ZPOST
BMW Garage BMW Meets Register Search Today's Posts Mark Forums Read


Go Back   ZPOST > BMW Z4 Roadster and Coupe > Z4 DIY (Do It Yourself) Articles
  TireRack

SUPPORT ZPOST BY DOING YOUR TIRERACK SHOPPING FROM THIS BANNER, THANKS!
Post Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
      11-11-2016, 09:11 AM   #1
z4chick
Enlisted Member
z4chick's Avatar
United_States
6
Rep
47
Posts

Drives: 2006 BMW Z4 3.0si
Join Date: Nov 2016
Location: Illinois

iTrader: (0)

Painting your seats

My 06 z4 came from florida. The seats were faded but in good shape. They looked tired and needed a reboot. The entire inside [as you can see] is an ugly cream with everything but the trim kit matchy matchy. I decided to take on painting the front seats. It can be done in a period of 24 hours. But be forewarned, when you're doing a complete color change, you must take your time and let the applications dry. If it's a drastic color change ie: black to white, then you're better off stripping the seats, then painting them. In my case, I went from bmw beige to bmw cinnamon. I will show you the good the bad and the ugly. If I can do it, ANYONE can, believe me when I say this. There are many videos out there to show you how to remove the seats as well. Just make sure you have enough room on both sides of the car so that the door is open all the way. I made this mistake, and had to go UP and out the passenger side with the drivers side seat or risk scratching everything up with the seat track bits when pulling it out.

Ok so-you're ready to disconnect your seats yes? It's easiest to make sure the passenger seat is all the way forward [to tilt back to disconnect the harness] and the drivers side seat should be all the way forward [to tip back and access the harness disconnect]. Before you disconnect anything [after the bolts are out [make sure you put all the caps/bolts and nuts in a cup so you don't lose them all] make sure the battery is disconnected [black cable on the right]. It has to be done in this order-otherwise you won't be able to get the seats out because you cannot reach the floor bolts.

There is a plastic clip that needs to be pried open before you can ease the connection out of the bottom of the seat harness. Once the harness is out-you can take out the seats and start taping them off.

Originally I wanted to change the entire color scheme of the interior as well. After doing the seats I decided against it. One job at a time. Ok so your seat is out and you're ready to prep it. Use rubbing alcohol and a clean cloth to remove the oils from the leather. Once your surface is clean and prepped, you can tape it off. My suggestion is to get thick frog [green] painters tape, and the plastic drop cloths to do this. Instead of masking the entire back strip by strip, use the tape to line the back of the leather [where the 2 parts of the seat meet up behind the bolster line] and just create a form. Then take the edges of your plastic drop cloth and attach them slowly to the piece of the tape exposed. This will save you a lot of time and LOT of tape. I'm sorry I didn't get a photo for reference of the back but you can kind of see it here in the 2nd seat photo.

After several coats, I realized that I did not wait long enough for the seat portion to dry. Using a white cotton cloth, I wiped down the seats from top to bottom. It felt gritty and not smooth, this is because it did not dry properly. At this point in the process, they just looked like regular cinnamon worn seats. I was happy with the outcome, and decided to leave them as is. I could have however sanded the bottom seats, used alcohol once more, and start the process over-but I was not in the mood to do that.

While the seats are out drying [setup a fan as well, it will save you time instead of leaving them over night, I am not one for patience..heh..] take this time to clean the entire interior of the cab. Wipe down the back walls, clean the seat belts, gummi the seals, work on the carpet, vacuum, etc. Also-the alcohol dripped onto the leather of my center console, creating brighter circular spots in it. I used olive oil [yes, ..google it for car interior updates] and it WORKED! the oil removed the bright spot, and made the leather console sections above the parking break look great.

Ok so-now that the seats are finished [to my liking anyway and they were far from perfect but you can learn from my mistakes!] it's time to apply leather conditioner back into them. They'll become hard and stiff if you don't and this will cause them to prematurely deteriorate, so best to apply at least 2-3 coats of leather conditioner back into the seats. Put them back in and admire your work!

I also took the time to change the black mats to dark gray with carpet paint.

