Seat Ink/Dye coming off on my clothes.

[GusMangoFish]

Not sure if this or the 'Interior' section is the best place to post this, but as this is a request for help/advice I've plumped for this section. Hope that's cool

After driving my S2 Elan for the second time (yesterday), I noticed the shirt I was wearing was covered in what looked like blue ink.

The seats in my Elan are blue. On closer inspection look like they have some kind of dye/ink applied to the surface on top of the original (also blue) seat. I'm assuming this was done to make the car more attractive to sell, and tidy/brighten up some otherwise tired seats...

So, I've a couple of questions...

I've tried cleaning the chairs using a sponge, warm water and washing up liquid, but to no avail. I switched to using some Autoglym Leather Cleaner, but also no joy. So, I used some Jif Bathroom cleaner, and this seems to shift the ink. However, after half an hour of cleaning it, letting it dry and then driving it again, I still notice blue ink coming off onto my shirt. I'm assuming Jif (or Cif as it appears to be now called) isn't the best product for cleaning leather seats...

Here's my questions:

1. Does anyone have any suggestions on what to clean the seats with? Or is Cif Lemon Bathroom cleaner good enough for the job? I'm not worried about cleaning all the excess ink/dye off, and being left with tired looking seats, as I'd rather this than have to change my shirt each time I drive my car...

2. If the seats continue to leave blue ink on whatever I wear (even after cleaning them) then it looks like I'm going to have to replace the seats. I've googled and searched the forums for some aftermarket Elan S2 seats, but can't find anything in the UK. If I need to replace the seats, I'd like to get ones that are as little hassle to fit as possible.

Many thanks for any forthcoming suggestions!
Matt

[Gary]

oh that is funny, but I guess you don't think so.

Anyhow you could just just get the seats re-covered rather than replace.

[GusMangoFish]

oh that is funny, but I guess you don't think so.

Anyhow you could just just get the seats re-covered rather than replace.

lol,.. it actually is pretty funny I guess

Ah, I didn't think about getting them re-covered (doh! bit of a car n00b!). Do you know anywhere that can do this?

[Dave Eds]

Just wear blue shirts?

[Jackonicko]

The lady who used to do them for Lotus has set up on her own, and offers a first rate service.

Some on here favour Bromsgrove Auto Trimmers.

[The Ref]

i have sent you a pm with my phone number if you give me a ring after ten in the morning i will tell you how to sort it out.

Billy

[GusMangoFish]

Thanks for tips so far Bromsgrove Auto Trimmers look very good. I may go for somewhere nearer me (Bristol) if I can find somewhere by Googling / searching these forums.

Billy, I've got the PM, will give you a shout tomorrow.

[Gary]

Let us know what happens.

[ektrolleyboy]

Just get the seats connilised.
Then they stay original and you save money on a re-trim.

But that dealer had you that's for sure!

[GusMangoFish]

Just get the seats connilised.
Then they stay original and you save money on a re-trim.

But that dealer had you that's for sure!

It was a private sale, and the bloke seemed very genuine. Though, to be fair, I did have to spot the warped brake disks myself even though he was aware of them.

Have just googled connilisation (thanks for the tip), and it looks like the seats have probably had a DIY / poor professional attempt at that before... If I get the seats reconnolised, I'd like to be sure that the same thing isn't going to happen. I'm assuming if it's done properly it won't though?...

[GusMangoFish]

Thanks to Billy for some super-useful tips on how to fix the seats. Diamond geezer!

[GusMangoFish]

Have just got back from Krych Retrimmers in Bristol, who said looking at the seats that connilisation is going to be almost impossible, and actually cleaning the dye off is going to be bloody hard too - if not impossible. They say you'll never get all the excess out. (They don't re-connolise or clean seats).

They quoted "approximately £700" for the retrim. I had a look at examples of their work and they do some very nice stuff. So, I'm considering it, though £700 is a bit too steep, when the whole car was £4.7k.

[GeoffSmith]

What about made to measure replacements?

[theelanman]

the recolour stuff from people like woolies (not the ex shop) is a 2 part thing...1 being the dye..the second being the kinda varnish stuff to seal the dye in and stop it coming off....
Im guessing who ever did it to your car didnt finish the last stage off.......
3 options I reckon
1. order a kit from woolies and do it over again
http://www.woolies-trim.co.uk/c-13-renovation.aspx

2. get a premade replacement from kmckmc...£300 IIRC for a DIY replacement in whatever colour, style, textures you fancy

3. get a retrim........at the last look the lotus price was about £360 a seat IIRC so 'another' source might be better from the £££ point of view

cheers
G

[dapinky]

I had a set of the ones Geoff referrs to (including the door cards, handbrake/gearlever gaiters, nappa leather, leather piping and coloured centre panels) - You're welcome to come and have a look if you want.

I fitted them myself (not difficult, but fiddly and time consuming), wheras others have paid a trimmer to do it (probably with MUCH better results).

It might be worth seeing if the trim shop in Brizzle would be prepared to do the fitting, or only if they build the whole lot

[Gary]

Have just got back from Krych Retrimmers in Bristol, who said looking at the seats that connilisation is going to be almost impossible, and actually cleaning the dye off is going to be bloody hard too - if not impossible. They say you'll never get all the excess out. (They don't re-connolise or clean seats).

They quoted "approximately £700" for the retrim. I had a look at examples of their work and they do some very nice stuff. So, I'm considering it, though £700 is a bit too steep, when the whole car was £4.7k.

It is strange that people only realise that buying a fully sorted car is a good idea, only after they've bought a 'bargain' and then find out the cost of putting everything right. Mind you we did the same with our SE, got a bargain and then spent a fortune on it....

[GusMangoFish]

Have just got back from Krych Retrimmers in Bristol, who said looking at the seats that connilisation is going to be almost impossible, and actually cleaning the dye off is going to be bloody hard too - if not impossible. They say you'll never get all the excess out. (They don't re-connolise or clean seats).

They quoted "approximately £700" for the retrim. I had a look at examples of their work and they do some very nice stuff. So, I'm considering it, though £700 is a bit too steep, when the whole car was £4.7k.

It is strange that people only realise that buying a fully sorted car is a good idea, only after they've bought a 'bargain' and then find out the cost of putting everything right. Mind you we did the same with our SE, got a bargain and then spent a fortune on it....

Ah, I wouldn't say I fell into this bracket. I took a mechanic friend who owns 2 Elan's to come with me to check the car out. He was of the opinion that even with the few things that needed fixing that it was a bargain. Unfortunately, neither of us spotted the seat problem - it's not something I'd even have considered tbh.

[Gary]

Fair enough matey

[GusMangoFish]

What about made to measure replacements?

These are very nice!

hmmmm, lots of options to consider now.