Paint/dye black leather to red?

**Liquid Smoke** · 04-17-2012 01:38 PM

anyone have any experience painting/dyeing black leather? i'm guessing a dye won't work as well since it's black, but any type of leather paint you'd recommend?

basically im interested in painting some of the leather pieces in my A4 interior, right now i have the all black interior. main thing im interested in is painting one of the door panels/cards to give it a nice black/red two tone look and want it close to how the S4 has it.

this is pretty much how my door looks now, all black

and i want it something like this, basically just to paint that leather panel in the middle to red

i'm doing just these panels for now, doing all the seats would be more work of course and i'll prob leave the seats alone because i wouldnt want the paint to start cracking or anything over time, but the door panels aren't really being worn out or anything so im guessing the paint should be fine on those.

so yeah anyone have any suggestions on the best method to do this? want something cheap and quick, but of course still quality paint that wont start ruining or something.

**A4A4A4** · 04-17-2012 01:40 PM

If you like it then by all means go ahead, but I think two red door panels on an otherwise black interior will look absolutely ridiculous.

**Liquid Smoke** · 04-17-2012 01:56 PM

yea i know what you mean, but i was planning on doing all 4 doors. and of course i'd try to add in some red accents in other areas like the center console armrest part, gear shifter, maybe the headrests, etc. just most likely not on the seats themselves since i wouldnt want the paint to wear out or look bad from sitting on the seats, also not sure how the texture on the paint will come out so i dont want that all over the seats either, mainly just small accented areas.

but yea im just wondering if painting is the best method or is there any other way? and if so any recommended paints/brands?

**pDubs** · 04-22-2012 09:19 AM

You definitely don't want to paint your leather. If you want this done right you are going to have to take out the panel you want red and have it reupholstered with either red leather or red cloth.

**Tre'** · 10-21-2012 12:20 AM

SEM Vinyl/Leather Paint can be used. Duplicolor also makes a vinyl/leather paint but SEM would be the better of the two.

**Liquid Smoke** · 10-21-2012 09:04 AM

Originally Posted by Tre'

SEM Vinyl/Leather Paint can be used. Duplicolor also makes a vinyl/leather paint but SEM would be the better of the two.

thanks, thats actually exactly what i used. did this back in June and got it looking exactly like that 2nd pic i posted, very happy with the results and its holding up well so far. did only door panels for now but thinking of the center armrest and a few pieces of trim after.