6 Attachment(s)
Leather Care for 1998 BMW M3 Drivers Seat
Hello,
My drivers seat is showing signs of wear so I'm looking for advise on how to proceed.
The uphostery option is black Nappa leather (N5SW).
The seat, backrest and headrest are leather and the seat back is plastic.
There is dye color lost on the left leg bolster and side bolster. For this reason,
I plan to strip the finish, recondition the leather, re-dye the entire seat and apply
a matte topcoat followed by a protector.
My plan is to remove the seat from the car to perform the work. I'll be doing the
work after-hours at the shop where I work where I will have access to shop air,
a bench, lots of light and (hopefully) more controlled conditions than I would have at home.
I've been reading over the info on the site and beginning to get a grasp of the overall steps
but would like to get your input. Here are some photos of the seats.
-bruce
Attachment 9884
Attachment 9885
Attachment 9886
Attachment 9887
Attachment 9888
Attachment 9889
Steps, Tools and Chemicals
Here are my proposed steps, chemicals and tools for this refinishing job.
Leather Refinishing Steps and Chemicals
1. Strip: Stripper-2.3>Rinse-3.0
2. Degrease: Degrease-2.2>Acidifier-2.0
3. Condition: Hydrate-3.3>Fatliquor-5.0
4. Seal: Adhesor-73
5. Dye: Micro-54+Thickener-48
6. Topcoat: MicroTop-54M
7. Protect: Protector-B
Leather Refinishing Tools
brush-1
brush-2
brush-9
eraser-4
3M grey Scotchbrite (600-800)
1000/1500/2000 wet dry sandpaper
microfiber towels
paper towels
foam brush
cling wrap
airbrush
heat gun
For the airbrush, I thinking of getting the Paasche Model H single-action, external mix airbrush
with 3 heads: .45mm (light fluids), .64mm (medium fluids) and 1.06mm (heavy fluids).
Most likely I'll be using the 1.06mm head for the dye and topcoat. Thoughts?
Updated process, tools, and chemicals
Leather Refinishing Chemicals
1. Strip: Stripper-2.3>Rinse-3.0
2. Degrease: Degrease-2.2>Acidifier-2.0
3. Condition: Hydrate-3.3>Fatliquor-5.0>Hydrate-3.3
4. Strengthen: Impregnator-26
5. Prime: Adhesor-73
6. Dye: Micro-54+Thickener-48
7. Topcoat: MicroTop-54S
8. Protect: Protector-B+
Leather Refinishing Tools
brush-1 (horsehair)
brush-2 (stiff nylon)
brush-9 (very stiff nylon)
foam brush-3
eraser-4
paper towels-5
3M Grey Scotch-Brite (600-800) #7448
3M White Scotch-Brite (2500) #7445
3M wet-or-dry sandpaper 1000/1500/2000
white terry cloth towels
cling wrap
airbrush
air regulator
heat gun
Procedure
1. Stripping
The purpose of this step is to remove the polyurethane topcoat finish.
Lightly sand leather surface (avoid seams) with 3M grey Scotch-Brite pad.
Spray Stripper-2.3 onto leather and agitate with brush-1. Further agitate with brush-2, brush-9 or eraser-4 as necessary.
Extract suspended finish with terry cloth towel before it dries.
Spray Rinse-3.0 onto leather and agitate with brush-1.
Extract suspended soiling with terry cloth towel before it dries.
Proceed immediately to step 2.
2. Degreasing
The purpose of this step is to degrease the leather of penetrated oil, grease and sweat stains from skin and other sources.
Shake Degreaser-2.2 until it gels. Spray onto leather and saturate to reach penetrated soiling with appropriate brushes and erasers and extract with dry terry cloth towel until towel shows clean.
Re-apply and allow a dwelling time of 5 to 60 minutes (or before it dries) for a complete soiling suspension to occur and towel extract until it shows clean.
Spray Acidifier-2.0 to saturate penetrated soiling and use dry terry cotton towel to extract until towel shows clean.
Proceed immediately to step 3.
3. Conditioning
The purpose of this step is to rejuvenate the leather by replenishing the moisture, fat and oils in the leather which will increase the softness, plumpness and strength of the leather.
Apply Hydrator-3.3 to pre-condition the leather. Use brush-1 to agitate and remove surface soiling. Extract with a terry cloth towel until the towel shows clean.
Re-apply Hydrator-3.3 with the foam brush and allow it to be absorbed into the leather. Apply paper towels-5 to the leather surface without air gaps
and saturate with Hydrator-3.3. Apply a cling wrapper over the paper towels to control evaporation. Check dryness of leather and re-apply Hydrator-3.3 often. The leather must be maintained wet.
The cling wrap can be left on for up to 72hrs to soften up the leather structure. There should be a little moisture oozing out when pressed with fingers and thumb to have the hydration at its optimum level during this dwell time.
