Dying the seats from Black to Champagne

[Frchdragon]

Got bored of the black seats and decided to get something a little more exciting for my black on black Touring.
I had Champagne some pieces from a salvaged M5 that were is pretty bad shape and decided to dye all the seats Champagne (from leatherique).

The preparation work takes for ever, dying the seats is pretty quick especially with a air brush.

Preparation with Prepping agent, crack filler, lacquer thinner and 600grid sandpaper.
http://www.bmwe34.net/Ebay/seatprep.jpg

After cleaning it all up with an air gun, and cleaning the leather again with lacquer thinner, I started with the 1st coat.
http://www.bmwe34.net/Ebay/seat1.jpg

The air brush wasn't cutting it, it kept gumming up so I purchased a cheapos air gun and it works much better once you set the settings perfectly. (takes a little used to). I also received my new impact gun / bday gift, now I can remove crankshaft bolts.
http://www.bmwe34.net/Ebay/gun.jpg

One day later, after a very light 600grid sanding I added another two coats. (3 coats)
http://www.bmwe34.net/Ebay/seat2.jpg

One day later, after a very light 600grid sanding I added the final two coats last night. (5 coats)
http://www.bmwe34.net/Ebay/seat3.jpg

This is to compare to the headrest that was already Champagne, I am sure that after 20 years the headrest has some yellowing to it. The sample to match the paint was taken from the bottom of the rear seat. And again, all the leather will be dyed so this isn't an issue at all.
http://www.bmwe34.net/Ebay/seat4.jpg

Stay tuned for pictures of the rear seat in the car, now I need to start on the back of the rear seat and the individual bolsters and also all the center console parts (already cleaned with rejuvenator and prestine clean, need to be lightly sanded with prepping agent).

I used 1/2 of the dye and the bottom of the seat looks good. The problem is that you need a lot of dye to go from black to a lighter color. Dying existing color seats or going from tan to black would not require so much dye. But it is cheaper than paying someone to do it. I was quoted 1,000$ to do all the seats.

What I learned:
- The crack filler isn't easy to work with or I didn't get he hang of it yet. Next time I will tape around the crack so I can fill it up and sand only the crack and not the surrounding area.
- Using a high quality brush is perfect for all the stitching and hard to reach area.
- Using a spray gun with material delivery set to very low is the way to go. (don't forget to wear a mask), this will give you the best result without any brush strokes.
- Take your time and don't skip preparation steps, you need a DRY and CLEAN surface to work on, same as painting a body panel, if there is dust it will show in the paint.

Update 28 May 2012
Ok, I took the touring out of storage, bought another touring for spare parts. I installed the rear seats from the spare touring into mine so I have the time to dye my own seats. In the mean time I dyed all the center console and lower dashboard parts.

http://www.bmwe34.net/Ebay/seat5.jpg

http://www.bmwe34.net/Ebay/seat6.jpg

Stay tuned for the complete install and the dying of the rear back seat.

[Steve547i]

Interested to see how this comes out.

[Russellc]

Cool, Hope it works out well.

[HE53]

Subscribed.

[Layne]

You have black, but want tan? :confused

You are a very unique individual. :D

[Frchdragon]

Unique I am, not many people like to race a 1985 BMW 635csi turbo race car.

It isn't tan, it is Champagne, it is like comparing sparkling wine to Champagne.

http://www.treffbilder.de/images/25585502/dscn1633tnb2.jpg

http://www.themotoringenthusiast.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/04/e34-euro-m5-3.jpg
This will be a similar result.

[folcina]

Hi, this is my first post, i have a E34 525i US model (1993 year), and one of my projects is to change the actual pergament leather interior to a full champagne leather.

I have all parts (panels, sport seats, and a e32 rear seats) from other cars to do the dying.

Currently i have dyed some minor parts and the backseat of the rear seats like you ;-). I put some pics:

http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/228/p1050580.jpg/
http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/38/p1050581y.jpg/
http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/814/p1050583.jpg/
http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/52/p1050585n.jpg/

I have suscribed to this post :-)

[Frchdragon]

Looking great folcina, what type of gun are you using to spray the dye? How many coats did you use?

[folcina]

Looking great folcina, what type of gun are you using to spray the dye? How many coats did you use?

Thanks :-). At least five or six coats. This is my gun:


http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/231/p1050458.jpg/

http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/18/p1050459c.jpg/

The process of dyeing of buffalo leather is normal, but the dying of a gray leather (my sports seats of an m5) is more complicated. The gray dye not allow the champagne dye to penetrate into leather, and so, it is essential to remove all the gray dye we are capable of.

