Started the refurb on the Chimaera seats....
Discussion
So now that I am back in the UK for a few weeks thought I would make a start on the interior refurb on Ron..first part seats.
Only done the driver side so far buy super happy with the results so far.
So some before pics:
The Afters:
All this was done with the kit that Furniture Clinic sell...only thing that I did was use my 50L compressor to run the airbrush I could not face faffing about with the cans of propellant.
All I did was follow the instructions to the letter, super easy to do and the satin finish whilst not super matt is a very nice finish.
One thing I will advise is when using the leather prep make sure you are in a very very well ventilated space as its basically like thinners....I was shocked at the smell in the summer house when I took off my 3M respirator!!
Will do the passenger seat over the next couple of evenings....its no where as bad as the drivers seat but will look well for being done!
Only done the driver side so far buy super happy with the results so far.
So some before pics:
The Afters:
All this was done with the kit that Furniture Clinic sell...only thing that I did was use my 50L compressor to run the airbrush I could not face faffing about with the cans of propellant.
All I did was follow the instructions to the letter, super easy to do and the satin finish whilst not super matt is a very nice finish.
One thing I will advise is when using the leather prep make sure you are in a very very well ventilated space as its basically like thinners....I was shocked at the smell in the summer house when I took off my 3M respirator!!
Will do the passenger seat over the next couple of evenings....its no where as bad as the drivers seat but will look well for being done!
WokingWedger said:
What did you have to do where the leather had abraded?
Used the leather prep (basically celulose thinners judging from the smell) and Green Scotchbrite pad that was in the kit in my case 100% of the wear was to the coatings....you have to remember all automotive leathers are coated so 80% of the creases came out because they are in the coatings.before you put them back in, check the foam/wire situation and see this and several other topics on the same theme of firming up the seat base.
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
Lots of people talk about different jobs being 30 minutes or an hour and they take me much longer. This was an easy task by my standards, so if you have the seats out, even easier!
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
Lots of people talk about different jobs being 30 minutes or an hour and they take me much longer. This was an easy task by my standards, so if you have the seats out, even easier!
FYI.
The first course of action is to thoroughly clean the leather first removing any ingrained dirt. You do this using the Leather Ultra Clean, and it makes the next processes a lot easier.
To restore the colour of your leather you will need a leather colourant kit (http://www.furnitureclinic.co.uk/Leather_Colourant_Kit.htm). The kit is a 4 stage process, starting with cleaning the leather down with the leather prep & alcohol cleaners. This cleaning process will remove the old finish from the leather, indicated when you see colour rubbed off onto your cloth. This process (as it removes the finish) will also remove any minor creases & cracks from the leathers coating, making the surface softer and smoother.
Any severe cracking can be filled in using the Heavy Filler, Leather Binder or Flexifil if necessary.
You then proceed to sponge a coat of colour onto the leather, followed by 2-3 thin spray on coats (spraying equipment included) to give a nice even finish. You can either select a standard colour from our Car Interior and Trim colour charts (http://www.furnitureclinic.co.uk/Colour_Charts.php) or if you want an exact match you can send a sample of the leather in to us and we can match this for a fee of £10 (there is no fee if you order the extra large kit). If you are only colouring a small part of the leather we would recommend having the colour matched to ensure the restored area blends in with the rest of the leather. Usually with cars a small sample can be taken from under one of the seats, or anywhere else that there is a bit of overhang. Alternatively, if anything is removable such as a headrest or ashtray cover you are welcome to post that in and we will return it with the kit.
The colour is then sealed in with the super seal finish for a very strong long lasting finish, and you can then match the sheen exactly by applying either a matt, semi-matt, satin, semi-gloss or gloss finish afterwards.
The Colourant Kit is available in four different sizes, small, medium, large & extra large.
Finally, you will need to apply some Leather Protection Cream, which not only feeds, nourishes, and protects the leather, but also re-instates the luxurious leather aroma.
Every 3-6 months thereafter, you should clean the leather with the ultra clean and reapply the protection cream to prevent the aforementioned problems reoccurring.
We can supply the above products in a bundle which are available in four different sizes; small, medium, large & extra large (the filler, binder and flexifil are sold separately)
Small Bundle – 1 car seat £72.90 or £82.90 (colour matched): 500ml Ultra Clean, Small Leather Colourant Kit, 500ml Protection Cream, sponges, cloths and accessories, P&P.
Medium Bundle – 2 car seats £92.90 or £102.90 (colour matched): 500ml Ultra Clean, Medium Leather Colourant Kit, 500ml Protection Cream, sponges, cloths and accessories, P&P.
