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      04-19-2016, 09:44 PM   #1
snub-nose 28
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Drives: 09 SGM 128i Cp 6MT ZSP/ZPP
Join Date: Apr 2016
Location: USA

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Lightbulb Black interior? Freshen it w/SHARPIE

Many of our leather seats -regardless of model- by now has 50k mi+. Seat wear particularly at bolsters, and cushion evidences color contrasting 'wear' as lightened scratches, gouges, seam stretch at thread perfs, and general wear.

Most all this can be amazingly remedied with a FINE POINT Sharpie. (TIA: not affiliated with any products herein, no way no how.)

Just did it on minor scuff wear on my '09 48k 128i. I know you're thinkin' 'yeah right'.

How to do it:
Treat hardened sun-dried ridgid 'cardboardy' leather with a common leather conditioner. Available many places incl. Advanced Axxo, AxxoZonx, XAPA etc.

It's springtime: treatin' it anyway, right? Headrests too!

I used Lexol for years; neatsfoot oil (saddles/tack/ball gloves) is what I used cause it was on hand.

Applied three treatments, warm day, windows closed, got it all supple again. (Still has that 100% flat-black look oem)

It will absorb slowly at first. Applied generously, but not saturated each time, just uniformly 'wettish'.

Sharpie or equiv ink, -on a different day from the three sessions- is then dabbed/drawn along each thinline scar, gouge, but not big 'field wear'.

This technique is for 'thin' scratches. Let dry for 20-25 mins. Remove surplus with non-bleach spray cleaner on a cotton towel or clean shop rag. What worked for me was a cleaner like 4zero9 or SimpxxGreen.

The oil treatment associates to blend/pull in ink; the cleaner removes any overage. Voila!

In direct sunlight: Now Perfect looking seats on my car.

P.S. IF you were REALLY, really particular, get charcoal tone Sharpie. (BMW black seats are not true black if you know what I mean. Don't know if they make a tone like that. Art supply vendor would surely have it...)
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