I just found some really nice leather seats that I'll be installing into the old/new Nova. The only problem is they are not the color I want, (they are light gray and I want something more like the light oak G.M. color). Would Dye hold up to extended use or should I have them redone?

LSX

SEM products are not dyes or paints, they call them "permanent flexible coatings", and yes they will hold up to long term use if properly applied. You have the perfect situation with brand new leather. You could re-color your seats for far less than having them re-done. Check out their website HERE
scroll down to page 4 to see how to re-color leather.

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No one lives forever, the trick is creating something that will.
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I am not sure the dye will be the issue..getting the color right may be the problem in this case..If you were going for black or red then it would work..Only thing I can say is to get some dye and try it somewhere as a test to see if the color can be made right..

I will go with what Dan says though as he is the guy..

Sam

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I would rather make it work than make it popular..And if it does not work it will not be popular..

SEM Sure Coat, which is the product recommended for leather, can be custom mixed to any color, so that is not a problem. The other product they recommend for leather is Classic Coat, but that only comes in aerosols to match new OEM car interior colors and can't be custom mixed.

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No one lives forever, the trick is creating something that will.
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Thank's for posting the link to the SEM Sure Coat. Lots of good info. I found it interesting that I will need to sand the surface. Does the sanding process give the coating more adhesion? Is the SEM coating the same type of material the leather companies use to create a color?

LSX

While you could sand with 400 to 600 grit sandpaper, I would just use a grey scotchbrite pad. It is only meant to clean the surface of the leather to remove dirt, grease, etc., not provide "bite" for the coating. If you'd like, there are adhesion promoters you can add to the coating.

It's not the same type of thing the leather tanners use. There are many different methods the tanners use to color their leather.

BTW, if you decide to do this, I would put the covers on the seat frames first, then clean them and spray them. You can also brush on Sure Coat.

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No one lives forever, the trick is creating something that will.
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The cover are on the seats and sitting in the car, (not bolted down yet). They really look good in the old Nova, (almost factory looking). I will have to come up with a door panel design that doesn't look out of place, console, package tray, headliner, etc., etc. Hope this never ends because I'll having a lot of fun doing it.

LSX

You might also want to look at Parasol Inc. for leather and vinyl dye. I have had really good luck with their products on older muscle cars.