Belated thanks to Stubie

[alanjay]

Last Autumn I acquired some Leather dye from Stubie to refurbish my Leather/Walnut steering wheel but logic (laziness) dictated weather conditions/humidity might make it difficult for it to set.

So today I finally got round to using it and I can only say what a brilliant product.

Easy to apply and a perfect colour match, so if you need to refurbish tarnished leather and Stubie has the colour you need, don't hesitate in ordering some.

[STUBIE]

Thanks Alan glad it did the business.

Stubs

[marinabrian]

Last Autumn I acquired some Leather dye from Stubie to refurbish my Leather/Walnut steering wheel but logic (laziness) dictated weather conditions/humidity might make it difficult for it to set.

So today I finally got round to using it and I can only say what a brilliant product.

Easy to apply and a perfect colour match, so if you need to refurbish tarnished leather and Stubie has the colour you need, don't hesitate in ordering some.

All you need to do now Alan is to fit a fiddle knob to the steering wheel ;)

That way you won't ruin the finish by actually touching it

On that note, does anyone know of a matte finish sealer to prevent the paint from coming off after about a month or so ?

Brian :D

[Woof25]

I believe rustolem do a matt seal spray Brian I just bought their gloss spray for when I get round to cleaning my headlights so I can seal them after to prevent further discolouration according to gurus on YouTube

[marinabrian]

Well, I've opted for THIS (http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/201331801535?_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649&var=500530639732&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT)

I shall keep you updated with the results of whether it improves the durability of Stubie's paint.

Brian :D

[rich17865]

I used some autoglym leather potion on mine after painting and it hasn't come off yet.

[alanjay]

"All you need to do now Alan is to fit a fiddle knob to the steering wheel"

I try to only hold the wooden part of the wheel whenever possible, also once the dye had set I applied a coat of Sandstone coloured cream polish, hopefully that will help protect the leather from future wear.

[STUBIE]

Well, I've opted for THIS (http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/201331801535?_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649&var=500530639732&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT)

I shall keep you updated with the results of whether it improves the durability of Stubie's paint.

Brian :D

Anyone else had "durability" issues with the DYE apart from Brian who not for the 1st time seems to like to criticize when the topic is raised. Brian if it ain't any good don't use it mate.

I have never had feedback of the dye coming off in your hands as Brian has suggested before in posts or in it wearing away over a short period, it will like any material wear down over time as the original colour does. In fact the majority like the OPs post is complimentary.

As is said it's the 1% that makes you think why do I bother.

Stubs

[marinabrian]

Anyone else had "durability" issues with the DYE apart from Brian who not for the 1st time seems to like to criticize when the topic is raised. Brian if it ain't any good don't use it mate.

I have never had feedback of the dye coming off in your hands as Brian has suggested before in posts or in it wearing away over a short period, it will like any material wear down over time as the original colour does. In fact the majority like the OPs post is complimentary.

As is said it's the 1% that makes you think why do I bother.

Stubs

Why do you bother than Stu?

You have a reasonable product in as much as it cheers up a tired steering wheel, but it only lasts for a short time, the longest period in my experience being three months.

What I'm trying to do is enhance the durability of your paint, which when first applied looks fab, but unless cotton gloves are worn reverts to type in short order.

This I could understand if it were me using the car with heavily soiled hands, but no, this is the wife's car, and as a Midwife her hands are not grotty and calloused like my own.

It has to be said, constructive criticism should be taken as such, if the stuff I've bought to seal your paint does the trick, then I will shout it from the rooftops.

Brian ;)

[Johnny2R]

I've certainly never had any of the dye come off on my hands after I refurbished the steering wheel with Stubie's dye. It's been on a fair while now. It may come down to base prep - if the surface is too greasy or shiny, it probably won't hold the dye well. A Vanish soap bar and a soft nail brush are your answer there.

[STUBIE]

Why do you bother than Stu?

You have a reasonable product in as much as it cheers up a tired steering wheel, but it only lasts for a short time, the longest period in my experience being three months.

