Leather Restoration of my 1995 BMW 540i E34 Seats (Off Topic)

[TechnoWeeny]

I just thought I'd post some pictures of my Seats after I had restored them as it was with the kind advice from some of you that lead me on to Leatherique Products.

I must admit I was a bit skeptical of how good they would turn out but for the cost differential of AUS$260 V's AUS$3,700.00 for new skins it was a "No Brainer".

Click on the link to see the before and after pictures. http://youtu.be/vgVfaHrn9U4

FYI, I just finished doing the respray later yesterday afternoon, so today it gets unveiled. Woo Hoo !!! can't wait. ;)

[Russell]

Impressive. I just replaced my sun damaged rear seat back with a better, almost perfect, rear seat back for $50 US. Going to have my driver's back and bottom seats recovered with leather from a passenger seat. Bit more complicated since I have heated seats. My door panels look excellent. I and the PO kept the car garaged at night and I had overed parking during the day for several years. helped a lot.

[mattyb]

very very impressive

[genphreak]

Brilliant, thanks for posting the link. I have done it on black but not with the dye. Will do it again now... and do the grey ones in the touring too. Excellent work, yip!

[TechnoWeeny]

@ genphreak, no problem mate, glad it has inspired you to have a go. I just received a Steering Wheel restoration Kit from Rob at PPC (Warriewood, Sydney) this morning, so I'm looking forward to seeing how well the steering wheel turns out as well. Let Rob know (if you're buying from him) that you saw the Video I did on BimmerNuts and mention my name, you just never know your luck >wink<

7966

[genphreak]

That looks excellent! What is the steering wheel kit worth?

I buy mine from the distributor in Pymble, he's closer.

Here's a tip- if your wheel is loose at the top (when holding it you can twist the leather and padding underneath back and forth- (easy to feel as at the side near the spokes it is nearly always solid), the glue sticking the foam padding to the steel ring in the middle will have given way. To fix, just use a hypodermic syringe to inject some glue inside. I think contact glue is ideal, but super glue apparently works without the hypodermic if you drill a few small holes around the inside where the padding has become loose- just large enough to accept the nozzle. Don't squeeze too hard! and be ready to wipe the excess off (prtect your eyes too, jic!)

[TechnoWeeny]

That looks excellent! What is the steering wheel kit worth?

I buy mine from the distributor in Pymble, he's closer.

Here's a tip- if your wheel is loose at the top (when holding it you can twist the leather and padding underneath back and forth- (easy to feel as at the side near the spokes it is nearly always solid), the glue sticking the foam padding to the steel ring in the middle will have given way. To fix, just use a hypodermic syringe to inject some glue inside. I think contact glue is ideal, but super glue apparently works without the hypodermic if you drill a few small holes around the inside where the padding has become loose- just large enough to accept the nozzle. Don't squeeze too hard! and be ready to wipe the excess off (prtect your eyes too, jic!)

Good tip Txs, but I'm happy to say that the leather and padding are tight still, even after 300K plus Klms. But if it does come loose at least I know how to fix it now, txs to your handy tip.
The only reason I mentioned Rob and PPC is that when I was talking to him prior to Xmas, we were discussing discounts for members that contacted him. >wink< The cost of the steering wheel restoration Kit is $65 Aus, which is a damn sight cheeper than replacing it with an OEM or even a good quality aftermarket one.

[genphreak]

Good tip Txs, but I'm happy to say that the leather and padding are tight still, even after 300K plus Klms. But if it does come loose at least I know how to fix it now, txs to your handy tip.
The only reason I mentioned Rob and PPC is that when I was talking to him prior to Xmas, we were discussing discounts for members that contacted him. >wink< The cost of the steering wheel restoration Kit is $65 Aus, which is a damn sight cheeper than replacing it with an OEM or even a good quality aftermarket one.OK, I'll make sure I talk to him then :) We need to win some reputation back amongst these guys... lol! Happy to go see him. If that kit can fix the worn leather on any of my wheels, it'll be worth it. Def will get that and see... What a brilliant post- thanks mate!

[TechnoWeeny]

OK, I'll make sure I talk to him then :) We need to win some reputation back amongst these guys... lol! Happy to go see him. If that kit can fix the worn leather on any of my wheels, it'll be worth it. Def will get that and see... What a brilliant post- thanks mate!

You folks on here have helped me tremendously while I am going through the process (and Enjoyment) of refurbishing my much loved E34 540i, so if I have given a bit back to the group and been able to get you guys some Kudos with the suppliers, I'm pleased to be able to make my contribution.

