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BMW 3-Series (E90 E92) Forum > E90 / E92 / E93 3-series Technical Forums > Cosmetic and Lighting Modifications (exterior/interior) > Interior Leather Color Change - Black to Red



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      02-04-2016, 04:50 AM   #23
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Here is a good summary of BMW leather types. I have Dakota leather in my car and Leatherique is a synthetic polymer paint best suited to this leather.


THEY ARE NOT CREATED EQUAL: BMW LEATHER EXPLAINED


There are lots of BMW owners around here in the US. We are facing a very comprehensive order guide when we are customize building/ordering our BMW. One prominent issue is the various vocabulary used in the description of the car’s leather seats/upholstery. These different terms are not just for fancy decorative purpose, in fact they mean something.

Below are some brief explanation of those frequently terms you will see in all US market BMW models’ order sheet:

Merino Leather

Usually in M models and BMW Individual orders. This is genuine fine-grain natural leather, it is dyed with no artificial coating applied.

Nappa Leather

This is an optional upgrade for the higher-level BMW models (such as the 5, 6 and 7-Series, X5 etc). It is a full-grain, un-split semi-aniline leather with a light clear coating on top of the surface for protection. Its grain quality is not as high as the Merino leather, and it is considered to be the 2nd highest quality leather in BMW cars.

Dakota/Nevada Leather

Used on most model’s base trims. This is a lower grade leather, usually corrected-grain or even created from the split, and coated with a synthetic polymer paint. Its surface is embossed with an artificial grain.

SensaTec

Used on some lower-level models’ base trims. Previously known as the “Leatherette”, this is not a real leather material. In fact this is just a vinyl material tries to mimic the look and feel of the leather sheets. This fake leather material does not breath as good as leather, so you will feel hot after sitting on it for an extended time period. However, it wears better than Merino/Nappa leather, easier to clean and maintain, and it is not animal-based.

http://blogs.youwheel.com/2015/05/03...her-explained/

Last edited by scanspeak; 02-05-2016 at 04:30 PM..
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      02-04-2016, 08:59 PM   #24
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Quote:
Originally Posted by scanspeak View Post
Thanks for the tips mate. Do you think the clearcoat can be effectively applied with a brush or sponge?
I want to say MAYBE. I used the airbrush and I diluted it a lot because if it was too thick it gets stuck in the chamber. My guess is it will work with a fine sponge as long as you dilute the clearcoat enough. The problem with using a brush at any time is that will create too much texture and you may have brush marks which will just destroy all the hardwork you put into it. The clearcoat coats will have to be thin with minimal pressure applied. Your guide will be how "sticky" the finish gets as its drying.
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      02-05-2016, 02:11 AM   #25
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OK thanks. I'll try it and see .
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      02-05-2016, 11:25 AM   #26
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Nice work thus far! As I'm store you've learned, this is 90% prep work. I did a full black to Imola (aka Coral) conversion on my E46 many years ago. It too looked more coral than Imola. I also used Leatherique but cannot remember the clear coat protectant I used.

It was a brutal one week full-time effort of 8-10 hours a day including disassembly and assembly of the interior but TOTALLY worth the outcome!

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      02-05-2016, 03:05 PM   #27
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Beautiful work!

One week is amazing. I expect this will take me about 8 weeks as I work full time and it's not the type of job that you want to rush.
As you said, prep is everything. I just do one piece at a time, slowly and methodically.

Last edited by scanspeak; 02-05-2016 at 04:29 PM..
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      02-05-2016, 03:10 PM   #28
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Vish8895
Quote:
Originally Posted by scanspeak View Post
Thanks Vish. Or maybe I'm just crazy lol
Lets go with balls and confidence!
Very ballsy!

Great job, OP! Lookin good
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      02-06-2016, 07:45 AM   #29
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Quote:
Originally Posted by scanspeak
Beautiful work!

One week is amazing. I expect this will take me about 8 weeks as I work full time and it's not the type of job that you want to rush.
As you said, prep is everything. I just do one piece at a time, slowly and methodically.
Yup, thankfully it was during my Christmas holidays. Just take your time and the results will pay dividends
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      02-07-2016, 06:22 PM   #30
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Coat 1 brushed on .



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      02-07-2016, 08:17 PM   #31
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90 minute wait and then coat 2


Last edited by scanspeak; 02-07-2016 at 08:23 PM..
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      02-07-2016, 10:21 PM   #32
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Coat #3

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      02-08-2016, 12:54 AM   #33
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Coat #4 brushed on



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      02-08-2016, 07:55 PM   #34
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Coat #5



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      02-08-2016, 07:59 PM   #35
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Coat #6 - finished dyeing! Very happy with the result.
Next will be testing the matt clear coats.

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      02-08-2016, 10:56 PM   #36
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Cool to see each layer as they go on. Makes me want to accent some of my interior this way.
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      02-09-2016, 08:43 PM   #37
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no way?!!? im so shocked at how it actually turns out! I would always joke around saying that I actually dyed my seats red but I didn't think it was actually possible! it looks great!!
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      02-09-2016, 09:43 PM   #38
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Good work. Good luck with the clear coat. Applying clear always scares me. If it goes wrong, oh boy.
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      02-09-2016, 10:35 PM   #39
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Prepping rear quarters :



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      02-09-2016, 11:20 PM   #40
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Brushing in seams and edges first


Last edited by scanspeak; 02-09-2016 at 11:37 PM..
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      02-09-2016, 11:57 PM   #41
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Andre__n54 View Post
no way?!!? im so shocked at how it actually turns out! I would always joke around saying that I actually dyed my seats red but I didn't think it was actually possible! it looks great!!
Thanks. It's possible if you have Dokata leather as that is already a coated type of leather. Not sure about the other leather types.
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      02-10-2016, 11:25 AM   #42
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This is so sick
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      02-10-2016, 03:16 PM   #43
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Quote:
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Um... By definition, "dye" is a transparent coloring agent. Which means that if always combines with the existing color, not overrides it. It is not possible to dye black into red. It is not possible to dye black into anything. If you want to use red dye and arrive at red color as end result, you have to start from white leather.

If your starting point is black, then the only way to override that is to use a pigment (as opposed to a dye), i.e. paint it red. But painting is a completely different process. And I don't believe if is doable, but I might be wrong. I mean, it should certainly be possible to re-paint black into red, but will it last?

(Saw that E46 thread where they did seem to successfully repaint black into cinnamon using Leatherique stuff, if the pictures are real. 5 coats...)
wroooong! I painted my door panels using that leatherique stuff coral red from bmw and it covered nicely and evenly. Leather paint or "dye" is really thick and thats why it covers very good. I'll update with pictures tomorrow.
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      02-10-2016, 03:48 PM   #44
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Originally Posted by sd_luis View Post
wroooong! I painted my door panels using that leatherique stuff coral red from bmw and it covered nicely and evenly. Leather paint or "dye" is really thick and thats why it covers very good. I'll update with pictures tomorrow.
Actually, he's right. This is technically not a dye, which was his point.
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