So it's very important to remove the old dye with an dye solvent, the sand process facilitates the solvent effect.

[Frchdragon]

I think I need to get a better gun, the air brush doesn't cut it...

[folcina]

I think I need to get a better gun, the air brush doesn't cut it...


Forget the air brush as soon as possible ;-). I started that way but the air brush became clogged all the time and it was too slow. This air gun cost me 50€ :-)

[Frchdragon]

I had the same problem, the air brush was always clogged, a gravity paint gun is the way to go, I will go pick one up at princess auto tonight, they are cheap here. I will get a good one though.
Mini HVLP Spray Gun on sale for 12.50 and the HVLP Gravity Feed Spray Gun is 50.00

[87shark]

:drool: i know what color i want my next interior to be

[AquilaBMW]

This is interesting. I would like to know if there is a way to dye carpets?

[Layne]

This is interesting. I would like to know if there is a way to dye carpets?

Yes, but you can't drastically change the color. You can only freshen up a faded color.

[Baupfhor]

Man that'll look good!

[Elekta]

I really want some arm rests for my sport seats, but Nappa Blue....how do you copy that? I was originally going to just recover some used ones...but maybe there's another armrest mod to put on the driver's side?

Interested in how close to champagne you really get.

GL

[Layne]

I really want some arm rests for my sport seats, but Nappa Blue....how do you copy that? I was originally going to just recover some used ones...but maybe there's another armrest mod to put on the driver's side?

Interested in how close to champagne you really get.

GL

I think I told you about these before, but I just saw the other day they are still available. Not sure if it's the same blue as your car, but at least it's easier to dye to match if it's already close.

http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?t=1436488&highlight=armrests

[redimension]

dope

[Russellc]

dope

What does this mean?

[MC Hammered]

*subscribed*

I plan to redye my seats as well and like the idea of using a spray gun.

How hard is it to manipulate? Or is the learning curve pretty quick?

[Frchdragon]

What does this mean?

1. Dope
People who do not do drugs call Marajuanna Dope.
People who do Marajuanna call Heroin Dope.
Word has also been used to describe how good something is.
Don't you be somkin' dope! ( AKA Marajuanna )

OMG, I smoke the green but I don't do dope ( AKA Heroin )

Man that car is dope!


*subscribed*

I plan to redye my seats as well and like the idea of using a spray gun.

How hard is it to manipulate? Or is the learning curve pretty quick?

Hard to say, it depends on people skill set... It is pretty forgiving as long as you set the material delivery low. The accumulation of dye on the seat won't be much so you can do multiple passes without affecting the result too much.

I am not an expert by a long shot but if you used a spray bomb to paint something then you can use a gun, you set it up on a piece of cardboard and then you go at it.

Using a paint gun assures that you have no brush strokes but it also uses more dye.

[MC Hammered]

Thanks for the info.

I plan to thin down the dye 50/50 with water and do multiple coats to get the color right so I will go look for a spray gun.

[Frchdragon]

I have been told 10% thinning with water max, I didn't thin it as it was pretty liquid as it is, and again I am talking leatherique, might be different with other products.

[95Olympic525i]

Got a question for ya. I plan on converting my tan interior to black with Oxford green carpeting/headliner etc. The thing is, my seats have green piping that I like alot. My question is, what do you think would be more cost/time effective:

1) Dye my tan seats black and cover/protect the green piping, or
2) Buy black seats and have an upholstery shop add the piping.

I'd love to store my complete Olympic Games interior to keep the stock option, but I know resale value of our cars is low regardless of changes. Subscribed to see your handywork :alright

[Layne]

It's not so easy to add piping. You would have to cut the seats entirely apart and re sew them, basically the same labor as doing the whole job from scratch, so you might as well just use new leather.

The dying might work. But I could also see not being able to get the dye deep down in the crevices and still keep it off the piping. It might leave you with a bit of tan showing.

[95Olympic525i]

Thanks for the input layne. Didn't know that about adding piping. I thought it could be done with the seats intact, just removed. I'll practice dying some spare pieces first when the time comes.

[Layne]

Yeah, the piping is actually a strip of leather about 1 inch wide that's wrapped around a plastic cord and then the tail is sewn in between the 2 pieces of leather when they are originally sewn together. No way to add it after the fact.

[95Olympic525i]

Ouch, slightly more complex than I thought lol. Sorry to threadjack frchdragon :Q

[HE53]

Looks like you've got the same impact I picked up... Man is that thing a Bad Mamerjammer.

[525gte]

Got bored of the black seats and decided to get something a little more exciting for my black on black Touring.
I had Champagne some pieces from a salvaged M5 that were is pretty bad shape and decided to dye all the seats Champagne (from leatherique).

The preparation work takes for ever, dying the seats is pretty quick especially with a air brush.

Preparation with Preping agent, crack filler, lacquer thinner and 600grid sandpaper.
http://www.bmwe34.net/Ebay/seatprep.jpg

After cleaning it all up with an air gun, and cleaning the leather again with lacquer thinner, I started with the 1st coat.
http://www.bmwe34.net/Ebay/seat1.jpg

The air brush wasn't cutting it, it kept gumming up so I purchased a cheapos air gun and it works much better once you set the settings perfectly. (takes a little used to). I also received my new impact gun / bday gift, now I can remove crankshaft bolts.
http://www.bmwe34.net/Ebay/gun.jpg

After a very light 600grid sanding I added another two coats last night.
http://www.bmwe34.net/Ebay/seat2.jpg

Tonight I will add the final two coats and start preping the other pieces, I will take a nice pic for you next to some original pieces, the color is extremely close and you really can't see the difference.

what preping agent did u use? and what filler? i have never heard of a seat crack filler till today. Mu seats ae in rough shape and this would be highly benifical for me

[95Olympic525i]

Look up leatherique, they got what you needz

[AquilaBMW]

Yes, but you can't drastically change the color. You can only freshen up a faded color.

I wanted to dye a Grey carpet black

[K Fox]

I wanted to dye a Grey carpet black

That's easier - going darker is always do-able, but going lighter is either very difficult or impossible. Grey to Black is fine.

Fox

[Frchdragon]

That is the next thing I will do when I will pull the center console, dying the carpet black. Still need to research what product will last.

[AquilaBMW]

That's easier - going darker is always do-able, but going lighter is either very difficult or impossible. Grey to Black is fine.

Fox


That is the next thing I will do when I will pull the center console, dying the carpet black. Still need to research what product will last.


I would love to hear suggestions / ideas on how to do this. Thanks!

[Layne]

A friend of mine just dyed his carpet. It had faded to baby blue (kind of odd) and he brought it back to grey. I asked if it would be possible to dye a tan carpet black, and he said no it would come out purpleish. Not sure if grey to black would do better. I don't recall the product name, but it's a liquid that you spray on with a Windex type sprayer bottle and then brush in. It's not cheap to do (but neither is leatherique). If you can buy a new one it's probably not worth it.

I've used SEM dye on carpet before to freshen up old faded color and it was satisfactory. I would not reccomend any attempt at changing color with it though.

[AquilaBMW]

A friend of mine just dyed his carpet. It had faded to baby blue (kind of odd) and he brought it back to grey. I asked if it would be possible to dye a tan carpet black, and he said no it would come out purpleish. Not sure if grey to black would do better. I don't recall the product name, but it's a liquid that you spray on with a Windex type sprayer bottle and then brush in. It's not cheap to do (but neither is leatherique). If you can buy a new one it's probably not worth it.

I've used SEM dye on carpet before to freshen up old faded color and it was satisfactory. I would not reccomend any attempt at changing color with it though.

Thanks Layne. I wonder if anyone has done this successfully? I think at some point Moroza dyed his carpet to Black, but I cannot remember how he did it.

How difficult is it to replace carpeting in a car?

[TGreene]

I saw this car today:

http://inlinethumb47.webshots.com/47406/2599267880098465743S600x600Q85.jpg (http://entertainment.webshots.com/photo/2599267880098465743kGRjqp)

It was very beat but I bet it was amazing in its day.

[SteveMD]

Noob here and want to ask is this leatherique system actually dyeing the seats vs painting them? I seem to recall some manufacturers painted the hides and some dyed.... Which did BMW do on the E34?

[NY Bimmers]

I used some fabric/vinyl paint once to turn a tan carpet black. It came out good, only thing is you saw the lines from the spray pattern. If i woul'd went heavier i think it would've came out fine. I believe it was duplicolor, i'll check later, still have a few cans kicking around in the garage.

:edit: the stuff sucked on vinyl though, flaked off. But great on fabric.

[ChiTownTy]

I saw this car today:

http://inlinethumb47.webshots.com/47406/2599267880098465743S600x600Q85.jpg (http://entertainment.webshots.com/photo/2599267880098465743kGRjqp)

It was very beat but I bet it was amazing in its day.
Those seats are coming along nicely, I didnt think it was possible to go from black to light color id like to see them in person...

How often do you see M5's on the road? I have seen one in person and that was a board members..if thats the looks your going for its goona look slick...

As the for the carpet die im very interested as well, someone need to let us know whats the best route to take.

