From the outset, the prospect of dying leather car seats might sound a little crazy. But if your leather seats are starting to show signs of age, it could be an effective way to get them looking their best once more.

Here, we’ll help you get to grips with the process of applying dye to leather car seats, along with some essential tips on maintaining the material once its colour has been successfully restored.

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Is It Possible to Dye Leather Car Seats?

The good news is that it’s entirely possible to dye leather car seats and restore them to their original colour. That means if your seats are starting to look old, tired, or faded, you can go beyond basic leather treatments and get them looking as good as new all over again.

Dying your leather car seats might sound drastic, but it’s an excellent way to restore the material without having to fully replace the seats. And you don’t need a professional to do it either, with loads of leather car seat dying kits out there that can help you transform your car’s interior with minimal effort and cost.

Often when leather car seats start to show signs of age, many people just live with it. But dying is a fantastic option for restoring your interior to its former glory, and it’s not as difficult as it sounds.

So, whether your seats have faded in the sun, have discoloured due to wear and tear, or just don’t look as good as they once did even after treating them, dying might be something to consider.

zoomed in photo of a red leather car seat

What You’ll Need to Dye Your Leather Car Seats

Dying leather car seats is a multi-step process requiring a few different purpose-built products and treatments. Sure, it can be a time-consuming process, but the results will be worth it – particularly if you’re not looking to spend a lot to restore your car’s interior.

Leather car seat dying kits typically contain five or six products for each step of the dying process. That might sound like a lot, but each is needed to achieve professional results that will leave your car looking as good as new.

Here’s a quick look at everything you’ll need to dye your leather car seats. You can also buy each of these products separately if your preferred manufacturer doesn’t stock a model-specific leather dying kit for your car.

  • Leather Cleaner: Cleaning the leather to remove all ground-in dirt, grime and impurities is the first step in dying the material, so you’ll need a high-quality leather cleaner to get the job done properly.
  • Leather Dying Preparation Fluid: Preparation fluid is the next product to use on your leather car seats. This effectively removes any remaining sealant and dirt, giving you a clean, even surface base for dying.
  • Leather Primer: Primer is used to maximise dye adhesion, ensuring that the leather colourant clings to the fabric on the first coat. Don’t miss any areas when applying primer, otherwise, you could end up with a patchy finish.
  • Leather Filler: Depending on the condition of your car’s leather seats, you may not need a filler. This is used for filling in small cracks and holes before dying to ensure the best possible finish.
  • Leather Car Seat Dye: Leather car seat dye, or leather colourant as it’s also known, is the main product that will restore the colour of your car’s seats. It’s critical that you buy the right dye for the colour you want to achieve, with variations based on different makes, models, and manufacturers.
  • Leather Sealer: Once you’re happy with the colour of your car’s newly dyed seats, you’ll need to use a sealer to achieve a finished look. Sealers are available in different finishes like matt and satin, so choose the option that mirrors the leather’s original appearance.
  • A microfibre cloth: For cleaning the seats.
  • An applicator sponge: Sponges are the best tools for applying leather colourant to your car’s seats, allowing you to work the product deep into the fabric. Some kits come with applicator pads, but if not, any small, good-quality sponge will do the job.

When it comes to dying your car’s leather seats, it’s important to do plenty of research and follow any product-specific instructions carefully. Patch test each product in an inconspicuous area first to achieve the best results. You may need to apply a few coats of dye colourant to achieve the shade you’re looking for, so it’s worth testing quantities first so you know when to stop.

Worker of car detailing studio cleaning, painting and renovating leather car seat. Car detailing

Taking Care of Dyed Leather Car Seats

After dying your leather car seats, the next challenge is staying on top of cleaning and maintaining them – because all that effort will be for nought if you don’t get into a proper leather maintenance routine.

Leather is a natural material that needs extra attention to prevent drying, cracking and fading. The fabric can dry out and crack if it isn’t nourished regularly, and may start to discolour if impurities aren’t removed on a regular enough basis.

Dyed or not, here are a few essential tips for taking care of your car’s leather car seats.

  • Clean the leather at least once a month to remove dirt, grime and particles that could affect its colour and finish over time. A product like Simoniz Leather Wipes is great for this, offering convenient leather-safe cleaning in a handy bio-degradable wipe.
  • Between regular cleaning, it’s important to keep the material nourished and protected; a conditioning cream can help with this. Natural oils help to “feed” the leather, gently restoring its colour and shine. A leather conditioner also keeps the material supple, reducing the risk of drying and cracking.
  • As an additional tip, it could be worth covering your car’s leather seats in the summer, when UV rays can cause the colour to fade surprisingly quickly. If you can’t avoid parking in a sunny spot, covering exposed areas of the seats can help to remove the risk of fading and sun damage.

Leather car seats are built to go the distance, so it’s never too late to restore them to their just-bought best. Take a look at our range of interior cleaning products and guides to help you get the inside of your car looking as good as new once more.