How Much Would You Pay -- S4 Seat Dyeing

[Alex Kowalski]

Hi everyone,

I've been absent for a while because my life has been upside down due to a
major transplant move halfway across the country.  But I'm back, and now I
have two Quattros, so I need this list twice as much as ever ;).

To wit:  I've bought a very nice '86 5KCSTQ with a blown headgasket that I'm
doing a motor swap on.  I had the chance to pick up a set of S4 seats in
ecru from Force5 at a good price, so I jumped at the chance.  Here's the
question:  I want to dye them black to match the interior of the car.  I
contacted a leather repair/upholstery outfit here in MA that bills itself
as the "Premiere Leather Repair Service in New England."  They want between
$775-850 to dye both seats and restore them to what they promise will be
"like new" condition.  Right now, there are no rips or tears, just average
wear.  You can see the seats here:

http://www.force5auto.com/pages/interiors/s4int.htm

You can see the car they're going into here.  Yes, it's in very nice shape
aside from the head gasket.  The owner wasn't exaggerating.  The front
seats, however, do show the effects of 240k + miles, hence the S4 seat
swap.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1,1&item=8029297958&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWN%3AIT

I'd like to ask the list's collective opinion about the dye quote.  If the
guy is as good as he says (Hub Leather Repair:
http://www.hubleatherrepair.com/) I'm inclined to think that isn't too bad
for a pair of S4 seats that look like new, but I'm asking for some
opinions.  I searched the archives and I've found very little to guide me
either in terms of DIY dyeing or prices from other listers.

Thanks and glad to be back,
Alex

P.S. Big thanks to lister Paul L. for the black leather rear seat.  It's
gorgeous.