Getting ready to dye with leatherique..Tips needed

[ADAMSLOTUS]

Hi all,

Im getting ready to order the complete leatherique dye.
Obviously im going to remove both seats.Im going to do the door panels and center console....Would i have to remove the door panels or the center console? It doesnt seem like I should have to. Also, I kind of want my interior the lighter creme color instead of the tan. Is this possible,and what would I tell them when I order? Ill settle for the darker tan like I have now by sending them some leather,However i think the lighter tan is just beautiful. Also, any tips to apply?

[superdave]

Hi, I've just done mine a few weeks ago. Where about do you live? Best way to apply is to spray as applying with a cloth or sponge will make it look patchy. This method is for small areas only. Spraying obviously will get everywhere so if you spray insitu, you will have to ensure everything is masked. It's amazing where the paint will land. To get the doors off, it only took me about twenty minutes (half hour tops) and Iam a novice at all of this. Centre console took me about hour and a half (bit fiddly buy well worth it) because there is screws and bolts hidden all over the place. seats take quarter of an hour each if that as long as the bolts aren't corroded underneath. If they are, spray them first about an hour before with WD40. I had to hack saw one off down the side of the nut because the head was rounded. It took two hours as the saw had about 1/4" movement.
If your serious about stripping the interior then contact me and I will give a more in depth descrption.
I haven't any experience with Leatherique only with Liquidleather but if it's water based, make sure you apply with light coats and your patience will pay off. Don't try and fill any scuffs or scratches just take your time. I think you've already seen my before and after pics haven't you. Is this why your doing yours or was this on your agenda already?

[superdave]

ps. it's not so sucessful to change to a lighter colour as it is to change to a darker one. Mine is the tan not the cream. I had to opt for the Elise Magnolia rather than the Esprit Magnolia as the latter looked white compared to the other. The other thing is that the whiter/lighter the seats, the more dirt will show. Another thing that this Liquid Leather instruction leaflet said was not to wear demin (jeans) with leather especially light coloured a. demin is coarse and wears against it and b. the dye off your jeans can rub onto the light coloured leather.
To get the right match, you have to send the supplier a sample of your leather. You can get this from under your seat. If your not fussed on doing this, it gets a bit difficult trying to describe the correct colour. If your interior is the same colour as mine, you could always buy your dye from www.liquidleather.com as I suggested earlier. If you ask them for 1994 Elise Magnolia and explain that I bought it from them on 2nd January this year for my Lotus and brought my head rests in, they will be able to supply you with the sam colour.