Coloured Seat Treatments

[Silverstar]

I thought I read when doing my initial research, that the material used in the E89 isn't actually leather at all - but some kind of synthetic vinyl that looks like leather (which backs up what you say basically).

The conditioner sure smells nice though

I have heard this rumour many a times usually from someone on a forum but I have also read somewhere from one of the leather specialist website I think (although I can't remember which / where) that it is leather but it's a lower quality leather compared to BMWs Nappa leather which is softer smoother. These days usually all car leathers are coated with a lacquer like protector even the higher end Nappa. Is that coating that gives it water repellency. So it's probably true that there isn't much point in using a conditioner, probably better to clean it and then use protective coating, something like Gyeon Leather. As far as I know BMW have never fitted 'fake' leather, Mercedes on the other hand have something called MB tex although I am not sure if they still use it.

EDIT: I just found this, it isn't the same one I remember reading before but the content is very similar, Kansas leather in the Z4 is the same as Dakota / Nevada. Turns out I am wrong BMW did have some kind of 'fake' leather, it was called sensatec:

http://blogs.youwheel.com/2015/05/03/not-created-equal-bmw-leather-explained/

here's another:

https://www.bmwblog.com/2019/12/23/know-your-leather-here-are-the-different-types-of-bmw-leather-options/

 

[maxman]

Bought this product from Amozon,dabbed it on and worked it in with a cloth.Day 1 two applications,same day 2
Pics show before and after.I will give another application today.

 

[Silverstar]

Bought this product from Amozon,dabbed it on and worked it in with a cloth.Day 1 two applications,same day 2
Pics show before and after.I will give another application today.

That looks somewhat better than what The Furniture Clinic supplied me. Ironically I just ordered a stick that looks exactly like that from eBay, so what did you do dab it with the stick and rubbed it in with the cloth? or dabbed it with the cloth?

I am hoping to get better results then what I had previously!

 

[maxman]

Bought this product from Amozon,dabbed it on and worked it in with a cloth.Day 1 two applications,same day 2
Pics show before and after.I will give another application today.

That looks somewhat better than what The Furniture Clinic supplied me. Ironically I just ordered a stick that looks exactly like that from eBay, so what did you do dab it with the stick and rubbed it in with the cloth? or dabbed it with the cloth?

I am hoping to get better results then what I had previously!

Yes I dabbed it on (it has a sponge applicator at the outlet) then worked it in with a cloth.I left it 4hrs inbetween doses.
With postage from Amozon the cost was £11.For that you get 2 x 10ml

 

[Silverstar]

Bought this product from Amozon,dabbed it on and worked it in with a cloth.Day 1 two applications,same day 2
Pics show before and after.I will give another application today.

That looks somewhat better than what The Furniture Clinic supplied me. Ironically I just ordered a stick that looks exactly like that from eBay, so what did you do dab it with the stick and rubbed it in with the cloth? or dabbed it with the cloth?

I am hoping to get better results then what I had previously!

Yes I dabbed it on (it has a sponge applicator at the outlet) then worked it in with a cloth.I left it 4hrs inbetween doses.
With postage from Amozon the cost was £11.For that you get 2 x 10ml

Perfect thanks

 

[Timmyboybunter]

but it's a lower quality leather compared to BMWs Nappa leather which is softer smoother.

Interesting read, thanks for the link. Is the 'nappa' in mine different to other cars then - part of the extended leather option along with the nice-but-annoying alcantara panels?

Pics show before and after.I will give another application today.

Good result I'd say - very similar to Silverstar's 'after' pic above, just a very faint hint of a lighter colour where the mark was. I wonder if a few more coats will make that disappear.

 

[Silverstar]

Interesting read, thanks for the link. Is the 'nappa' in mine different to other cars then - part of the extended leather option along with the nice-but-annoying alcantara panels?

If yours is Nappa then it should be the same Nappa that BMW uses in its other cars. The 28i I test drove had extended Nappa leather I believe, it definitely felt softer smoother and altogether much nicer than the basic Kansas / Dakota leather.

 

[Phil40]

Before:
Base before.jpg
Base 2 before.jpg
Bolster 2 before.jpg

After:
Base after.jpg
Base 2 after.jpg
Bolster 3 after.jpg

How Very good
Did you get exactly same color ?

 

[Timmyboybunter]

Did you get exactly same color ?

Yup, the colour match was spot on. You honestly wouldn't know I had that mark on the bolster if you look at the seat now. Top stuff!

 

[Phil40]

Ok good, where i can buy products you used (specially for color) ?
Thanks in advance

 

[Timmyboybunter]

Ok good, where i can buy products you used (specially for color) ?
Thanks in advance

Best bet is to read this thread from the beginning - will answer all your questions

 

[Nick9one1]

Bought this product from Amozon,dabbed it on and worked it in with a cloth.Day 1 two applications,same day 2
Pics show before and after.I will give another application today.

That's a really good match and looks almost invisible.
To follow up I would use some leather finish (lacquer) to give it an extra layer of protection like it had from the factory.

This is from the same manufacturer as the Furniture Clinic Coral Red touch-up kit you used.

The Leather Clinic Scuff Resistant Leather Finish. Extremely hard wearing. Ideal for repairs

You only need the smallest bottle, and satin is a good match for the factory finish.
Just use a small sponge to dab it over the repaired area.

 

[Stash36]

Hi, is Timmyboybunter still around? I wonder how the seat has fared a couple of years down the line?
My bolster is pretty horrid now and looking at the product he used.

 

[Timmyboybunter]

Yup

Though the car was sold to a chap in Scotland, would be interesting to know how it has lasted. He is a member here but would need to wade through some posts to find him.

Should never have sold that car in hindsight - preferred it to the 35is that followed for lots of reasons.

 

[Stash36]

Thanks mate. I've ordered the product anyway so well see how we go. Yours looked amazing on the pics, will post here when I do it.

 

[Silverstar]

Should never have sold that car in hindsight - preferred it to the 35is that followed for lots of reasons.

That's interesting, just out of interest what made you prefer it to the more powerful 35is? :?

 

[Timmyboybunter]

That's interesting, just out of interest what made you prefer it to the more powerful 35is? :?

Combination of things really at the time, not all of them specifically related to that car (which was an amazing example) but more to my feeble attempts to try and use it as a daily:

Too perfect - paranoid about parking it in car parks, adding too many miles and affecting resale value, general 2nd hand 35is price trends

Too fast - you can really wring the 23i/30i out at will, the (remapped) 35is just gets up to very illegal speeds so quickly and easily

Obnoxiously loud on start up (easily fixed by reversing golf tee mod) but the general pops/bangs wore off quickly. 10 years ago would have kept me grinning.

Possibility of big bills if not already addressed or under warranty (dcc, turbo, injectors etc)

Biggest personal gripe: the DCT is bloody awful, compared to the slushbox in the 23i/30i. Low speed movements/junctions especially.

All first world problems I know and all those observations apply to 'any' expensive-ish toy car.

Truly an amazing machine and glad to have it in the memory banks, but I'd have another 30i auto and nothing else if shopping around again.