BMW E46 M3 Black interior Rejuvenation to OEM Matte finish

Hi,

I like to think the leather in my car is in good condition for a 14 year old car. I've owned since new and tried to take care of the leather with over the counter products bi-yearly or whenever I felt the leather was getting a bit dry. Over time It has developed some glossy sheen on the steering wheel and armrests, the driver seat has some creases, over-stretched leather, and some small scratches that have gone through the top grain of the seat cushion.

Now at this point my goal is to get the leather back to "brand new" tightly stretched, smooth matte appearance along with the nice supple feeling.


I think the hardest part will be removing the creases and tightening up the loose leather, but I think it might be possible with some of the Leather Doctor products and process.

Here are a few pics of what I would like to achieve:

Attachment 5924
Nice smooth matte wheel

Attachment 5921


Attachment 5922

Attachment 5923
Smooth matte texture, no sagging

Here are a few pics of my interior:

Attachment 5949
front seats

Attachment 5951
rear seats

Attachment 5954
glossy steering wheel, leather is in good condition, Just want the matte finish

Attachment 5953
passenger seat, notice a few creases on the entry bolster and a bit of saggy leather on the inside bolster

Attachment 5952
glossy passenger side door armrest

Attachment 5947
glossy driver side armrest, slightly saggy leather

Attachment 5950
close-up of creases in passenger seat

Attachment 5948
close-up of creases in driver seat bolster, notice a little wear in the seam where the stitching is

Attachment 5945
close-up of drivers side scratches to the bottom of the seating surface

Attachment 5946
distilled water test to test the pH of the Nappa leather, distilled water did not penetrate the leather



I would love to hear your opinion and see if you think it is possible to achieve the new OEM feeling of the supple and smooth texture with the matte appearance and the tight wrinkle-free leather that the car had when new, if so what process and products would you recommend?


Thanks!

>>> new OEM feeling of the supple

Suppleness is in reference to flexibility or softness with strength and that depends on the existing fatliquor (fat and oil content remaining on the leather structure). When the original fatliquor content diminishes or evaporates as VOC (volatile organic compound) the interlocking fibers that behaves like millions of flexible hinges begins to becomes stick together, that’s where the suppleness has diminishes as well. In order to restore the suppleness has to be done with Hydrator-3.3 > Fatliquor-5.0 Hydrator-3.3 rejuvenating system. Hydrator-3.3 to relax and separates the stick-together interlocking fibers and the Fatliquor-5.0 fat plumps the fullness of the leather from collapsing and the oil that lubricates for smoothness when flex. When water droplets test show water pooling on its surface, the only access is through the reverse suede side, or limited micro cracks and stitching rows.


>>> and smooth texture

Smooth is in reference to the tactile feel of the leather and easily restore with leather-scented Protector-B+ or the scentless version Protector-B. It will impart a soft buttery-feel that upgrades the smooth texture of the leather with a non-stick surface for easier cleaning and a rub-resistant to reduce abrasion wear as seen “notice a little wear in the seam where the stitching is”


>>> with the matte appearance

Shine appearances are the typical accumulation of body oil, grease and sweat mainly from our naked hands. A corrective cleaning with Prep-7.7 > Clean-3.8 > Rinse-3.0 will knock out the unwanted shine and return to the original matte appearance. When the original matte finish is worn out, topcoat refinishing with MicroTop-54M (mate) restore the appearance.


>>> and the tight wrinkle-free leather that the car had when new,

This weakness from stress also know as ‘coarse breaks’ is partly due to diminishing original fatliquor described above, other contributing factor are inherent leather selection, design and padding.

>>> glossy steering wheel, leather is in good condition, Just want the matte finish

Accumulated glossy soling is easily accomplished with Prep-7.7 > Clean-3.8 > Rinse-3.0 system.
Restoring original damaged topcoat if any after cleaning inspection is with MicroTop-54M (matte).

>>> passenger seat, notice a few creases on the entry bolster

These creases are sign of leather dryness of its original fatliquor, it may be prevented from getting worse with Hydrator-3.3 > Fatliquor-5.0 > Hydrator-3.3 system, but eliminating it would be too late as the creases are collapsing leather structure which have overworked and tired.


>>> and a bit of saggy leather on the inside bolster

Most likely is the support cushion that has sagged.

>>> glossy passenger side door armrest

Prep-7.7 > Clean-3.8 > Rinse-3.0 solves the problem

>>> close-up of creases in passenger seat

Possibility of controlling and preventing further deteriorating but may not be possible to eliminate entirely.

>>> notice a little wear in the seam where the stitching is
>>> close-up of drivers side scratches to the bottom of the seating surface

Scratches and abrasion are repaired with Adhesor-76 > Micro-54 > MicroTop-54M

Products mentioned are found in this Kit-Ap7.cl

Attachment 5969
http://www.leatherdoctor.com/kit-ap7...finishing-kit/

Leather Doctor® Kit-Ap7.cl, auto pigmented/perforated leather color refinishing kit is design for abrasion damages especially from friction rubs while getting in and out of seat. Most of these repairs may range from missing finishes to abrading damages into the leather structure. Some expose areas may be contaminated with foreign soiling that includes conditioners, protectors, body oil, grease and sweat or alkaline overexposure with all-purpose cleaners. A comprehensive repair for a long-term lasting solution will require a holistic approach to deal with both the exposed structure and surface finishes. The practical and functional softness and strength of the leather depends on the health of the structure with average thickness between 0.9 to 1.2mm from stiffness and cracking. The aesthetic aspect of the leather finishes averages 0.02mm (or 20 micron) in thickness for practical compressing and flexing from cracking. A preview of a leather-safe restoration system begins by stripping with Stripper-2.3 and rinsing with Rinse-3.0. Degreasing with Degreaser-2.2 follows with Acidifier-2.0. The suffix numbers of these four products denotes it pH value for recharging the protein fiber ionic positive besides the act of decontamination. The leather integrity is revitalized once the ionic attraction between the positive protein fiber and its negative leather constituents like the tanning agent and fatliquor (fat, oil and water) is activated. Leather rejuvenating system for softness and strength is accomplished with Hydrator-3.3 follows with Fatliquor-5.0. Structural weakness from overstretching is re-strengthened with Impregnator-26, while surface uneven absorption is sealed with Adhesor-73. These repair and auxiliary products where necessary reduces the need for color over-coating thus increase its flexibility and stretchability from premature cracking. Protector-B imparts a non-stick rub-resistant surface with a buttery feel, reduces noises that translate into less friction wear. As the leather surface is well lubricated it reduces compression when comes to heavy body contact thus reduces compressed creases and wrinkles.