Automotive Interior Repair with The Interior Guy

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1. 1 On April 11th, 2008, Virgil Roberts said:

   Hi Mike, I have been enjoying your articles, you have a wealth of information, and I appreciate your sharing them. I have recently learned this business and being a perfectionist I want to make sure I’m getting it right. So if your open to it I have a few questions for you.

   While soliciting new accounts one of the salesman wanted his own Jaguar, redyed on the interior. To include dash, consule, door panels, seats, carpets. All in good condition except for one bolster on the driver’s seat having slight crease marks.

   My concern is multiple. One, the existing color is black and he wants to change to a beige color. I have spoken to one of my suppliers and another repair man that I know and both have said to stay away from this job, that it will come back and haunt me. Their concern was that you don’t know what kind of cleaners that person will be using when cleaning their car and if it peels off I would be held responsible. They know of several people that this has happened to.
   Has this happened to you? If you have done this before and were successful, then what methods did you use. Do you also think I should stay away from this? I starting to believe that peeling is the result of poor preparation and lack of primer. Yes? No?

   Another issue I have is that I have seen multiple cars where the dye is peeling off. Not really wearing off, but peeling. I this typical within 6 to 8 months to have happen or were they not priming and preparing the area properly?

   I am also finding that several dealers are wanting large 2″ to 3″ diameter holes in leather seats repaired. I guess they don’t want to send it to an upholsterer. Any way, what do you think of this idea? Adhering the fiber mat to the existing leather, thus bridging the gap, then fit and adhere a new piece of leather within the gap, thus leaving only a perimeter crack to fill, then prime and redye. Do you think this would work?

   Thank you for your time, I look forward to hearing from you. I hope we will be able to communicate further in the future.

   Virgil Roberts

2. 2 On June 12th, 2008, Danny Yunker said:

   Virgil,

   Everything you have mentioned is common in the restoration business. I have been in this business for more than 30 years, and when working car dealerships, the salesmen are usually the first to ask you to do their personal cars.

   As for making a color change: This is a very common request. Traditionally, it has been nearly impossible to do this type of job for the very reasons you have mentioned. However, if you have the right products and use the right techniques, you can end up with a job that will actually outlast the original finish and be impervious to any cleaning chemical applied. Keep in mind that a vast majority of the detail shops do not use “leather friendly” chemicals when doing interiors. I”ve even seen Whitewall Tire Cleaner used! But with the right color coat products and correct prepping and application methods, this job can be done easily and…you can actually place a guarantee to it. I personally place a lifetime guarantee to everything that I do.

   As for the large holes… this too is common. People, especially car dealers, do not want to spend the money and lose the downtime on replacement. So, you will be asked to make these kinds of repairs. Again, using the right products and techniques, these repairs can be completed with a guarantee. The vast majority of products on the market are not strong enough, flexible enough or easy enough to work with to enable you to make these types of repairs. However. do a little searching and you will find a product that will give you everything you are looking for.

   Like you, I too am a perfectionist, an “artisan”. I am my worst critic. If I can satisfy myself, I know my customer will be satisfied. But, I am also a businessman. I am in this business to make money. So my work has to be performed in the shortest amount of time with the best possible results using the least amount of materials. My reputation is the most important aspect of my business. If I refuse to do a job because of limitations in ability or confidence, my customers lose respect for me and my reputation drops a few notches. This opens the door for my competition to come in and I certainly don’t want that.

   Do some research. Ask questions, attend training classes and seminars, experiment. But most importantly, compare the available products. Put them to the test against each other and see which one comes out on top. What youu are looking for is there, you just have to find it.

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