Need help with these leather seats

Ford Fest

Ford Fest

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This is on a 2007 GMC Denali. I've owned it since new and have use Mequires 2 step leather care. This is the product that can be purchased at local retailers. The cleaner is a gel product if that matters. I've used it a couple of times a year, but the seats look like they are cracking.

This weekend I used Pinnacle and Wolfgang leather conditioner. It left a nice clean look and not greasy. Is there anything that might soften them up? Should I use it more often?

BTW they are black

Lastly, when I applied the Pinnacle; it looked like I had some color transfer.





 
Are u saying they started cracking once you started using the 2 step Meguiars product ?

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Those "cracks" are normal for leather as it ages. Call it "patina" or call it "character lines". Either way, leather tends to wrinkle (like people) when it ages - even with the best care. I don't think there is much you can do to prevent it or treat it - short of sanding and re-applying colorant to the seat.
 
^^ Those cracks are normal indeed.

I used Leatherique on my seats and they came out great and bit more plush than using a Poorboy's or Chemical Guys product.

No shine after it buffed off either.
 
If you want to protect the coating on the leather, I recommend a coating. Opti-Leather is a pro only product. Carpro has one for fabric & leather. G|Techniq has one for leather only. PBL has one for leather and vinyl. All will protect the leather clearcoat as they become the new functional barrier. This wont stop wrinkles but should keep dye from abrading.
 
Thank you for the feedback! The cracks started after about 5 years. Not a fan of cracking leather, but I feel I have done all that I could do to prevent including tinted windows, windshield sun visor and leather care. I was just looking to maybe soften them up to slow the aging process. I'll try to get a sample of the CG product to see how it compares. Glad to see the non-greasy finish!
 
Ford Fest said:
Thank you for the feedback! The cracks started after about 5 years. Not a fan of cracking leather, but I feel I have done all that I could do to prevent including tinted windows, windshield sun visor and leather care. I was just looking to maybe soften them up to slow the aging process. I'll try to get a sample of the CG product to see how it compares. Glad to see the non-greasy finish!
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I do tend to have the CG Leather cleaner and conditioner in which I like the fact that the conditioner leaves a leather smell to the seats.
 
If they are treated leather seats no conditioner will penetrate the coating on the leather so kinda pointless.
 
how do you know if the leather is treated?
How about an 03 Honda accord?
 
Ford Fest said:
This is on a 2007 GMC Denali. I've owned it since new and have use Mequires 2 step leather care. This is the product that can be purchased at local retailers. The cleaner is a gel product if that matters. I've used it a couple of times a year, but the seats look like they are cracking.
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They are not cracking. Geuine leather wears like that--stretch and contract.

Try some of the century old standby products. Feibings and Lexol. Use saddle soap to clean the leather. Use Lexol conditioner to treat it afterwards. It helps the natural oils in the leather.

Give it about 30-60 minutes, depending on humidity/weather, then buff it. Lambs wool is GREAT for that part.
 
onlyincali said:
anyone?
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I am not sure what "treated" means. All leather (unless split to suede it) has a hair side and a flesh side. The hair side is the smooth side--without the hair. Also, called the grain side.

I have been working with leather for over 40 years.

Garment leather, which is basically the same as couch or seat leather but thinner, is all "treated." It is the color and coating that gives it that initial sheen. Although, the color usually stays (possibly fades), the "treat" will wear from use. Drop a touch of water on a new piece and it will bead; later it won't.

If you don't want to use saddle soap, just try a soft sponge or t-shirt with water on it. Rub a section of the leather just to get it damp--if it will. It will darken a little, but will dry back. If it readily absorbs, there is no treatment left.

BTW- the way to tell if leather is still damp is put the back of your hand on it. It will feel cooler than the dry part.

Actually, patina on leather is a class act. You just don't want it dried out and cracking. Temperature and UV will do that. Look at an old saddle or leather belt that hasn't been oiled. Use something that will help restore the "oils" in the leather; not a mere "protectant" that only coats the leather. Remember--it is drying from the underside too, so adding a good product is necessary.
 
sethr said:
Garment leather, which is basically the same as couch or seat leather but thinner, is all "treated." It is the color and coating that gives it that initial sheen. Although, the color usually stays (possibly fades), the "treat" will wear from use. Drop a touch of water on a new piece and it will bead; later it won't.

.
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Awesome reply! Few more questions for you if you don't mind...

1. Given your extensive history with leather, what product do you personally use on car seats?

2. That brings me to my next question..... We just got some brand new, red-tinged, medium brown leather couches. The leather is smooth (not like a football) and fairly soft. What would you suggest I use to keep our brand new couches looking/feeling new for many years to come? Any reason I cant use automotive leather conditioners like Wolfgang or Pinnacle?

Thanks a bunch!
 
I have a 2009 Yukon Denali with the same leather you have.

In my opinion, there is no need to use high priced leather products on coated leather that cannot absorb the high priced ingredients.


I use Poor Boy's Leather Stuff every couple of months.

-It has light cleaners

-Leaves the seats with a very low shine

-A little goes a long way. 1oz will do 4 seats in my truck

-$16.99 for 16oz


Apply to a cheap microfiber, fold the towel onto itself (butterfly) to distribute the product evenly and then wipe. Make sure there are no globs of product on the towel, as it will clog the perforations in the air conditioned seats.

I throw the $25 cent towel away after application so the product doesn't transfer to my "Paint Towels".
 
I had that on my car and Glipton helped a lot (I had Audi black leather). They ship internationally. It also stinks of leather which I like. It's a simple straight forward product but expect your jeans to smell of it for a few days and it will be a little glossy at first too.
 
I've got Honda (Acura) leather seats in a grey taupe (2010 with 39k miles). Interior is immaculate except driver seat (getting most of the use) has some of the color coming off in places on the outside bolsters (this is the first place you see wear in most any car.) The Honda leather finish is sort of an eggshell, not glossy. I was going to try to match the color and rub it on the side of the bolster where you don't sit as a trial. Whether I do that or not, can someone recommend a product to help protect the color abrating further that isn't going to leave a glossy finish? I'm guessing this leather isn't "coated" due to the matte finish?
 
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