Cross posted from the detailing forum I frequent.
This Apple Watch band has seen better days. The leather itself was very worn. It was down to the raw leather in places with dye entirely missing. The floating loop was long gone and the sewn in loop was split into 3 layers.
First thing that needed to be done was removal of the worn out loop. Took a razor blade and carefully removed the loop from the band. Then I replaced both loops with a single floating loop as multiple loops are unnecessary in my experience.
Next, I dyed the band with Fiebings black leather dye twice. Let it sit for 24 hours, then scrubbed it with a Meguiar's D181 leather cleaner and a tooth brush. Lots of residual dye came off but the band is just as black as the night before.
Finally, I conditioned this very dried out band with Leather Masters protection cream. It soaked up 5+ coats within minutes so I just kept applying it until I could tell it was nourished. I think this gave it a shinier appearance in the after pic, but it should return to a heathy look after a few wears.
This Apple Watch band has seen better days. The leather itself was very worn. It was down to the raw leather in places with dye entirely missing. The floating loop was long gone and the sewn in loop was split into 3 layers.
First thing that needed to be done was removal of the worn out loop. Took a razor blade and carefully removed the loop from the band. Then I replaced both loops with a single floating loop as multiple loops are unnecessary in my experience.
Next, I dyed the band with Fiebings black leather dye twice. Let it sit for 24 hours, then scrubbed it with a Meguiar's D181 leather cleaner and a tooth brush. Lots of residual dye came off but the band is just as black as the night before.
Finally, I conditioned this very dried out band with Leather Masters protection cream. It soaked up 5+ coats within minutes so I just kept applying it until I could tell it was nourished. I think this gave it a shinier appearance in the after pic, but it should return to a heathy look after a few wears.