Large Bundle – 4 car seats £122.90 or £132.90 (colour matched): 500ml Ultra Clean, Large Leather Colourant Kit, 500ml Protection Cream, sponges, cloths and accessories, P&P.
Extra Large Bundle – full car interior £142.90 (free colour match): 500ml Ultra Clean, Extra Large Leather Colourant Kit, 500ml Protection Cream, sponges, cloths and accessories, P&P.
If you are not dealing with full leather, you will have to create more adhesion as our colourants are designed to key into the top surface of the leather. To do this you will also need to purchase our Adhesion promoter and Cross Linker X. You need to mix 10% of cross linker x into the adhesion promoter for it to work to its full capability, and apply it to the clean vinyl surface prior to applying the colourant.
You can also add 10% of the Cross Linker X into the leather finish (included in the kit) to make the finish much stronger and more durable.
The first course of action is to thoroughly clean the leather first removing any ingrained dirt. You do this using the Leather Ultra Clean, and it makes the next processes a lot easier.
To restore the colour of your leather you will need a leather colourant kit (http://www.furnitureclinic.co.uk/Leather_Colourant_Kit.htm). The kit is a 4 stage process, starting with cleaning the leather down with the leather prep & alcohol cleaners. This cleaning process will remove the old finish from the leather, indicated when you see colour rubbed off onto your cloth. This process (as it removes the finish) will also remove any minor creases & cracks from the leathers coating, making the surface softer and smoother.
Any severe cracking can be filled in using the Heavy Filler, Leather Binder or Flexifil if necessary.
You then proceed to sponge a coat of colour onto the leather, followed by 2-3 thin spray on coats (spraying equipment included) to give a nice even finish. You can either select a standard colour from our Car Interior and Trim colour charts (http://www.furnitureclinic.co.uk/Colour_Charts.php) or if you want an exact match you can send a sample of the leather in to us and we can match this for a fee of £10 (there is no fee if you order the extra large kit). If you are only colouring a small part of the leather we would recommend having the colour matched to ensure the restored area blends in with the rest of the leather. Usually with cars a small sample can be taken from under one of the seats, or anywhere else that there is a bit of overhang. Alternatively, if anything is removable such as a headrest or ashtray cover you are welcome to post that in and we will return it with the kit.
The colour is then sealed in with the super seal finish for a very strong long lasting finish, and you can then match the sheen exactly by applying either a matt, semi-matt, satin, semi-gloss or gloss finish afterwards.
The Colourant Kit is available in four different sizes, small, medium, large & extra large.
Finally, you will need to apply some Leather Protection Cream, which not only feeds, nourishes, and protects the leather, but also re-instates the luxurious leather aroma.
Every 3-6 months thereafter, you should clean the leather with the ultra clean and reapply the protection cream to prevent the aforementioned problems reoccurring.
We can supply the above products in a bundle which are available in four different sizes; small, medium, large & extra large (the filler, binder and flexifil are sold separately)
Small Bundle – 1 car seat £72.90 or £82.90 (colour matched): 500ml Ultra Clean, Small Leather Colourant Kit, 500ml Protection Cream, sponges, cloths and accessories, P&P.
Medium Bundle – 2 car seats £92.90 or £102.90 (colour matched): 500ml Ultra Clean, Medium Leather Colourant Kit, 500ml Protection Cream, sponges, cloths and accessories, P&P.
Large Bundle – 4 car seats £122.90 or £132.90 (colour matched): 500ml Ultra Clean, Large Leather Colourant Kit, 500ml Protection Cream, sponges, cloths and accessories, P&P.
Extra Large Bundle – full car interior £142.90 (free colour match): 500ml Ultra Clean, Extra Large Leather Colourant Kit, 500ml Protection Cream, sponges, cloths and accessories, P&P.
If you are not dealing with full leather, you will have to create more adhesion as our colourants are designed to key into the top surface of the leather. To do this you will also need to purchase our Adhesion promoter and Cross Linker X. You need to mix 10% of cross linker x into the adhesion promoter for it to work to its full capability, and apply it to the clean vinyl surface prior to applying the colourant.
You can also add 10% of the Cross Linker X into the leather finish (included in the kit) to make the finish much stronger and more durable.
blaze_away said:
Nick that's an impressive job on those seats.
I see on the furniture clinic website they do several sizes and several finishes between matt and gloss.
What size kit would suggest to do two chim seats and what finish ?
I got a medium kit....still got plenty of colour left and I got the satin finish....its still got a shine to it so if you want it matte get that.I see on the furniture clinic website they do several sizes and several finishes between matt and gloss.
