C70: Leather seat repair products or re cover

[ITSv40]

Originally Posted by Jacobjohn7

Brilliant that... did you take the colour back first before applying dye, seen a video that does this

No, I think you need to preserve the original finish as much as possible. I cleaned the seats first with Autoglym Interior Shampoo - I use this on all interior surfaces and find it works well. I used a nail brush to scrub the surface and then wiped clean, left to dry and then sponged the leather dye into the cracks and wiped the larger areas with the sponge applicator supplied. It took three or four thin coats to build the colour up to cover the sun fading, the secret is to apply a little, let it dry and apply a little more until an even coverage. I now use Dr Leather Wipes to keep the seats clean - the leather is sealed, so using conditioners such as Connolly Hide Food just sits on the surface and then transfers to your clothing. Dynamix supply all application instructions.

Many years ago I use a Connolly kit to restore the seats in my Silver Cloud. The usual method of application was to spray the dye and then apply a sealer, Connolly supplied 1 litre of dye to cover the whole interior. I applied the dye with a stockinette ball and quickly rubbed the dye across the surface in thin coats, building up until the colour was even. Did all seats and used about 1/3 litre, sealed it afterwards and the leather still had the original look and avoided the notorious 'just Connollised look' that was so evident in the 70's/80's. Twenty years later the interior still looked good and original with that nice patina that only time can create.

[Jacobjohn7]

The product website not working.. may have ceased trading? Looking at another product kit, a cleaner , colour balm and leather protector rec'd by good housekeeping... its a minefield out there for these products..that many with so many claims

[Davey J]

Originally Posted by ITSv40

No, I think you need to preserve the original finish as much as possible. I cleaned the seats first with Autoglym Interior Shampoo - I use this on all interior surfaces and find it works well. I used a nail brush to scrub the surface and then wiped clean, left to dry and then sponged the leather dye into the cracks and wiped the larger areas with the sponge applicator supplied. It took three or four thin coats to build the colour up to cover the sun fading, the secret is to apply a little, let it dry and apply a little more until an even coverage. I now use Dr Leather Wipes to keep the seats clean - the leather is sealed, so using conditioners such as Connolly Hide Food just sits on the surface and then transfers to your clothing. Dynamix supply all application instructions.

Many years ago I use a Connolly kit to restore the seats in my Silver Cloud. The usual method of application was to spray the dye and then apply a sealer, Connolly supplied 1 litre of dye to cover the whole interior. I applied the dye with a stockinette ball and quickly rubbed the dye across the surface in thin coats, building up until the colour was even. Did all seats and used about 1/3 litre, sealed it afterwards and the leather still had the original look and avoided the notorious 'just Connollised look' that was so evident in the 70's/80's. Twenty years later the interior still looked good and original with that nice patina that only time can create.

I lived just up the road from their factory in Northampton growing up. It's housing there now right?

[ITSv40]

Originally Posted by Davey J

I lived just up the road from their factory in Northampton growing up. It's housing there now right?

Yes, it was the most delightful art deco building built for Pearce and Co. I particularly liked the fish pond in front of the main entrance. Setting now completely spoiled 😥