Boot polish

[Conicuzn]

I know it sounds like a stupid idea, but has anyone tried using boot/shoe polish on their interior to change the colour or refresh it?

I was tempted to go down the refinishing route with some vinyl (and lots and lots of glue!) but thought it might be a quicker/easier job with wax/polish/stain, since I have no garage and can't rely on the weather to hold out when doing a job like taking the whole dash out!!

Just an idea, wondered if anyone had attempted

 

[NDFR]

Ermmmmm

*seriously confused

 

[Scott_F]

It's not a stupid idea - it's a great idea.

As long as you want the back of your clothes smeared in shoe polish every time you get into your car and your upholstery ruined.

 

[stwat]

I say go for it. Do one side with the vinyl and glue, the other side the boot polish then compare which is rhe best result, then go with that one. I'd love to see some pictures of the results

 

[kwk]

It is April 1st.

 

[flango]

Good for scuffed black leather as long as you deal it afterwards

 

[Conicuzn]

Haha, I only wanna do the dash, not the actual seats

I don't know if it would rub off that easy though, as long as it's been buffed... It's not like your shoes make the bottoms of your trousers go funny?

 

[Palfrem]

make the bottoms of your trousers go funny?

...amusing trousers - nightmare!

 

[ringway]

It's common practice in New Zealand by most KIWI'S.

 

[automaniaman]

Cherry Bollsom velour, nice...

 

[SLKNick]

Whatever you are doing, the most important step is to wash everything down first with a damp cloth and not just once but several times. Washing-up liquid is a big no-no particularly on leather, the detergent is far to aggressive. Just old fashioned soap, water and elbow grease will work wonders.

Boot polish works fine on all leather except matt finished. The challenge is to get a good colour match. The liquid types are easier to apply and offer better opportunities for colour matching as they come in wide variety of colours and you can mix in things like coloured vinyl restorers or even paint. If you have cream leather or are worried about damaging the original colour just use a shoe cream which will feed the leather but not affect the colour.

For bad scuffs or deep scratches, pre-treat using one of those kiddies painting sets and an artists brush. The colour will soak into the grain of the leather better although you will need several applications and they take a little time to dry.

For vinyl parts you can (sparingly) use a can of household polish to freshen it up. Try and avoid the sort that contains silicon. Don't just spray it on and wipe off that will leave a streaky appearance, just a shortest tap onto a soft cloth and work it well into the cloth before touching it to the vinyl.

But the main trick is time, a little elbow grease and whatever you are applying, less is better. If you don't apply enough of anything, you can always go over it again. If you apply too much of anything it is much harder to remove.

 

[SLKNick]

... and in answer to the original posters question, vinyl paint to change colour. But the preparation needs to be 300% or it will chip and peal and in six months time it will look like it has acne and you will have to do it again properly.

 

[SLKNick]

This product from Germany works well, available on ebay, other colours available.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qFWtxZK21zw

Mercedes leather+Interior paint anthracite ,SLK R 170 | eBay

 

[gIzzE]

If you are serious, buy a few cans of this stuff...

Mercedes | VOLICO.de - von Liebenstein Consulting | Your contact partner for leather and interior paints for Mercedes, BMW, Audi and Porsche

 

[Dec]

I know it sounds like a stupid idea, but has anyone tried using boot/shoe polish on their interior to change the colour or refresh it?

I was tempted to go down the refinishing route with some vinyl (and lots and lots of glue!) but thought it might be a quicker/easier job with wax/polish/stain, since I have no garage and can't rely on the weather to hold out when doing a job like taking the whole dash out!!

Just an idea, wondered if anyone had attempted

I always thought that the top of the dash is intended, by the manufactures, to be a matt finish so as to avoid reflection when the sun was shining.

Dec

 

[Conicuzn]

Yeah, I don't want to dramtically change the finish or anything, I just wanted to change the bluish grey (which is looking a little dated) to black