New To Detailing

[SC4Million]

Hello all,

I need some help.

I recently purchased a 1992 SC400 that is in pretty good condition, HOWEVER I can never seem to leave well enough alone. There are a few things that need some TLC.

The drivers seat has what looks like some "wear spots" on the botton left side bolster and on the seat panel. It looks as if at one time somone had tried to resore the panels because the leather feels really hard and has a different texture. Like it has been painted over. This is not a huge problem except that whatever was used to fix the seat keeps coming off when I use leather cleaner on it.

So question #1 is can the leather be restored (cracks and maybe holes). And How.

If not, how much does a re-upholster run on average.

Also my car is black, and for a 1992 the paint is still glossy and shiny. HOWEVER it has swirls, they only show up when light is hitting the paint at a 90 degree angle. But they are ugly none the less.

Question #2 what is the most painless way to remove the swirls.

Thanks.

[TOGWT]

~One mans opinion / observations~

So question #1 is can the leather be restored (cracks and maybe holes). And How.

If not, how much does a re-upholster run on average?

A: Fill Cracks and Scratches-clean and prepare the leather surfaces as in 10a above and apply Leatherique Crack Filler: (leatherique.com)

·Apply flexible filler inside the crack, level with a spatula.

·Using damp 100% cotton towel remove filler on the surface outside the crack before it dries.

·Allow to air dry for thirty minutes and then wet-sand with 400 grit and a rubber sanding block.

·Repeat until the fill is perfectly level and smooth.

·Even light scratches and roughened areas will take more than one application.

·Allow the filler to dry overnight before sitting on a seat that has been filled.

·Allow to air dry for forty-eight hours before the application of a dye.

Re-upholstery costs I have no idea of but would suggest you get an estimate from a reputable leather upholstery shop

Also my car is black, and for a 1992 the paint is still glossy and shiny. HOWEVER it has swirls, they only show up when light is hitting the paint at a 90-degree angle. But they are ugly nonetheless.

Question #2 what is the most painless way to remove the swirls?

A: Temporary-Apply a Glaze-It’s an emulsion formulated from polymer paint and Carnauba wax that `fills in' small paint surface scratches, abrasions and swirl marks, without removing them.

Sometimes called Show Glaze as it's a purely aesthetic product as it's filling abilities usually wear off in a matter of days before the surface abrasions become visible again, washing the paint film surface will accelerate this process. After the application of a glaze the paint film surface will require a protective wax or sealant

A2. Permanent-a random orbital buffer and a Machine Polish, are used to remove surface imperfections and are formulated with lubricants, solvents and water, and abrasive 0.3-micron granules, which diminish with use providing a progressively finer abrasive polish that will burnish the paint surface and provide a gloss. They are buffered or cushioned in a rich, lubricating oil film, usually in a semi-liquid paste.

~Hope this helps~

Knowledge unshared is experience wasted

justadumbarchitect / so I question everything/ Jon

[silvermate]

to make things more simple.......to remove the swirls permenately you need to get yourself a porter cable 7424(i believe is the model), that machine will take out swirls,oxidation, scratches, ect.........

they are cheapest from coastaltool.com thats where i got mine. (about 120 bucks) and worth every penny let me tell you

anything applied by hand will only hide it temporarily

good luck

[SC4Million]

Forgive me if this is dead wrong, but I always thought that polish on clear coated paint was a big NO-NO. And that clear coat finishes were wax only.

Thanks

[SW03ES]

Thats a commonly held fallacy. Clearcoat paint and regular paint are no different from each other, the only difference is the final coat of paint on a clearcoated car has no pigment.

Anyways your black SC is actually probably NOT a clearcoat. Most Lexus black isn't.