After about 10 uses of Lexol leather car (over the course of 6 months), and then the use of Lexol leather cleaner, there are some parts of my seats there have no leather paint on them... I will never use Lexol products again, and I'm pissed that it ruined my seats. (Should I pursue with picture and a threat? To try and get them redone?)
Anyway, is it possible to repaint sections of it yourself? It doesn't need to be perfect, but the paintless patches drive me crazy. If so, how hard is it to match colors? Any other info or advice? Thanks.

PS: Later tonight (Wed), I'll put up some pictures to show the damage.

__________________
2006 E350 w/ 155k miles (Daily Driver)

Previous:
1993 300E 3.2L Sedan w/ close to about 300k miles
2003 E500 Brilliant Silver (Had 217k miles when totalled!)
1989 300E with 289,000 miles (had for <1 yr while in HI)
03 CLK 500 cabrio (Mom's)
2006 C230k (Dad's)
1999 S420 (Mom's/Dad's)
2000 C230k Sport sedans
2001 CLK320 Cabrio (Mom's)
1995 C280 My First Mercedes-Benz... (155k miles. EXCEPTIONAL AUTOMOBILE. Was Very hard to let go of!)

THe photo lost some of it's quality when uploaded to the internet, but oh well, here's a peice of the passenger seat where the leather paint is crappy and coming off:





And for comparison, this is the other side, nice and "healthy."



Now you see why I'm so pissed!? What should I do?

__________________
2006 E350 w/ 155k miles (Daily Driver)

Previous:
1993 300E 3.2L Sedan w/ close to about 300k miles
2003 E500 Brilliant Silver (Had 217k miles when totalled!)
1989 300E with 289,000 miles (had for <1 yr while in HI)
03 CLK 500 cabrio (Mom's)
2006 C230k (Dad's)
1999 S420 (Mom's/Dad's)
2000 C230k Sport sedans
2001 CLK320 Cabrio (Mom's)
1995 C280 My First Mercedes-Benz... (155k miles. EXCEPTIONAL AUTOMOBILE. Was Very hard to let go of!)

Hey David -

Can't really tell much about your problem from the photos, I'm afraid. However, I'll give you the standard recommendation when it comes to leather: go with Leatherique.

I've used their leather dye (it's really more like paint) to redo the interior of my 124 wagon - it had 12 years worth of fading in the Texas sun. It's very easy to apply, and I was impressed by the results. I think the dye kit was about $50, and that was enough to do an entire 7 seat wagon.

They also make the best leather cleaner/conditioner I've ever used. I far prefer it over Lexol products. About $50 for the cleaning kit too, but that's pretty much a lifetime supply.

It's only available direct. Check their website at http://www.leatherique.com You'll also find various recommendations if you search this site - I'm not the only satisfied customer.

Jcuyhn,
I plan on purchasing a bottle of Leatherique, per everyone's recommendation. I didn't know you could only get it direct? OH well.

How did your seats come out? Was it difficult? Do they look original? Thanks for the insight.

__________________
2006 E350 w/ 155k miles (Daily Driver)

Previous:
1993 300E 3.2L Sedan w/ close to about 300k miles
2003 E500 Brilliant Silver (Had 217k miles when totalled!)
1989 300E with 289,000 miles (had for <1 yr while in HI)
03 CLK 500 cabrio (Mom's)
2006 C230k (Dad's)
1999 S420 (Mom's/Dad's)
2000 C230k Sport sedans
2001 CLK320 Cabrio (Mom's)
1995 C280 My First Mercedes-Benz... (155k miles. EXCEPTIONAL AUTOMOBILE. Was Very hard to let go of!)

They came out really good, look fine. Of course, we're talking about a 12 year old car here, so there was lots of room for improvement.

Only recommendation I'd make is to thin the dye a little bit before using it. As delivered, it was thick enough to show very faint brushstrokes. Adding a bit of water allowed it to flow enough to get rid of that problem.

The leatherique folks know all the MB interior colors. If you give them the year and color of your car, they can produce an exact match. Alternatively, you can send them a sample to match if you want to take into account aging/fading/etc.

- Jim

I am sure Lexol is covered by product liability insurance. See them out and request a proposal of settlement - whether by cash, or replacement, or their attempt in using their products to rectify whatever damage so claimed.

__________________
... Kerry

126 tailed by a 203, 129 leading the pack.

Another option is ColorPlus (at colorplus.com). Also has exact matches for MB colors. I redid my driver's seat since the left side bolster was pretty worn, and looks great.

__________________
Steve
'93 400E

...David- - some points to ponder:

all leather naturally wears by virtue of day-to-day use, material surface contact, UV/sun, heat, moisture, dirt, etc.

in your case, does the driver's side receive the most use? if so, no product will keep leather from naturally "wearing" (loosing color and surface disintegration) ...and its my experience over 20 years that leather products do little to nothing on that regard

...think about it- if you had trouser material placed or rubbed on a leather surface with over 100lbs. behind it at 98 point whatever degrees butt temperature, add some moisture, alternate UV rays, throw in relative higher temps, dry air, a/c air, etc. the surface of most anything leather-like will wear (in simplification, like applying sandpaper and stuff over a surface- over time= wear will naturally occur)

re: treating deceased cattle skin or any skin in general(scientifically its a losing battle since every living and dead thing on earth is in a process of wear and disintegration...some scientific law, blah blah blah)

....the best case leather scenario appears - -to endeavor to slow the process by keeping it moisturized (w/ good product- tanner's oil, leatherique, etc.), protect the artificial dye on the surface as much as possible by not allowing granules of sand to wear into the stitching or wearing sandpaper on our Bee-hinds, and keeping the balance of the other atmospheric elements at bay as much as possible

beyond that...even with the no use and prime storage conditions - leather biologically disintegrates

hope this helps
-fad

From looking at your "good side" vs "bad side" pics, I can tell you this, the likelyhood of matching the texture back to original is slim. And there might be some color matching problems. If I was in your situation, what I would do is order a new drivers side seat pad, and change it out. This way the texture and all would look good, and you dont have to mess with dies, paints, etc. thats my .02 Goodluck

Before you replace anything, at least get the free brochure from ColorPlus (colorplus.com) which is a VERY nice explanation of how leather is prepared for use in auto interiors. It really explained a lot to me. Also gives step-by-step instructions for refinishing leather. It's really easy, and the results will impress you.

__________________
Steve
'93 400E

Thanks for the info. But I have the colorplus brochure! I ordered it sometime back and it's one of those things that just got stuck a little paper pile on the side of my desk... will review it soon!

Thanks again everyone.

__________________
2006 E350 w/ 155k miles (Daily Driver)

Previous:
1993 300E 3.2L Sedan w/ close to about 300k miles
2003 E500 Brilliant Silver (Had 217k miles when totalled!)
1989 300E with 289,000 miles (had for <1 yr while in HI)
03 CLK 500 cabrio (Mom's)
2006 C230k (Dad's)
1999 S420 (Mom's/Dad's)
2000 C230k Sport sedans
2001 CLK320 Cabrio (Mom's)
1995 C280 My First Mercedes-Benz... (155k miles. EXCEPTIONAL AUTOMOBILE. Was Very hard to let go of!)