T5M Leather Shift Knob and Boot Dye Job
I like the OEM shift knob design and quality, but I never liked the Yugo-spec colour of the knob or the boot. So:
1. Thoroughly mask off the surround around the shift boot.
2. De-glaze the leather with acetone. A light, thorough rubbing with a linen cloth. Do not get acetone on the plastic boot surround. Let it dry. Takes a few minutes in the sun.
3. I used Fiebings "Professional Oil Dye":
http://shop.fiebing.com/c/leathercr...a65432e6f48b4e2644&ckey=72706.72707.72735.0.0
On a linen cloth, I applied five light coats of the dye to the knob over two days, and a single coat to the boot.
Be very, very careful using this dye. It is PERMANENT, dries near-instantly and is very black. Ensure that you have masked off everything and do not spill a drop on the interior.
REVIEW: Looks great. The dye took nicely to the leather shift knob and brought back some of the leather pattern. Looks far, far better than factory "mushroom grey". The knob and the boot are different grades of leather, as the boot has a blacker, glossier look than the knob, but I expect this to dull down in time.
4. The dyed knob/boot also complement the S60R steering wheel in my car:thumbup:
5. I finished the knob off with a lick of Fiebings "Aussie Leather Conditioner".
/I'm going to do the same treatment to the AT shifter in my 2.4T, get rid of the grey leather handle.