Red leather gear and handbreak gaiters - *UPDATED*
- Thread starter Swiftly
- Start date
So, I just emailed JF Boots about whether they do a red auto gaiter or not. They don't 
However, they have said that if I send them my original they will make a red one, 'install' it on the plastic fitting and send back within 24hrs of receipt. All free of charge. Which sounds too good to be true, but then I guess they have my original that they can re-use, and I would be buying the handbrake gaiter too. Whatcha reckon ?
I can't have it done till the New Year now as we're leaving for Scotland soon, but if Swiftly confirms the right red to get (the darker one looks more like imola red leather) then I think I may well do this. I guess the only downside is that if I don't like it then I will need to buy a new black one. Hmmm.
However, they have said that if I send them my original they will make a red one, 'install' it on the plastic fitting and send back within 24hrs of receipt. All free of charge. Which sounds too good to be true, but then I guess they have my original that they can re-use, and I would be buying the handbrake gaiter too. Whatcha reckon ?
I can't have it done till the New Year now as we're leaving for Scotland soon, but if Swiftly confirms the right red to get (the darker one looks more like imola red leather) then I think I may well do this. I guess the only downside is that if I don't like it then I will need to buy a new black one. Hmmm.
I had my black sports seats releathered in cream some weeks ago - they were also going to 'dye' the gator and gear stick to match the cream seats but I didn't have time to drop them off
I'm going to take them over in the new year so will post up pics of before and after if needed
I'm going to take them over in the new year so will post up pics of before and after if needed
Bing said:So, I just emailed JF Boots about whether they do a red auto gaiter or not. They don't
However, they have said that if I send them my original they will make a red one, 'install' it on the plastic fitting and send back within 24hrs of receipt. All free of charge. Which sounds too good to be true, but then I guess they have my original that they can re-use, and I would be buying the handbrake gaiter too. Whatcha reckon ?
I can't have it done till the New Year now as we're leaving for Scotland soon, but if Swiftly confirms the right red to get (the darker one looks more like imola red leather) then I think I may well do this. I guess the only downside is that if I don't like it then I will need to buy a new black one. Hmmm.
Sounds like a doable option with a fast turn around time too! They seem to be a decent company to deal with so far and I can see you are tempted Bing.
I will let you know which shade is the best match mate, once I get the samples.ranski said:
Sounds interesting and would like to see the results once you have them done. Is it expensive to dye the gaiters?
Bing said:Be interested to see Ranski
I think the handbrake gaiter replaces the leather armrest bit around the lever too... If the colour is a good match I am getting sucked right into this
May need to do door handle covers and knee pads too :roll:
Hadn’t even thought of changing the knee pads until you had mentioned it, I think they would look super, so they too could be added to my to do list
Bing said:Apparently they are a total biatch to get off... Probably need to be custom too
There's a knack to it!
Use a very thin flathead screwdriver on the end nearest to the footwell, precise it away, you can then pull the rest of the pad with your fingers (6 clips hold it in)
ranski said:Bing said:Apparently they are a total biatch to get off... Probably need to be custom too
There's a knack to it!
Use a very thin flathead screwdriver on the end nearest to the footwell, precise it away, you can then pull the rest of the pad with your fingers (6 clips hold it in)
As always you are a fountain of knowledge mate
ZermattV said:
http://www.bespokeleathering.com/latest-news/37-bmw-oe-imola-red-leather
They also have the dies:
http://www.bespokeleathering.com/leathercare/bmwdyes
Swiftly said:Hadn’t even thought of changing the knee pads until you had mentioned it, I think they would look super, so they too could be added to my to do list
Look at my second pic, I had mine done to match the console and dash
Received the red leather samples from J F Boots. The lighter red is probably the closest match to Dream Red Oregon, the darker red is too dark though. I have taken a picture with the 2 samples laid on my Dream Red seats for comparison. The lighter red could be darkened slightly using Liquid Leather to get a near perfect match if required. Not sure if you would notice the colour shade difference that much as the gaiters will be on the centre consul and not butted up to the seats.
Good luck with matching that. As I mentioned in my earlier post, that's the most critical part of it.
powerontap said:
The lighter leather should take a darker dye okay from what I have read. For me the red gaiters don't have to be exact as long as the colour difference does not draw your eyes to them. That would drive me nuts.
What was the colour shade match like on your gaiter from LeatherZ when you had it against your seat leather? I know the light can play games as well with the colour, but your gaiter looks slightly lighter in colour compared to your seats. I think the only real test is to see how the leather looks once it is in situ.
How easy was it to attach the new gaiter onto the plastic ring and what type of adhesive is recommended?
Bing said:Looks like it could be sorted with Liquid Leather
They haven't responded to me asking to confirm the 'deal' they offered me yet...
A couple of coats of Liquid Leather should drop the shade a few notches. Keep us updated on the deal.
I think I will go ahead after the hols and order the gaiters, more concerned on how easy the plastic ring comes off the old gaiter and then re attaching it to the new gaiter.
Yes you're right, my gaiter is ever so slightly lighter in colour than my seats. The dream red tint is extremely difficult to match.
You need to gently pull the old leather off, If I remember correctly, I inserted a very small flat screwdriver under the leather's edge, then wiggling it around the base ring. Used contact glue to mount the new one on, the thick liquid kind that's applied with the cap mounted brush. During curing, the leather piece was held in place by installing an elastic band around the plastic base, keeping it there for 24 hours.
Your seller should be able to supply you with a step-by-step, shouldn't he?
You need to gently pull the old leather off, If I remember correctly, I inserted a very small flat screwdriver under the leather's edge, then wiggling it around the base ring. Used contact glue to mount the new one on, the thick liquid kind that's applied with the cap mounted brush. During curing, the leather piece was held in place by installing an elastic band around the plastic base, keeping it there for 24 hours.
Your seller should be able to supply you with a step-by-step, shouldn't he?
As the other guys have said, you will find it hard to get an exact match, whether it be dye or leather
When I had the (black) sports seats that I sourced releathered to match the existing cream interior I had some crazy quotes
To source the same BMW leather was going to cost upwards of £1200
In the end I went for the nearest match which was £720. The seats are now notidentical to the interior plastics, but I guess this is the trader off when you go for the cheaper price
When I had the (black) sports seats that I sourced releathered to match the existing cream interior I had some crazy quotes
To source the same BMW leather was going to cost upwards of £1200
In the end I went for the nearest match which was £720. The seats are now notidentical to the interior plastics, but I guess this is the trader off when you go for the cheaper price