Thoughts on 2 tone re-colouring leather

[The Dent Guy]

I need peoples opinions on the modification im considering.

I have a silver sport coupe facelift panoramic with black leather - the classic colour combo for modern mercs, or so im told.

Im considering having the centre panels of the seats (front and rear)coloured to "Berry Red" - a kind of muted red, not bright or garish at all. Nothing else - like door cards etc - just the centre of the seats. I've seen this colour combo on a W209 CLK soft top with black hood. I had never seen this before and have never seen this combo since but, i thought it looked amazing.

I noticed on the sport coupe in my local stealer, only the seat centres were coloured differently. Is this the case for all sport coupes or are most door cards coloured as well with 2 tone interiors ?

Anyway - I thought I'd ask your opinions on general likeability and possible cost.

 

[television]

Changing the colour from black is not good, the red would be very dull, it does chip- wear off this would not look good.. red is the weakest colour in the spectrum also.

Have you asked anyone for a re cover quote

 

[verytalldave]

As you think it is "amazing", then I would have thought the opinions of others would not be required.
However, recolouring leather is not something I know much about. I dont think I would try to do it myself as I would think any home/DIY treatment would wear off and discolour clothes.
You would then be left with a car looking like a dogs dinner.
You would have to contact a professional car reupholsterer to get accurate costs.

 

[The Dent Guy]

Changing the colour from black is not good, the red would be very dull, it does chip- wear off this would not look good.. red is the weakest colour in the spectrum also.

Have you asked anyone for a re cover quote

Yeah - £1400 - £1800

As you think it is "amazing", then I would have thought the opinions of others would not be required.
However, recolouring leather is not something I know much about. I dont think I would try to do it myself as I would think any home/DIY treatment would wear off and discolour clothes.
You would then be left with a car looking like a dogs dinner.
You would have to contact a professional car reupholsterer to get accurate costs.

Just want someone elses input to help with my decision and im also considering re-sale value if its a combination most would walk away from.

As for DIY - i wouldn't attempt it myself. I would def need a pro. Will contact a local firm today who do connollising for my local stealer. Will let you all know what they say.

 

[verytalldave]

If its what YOU want, then go for it. Any modification can reflect on its resale value - up and down. It depends on the potential buyers opinion more than anything else.
If I wanted what you are considering - and I could afford it - I would have it done - regardless of the resale aspect.
If you dont do it, you will regret it later.

 

[Alfie]

I need peoples opinions on the modification im considering.

I have a silver sport coupe facelift panoramic with black leather - the classic colour combo for modern mercs, or so im told.

Im considering having the centre panels of the seats (front and rear)coloured to "Berry Red" - a kind of muted red, not bright or garish at all. Nothing else - like door cards etc - just the centre of the seats. I've seen this colour combo on a W209 CLK soft top with black hood. I had never seen this before and have never seen this combo since but, i thought it looked amazing.

I noticed on the sport coupe in my local stealer, only the seat centres were coloured differently. Is this the case for all sport coupes or are most door cards coloured as well with 2 tone interiors ?

Anyway - I thought I'd ask your opinions on general likeability and possible cost.

Having red instead of black will affect resale value and saleability.

connolising leather is good in the short term but after a few weeks/months as the leather creaes it can start to look awful.

 

[television]

Having red instead of black will affect resale value and saleability.

connolising leather is good in the short term but after a few weeks/months as the leather creaes it can start to look awful.

As Alfie, its OK doing one thin coat of the same colour, but to change it will not last

 

[Rose Chap]

I'd be wary of doing this. I've got two tone designo leather inside my CLK. Black (or a very dark grey) and blue.

This sounds a bit iffy but works quite well, however, one of the reasons it does look 'right' is because the theme is continued on the gear knob, steering wheel, door cards, head rests, rear seats etc.

 

[The Dent Guy]

Thought I'd revive this thread.......

