Complaint Review: Tom's Color Now

In March 2010, Tom Lehrbach, owner of "Tom's Color Now" came to my house to refinish the leather steering wheel and leather gear shift in my 2005 Mercedes CLK 500.  This car is in perfect condition, not a mark on it anywhere.  I explained to Tom that the car is garaged and needed to be sure it would look like new.  He commented on how nice the car was and then told me the steering wheel would look like new when he was finished. 

He proceded to complete the work.  When he was finished he told me it would take a few hours to dry and showed me that it was currently tacky, but, stated it would dry.  Approximately 3 weeks went by, and neither the wheel leather nor the shift leather ever dried.  In fact, the product he used was coming off in my hands.  So I decided to give Tom a call.  He answered, apologized and stated he would give it another try.  I was pleased at this point simply because he seemed to stand behind his work.  We made an appointment the first week in April for him to come back and redo the job.  He showed up at the appointment day and time very apologetic.  He completed the job a second time.  The wheel was still tacky.  He told me he used a different mixture of product and it would dry with a disclaimer at the end of his few sentences to me.  He stated if it didn't dry, he would have to go back to the manufacturer and complain, and try to get different product.  "It may be defective product" he said.  He finished and it seemed to dry a little better at first.

It wasn't until the next day in the light outside my garage that I could see what had happened.  Tom had not only spayed the steering wheel and gear shift, but, also the left side of the passenger leather seat (which happens to be the Mercedes light beige which is almost white).  The passenger side door which is a combination leather, suede, and cloth.  The door was covered in paint.  I was devestated.

Initial estimates by two professional companies told me I would never get the paint out of the leather seat without discoloration taking place. To this day I can still see paint in the leather seat.  The steering wheel and gear shift have not dried and the substance Tom sprayed in my car is still coming off in my hands. 

The total cost of clean up was almost 5 times what I paid this man for his work.  Prior to any clean up done by the professional, I called Tom and he stated he would have to get with the manufacturer of the product and told me how he thought I should clean it.  The professional that helped me in the clean up actually called his ways of clean-up a "hack job." 

I have looked all over Arizona for Tom's address and cant find him.  I warn you...  If you have a car lot or dealership or maybe you want your car leather refurbished.  Stay far away from this man and this company.  He has no idea what he is doing and in my opinion is not very honest.  His business phone number is (602) 703-1953

Sincerely,

Brian  Peoria, Arizona