP07]

Top work mate!!

[Dsport]

Excellent work Sive top choice of colour too will look stunning in your motor

[Ruesta]

Very interesting.. I was thinking about sorting my leather out but hadn't thougth about a colour change. The saddle brown looks really good and will contrast well with black - nice to see something different too.

Hope it all goes well for you mate - looking forward to the finished pictures.

Be lucky!

[mit]

I reckon the tan colour will look pretty good once it's in the car

[Docz2K9]

Love the colour buddy! Nice work!

Does anyone think or have any ideas of colouring the stitching a different colour after the seats have been dyed? I was thinking of doing mine laguna seca blue but say doing the stitching light grey to go with my silver paintwork. Thing is , you would need something that would dye the stitching without affecting or dying the leather the same colour?

[sive s]

Looks good mate... quick tip in regards to the adapter for the propellant cans, I was having the same problems until a small rubber o-ring fell out of it. Might want to check if that's the issue.

Thanks mate, tried to find it but i think i might have lost it. had too use some ducktape too keep it in place. I was getting annoyed with the canister, kept on running out or getting cold(tried the tip of putting it in warm water, did help that much. Got to spray with the air gun now, is there any other pace where i can get the canisters from.

Like the colour choice like a caramel colour. Seats will be the challenge but i am guessing your working your way up with the small bits first lol.

Thanks mate, was gonna go for the same as yours but as you have already got it in yours(especially with the same car colour). i wanted something different.

Yeah had enough with the rear seats today. should be done by Saturday, as i need to order more canister.

Looks really nice buddy. Well done keep it up. Can't wait to see finished product. Ps glad you picked a rare colour.

Thanks mate. Yeah looking forward to it in the car. should be all in by Gaydon event. Yeah wanted something different.

me likey

bigger balls than me to do this though

mine would end up looking like a political map of asia

Thanks. i think you need a lot of patience , as the canister start to take the piss sometimes. When i tried it first , i was like great sive don't mess this up. lol

[sive s]

Top work mate!!

Thanks mate.

Excellent work Sive top choice of colour too will look stunning in your motor

Thanks , took some time to decide. Was looking at several pics as i was not sure what to get. Thanks hopefully.

Very interesting.. I was thinking about sorting my leather out but hadn't thougth about a colour change. The saddle brown looks really good and will contrast well with black - nice to see something different too.

Hope it all goes well for you mate - looking forward to the finished pictures.

Be lucky!

Thanks. I have been thinking about for the past few months. Have ago at it mate, just take your time. Yeah its a nice colour and it will work with the black parts inside.

Thanks mate.

I reckon the tan colour will look pretty good once it's in the car

Its like dark Tan , the light ones are like cinnamon. Thanks yeah hopefully.

Love the colour buddy! Nice work!

Does anyone think or have any ideas of colouring the stitching a different colour after the seats have been dyed? I was thinking of doing mine laguna seca blue but say doing the stitching light grey to go with my silver paintwork. Thing is , you would need something that would dye the stitching without affecting or dying the leather the same colour?

Thanks mate.

It can be done but you will need like detail brush to do it.

[sean_mc_83]

Hows it going so far? I'm liking the colour choice.

When you get to the front seats I know how to separate the top and bottom sections so the paint doesnt stick (I'll post some pics to show you if you want). I've just ordered more paint, so by friday I'll have all I need to complete the job.

In regards to buying the gas cans, I've been getting them from Halfords, I think I've emptied the shelves in 3 different branches so far!

Edited August 7, 2013 by sean_mc_83

[sive s]

Hows it going so far? I'm liking the colour choice.

When you get to the front seats I know how to separate the top and bottom sections so the paint doesnt stick (I'll post some pics to show you if you want). I've just ordered more paint, so by friday I'll have all I need to complete the job.

In regards to buying the gas cans, I've been getting them from Halfords, I think I've emptied the shelves in 3 different branches so far!

Hi mate its going alright. The prep is alright. Done like 6 with the dye and another 6 which will be needed to spray with the air spray gun.

The colour on the first ones are good. happy about it. How about you , what stage and what have you done now. You started on the front seats. Gonna be a massive pisstake. (lol just read the bit above). Yeah if you can that will be useful. Need to start on the doorcards and the seats tomorrow or friday.

The canisters are annoying, only last for a bit.

Also when you dyed the rear seat , did you have trouble with the dye not sticking to the area where the seatbelt buckle is. I have not used the air gun on it but used the brush and sponge technique.

I was searching the web earlier and checked halfords, didn't expect them too sell it. Tried homebase and they said they don't have it. Will pop in to the store to pick up a few. No point of ordering online, 8-9 pounds for one.

Good luck with yours mate. Will defo need to park up next to each other on one of the car meets. Repping Furniture Clinic. lol

[sean_mc_83]

So far I've done all the door cards, the rear bolsters and rear headrests. Hopefully getting more paint and stuff tomorrow so will do the rest over the weekend.

I've learned a hell of a lot so far...the matt finish does give a matt look, but it seems to have washed out the colour a bit. I phoned furniture clinic and they suggested to mix some colour/gloss in with the matt which seems to have done the trick and i'm happy with the colour and finish at the minute.

Haven't started on the front seats yet but as I've got some cloth seats in my garage I've had a little practice at taking all the plastic trim off and then separating them. It's easy to be fair.

The propellant is £6.50 in Halfords.