View Full Version : Mk4 door check straps black
DavidW
08-09-2024, 02:01 PM
Has anyone dyed their straps after they were installed? What would be the best dye? or Use ferric acid, vinegaroon? does it harm the metal hardware?
Flip Smiley
08-09-2024, 02:18 PM
I dyed mine black. You can go on line and find it from leather craft suppliers. Get the solvent based stuff, water based doesn’t work as well. Did this 20 years ago with no ill effects to date.
I did not have much luck with vinegaroon, but a small bottle of black leather dye from Michaels worked great. I removed the metal as those got painted separately before I put them back together.
Flip Smiley
08-09-2024, 02:23 PM
I would take them off to dye and then reinstall. Be careful this dye may not play well with paint or vinyl. Should not effect raw metal or chrome items.
Vinagaroon is the only way to go. Takes no time to do, and the nice thing is the stitching remains white. Looks awesome!
Cincy123
08-09-2024, 10:37 PM
I removed the straps and dyed with Fiebings black leather dye available from Amazon looks terrific. Also applied their acrylic protective product as well.
MPTech
08-10-2024, 10:51 AM
I stained my door straps and seat belt latch leather with vinegaroon (white vinegar & steel wool in a jar aged 1 week). I really like the results. I would highly suggest removing them from the car to allow easier access to all surfaces and avoid any spills/drips. Yeah, keeps the stitching white, which I also like. To me, the raw leather straps look unfinished and gets dirty & weathered and the vinegaroon won't rub off!
https://www.instructables.com/Vinegaroon-Black-Leather-Dye/