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-   -   Getting ready for the Annual Meet (https://forum.a8parts.co.uk/showthread.php?t=13025)

David's8 23rd May 2017 08:54 PM

I also added some additional (and, I hope, tasteful) features which I will post on some photos tomorrow.

HPsauce 23rd May 2017 09:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by moltuae (Post 128149)
I've also re-Woollied my driver's seat, which was beginning to look a little worn.

On my "to do" list as well. :o

HPsauce 25th May 2017 05:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by moltuae (Post 128149)
I've also re-Woollied my driver's seat, which was beginning to look a little worn. Now it's like new again. I used a different technique this time which seems to have resulted in a much better (potentially harder-wearing) job. Ignoring the advice in Woollies' instructions (NOT to use brushes), I used a soft shoe polish brush to massage the dye in. I also used another shoe polish brush with a different leather cleaning product beforehand; I find that the blue Woollies' leather cleaner leaves the leather a little blue.


What cleaner did you use? My end result is decidedly patchy and will have to be done again some time soon.
My leather is cream and I think the slight blue tint from the cleaner has made some parts look worse.

moltuae 25th May 2017 07:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HPsauce (Post 128245)
What cleaner did you use? My end result is decidedly patchy and will have to be done again some time soon.
My leather is cream and I think the slight blue tint from the cleaner has made some parts look worse.

Yeah, I don't know what Woollies were thinking. I'm sure it's ok on darker colours but it definitely leaves a blue tint on lighter leather.

I've used a few different leather cleaners. I think most will probably do a better job than Woollies leather cleaner but Dr Leather was what I used this time:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B007KARWZE/

When I've used the Woollies' kit in the past, I've always followed the instructions to the letter and had similar disappointing patchy results.

So this time I figured I'd try a shoe-polishing type of technique. I bought a couple of soft shoe polish brushes and used the first one to gently scrub the surface clean, using leather cleaner and wiping off a few times with a clean microfibre cloth. Once it was clean and dry, I applied Woollies' dye to the other brush and gently massaged it in, covering large areas and repeatedly moving the brush around all areas until it had started to soak in a dry a little. I left it to dry for an hour or two then repeated the process to apply another couple of coats, until it looked even. Once it was dry, I gently buffed it with a microfibre cloth then carefully applied the sealing paste. The next day, I finished off with some Auto Glym Leather Care Balm.

I think the problem with Woollies' recommended technique is that the dye doesn't always adhere very well. They do stress the importance of getting the leather thoroughly clean to allow the dye to adhere/soak better but I don't think you can get leather properly clean by wiping it with cloths and the same goes for applying the dye. Whenever I've followed their recommendations, using cloths to apply the dye, no matter how long I leave it to dry or how carefully I apply the sealing paste, it always seems to wipe off again and end up patchy. Perhaps on more porous leathers their technique works well, but the A/S8 seat leather seems to respond better to a brushing.

steamship 25th May 2017 08:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by David's8 (Post 128159)
I also added some additional (and, I hope, tasteful) features which I will post on some photos tomorrow.

Come on David, where are the photos, or have you decided that they aren't tasteful enough for us? +++

David's8 25th May 2017 08:30 PM

4 Attachment(s)
Quote:

Originally Posted by steamship (Post 128251)
Come on David, where are the photos, or have you decided that they aren't tasteful enough for us? +++

Truth is I have only just downloaded the photos in the last few minutes and I cannot really say that I can see the difference!! I attach a few photos to see what you think. I have used 3mm "chrome" trim to highlight the drab grey trim lines. As you can see, the rings are sat on top of the grey, plastic rings (as I didnt want to drill out the originals) and whilst it gives them a slightly "3-D" appearance you can see the slight mismatch in size (only 2-3mm - but it shows).

steamship 25th May 2017 08:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by David's8 (Post 128252)
Truth is I have only just downloaded the photos in the last few minutes and I cannot really say that I can see the difference!! I attach a few photos to see what you think. I have used 3mm "chrome" trim to highlight the drab grey trim lines. As you can see, the rings are sat on top of the grey, plastic rings (as I didnt want to drill out the originals) and whilst it gives them a slightly "3-D" appearance you can see the slight mismatch in size (only 2-3mm - but it shows).