What size kit would suggest to do two chim seats and what finish ?
rickprice said:
I have headrests with the TVR logo in contrasting stitching.
Will the dye colour the stitching, do you know?
Rich
Yes it will....its effectively paint so will cover over anything Will the dye colour the stitching, do you know?
Rich
PhilH42 said:
Chaps,
Its good stuff but make sure you get some layers of super seal on the surfaces or it can become quite tacky! Cross linker x helps the adhesion process, especially on vinyl.
Works great on bringing the steering wheel back as well.
You dont need to tell me I followed the instructions to the "T" thanks...in fact its got 2 coats of the super seal on then a further 2 coats of the satin this is all on top of 3 coats of colour.Its good stuff but make sure you get some layers of super seal on the surfaces or it can become quite tacky! Cross linker x helps the adhesion process, especially on vinyl.
Works great on bringing the steering wheel back as well.
nick_mcuk said:
You dont need to tell me I followed the instructions to the "T" thanks...in fact its got 2 coats of the super seal on then a further 2 coats of the satin this is all on top of 3 coats of colour.
Its info from experience of using it and for anyone who cares to take note, or not as may be the case.PhilH42 said:
Its info from experience of using it and for anyone who cares to take note, or not as may be the case.
I would be worried about anyone not following the instructions, the colour coat isn't durable at all, it needs the "Super Seal" as a minimum then followed by the top coat finish, be it satin, matte etc etc.As you said the colour coat on its own is actually tacky to the touch even when dried...
I did this to my seats last year, but Portland Grey, and they came up quite nice, especially with the filler for the cracks.
While your seats are out I recommend you check the foam underneath, and replace the chicken wires with a hessian (plastic) mesh that you then tie into the 'leather' around the edges.
This made a huge difference to the comfort and support to the seat, as well as lifting me higher up on the seat so that the curve of the seatback was in the right place in the small of my back.
While your seats are out I recommend you check the foam underneath, and replace the chicken wires with a hessian (plastic) mesh that you then tie into the 'leather' around the edges.
This made a huge difference to the comfort and support to the seat, as well as lifting me higher up on the seat so that the curve of the seatback was in the right place in the small of my back.
jazzdude said:
I did this to my seats last year, but Portland Grey, and they came up quite nice, especially with the filler for the cracks.
While your seats are out I recommend you check the foam underneath, and replace the chicken wires with a hessian (plastic) mesh that you then tie into the 'leather' around the edges.
This made a huge difference to the comfort and support to the seat, as well as lifting me higher up on the seat so that the curve of the seatback was in the right place in the small of my back.
See my post already done While your seats are out I recommend you check the foam underneath, and replace the chicken wires with a hessian (plastic) mesh that you then tie into the 'leather' around the edges.
This made a huge difference to the comfort and support to the seat, as well as lifting me higher up on the seat so that the curve of the seatback was in the right place in the small of my back.
nick_mcuk said:
Cheers TV8 I already bought the hessian to do this but it turns out some kind soul has already done it with some nice dense foam already.
Given them a really close inspection and its spot on so will keep the hessian for another time
Given them a really close inspection and its spot on so will keep the hessian for another time
pb450 said:
Another thumbs up for the Furniture Clinic products and all that is said here in their use.
Two words; Preparation and Patience. Follow the instuctions precisely (as everyone here agrees) and don't rush any stage. Perfect results are easily achievable.
Absolutely taking time is the key here...I did find that the airbrush that comes with the kit is way more thirsty than my silverline one that I used for the colour.Two words; Preparation and Patience. Follow the instuctions precisely (as everyone here agrees) and don't rush any stage. Perfect results are easily achievable.
Either way well chuffed with the drivers seat....going to make a start on the passenger one tonight.
nick_mcuk said:
I would be worried about anyone not following the instructions, the colour coat isn't durable at all, it needs the "Super Seal" as a minimum then followed by the top coat finish, be it satin, matte etc etc.
As you said the colour coat on its own is actually tacky to the touch even when dried...
Yes the colour is tacky but it can also be tacky using just the finishing seal over...super seal was suggested to me for areas of high contact only (say seats) my seats turned out perfectly...basically I ended up using it everywhere in the end!As you said the colour coat on its own is actually tacky to the touch even when dried...
PhilH42 said:
Yes the colour is tacky but it can also be tacky using just the finishing seal over...super seal was suggested to me for areas of high contact only (say seats) my seats turned out perfectly...basically I ended up using it everywhere in the end!
I have to say the finish on the seat with the satin finish is lovely and smooth..Gassing Station | Chimaera | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff