The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Interiors Dying leather seats - does it work?

I found some good looking leather seats that should fit my truck. The seller is local so that saves a bit of money. However the seats are grey and I would really like black seats. Has anyone ever dyed their leather seats? Does it really work and does it last? I'm guessing a botched dye job will pretty much ruin the seats.
Thanks, don

...the question is if the dye has enough UV resistant to not "turn" with the sun. If it does, the black will look awful.

How about a "pull a-part" salvage yard where you can serch for the right color? Down here we have LKQ and unless they went up in the last 6 months you can get a set of ANY bucket seat for $28 each.

we've used the Sureflex line from www.ColorPlus.com . They have a water based dye that doesn't clog up the pores so you can still use conditioner on your leather to keep it soft. We used the dye on a naugahyde backdrop for video production work, and I purposely tried to scratch it off after it had dried. It had no loss of color, and showed no damage whatsoever. I'd recommend the stuff.

Thanks for the replies. For anyone else contemplating this, I also queried the H.A.M.B forum and about this and got a number of replies indicating dying (or painting) the leather works fine and lasts. Most of them recommend a product called SEM. So I will investigate it and Robert's suggestion regarding colorplus. I did purchase the seats (Audi buckets - because the Hurst floor mount for the 3 speed OD trans goes too far back and would contact the regular seat). Again thanks,
don

you could always notch the seat a little to acomadate the shifter saw it done in a 62 chevy 2 many years ago and then again on tv a few years back. would need to have the upholstery redone after making the notch or setback but would look fairly original if done right.

Notching the seat is a good idea I hadn't considered. But I already got the Audi buckets (good price -includes electronics). I did paint them using the SEM product (easy to get from Eastwood). They appear to resist scuffing very well. Color looks consistent. I'm pleased with the result. The buckets also appealed to me because I was a able to find a center console with cup holders, that after modifications, fits well (I really wanted cup holders and a place to stow misc. junk. I think I will add 12v jacks as well). The interior looks sharp, but the downside is that the seats and console look a bit out of place (too new) in a fifties truck. A notched seat appearance-wise would certainly look "period-correct."

You might try www.leatherworldtech.com. It is where I've gotten my leather dyes previously. They work well and are specific to auto upholstery. Their staff have always been knowledgeable and very helpful.

one more helpful tip its easier to dye to a darker color than a lighter color. i just remember that from the car lot days.

I had a 76 Rolls Royce that had had its seats dyed .... They looked and smelled
great. I drove it for 8 years and nothing came off on my pants! The job
was done at an upholstery shop,tho

www.Leatherique.com has been in the automotive leather restoration products business forever. Most automotive leather is painted not "dyed". The water based paint is easy to spray with conventional equipment and holds up really well if the leather is properly prepared. Leatherique will custom match any color.

Just don't condition the seats before you dye or paint them.