Materials used:
rubbing alcohol
clean white cotton cloths from home depot
colorbond leather seat paint [aerosol can]
colorbond dark gray carpet spray [aerosol can]

http://www.colorbondpaint.com/

*After your seats are reassembled you'll have to reset the time on the clock, and don't be surprised if you have electrical issues. Just open/close the top a few times and everything should reset itself.
Attached Images
     

Last edited by z4chick; 11-11-2016 at 11:31 AM..
Appreciate 1
XMetal1096.50
      11-11-2016, 10:45 AM   #2
David70
Colonel
United_States
1567
Rep
2,665
Posts

Drives: 06 Z4M Coupe - 13 Cadillac ATS
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Cincinnati, OH

iTrader: (1)

Looks good. Does the finish on the seats feel the same as stock/new or is somehow different (slick, harder, etc.)?
__________________
2006 Z4M Coupe - Stromung exhaust, ZHP knob, stubby antenna, clutch delay delete
Appreciate 0
      11-11-2016, 11:22 AM   #3
z4chick
Enlisted Member
z4chick's Avatar
United_States
6
Rep
47
Posts

Drives: 2006 BMW Z4 3.0si
Join Date: Nov 2016
Location: Illinois

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by David70 View Post
Looks good. Does the finish on the seats feel the same as stock/new or is somehow different (slick, harder, etc.)?
Thanks! It's much harder. also-I realized these were actual covers. Now if they were oem I couldn't tell you. But they were super soft when I started. It's because we strip all the lanolin out before coating. Colorbond confirms this as well. You just need to continue to recondition them until they're soft again. I compare it to having a new pair of leather shoes. They need to be re-broken in. I've put 3 coats of conditioner on so far, and they're starting to get back to normal.
Appreciate 0
      11-13-2016, 11:00 AM   #4
pcube
Private First Class
pcube's Avatar
58
Rep
199
Posts

Drives: Z4MC, G20 320i
Join Date: Feb 2016
Location: Singapore

iTrader: (0)

Looks great from the pics!

What seats are those btw? They look exactly like the ///M seats but without the logo at the headrest...
Appreciate 0
      11-13-2016, 11:43 AM   #5
z4chick
Enlisted Member
z4chick's Avatar
United_States
6
Rep
47
Posts

Drives: 2006 BMW Z4 3.0si
Join Date: Nov 2016
Location: Illinois

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by pcube View Post
Looks great from the pics!

What seats are those btw? They look exactly like the ///M seats but without the logo at the headrest...
Thanks! I have no idea. The car says sport package..ive only had it for like 2 months. Also-in the spring when it's warmer, im going to have to sand down the bolsters in a few spots and do a touch up. I did it in 50-60 degree weather. It really needs to be a little warmer for it to set properly.
Appreciate 0
      11-13-2016, 02:52 PM   #6
deemo319
Lieutenant Colonel
deemo319's Avatar
United_States
1744
Rep
1,686
Posts

Drives: BMW
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: Longwood

iTrader: (0)

Those are Sport Package seats. They lack the embossed "M" logo in the headrest. These have good lateral support for street driving.

And they are made very well. Great job on those seats by the way, you will really like them.
Appreciate 1
      11-13-2016, 07:31 PM   #7
ZMCoupe
Second Lieutenant
Canada
36
Rep
210
Posts

Drives: 2007 M Coupe
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Muskoka Ontario

iTrader: (0)

Looks great! Good job!

You should do the e-brake surround and door card inserts for a two tone interior
Appreciate 0
      11-13-2016, 08:47 PM   #8
z4chick
Enlisted Member
z4chick's Avatar
United_States
6
Rep
47
Posts

Drives: 2006 BMW Z4 3.0si
Join Date: Nov 2016
Location: Illinois

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by ZMCoupe View Post
Looks great! Good job!

You should do the e-brake surround and door card inserts for a two tone interior
I thought about it.. I don't know if I have the skills to do that yet LOL.. one season at a time!! And besides, we dont know how long the seat paint job is going to last. Let's wait until spring and take it day by day..mod by mod LOL.

Thanks.. I'm trying to update her to sporty looking instead of old.. the short amount of time I've owned her, i've really started making her my own.
Appreciate 0
      11-20-2016, 12:10 AM   #9
rsutoratosu
Captain
113
Rep
778
Posts

Drives: Z4 3.0i
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Chicago, IL

iTrader: (0)

Looks good.. Im thinking of doing my seats, I was going towards the redye options from leatherique.
__________________
-Roranji
Appreciate 0
      11-20-2016, 07:18 AM   #10
z4chick
Enlisted Member
z4chick's Avatar
United_States
6
Rep
47
Posts