What I'm trying to do is enhance the durability of your paint, which when first applied looks fab, but unless cotton gloves are worn reverts to type in short order.

This I could understand if it were me using the car with heavily soiled hands, but no, this is the wife's car, and as a Midwife her hands are not grotty and calloused like my own.

It has to be said, constructive criticism should be taken as such, if the stuff I've bought to seal your paint does the trick, then I will shout it from the rooftops.

Brian ;)

Constructive criticism you say, I know of 3 perhaps 4 threads where you have "dissed" they dye. Your entitled to you opinion obviously but no one else has made the same complaint and even here on a thread in support of the dye you have added your opinion again.

Just sort of smacks of nastiness to me mate.

Stubs

[marinabrian]

I've certainly never had any of the dye come off on my hands after I refurbished the steering wheel with Stubie's dye. It's been on a fair while now. It may come down to base prep - if the surface is too greasy or shiny, it probably won't hold the dye well. A Vanish soap bar and a soft nail brush are your answer there.

On six separate occasions, the preparation consisted of.....

Cillit Bang and a toothbrush

Cellulose thinners and a tack cloth

Vanish soap bar and nailbrush (as per your suggestion)

Isopropanol

mentholated spirit and scotchbrite

On each and every occasion, the wheel was left to dry naturally prior to application of the paint, and between coats of which at least ten were applied in thin layers to build up the finish.

I could go on, but needless to say, thorough surface prep is not the issue.

The product itself is not a dye, but a water based paint, a dye penetrates the substrate, this coats the top.

This wouldn't be a problem in "low traffic areas" but a steering wheel is not a low traffic area.

As an aside, if you clean the finish with anything more aggressive than soapy water, it will wash off.

I used the finish following glowing reports from other people, however it simply isn't up to the job if left untreated.

Eventually I gave up and bought another wheel, but am willing to experiment with it, as it was given to my father to fit to his car.

I will report back on the results of the latest trial, I hope it works, as when first done the wheel looks like new :drool4:

Brian :D

[Jordan Apex]

They should always be sealed after anyway as they would have been from new, modern leather is coloured and then sealed it is the only way to protect it! Much like lacquer for paintwork :)

The prep is important but it's not the only step to take :)

[alanjay]

Anyone else had "durability" issues with the DYE apart from Brian who not for the 1st time seems to like to criticize when the topic is raised. Brian if it ain't any good don't use it mate.

I have never had feedback of the dye coming off in your hands as Brian has suggested before in posts or in it wearing away over a short period, it will like any material wear down over time as the original colour does. In fact the majority like the OPs post is complimentary.

As is said it's the 1% that makes you think why do I bother.

Stubs

As OP I'd like to re-iterate I think it's a great product and is indeed a dye and not "paint" as Brian describes it.

It might be Brian has come on to criticise because he noted the praise was coming from the owner of a Moonstone and we all know his opinion of that colour.

[marinabrian]

As OP I'd like to re-iterate I think it's a great product and is indeed a dye and not "paint" as Brian describes it.

It might be Brian has come on to criticise because he noted the praise was coming from the owner of a Moonstone and we all know his opinion of that colour.

Alan, spray a little cillit bang on to your fingertip and rub your steering wheel ;)


I guarantee it is paint and not dye Stuart is selling, and it does wear off in short order.

Nothing to do with the colour of your car, I have approached Stuart on previous occasions to see if a solution to the problem could be sought, but the suggestion the application of beeswax certainly doesn't work either

Best of luck

Brian :getmecoat:

[marinabrian]

Anyone else had "durability" issues with the DYE apart from Brian who not for the 1st time seems to like to criticize when the topic is raised. Brian if it ain't any good don't use it mate.

I have never had feedback of the dye coming off in your hands as Brian has suggested before in posts or in it wearing away over a short period, it will like any material wear down over time as the original colour does. In fact the majority like the OPs post is complimentary.

As is said it's the 1% that makes you think why do I bother.