[sfgearhead]

Is this what you're going for? I think it looks great.

http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o240/midnight_club/530d%20sport%20black/20110224949.jpg

http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o240/midnight_club/530d%20sport%20black/20110224950.jpg

[Frchdragon]

Exact same color without the wood trims. The funny thing is that I have to redye everything as the original parts yellowed overtime.

[sfgearhead]

Thanks Layne. I wonder if anyone has done this successfully? I think at some point Moroza dyed his carpet to Black, but I cannot remember how he did it.

How difficult is it to replace carpeting in a car?

Jon dyed the carpet in his car, find his thread. Small5nail that is.

[imhighlander]

I'll be interested to track this over time. I have a buddy who "Leatheriqued" his E46 from black to cinnamon and it turned out uber-sexy. But the dye on the piping began to chip after several months of getting in/out. I'm guessing the piping on a lot of these cars is actually vinyl and not leather. The leather, being more porous, should hold the dye better. But I'm wondering about long-term cosmetics on such a drastic change (black to champagne).

OP, awesome job! Interior looks amazing. Intentional thread jack - who has recovered rear parcel shelves? Mine looks like shite and it's the only major flaw in my otherwise nice interior.

[moroza]

This is interesting. I would like to know if there is a way to dye carpets?

Didn't I show you my black carpets? Cheap hair dye, basically.

[TGreene]

More pics OP! I have Champagne leather that is now not really Champagne nor leather!

I am really interested in seeing your results.

[sbeckman7]

This is great. I'm contemplating doing the same thing if I can find some black carpet (would rather not die it) and some sport seats that are good leatherique candidates. Keep up the good work.

[moroza]

The only black carpets for an E34 have been dyed, custom-made, or BMW Individual. Not even extra-special-sauce Euro M5's had it from the factory. Closest you got was "anthracite", which is a medium-dark grey.

Oh, and removing and reinstalling the front carpet section is a giant pain in all kinds of places, though you have to take it out to dye anyway.

[JC3series]

Is this what you're going for? I think it looks great.

http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o240/midnight_club/530d%20sport%20black/20110224949.jpg

http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o240/midnight_club/530d%20sport%20black/20110224950.jpg


I'm In love!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I have a parchment interior and wouldn't mind doing some black to it.

[TGreene]

Any updates?

[ross1]

Got a question for ya. I plan on converting my tan interior to black with Oxford green carpeting/headliner etc. The thing is, my seats have green piping that I like alot. My question is, what do you think would be more cost/time effective:

1) Dye my tan seats black and cover/protect the green piping, or
2) Buy black seats and have an upholstery shop add the piping.

I'd love to store my complete Olympic Games interior to keep the stock option, but I know resale value of our cars is low regardless of changes. Subscribed to see your handywork :alright

You'll find it near impossible to mask off the green piping effectively. The green will be such a subtle contrast to the black as to render it all but invisible anyway.
Get some other black seats if you want that and save your special ones if they are in good shape.
SmallSnail is itching to throw money at his new green fiver, your seats would be a nice addition to it.

OP's work looks very nice. A brave soul going from black to a near white recolor job.

[travisn]

You have black, but want tan? :confused

You are a very unique individual. :D

Same thing I thought!


Unique I am, not many people like to race a 1985 BMW 635csi turbo race car.

It isn't tan, it is Champagne, it is like comparing sparkling wine to Champagne.

http://www.treffbilder.de/images/25585502/dscn1633tnb2.jpg

http://www.themotoringenthusiast.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/04/e34-euro-m5-3.jpg
This will be a similar result.

Holy shit, I cannot believe that is an e34. fml my interior sucks.

[ross1]

Same thing I thought!



Holy shit, I cannot believe that is an e34. fml my interior sucks.
Back seat shot sure looks E39 to me.

[sbeckman7]

Back seat shot sure looks E39 to me.

Pretty sure it's an E38

[Frchdragon]

No updates because the car is in storage, the WRX is seeing action in the snow.
No time to pull out the interior and do it in the basement either, focusing on being a dad and designing website.

[cer54467]

I can't wait to see the finished result. I absolutely love the e39 shot. I have a silver e39 m5 and would love to do this. My all time fav int. I think I just made a mess in my pants......

[gixxerboy63]

I saw this car today:

http://inlinethumb47.webshots.com/47406/2599267880098465743S600x600Q85.jpg (http://entertainment.webshots.com/photo/2599267880098465743kGRjqp)

It was very beat but I bet it was amazing in its day.

I agree, the contrast looks amazing! I wonder what my M-Sport would look like with black carpet and black mats against Pergament interior?