When the leather is limp and soft, the cling wrapper can be removed and soiling is extracted with a terry cloth towel until the towel shows clean.
While still damp, spray Fatliquor-5.0 onto the leather and spread with the foam brush so as to be fully absorbed by the leather. Re-apply as needed. In each application cycle, 83.33% of the fatliquor water content needs to be evaporated. It is the fat and oil contents that are essential to supple up the leather. The fat plumps the leather and the oil lubricates for softness. When the Fatliquor-5.0 application pools on the surface, this indicates sufficient absorption has occurred.
Let the leather dry naturally without applied heat. When a surface shine appears, remove it with Hydrator-3.3 until the milky residue is removed from the surface.
4. Strengthen
The purpose of this step is to seal, strengthen and level out uneven absorption for the dyeing process. It fills and tightens with good leveling properties that are film-forming to improve abrasion resistance. It is meant to work on below-surface weakness or over-stretching, especially the creases in the leather.
Shake well and apply Impregnator-26 with brush-1 to saturate all weak, overstretched and highly absorbent damaged areas.
Concentrate on weak areas. Wipe off unnecessary excess to prevent build-up.
Sand off surface excess when dry with 1000/2000 grit sandpaper.
5. Prime
The purpose of this step is to ensure proper sealing and adhesion of the color dye.
Shake well, spread evenly with 3M white Scotch-Brite pad (2500) to work into grooves and worn areas. The excess is wiped away with a lint-free towel or until the towel shows clean.
Let dry naturally or speed dry with a heat gun.
6. Dye
The purpose of this step to apply the color dye coat.
Mix Micro-54 dye and Thickener-48 to stabilize the dye during spraying.
Setup airbrush for spraying and adjust air pressure for proper pattern.
Apply a light coat and allow to dry. Accelerate drying with heat gun.
Apply additional light coats as necessary.
7. Topcoat
The purpose of this step is to provide a thin but tough clear polyurethane topcoat to protect against abrasion and wear.
Setup airbrush for spraying and adjust air pressure for proper pattern.
Apply a light coat and allow to dry. Accelerate drying with heat gun.
Apply 2 more light coats.
8. Protect
The purpose of this step is to provide a non-stick, rub-resistant protection to the leather and a leather-like scent. This is a sacrificial protection layer and must be replenished periodically.
Shake well, mist spray and spread with foam brush and it is ready to use when dry.
During routine application, use a lint-free white towel to pick up soiling at the same time.
Updated with revisions to color coat and topcoat
BMW Black Nappa Leather Seat Refinishing
BMW Nappa leather is a full-grain leather, which means the surface has not been removed or altered. Accordingly it retains a lot of the original textures and markings of the hide. This semi-aniline leather has a finisher applied to it for durability as well as more pigmentation than aniline products. Despite these enhancements it still retains a natural look since it’s the original grain surface of the skin that’s not been altered beyond the hair being removed.
When refinishing BMW Nappa leather, care must be taken to not diminish the grain surface. This applies especially to the use of abrasives during cleaning and preparation steps.
BMW Nappa Leather is made for BMW by the German company Bader Leather.
Leather Doctor Refinishing Chemicals
1. Degrease: Degrease-2.2>Acidifier-2.0
2. Strip: Stripper-2.3>Rinse-3.0
3. Condition: Hydrate-3.3>Fatliquor-5.0>Hydrate-3.3
4. Strengthen: Impregnator-26
5. Prime: Adhesor-73
6. Color Coat: Micro-54 + Thickener-48
7. Topcoat: MicroTop-54G + Duller-63
8. Protect: Protector-B+
Leather Doctor Refinishing Tools
brush-1 (horsehair)
brush-2 (stiff nylon)
brush-9 (very stiff nylon)
foam brush-3
eraser-4
paper towels-5
Other Tools
3M Grey Scotch-Brite pad (600-800) #7448
3M White Scotch-Brite pad (2500) #7445
3M wet-or-dry sandpaper 1000/1500/2000
white terry cloth towels
cling wrap
sponge applicator
airbrush
air compressor
air regulator
mask or respirator
heat gun
Procedure
1. Degreasing
The purpose of this step is to degrease the leather of penetrated oil, grease and sweat stains from skin, food, drink and other sources.
Shake Degreaser-2.2 until it gels. Spray onto seat surface and saturate to reach penetrated soiling with appropriate brushes and erasers and extract with dry terry cloth towel until towel shows clean.
Re-apply and allow a dwelling time of 5 to 60 minutes (or before it dries) for a complete soiling suspension to occur and towel extract until it shows clean.
Spray Acidifier-2.0 to saturate penetrated soiling and use dry terry cotton towel to extract until towel shows clean.
Proceed immediately to step 2 to keep the moisture content up.
