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Hint on restoring leather....

Discussion in 'Technical Q&A' started by bpu699, Aug 3, 2005.

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  1. bpu699

    bpu699 F1 World Champ
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    #1 bpu699, Aug 3, 2005
    Just wanted to pass on a tip. The black dash of my testarossa was a bit faded when I bought it. Tried all of the leather conditioners, cleaners - looked good for 2-3 weeks, at most. Then it faded.

    Went to Walmart, found a liquid black shoe polish - comes in a squeeze bottle with applicator pad, made by KIWI I believe...

    This stuff worked magic. Applied it to the dash, let it set in, then rubbed it off. Polished it after. Of course one would expect it to work, it is just a shoe dye - but I haven't seen anyone mention it. KIWI also has a shoe polish with UV protection...:)

    It has been 3 months since I did this, and there is no signs of fade yet...

    Anyone else tried this?
     
    Pepsi10 likes this.
  2. 348_Spiderman

    348_Spiderman Formula 3

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    #2 348_Spiderman, Aug 3, 2005
    Do you have any before and after pics?

    I've been contemplating restoring my tan leather (I don't think shoe polish will do the trick LOL) However, I am interested in seeing the results.

    Thanks for the tip!!!

    Mike
     
  3. bpu699

    bpu699 F1 World Champ
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    #3 bpu699, Aug 3, 2005
    Mike, I am "camera challenged :)" I tried to upload some other pics, but my computer just wont let me do it...Im working on it.

    I thought this solution would be wonderful for all of the folks with premature bolster wear. And it does come in red also. Perhaps beige?

    I doubt that this is as durable as a complete redye...but then again it only costs $3.00!!! Also, seems to hold up well. Not sure how well it would do on a wear surface like a seat - but I suspect it is a dye (Advertised as a liquid shoe polish).
     
  4. sjmst

    sjmst F1 Veteran
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    #4 sjmst, Aug 3, 2005
    Yes, tried it on the scuffs you get on the seat bolsters, and it worked great. Didn't rub off. Keep in mind these were rough, so anything would be an improvement.
     
  5. MRFOTOS

    MRFOTOS Karting

    May 26, 2003
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    Maui, Hi
    #5 MRFOTOS, Aug 3, 2005
    Ive been using it on my black Porsche seats for years,It covers up the skuff marks.... it works very well.
     
  6. Prova85

    Prova85 Formula 3

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    #6 Prova85, Aug 3, 2005
    And it doesn't rub off on clothing ???
     
  7. bpu699

    bpu699 F1 World Champ
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    #7 bpu699, Aug 3, 2005
    Nope. Doesn't seem to rub off at all. I tried rubbing the dash with a white cloth - no staining.
     
  8. BT

    BT F1 World Champ
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    #8 BT, Aug 4, 2005
    Nice 'outside the box' thinking. Thanks for the tip.
    BT
     
  9. UroTrash

    UroTrash Four Time F1 World Champ
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    #9 UroTrash, Aug 4, 2005
    Bo, you need to start a Ferrari leather restoration service. Charge $1500 for the dash and $800 to do the bolsters this way.
     
  10. bpu699

    bpu699 F1 World Champ
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    #10 bpu699, Aug 4, 2005
    Good idea Uro...

    Perhaps I need to re-label the KIWI stuff as "Ferrari Leather Restorer" and charge 100$ per bottle !!! :).

    Where is PeterS when you need him :)??? This is genius!!!

    Well, I am glad folks were receptive to the idea...I was waiting to be called a cheap b*astard...;).

    Back to the marketing idea. If anyone wants to run with this, I can make them a vice-president of my company, let them get in at the ground level, and then sell the stuff. You see, I am so successful in my other ventures I just don't have the time. Perhaps I can have 10 vice-presidents :)...HMMM, hasn't someone done this before??? Now who was that?
     
  11. pernicev

    pernicev Karting

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    #11 pernicev, Aug 4, 2005
    The Secret is Out!!! I used this on my old 308's leather and last night, started the process of using on my new 308. and no it doesn't wear off and the sheen is similar or just like the original. For black interiors, this is the way to go rather than spending serious $ for car seat dye.
    The Kiwi bottle says "leather dye" on the label, and is the same thing IMO.
     
  12. pernicev

    pernicev Karting

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    #12 pernicev, Aug 4, 2005
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    Here's a pic (albeit a bit fuzzy) of my old 308's interior about a year and a half (and much use!) after redye with this type of leather dye.
    Image Unavailable, Please Login
     
  13. scorpion

    scorpion Formula Junior

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    #13 scorpion, Aug 4, 2005
    Are you sure you're using shoe "polish"? I have used liquid leather dye for years on a number of cars - looks like liquid polish and is sold along side liquid polish - maybe it's the same stuff who knows, but it definately says dye on the bottle. In any case, I have had great results with black liquid "dye" - it soaks into the leather and doesn't fade at all. I'm not sure about polish.
     
  14. bpu699

    bpu699 F1 World Champ
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    #14 bpu699, Aug 4, 2005
    Vince, give it two good coats...

    I actually take the applicator tip off and use a small sponge to apply it. Looks great. If you buff the heck out of it, it looks even better. Then get an oversized q-tip and apply to all of the dash crevices.

    KIWI also sells a "buffless shoe shine," which is basically liquid silicone, impregnated in a sponge. Put a layer of this on next - what a shine! The silicone, though, wears quickly, but doesn't stain...

    I am glad that I was able to contibute and make the world a better place...now...back to the business section :).
     
  15. DMC

    DMC Formula 3

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    #15 DMC, Aug 4, 2005
    Grassroots Motorsports did the same to the E30 M3 that they "freshened up" a while ago.

    http://www.grassrootsmotorsports.com/archives/m3project.html

     
  16. boxerboy

    boxerboy Karting

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    #16 boxerboy, Aug 4, 2005
    I did the same thing to my 246 GT years ago. I recovered the mouse hide dash once, it promptly faded to that sick yellow look. Used the same product, only in aerosol, and it worked great. I doubt an expert could tell it had been resprayed.
     
  17. AVFIN

    AVFIN Karting

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    #17 AVFIN, Aug 4, 2005
    Great thread!!! I have using leather conditioner on my mondial and had shor term results as well. I will try the Kiwi this weekend.....
     
  18. FasterIsBetter

    FasterIsBetter F1 Veteran

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    #18 FasterIsBetter, Aug 5, 2005
    This sounds like an excellent solution for the black interiors. Any ideas of a similar product for the tan leather?
     
  19. stevegtsi

    stevegtsi Formula Junior

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    #19 stevegtsi, Aug 5, 2005
    does the kiwi come in red?
     
  20. LopeAlong

    LopeAlong Formula Junior

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    #20 LopeAlong, Aug 5, 2005
    Has anyone ever tried this on their steering wheel? Just wondering how the oil and sweat from your hands would affect it.
    Thanks,
    Jim
     

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