Here's a thought for you to consider. Rob has asked me to do a promo video for him on refurbishing some Leather seats, I'm happy to do a set for you if you want to finance the shipping to Brisbane and back and a couple of hundred for the products and consumables? I'm happy to do the work at mates rates for you. Let me know via a PVT message (@genphreak).

[genphreak]

You folks on here have helped me tremendously while I am going through the process (and Enjoyment) of refurbishing my much loved E34 540i, so if I have given a bit back to the group and been able to get you guys some Kudos with the suppliers, I'm pleased to be able to make my contribution. Well that is ok, it's the whole point- but thanks for saying tho.!


Here's a thought for you to consider. Rob has asked me to do a promo video for him on refurbishing some Leather seats, I'm happy to do a set for you if you want to finance the shipping to Brisbane and back and a couple of hundred for the products and consumables? I'm happy to do the work at mates rates for you. Let me know via a PVT message.
Dude it is a very kind offer but the shipping would kill me and risks damaging the seats. Also, I've done it before and am pretty handy- plus have the space. Just haven't done grey ones yet. I'd like to know how soft yours now are, but will try doing it to see. At least there is no need to re-cover the comforts (though I'd prefer to do that time-wise) and I have a set of sun-damaged black sport seats that rejuvinator oil just will not soften the base covers on.

[TechnoWeeny]

G'day genphreak, I fully understand your reluctance to risk damaging the seats during transport.

With regards softening the leather, mine were all like cardboard and I was very sceptical as to how well these products would work, but I followed the instructions that were supplied and the letter as you have seen came out looking really good, and that was before buffing them and I must say the leather itself was as supple and soft as if it were new.

I did spend a considerable amount of time working the rejuvenator oil into the leather before I sealed the seats in black plastic garbage bags and left them in the shed during a really hot week to sweat. The instructions suggested a day or 2, but time didn't allow me to return to do the cleaning step a week later.

I have to admit, I was amazed to see how well they cleaned up using the cleaning product and how the deep creases had all pulped up and I'm thinking the extra time being sealed in the black plastic was the trick to softening the leather as well.
Some of the other instructional videos I have seen have suggested using a hair drier to artificially increase the heat to make the leather sweat, being in Qld this was not necessary :-)

Perhaps you might be able to sit your seats under a strong flood light or something to speed up the process and distribute the heat more evenly than a hair drier would?
Let me know how you go, I'd be really interested to see what results you get using the same products.

[TechnoWeeny]

Well that is ok, it's the whole point- but thanks for saying tho.!


Dude it is a very kind offer but the shipping would kill me and risks damaging the seats. Also, I've done it before and am pretty handy- plus have the space. Just haven't done grey ones yet. I'd like to know how soft yours now are, but will try doing it to see. At least there is no need to re-cover the comforts (though I'd prefer to do that time-wise) and I have a set of sun-damaged black sport seats that rejuvinator oil just will not soften the base covers on.

@genphreak,
Sorry to be so slow getting back to you on this one, Xmas silly season and all, I have been a bit slack at keeping up on my correspondence.
In answer to your question, my seats are unbelievably soft and supply, what I did to ensure 100% penetration of the Rejuvenator, was to first wet sand (using Prepping agent) the seats with 600 grade wet and dry, to remove any previous protective coatings such as Armoural or similar, then apply a liberal coating of the rejuvenator and wrapped the seats in Black Garbage bags and let them sweat in warmth of the garage (Not direct sunlight) for 3 days.

Next step I used the Cleaning Solution and wiped them down with a damp cloth of prepping agent again. I didn't have enough to do another heavy coat of Rejuvenator, but did do a lighter coat and wrapped them up again for another couple of days. My reasoning for doing it a second time was to use the first application of rejuvenator to completely expel all traces of dirt and grime and the sec on application was to get maximum moisture back into the leather.

Your seats may not be in as bad a condition (or neglected) as much as mine were, as the PO's of this vehicle has seen it's full life in the harsh Qld sunshine and I doubt the leather was treated at all in that time. Hence my complete surprise at how well the Leatherique products worked, they completely exceeded my expectations.

[TechnoWeeny]

I had to move the video links, so here is the new locations for anyone who wants to view the finished seats and steering wheel.

Steering wheel - http://youtu.be/sROSCHuzdJA?list=UUMuPst8nRsKmu9Nug-g6vxg

Leather Seats - http://youtu.be/lBVIolBnifU?list=UUMuPst8nRsKmu9Nug-g6vxg