Stubs

Right Stuart, if the product is a "dye" why is it a wheel which was sandstone originally and "dyed" with your "dye" smokestone, revert to sandstone once the "dye" has been washed off :p:

Anyway here are some pictures of my sandstone and walnut wheel which has been painted Smokestone with Stubie's paint

This time the painted finish has been sealed with an ultra durable satin finish leather sealant (http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/201331801535?_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649&var=500530639732&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT), so we will see if this improves the longevity of the painted finish.

It may be many things, but a dye is not one of them....

http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg279/marinabrian/photo%202_zpsdcuvqvof.jpg (http://s250.photobucket.com/user/marinabrian/media/photo%202_zpsdcuvqvof.jpg.html)

http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg279/marinabrian/photo%201_zpskhbkhzwm.jpg (http://s250.photobucket.com/user/marinabrian/media/photo%201_zpskhbkhzwm.jpg.html)

http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg279/marinabrian/photo%205_zpszybntk56.jpg (http://s250.photobucket.com/user/marinabrian/media/photo%205_zpszybntk56.jpg.html)

http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg279/marinabrian/photo%204_zpswckhkykv.jpg (http://s250.photobucket.com/user/marinabrian/media/photo%204_zpswckhkykv.jpg.html)

http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg279/marinabrian/photo%203_zpsxi61rpu6.jpg (http://s250.photobucket.com/user/marinabrian/media/photo%203_zpsxi61rpu6.jpg.html)

http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg279/marinabrian/photo%201_zpsowhryobp.jpg (http://s250.photobucket.com/user/marinabrian/media/photo%201_zpsowhryobp.jpg.html)

http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg279/marinabrian/photo%201_zpscup6vgsw.jpg (http://s250.photobucket.com/user/marinabrian/media/photo%201_zpscup6vgsw.jpg.html)

http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg279/marinabrian/photo%202_zpszkbw0mfo.jpg (http://s250.photobucket.com/user/marinabrian/media/photo%202_zpszkbw0mfo.jpg.html)

If this fails, I will do what I should have done in the first place, and have the wheel retrimmed professionally.

For anyone doubting what I am pointing out here, spray a little Cilit Bang on your finger tip, and rub it on an inconspicuous area of trim that has been painted with Stubies "dye"

Pound to a pinch of salt says you will end up with a fingertip that matches your trim ;)

Brian :D

[Woof25]

I too have usedvthe dye furnished by stubie an it works well but as Brian says over time it does wear off and need touching up, I think the issue is more about the leather not absorbing the dye but forming a layer, so Brian's solution of a sealant is a good one in my humble opinion. We tend to forget its the acid in our skin that removes the original dye in first place maybe you would share your sealant info with stubie so we all may benefit from your combined knowledge:D

[marinabrian]

I too have usedvthe dye furnished by stubie an it works well but as Brian says over time it does wear off and need touching up, I think the issue is more about the leather not absorbing the dye but forming a layer, so Brian's solution of a sealant is a good one in my humble opinion. We tend to forget its the acid in our skin that removes the original dye in first place maybe you would share your sealant info with stubie so we all may benefit from your combined knowledge:D

Mike, the product I am trialing currently can be bought HERE (http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/201331801535?_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649&var=500530639732&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT)

I found, once one coat has been applied, it is not possible to add subsequent coats, as the sealer "beads" and certainly doesn't penetrate.

In addition, I attempted to remove the finish with Cillit Bang, a product that would wash off Stubie's paint instantly, and nothing :)

Hopefully this will be the answer, but again time will only tell.


Brian :D

[Woof25]

Friend told me dying takes place during or just after tanning what we think of Is chroming the leather and is a basically a layer on surface of completed skin, if your sealant proves durable we will only need a small bottle of it to complete repairs, wonders if it would be as durable on the leather of the seats as well. Just shows two minds are often better than one! :D:D Well done to both of you

[RN3212]

I've been eMailing a Company about Sandstone Dye and they've just confirmed that they'll send me a sample. Will post up my comments when I try it out.