First year of ownership and question

[jmywil]

Hi

Has anyone tried to restore the colour on the leather seat piping? I'm not trying to get to concours standard, but the owner before last dyed the red piping black (the leather was already black). I tested a section with white spirit and the red comes back after some rubbing, but it's a bit scrappy and faded with some black dye residue. I'd like to get it back to as close to the original red and wondered if there was a red colour dye or touch-up vinyl paint anyone had used.

Btw, think this is my first post after having bought an '89 3.2 Targa last year, so quick review of first year of ownership for anyone interested.

'89 (F) 3.2 Targa in Guards Red with black leather (and half-black piping) and red colour-coded Fuchs
50,000 miles (last owner did only 4k in 8 years so I've tried to use it more and loosen it up).
2,000 miles done since, mostly dry but did 100+ miles to Aberdeen in monsoon last month without a leak.
Problems - broken door lock, which I managed to fix myself with help of Service Manual and "101 Projects" books.
To do list - seat piping; bonnet struts; headlining on roof; noisy rear brake disk shield; Turbo tie rods.

Great car. Toyed with the idea of trading up to a 993 recently but would struggle to let this one go.

 

[nathan 1981 930 G50]

I'd like my piping repaired. Keep us posted on who or what you find.

 

[gwyn may]

Hi I used classic car services thumaston Leicester they fitted new bolster and piping in red

 

[rak]

You could try Southbound Trimmers down in Hampshire. They did a fantastic job on my targa roof & seals, but they also do work on upholstery.

http://www.southboundtrimmers.com/

 

[jdpef356]

I'd like my piping repaired

The best piper (and he is not a Jock) is a guy at Burwell, let me know if you want more details.

 

[nathan 1981 930 G50]

Yes please John.

 

[jdpef356]

Yes please John.

Nathan
The Guy I used is at Burwell. Ian Hawkes. He only does upholstery - he has done all manner of cars - including a 300SL a couple of years ago which was in the CEN. Done a great job on my 356 - take a look if you come to R24 club night.
Address Unit 3, Reach Rd Indust Est, Reach Rd, Burwell, Cambs, CB5 OAH.

 

[nathan 1981 930 G50]

Thanks John, I think I'll get it done asap.

 

[nathan 1981 930 G50]

Ians number is 01638 741776

 

[jmywil]

Thanks for the suggestions. I've spent a couple of days working on one seat with white spirit taking the black dye off and then applying red (rouge, I think was the colour) Dylon leather & vinyl paint. It's for shoes & handbags, get it in Timpsons. You'll be thinking this sounds like a recipe for disaster but it has come up really well, the colour match is spot on. Needs patience, a steady hand with a small brush and a couple of coats if it's faded or stained, but I now have one seat back to its original black with red piping. I did this a couple a weeks ago and waited to post the outcome until I'd let it all dry and tested it over a period. No ill effects and it seems robust to wear.

 

[nathan 1981 930 G50]

I went to see Ian and he looked at my seats and gave me a price. He was doing a great job of a Daimler Dart and I am confident he will do a great job of my seats as he did not want to cut any corners on them.

 

[twinny]

I had a bloke who upholsters boats over in Kempston do mine on the Targa (now sold). He rebuilt my drivers seat, replaced all the vinyl round the base and changed the piping (red on black seats) for £75. Took 2 days.

Nick from Auto 2000 put me on to him.

 

[nathan 1981 930 G50]

The cost to repipe both seats, restitch approx 2 inches and also dye both seats is a lot more than that [:'(]

 

[jasonld]

ORIGINAL: jmywil

Hi

Has anyone tried to restore the colour on the leather seat piping? I'm not trying to get to concours standard, but the owner before last dyed the red piping black (the leather was already black). I tested a section with white spirit and the red comes back after some rubbing, but it's a bit scrappy and faded with some black dye residue. I'd like to get it back to as close to the original red and wondered if there was a red colour dye or touch-up vinyl paint anyone had used.

Btw, think this is my first post after having bought an '89 3.2 Targa last year, so quick review of first year of ownership for anyone interested.

'89 (F) 3.2 Targa in Guards Red with black leather (and half-black piping) and red colour-coded Fuchs
50,000 miles (last owner did only 4k in 8 years so I've tried to use it more and loosen it up).
2,000 miles done since, mostly dry but did 100+ miles to Aberdeen in monsoon last month without a leak.
Problems - broken door lock, which I managed to fix myself with help of Service Manual and "101 Projects" books.
To do list - seat piping; bonnet struts; headlining on roof; noisy rear brake disk shield; Turbo tie rods.

Great car. Toyed with the idea of trading up to a 993 recently but would struggle to let this one go.

Hi

You could try http://www.dynamixdyes.com/ there products look very good ..I have not used them myself ..or try http://www.liquidleather.com/scuffs.htm ..which I have used with good results!

Cheers

J.

 

[DPC7]

I've recently purchased a 3.2 in Silver with red interior. The seats are in stunning original condition, however the piping has faded or the dye has come out of the piping by previous cleaning and the piping is now a yellowish colour. The seats are in such nice condition that I don't really want them to be picked apart and have the piping replaced. However I really would like to get the piping back to the original red colour. The piping appears to me to be plastic, therefore can you use the leather dyes that some people are suggesting ? Any trimmers out there who can recommend a solution to restore the faded piping to original colour without replacing it?