2. Stripping
The purpose of this step is to remove the clear polyurethane topcoat finish.
Lightly sand clear topcoat finish (avoid raised seams) with 3M grey Scotch-Brite pad. Avoid sanding the leather grain, sand only the clear topcoat finish.
Spray Stripper-2.3 onto clear topcoat finish and agitate with brush-1. Further agitate with brush-2, brush-9 or eraser-4 as necessary. Avoid spraying onto leather grains as Stripper-2.3 does dry up the leather fatliquor (fat and oil) too.
Extract suspended finish with terry cloth towel before it dries.
Spray Rinse-3.0 onto leather and agitate with brush-1.
Extract suspended soiling with terry cloth towel before it dries.
Proceed immediately to step 2 to keep the moisture content up.
3. Conditioning
The purpose of this step is to rejuvenate the leather by replenishing the moisture, fat and oils in the leather which will increase the softness, plumpness and strength of the leather.
Apply Hydrator-3.3 to pre-condition the leather. Use brush-1 to agitate and remove surface soiling. Extract with a terry cloth towel until the towel shows clean.
Re-apply Hydrator-3.3 with the foam brush and allow it to be absorbed into the leather. Apply paper towels-5 to the leather surface without air gaps and saturate with Hydrator-3.3. Apply a cling wrapper over the paper towels to control evaporation. Check dryness of leather and re-apply Hydrator-3.3 often. The leather must be maintained wet.
The cling wrap can be left on for up to 72hrs to soften up the leather structure. There should be a little moisture oozing out when pressed with fingers and thumb to have the hydration at its optimum level during this dwell time.
When the leather is limp and soft, the cling wrapper can be removed and soiling is extracted with a terry cloth towel until the towel shows clean.
While still damp, spray Fatliquor-5.0 onto the leather and spread with the foam brush so as to be fully absorbed by the leather. Re-apply as needed. In each application cycle, 83.33% of the fatliquor water content needs to be evaporated. It is the fat and oil contents that are essential to supple up the leather. The fat plumps the leather and the oil lubricates for softness. When the Fatliquor-5.0 application pools on the surface, this indicates sufficient absorption has occurred.
Let the leather dry naturally without applied heat. When a surface shine appears, remove it with Hydrator-3.3 until the milky residue is removed from the surface.
4. Strengthen
The purpose of this step is to seal, strengthen and level out uneven absorption for the color coat process. It fills and tightens with good leveling properties that are film-forming to improve abrasion resistance. It is meant to work on below-surface weakness or over-stretching, especially the creases in the leather.
Shake well and apply Impregnator-26 with brush-1 to saturate all weak, overstretched and highly absorbent damaged areas.
Concentrate on weak areas. Wipe off unnecessary excess to prevent build-up.
Use Hydrator-3.3 to wipe surface residue to avoid the use of the sandpaper.
5. Prime
The purpose of this step is to ensure proper sealing and adhesion of the color coat.
Shake well, spread Adhesor-73 evenly with a 3M white Scotch-Brite pad (2500) to work into grooves and worn areas. Wipe away the excess with a white terry cloth towel.
Let dry naturally or speed dry with a heat gun.
6. Color coat
The purpose of this step to apply the color coat. Micro-54 is designed for micro pigmented leathers also known as semi-aniline. This is a water-based pigment color coat.
The first coat is applied by sponge. This is done to work the color into hard to reach areas and to also minimise later spray applications. Dab the sponge onto the leather and avoid creating streaks.
The next step is to spray the leather color onto the leather using the airbrush to produce a uniform and professional appearance.
Mix Micro-54 and Thickener-48 to stabilize the color coat during spraying.
Setup airbrush for spraying and adjust air pressure for proper pattern.
Working with one seat panel at a time, first spray the seams and around the edges. Then proceed to spray on thin coats, overlaping 50%, until it looks nice and uniform.
Allow each coat to dry before spraying the next. Accelerate drying with heat gun.
7. Topcoat
The purpose of this step is to provide a thin but tough clear polyurethane topcoat to protect against abrasion and wear. MicroTop-54 is the matching sealing topcoat in this pigment series system. Duller-63 is used to adjust the surface sheen. BMW Nappa Leather should have a semi-matte appearance.
To adjust the surface sheen for semi-matte, mix MicroTop-54G (Gloss) with Duller-63 by adding approximately 35% Duller-63.
Setup airbrush for spraying and adjust air pressure for proper pattern.
Apply a light coat and allow to dry. Accelerate drying with heat gun. Apply 2 more light coats or as needed.
8. Protect
The purpose of this step is to provide a non-stick, rub-resistant protection to the leather and a leather-like scent.
Shake well, spray Protector-B+ onto the leather and spread with foam brush. It is ready to use when dry.
This is a sacrificial protection layer and must be replenished periodically. Re-apply every couple of months or as necessary.