painting seats

[Guest]

Has anyone got a reliable method of paining the seats of cars or motorcycles. I always end up with something too matt or looking plasticie. In either case I cant seem to get any tonal shading.............help

thanks

[Guest]

are you talking about getting a leather effect?

[Guest]

I like to paint in layers from light to dark (start with an almost beige, then work to a light tan, dark tan, then a darker brown). Then you can use a very small amount of wash to go around the edges of the seat (and other places where there's a fair amount of wear) and it will thin down through each preceding layer - you decide how much wear you want.

I also suggest use of aftermarket seats in most cases, since most factory leather seats don't come with the level of detail that would help make your seats look authentic.

[Guest]

All the motorcycle seats I have painted have always been a mixture of gloss and matt enamel giving a satin sheen effect. You can also do this with acrylics.

If it is a textured finish then you may need to vary the tones as Lips suggests but the ones I have done were all a smooth finish.

Have a look at my motorcycles in the gallery.