993 = reconnolyse the seats. Good idea? Bad idea?
Discussion
I am thinking of having this done by someone who has a good reputation.
The seats are very good, but just got a little shiny with time.
I like the satin / matt factory finish and would like to have this back.
What is the opinion on the subject?
My biggest worry is how will the seats age when they have been reconnolysed?
I fear, cracks, paint coming off and things like this..
The seats are very good, but just got a little shiny with time.
I like the satin / matt factory finish and would like to have this back.
What is the opinion on the subject?
My biggest worry is how will the seats age when they have been reconnolysed?
I fear, cracks, paint coming off and things like this..
I've used the Gliptone stuff on my 997 and my brother-in-law has used it on his 993 seats… they come up a treat, look and smell like new:
http://www.liquidleather.com/
Worth a try, it's about £50 for the kit and a few hours elbow grease.
http://www.liquidleather.com/
Worth a try, it's about £50 for the kit and a few hours elbow grease.
I will have a go with Gliptone myself but keep dreaming about a full retrim at a proper shop and I stumbled across this when looking for examples of what Southbound Trimmers can acheive...
http://forums.rennlist.com/rennforums/964-forum/55...
If you put your nose close to the screen you can almost smell it!
http://forums.rennlist.com/rennforums/964-forum/55...
If you put your nose close to the screen you can almost smell it!
Autoglym stuff gives mine that lovely matt look; I really detest the shiny black leather look (ala 80's & early 90's VWs being a case in point).
http://www.autoglym.com/enGB/images/products/tnw0h...
http://www.autoglym.com/enGB/images/products/tnw0h...
P.S. has anyone out there tried thisö Swissvax Gloss Corrector Matt?
http://www.swissvax.ch/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&am...
http://www.swissvax.ch/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&am...
Hi Eric, before you go down the re-trim route I would definitely try the Gliptone as I only hear good things about it. Most of the shine is actually soiling on the leather and once it is removed it should return to that matt finish like new. Although, I know you have had the car done at KDS so not sure whether Kelly has already done that to your interior...?
Had mine done on the 964 about 8 years ago I think, stood up well if the care advice is followed, but its not going to be the ultimate answer to your problem.
A re-trim is the only surefire way forward long term.
Mine was completed by Benchmark Leather, they used to be in Maldon, but I believe they have moved on, Mark was the owners name, I have nothing but praise for them, and Mark is also Ex Connolly
Kevin
A re-trim is the only surefire way forward long term.
Mine was completed by Benchmark Leather, they used to be in Maldon, but I believe they have moved on, Mark was the owners name, I have nothing but praise for them, and Mark is also Ex Connolly
Kevin
Edited by warmfuzzies on Saturday 4th February 00:32
Edited by warmfuzzies on Saturday 4th February 00:33
You can't re Connellise (sp?) them as they were never treated that way in the first place - German leather is done differently. I had mine done by a specialist who, in effect, sanded off the very top layer, resprayed them with black leather dye, then trated them with a prottective top caod. Usually they do furniture. It looks good as has lasted very well. As was quite cost effective too.
Google "Leathermaster" and look for the site about the company called same, not the various sites populated by men with moustaches........
Google "Leathermaster" and look for the site about the company called same, not the various sites populated by men with moustaches........
Edited by rlw on Saturday 4th February 10:33
erics said:
Was hoping for more feedback on the specific topic of reconnolysing..
Leather colouring has moved on since Connolly went out of business and whatever they used to do isn't what is done in modern leather treatment, so I'd be surprised if anyone outside of RR restorers seeking originality uses the Connolly techniques.The advice you've had above basically covers it - get it cleaned and coloured by all means, it will last a while and will look better than if it's currently cracked and discoloured, but it will never last like the original leather has and will eventually wear off and / or flake, the only way to acheive perfection is a retrim.
Prob c. £200 for a recolour or c. £1000 for new leather.
erics said:
Was hoping for more feedback on the specific topic of reconnolysing..
Am sure a few peeps had it don e here.