Drives: 2006 BMW Z4 3.0si
Join Date: Nov 2016
Location: Illinois

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by rsutoratosu View Post
Looks good.. Im thinking of doing my seats, I was going towards the redye options from leatherique.
I have heard very good things about the leatherique system. If you do please make sure you get before during and after photos and post the diy!!
Appreciate 0
      11-21-2016, 11:40 AM   #11
rsutoratosu
Captain
113
Rep
778
Posts

Drives: Z4 3.0i
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Chicago, IL

iTrader: (0)

yes but your system looks easier
__________________
-Roranji
Appreciate 0
      11-22-2016, 02:15 PM   #12
z4chick
Enlisted Member
z4chick's Avatar
United_States
6
Rep
47
Posts

Drives: 2006 BMW Z4 3.0si
Join Date: Nov 2016
Location: Illinois

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by rsutoratosu View Post
yes but your system looks easier
It was super easy.. You'll have a bit of spray paint can jarred finger when it's all over.. your forearms may ache a bit but that will go away LOL.

I will tell everyone that is entertaining this idea that you should NOT do it if the temperature isn't a consistent 65 degrees plus. I did it on a gorgeous 60 degree day here in the Midwest but it is fall. And because the seats were cold, even over night I can see tiny spots of flaking and cracking.

In the spring when it's warm im going to have to do a quick sand and touch up, but only when the seats are back up to a normal temp and outside in the sun. I won't have to take them out again, but touch ups are needed.

VS the bolster touch up I've done before in warmer weather. I had no issue with my black the last time I used the product because it was warm out. So temp does make a difference.
Appreciate 0
      12-05-2016, 05:29 AM   #13
Hammam
BMW Freak
Germany
53
Rep
61
Posts

Drives: Z4M Coupe + E36 & F11 Touring
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Aachen

iTrader: (0)

wow, i'm pretty impressed.
Looking forward to your long term expierences and the upcoming mods (painting door leather inlays and other parts).
Appreciate 1
      12-11-2016, 08:40 AM   #14
Sterling Roadster
Second Lieutenant
Canada
68
Rep
279
Posts

Drives: e85 Z4 3.0i & e92 328i
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: Toronto

iTrader: (0)

There's a little gun-attachment you can get for aerosol cans. It turns the button into a vertical trigger. That would help for a big job like this. I've used colorbond on my car and have had mixed results, some surfaces adhere to it like factory colour and others flaked off. Your interior looks great! please update with how they hold up.
Appreciate 0
      12-11-2016, 11:33 AM   #15
z4chick
Enlisted Member
z4chick's Avatar
United_States
6
Rep
47
Posts

Drives: 2006 BMW Z4 3.0si
Join Date: Nov 2016
Location: Illinois

iTrader: (0)

Thanks everyone I'm SO gravely sad.. so here she sits.. salt has hit the ground and 10 degrees overthrows the midwest. I have to wait until spring to look up in the breeze and see stars.. I do have an entire season to think of new mods though When the season comes back around Ill touch up the tiny specks I've noticed flaked off the seat [you have to really look to see them].

I saw a video the other day on how to take out the door panel inlay.. we'll see.. I like the idea but the more you mod the more you have to upkeep. I will dr colorchip my road rash in the spring as well.

::cries:: I just want to drive [and people in hell want ice water.. I know I know lol]
Appreciate 0
      04-23-2017, 12:02 PM   #16
z4chick
Enlisted Member
z4chick's Avatar
United_States
6
Rep
47
Posts

Drives: 2006 BMW Z4 3.0si
Join Date: Nov 2016
Location: Illinois

iTrader: (0)

Now that the weather is warmer - update 4-23-17

We have had some 70 degree days/weeks this April and the z has been out a lot. Let me share with you the updates about the colorbond experience.

First-the mistakes

1. I had no idea these seats were so hard to come by [the sport seats]. if I did-I would have thought twice before using colorbond to paint them

2. Do not attempt this in cooler temperatures. I think in october it was 50-60 degrees when I attempted the first go around

3. I contacted the local dealer in regards to covers.
3a. they don't make seat covers for these seats
3b. if you don't paint them you have a chance to get them DYED...but it's rare to find someone to actually do it
3c. the dealer [when it was in for service] actually scratched the HELL out of my passenger seat with their fingernails and cleaning products because they had no idea I already painted the seats. It left the leather a holy unpatched mess.