+++ Very tasteful indeed, although that engine is disgustingly clean :-(

Now where did I leave that tin of elbow grease?

The_Laird 25th May 2017 09:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by moltuae (Post 128247)
Yeah, I don't know what Woollies were thinking. I'm sure it's ok on darker colours but it definitely leaves a blue tint on lighter leather.

I've used a few different leather cleaners. I think most will probably do a better job than Woollies leather cleaner but Dr Leather was what I used this time:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B007KARWZE/

When I've used the Woollies' kit in the past, I've always followed the instructions to the letter and had similar disappointing patchy results.

So this time I figured I'd try a shoe-polishing type of technique. I bought a couple of soft shoe polish brushes and used the first one to gently scrub the surface clean, using leather cleaner and wiping off a few times with a clean microfibre cloth. Once it was clean and dry, I applied Woollies' dye to the other brush and gently massaged it in, covering large areas and repeatedly moving the brush around all areas until it had started to soak in a dry a little. I left it to dry for an hour or two then repeated the process to apply another couple of coats, until it looked even. Once it was dry, I gently buffed it with a microfibre cloth then carefully applied the sealing paste. The next day, I finished off with some Auto Glym Leather Care Balm.

I think the problem with Woollies' recommended technique is that the dye doesn't always adhere very well. They do stress the importance of getting the leather thoroughly clean to allow the dye to adhere/soak better but I don't think you can get leather properly clean by wiping it with cloths and the same goes for applying the dye. Whenever I've followed their recommendations, using cloths to apply the dye, no matter how long I leave it to dry or how carefully I apply the sealing paste, it always seems to wipe off again and end up patchy. Perhaps on more porous leathers their technique works well, but the A/S8 seat leather seems to respond better to a brushing.

Interesting. I've just done my driver's seat again too, but following the Woolies instructions. I've not noticed the blue tint or the patchy colouring, but I'll try the brushes next time.

briang9 25th May 2017 09:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by moltuae (Post 128247)
Yeah, I don't know what Woollies were thinking. I'm sure it's ok on darker colours but it definitely leaves a blue tint on lighter leather.

I've used a few different leather cleaners. I think most will probably do a better job than Woollies leather cleaner but Dr Leather was what I used this time:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B007KARWZE/

When I've used the Woollies' kit in the past, I've always followed the instructions to the letter and had similar disappointing patchy results.

So this time I figured I'd try a shoe-polishing type of technique. I bought a couple of soft shoe polish brushes and used the first one to gently scrub the surface clean, using leather cleaner and wiping off a few times with a clean microfibre cloth. Once it was clean and dry, I applied Woollies' dye to the other brush and gently massaged it in, covering large areas and repeatedly moving the brush around all areas until it had started to soak in a dry a little. I left it to dry for an hour or two then repeated the process to apply another couple of coats, until it looked even. Once it was dry, I gently buffed it with a microfibre cloth then carefully applied the sealing paste. The next day, I finished off with some Auto Glym Leather Care Balm.

I think the problem with Woollies' recommended technique is that the dye doesn't always adhere very well. They do stress the importance of getting the leather thoroughly clean to allow the dye to adhere/soak better but I don't think you can get leather properly clean by wiping it with cloths and the same goes for applying the dye. Whenever I've followed their recommendations, using cloths to apply the dye, no matter how long I leave it to dry or how carefully I apply the sealing paste, it always seems to wipe off again and end up patchy. Perhaps on more porous leathers their technique works well, but the A/S8 seat leather seems to respond better to a brushing.

There is an easier way, get a black interior+++

tintin 25th May 2017 09:39 PM

I used Woollies once, on a small part of my (lovely!) red leather. Never again - very disappointing.


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