Why don't you contact the people mentioned here, I've said I have had mine done, by whom and my impressions, can't see what more could be added.Am sure a few peeps had it don e here.
Amongst the 964 crowd I know of, very few had trod this path.
Kevin
Thanks mr Cooke..
Yes, i think i abused the term reconnolysing, as my understanding is that these guys used to dye the leather. As in: the colour became an intrinsic part of the leather.
Porsche leather is different in the fact that it is litteraly 'painted' and the paint is then sealed.
Hence why is it pointless to try and nourish the porsche leather as the 'food' will go nowhere and 'nourish' nothing.
My correct initial question was in fact: is there any point in having my seats repainted?
This has now been mostly responded to, although i would welcome further opinion on the subject.
I am planning to use www.benchmarkleather.co.uk
In case anyone heard of them..
I am still between two minds as my seats are still very good albeit a little shiny.
For info, the price quoted was extremely reasonable.
Yes, i think i abused the term reconnolysing, as my understanding is that these guys used to dye the leather. As in: the colour became an intrinsic part of the leather.
Porsche leather is different in the fact that it is litteraly 'painted' and the paint is then sealed.
Hence why is it pointless to try and nourish the porsche leather as the 'food' will go nowhere and 'nourish' nothing.
My correct initial question was in fact: is there any point in having my seats repainted?
This has now been mostly responded to, although i would welcome further opinion on the subject.
I am planning to use www.benchmarkleather.co.uk
In case anyone heard of them..
I am still between two minds as my seats are still very good albeit a little shiny.
For info, the price quoted was extremely reasonable.
MrCooke said:
Leather colouring has moved on since Connolly went out of business and whatever they used to do isn't what is done in modern leather treatment, so I'd be surprised if anyone outside of RR restorers seeking originality uses the Connolly techniques.
The advice you've had above basically covers it - get it cleaned and coloured by all means, it will last a while and will look better than if it's currently cracked and discoloured, but it will never last like the original leather has and will eventually wear off and / or flake, the only way to acheive perfection is a retrim.
Prob c. £200 for a recolour or c. £1000 for new leather.
The advice you've had above basically covers it - get it cleaned and coloured by all means, it will last a while and will look better than if it's currently cracked and discoloured, but it will never last like the original leather has and will eventually wear off and / or flake, the only way to acheive perfection is a retrim.
Prob c. £200 for a recolour or c. £1000 for new leather.
erics said:
Thanks Erics, In guess my replies weren't good enough for you.Ref Benchmark leather.......
http://www.964kevin.homecall.co.uk/
Look under seats.
Edited by warmfuzzies on Saturday 4th February 14:17
I have used two systems, Gliptone and Furniture Clinic and got excellent results with both.
It is essential to remove the seats and spend a lot of time cleaning and scrubbing with solvents to get the old finish off. Also essential is a small hobby compressor rather than trying to use small propellant cans which are hopeless.
The Furniture clinic version uses a two step process whereby a sealer is sprayed on top of a base coat.
The Gliptone process is very similar, but the colour and topcoat are combined.
My opinion would be that the furniture clinic would be best for more badly creased seats as the preparation is a little more agressive and if you rub hard enough it gets to all the crud in the creases.
Once the surface is taken off the leather can be rejuvenated with Gliptone liquid leather conditioner.
If the seats are just a little faded the Gliptone Scuffmaster works great. I did my original 1978 930 seats and they look virtually as new.
It is essential to remove the seats and spend a lot of time cleaning and scrubbing with solvents to get the old finish off. Also essential is a small hobby compressor rather than trying to use small propellant cans which are hopeless.
The Furniture clinic version uses a two step process whereby a sealer is sprayed on top of a base coat.
The Gliptone process is very similar, but the colour and topcoat are combined.
My opinion would be that the furniture clinic would be best for more badly creased seats as the preparation is a little more agressive and if you rub hard enough it gets to all the crud in the creases.
Once the surface is taken off the leather can be rejuvenated with Gliptone liquid leather conditioner.
If the seats are just a little faded the Gliptone Scuffmaster works great. I did my original 1978 930 seats and they look virtually as new.
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