After contacting every upholstery shop and getting quotes from $6k - $9k [I paid 7k for the car here.. so this was outrageous] I decided that I was going to have to wait for a spring day to fix the seats. The bolsters on the drivers side were cracking anyway due to the leather loosening up. Again I cannot stress this enough-WAIT until its at least 70 degrees outside to do this.

lightly sand
rub down with alcahol [lightly], mask everything off in the car and you're ready to go
use LIGHT passes, pass once, leave alone for 3 minutes to dry
[don't forget to extend the leg base, I had forgotten about these last time]

So this is what they looked like Before and after I fixed them today. The beauty of the colorbond system is that it's so easy to use..
Attached Images
  
Appreciate 0
      04-23-2017, 07:44 PM   #17
apbx3
Private First Class
United_States
8
Rep
123
Posts

Drives: 2014 BMW X3 (3.5i)
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: Tarzana, CA

iTrader: (0)

Hi this company makes the oem leather seat covers for the sport seats , I had the same issue as you . All you need is a shop to remover the old leather covers and install the new ones . https://www.lseat.com/products/2004-...QqQaAvHx8P8HAQ
Appreciate 2
deemo3191743.50
      04-23-2017, 08:53 PM   #18
deemo319
Lieutenant Colonel
deemo319's Avatar
United_States
1744
Rep
1,686
Posts

Drives: BMW
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: Longwood

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by apbx3 View Post
Hi this company makes the oem leather seat covers for the sport seats , I had the same issue as you . All you need is a shop to remover the old leather covers and install the new ones . https://www.lseat.com/products/2004-...QqQaAvHx8P8HAQ
I am not in need of these covers for my seats but this is a helluva find.
Appreciate 0
      04-24-2017, 09:46 AM   #19
nate96
Second Lieutenant
Canada
44
Rep
205
Posts

Drives: TI Silver 06 Z4 Coupe
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Calgary, Alberta, Canada

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by apbx3 View Post
Hi this company makes the oem leather seat covers for the sport seats , I had the same issue as you . All you need is a shop to remover the old leather covers and install the new ones . https://www.lseat.com/products/2004-...QqQaAvHx8P8HAQ
I have been looking at these as an option. I have requested samples from them about 5 weeks ago and I am still waiting but they said they shipped them. There is many mixed reviews on the company. Has anyone ordered the sport seat covers from them? There is a review for the non sport seats on their website.
__________________
Appreciate 0
      04-24-2017, 12:54 PM   #20
z4chick
Enlisted Member
z4chick's Avatar
United_States
6
Rep
47
Posts

Drives: 2006 BMW Z4 3.0si
Join Date: Nov 2016
Location: Illinois

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by apbx3 View Post
Hi this company makes the oem leather seat covers for the sport seats , I had the same issue as you . All you need is a shop to remover the old leather covers and install the new ones . https://www.lseat.com/products/2004-...QqQaAvHx8P8HAQ
THANK YOU!!! I have driven myself bonkers with phone calls and emails to different companies online.

I'm in ok shape now, but I'm definitely going to take a look. Thanks for posting this ap!
Appreciate 0
      04-25-2017, 07:47 AM   #21
z4chick
Enlisted Member
z4chick's Avatar
United_States
6
Rep
47
Posts

Drives: 2006 BMW Z4 3.0si
Join Date: Nov 2016
Location: Illinois

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by nate96 View Post
I have been looking at these as an option. I have requested samples from them about 5 weeks ago and I am still waiting but they said they shipped them. There is many mixed reviews on the company. Has anyone ordered the sport seat covers from them? There is a review for the non sport seats on their website.
fyi-I contacted them yesterday to order a swatch, and mentioned in the notes section that I "heard" they don't actually mail them out for 5 weeks. I got a response this morning [24 hours later] that the swatch has been mailed. At the very latest if they really did put it in the mail, I should have it by Monday. Ill report back.

Maybe you should just go back on there and request another?
Appreciate 0
      05-24-2017, 11:09 AM   #22
nate96
Second Lieutenant
Canada
44
Rep
205
Posts

Drives: TI Silver 06 Z4 Coupe
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Calgary, Alberta, Canada

iTrader: (0)

Did you ever get the swatch? I did not receive mine.
__________________
Appreciate 0
Post Reply

Bookmarks

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 01:47 AM.




zpost
Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
1Addicts.com, BIMMERPOST.com, E90Post.com, F30Post.com, M3Post.com, ZPost.com, 5Post.com, 6Post.com, 7Post.com, XBimmers.com logo and trademark are properties of BIMMERPOST