Having read members comments, i decided to shelve the idea of red/black re-colouring of my leather - until now. As i've decided to keep my car, rather than sell because of the mileage - and as values have taken a hit, I will be doing some mods instead.

In progress is the AMG front bumper and will probably follow with BEM trim on the centre console.

But, re-colouring leather...... i think i need a little encouragement or be told to forget it completely.

I've done some "in depth" fact finding and it appears that the finish stands up very well against wear and tear.

Below is the intended result - what do you all think?

 

[Howard]

I like it , but the car i am currently looking at has a black and red leather interior , so i may be biased ...

 

[crockers]

I like it ..but what's the cost???

 

[bolide]

Am I missing something here? Why don't you just have the seat centre panels replaced with the colour & material you want? It's not a huge job and I suspect it would give you a better finish than recolouring the original

You should have a local upholstery shop that could do a pair of seats for £150 or so

Nick Froome
www.w124.co.uk

 

[Mark300SL]

You should have a local upholstery shop that could do a pair of seats for £150 or so

I agree with Nick - I had the drivers side bolster replaced on my SL for the princely sum of £75 - and that included them removing and refitting the seat!

 

[The Dent Guy]

Am I missing something here? Why don't you just have the seat centre panels replaced with the colour & material you want? It's not a huge job and I suspect it would give you a better finish than recolouring the original

You should have a local upholstery shop that could do a pair of seats for £150 or so

Nick Froome
www.w124.co.uk

err.... add a zero to the end of that figure - as a minimum.

Been quoted £450 ish for the re-colour.

 

[bolide]

err.... add a zero to the end of that figure - as a minimum.

Been quoted £450 ish for the re-colour.

You're talking to the wrong people then. How much is two yards of the red leather in your previous post plus time to remake the centre panels of two (four?) seats? If it's £1500 someone is taking the p1ss

In fact, new seat covers from Mercedes would probably be less than that!

Nick Froome
www.w124.co.uk

 

[The Dent Guy]

Well, thats what i was quoted from a re-trimmers. And don't forget the labour involved too.

Dont get me wrong, im all for keeping the cost down but, if £1500 is taking the p*** , would you mind sharing with us who the "right" people are then?

 

[Mark300SL]

These are the guys I use - not local to you but very good prices for anyone in the Essex area.
http://hrsautotrim.com/


Dean at HRS also replaced the rear windows in my SL soft top (roof removal job) for £300, and quoted me £375 to completely retrim a pair of CRX Recaro style seats.
These guys really know their stuff and I am happy to recommend them

 

[bolide]

You could try KBaggs in Dorset:

http://www.kbaggstrimming.co.uk

Also:
http://www.touchgloucester.com/business/search/typeId/301/type/Car+Trimmers+&+Upholstery+Contractors

http://www.yell.com/quickclicks/SP/C/Car_Trimming_and_Upholstery_Mfrs/gloucestershire/1


Nick Froome
www.w124.co.uk

 

[Smatt]

My personal opinion is that if you want it to look a bit more individual, go for something that was an option(even if it was rare like designo) & copy that. This way it will still be sellable and will have that stock(albeit less common) look.
For example, you could get it refitted with grey centre panels like some sport editions came with, or brown like the designo options.
Although the red may have been a genuine option in the clk, it never was on a coupe & is rather more personal, so you would narrow your buyers when reselling.
Of course you could get some extra 2nd hand seats & do work on those & when you want to sell, just put the stock ones back in.
If you are planning to keep it some time, then just go for it & don't worry about devaluing it a little( years down the line), compared to enriching it to your personal taste while you are enjoying owning it.

 

[The Dent Guy]

Cheers smatt - i like the way your thinking.

Pitty the standard sport coupe leather colours were only black or black/grey. I dont have a Designo brochure, but there is a pic of Designo trim in the model brochure - with very subdued lighting it looks black and reddy brown......but apparently it's Lava Red and Black, according to the write up next to the pic.

Also, the Black Birds Eye Maple is called "Anthracite Cinnamora" - or is this something different, although it looks very similar?