Magic eraser on leather?

mwoywod said:
well, i absolutely WILL use a magic eraser on leather when the situation calls for it. I use it with meguiars d101 and if used appropriately then just because it's abrasive and CAN remove the leathers coating doesn't mean you can't go about using it safely. If you're cleaning leather that is heavily soiled I'm pretty sure you could do plenty of damage by using a super strong chemical and scrubbing the #### out of it with a soft bristled scrub brush or a non-abrasive scrub pad.
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You may think your good because there is no color on the Eraser. But, you are removing the top clear polyurethane coat on the leather nonetheless. Which is fine if it's your car - but is a shame if someone pays a detailer to clean their seats who doesn't know any better and this is what they use.

I would only use M.E. on leather if the only alternative was to get the piece re-colored. M.E. is just a fine sandpaper - you are just sanding the surface when you use one.

maestrodetailer said:
Magic eraser is totally fine depending on the color of the leather/plastic. Light color leather is fine but do not scrub with force. However, dark color leather I never use magic eraser, but a brush and vapor steamer. Take my advice or not, or learn the hard way in the future. Magic eraser is not the problem, but the inappropriate technique and usage is.
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What difference does the color make? Because one color hides the damage a M.E. Inflicts and one doesn't?
 
maestrodetailer said:
Magic eraser is totally fine depending on the color of the leather/plastic. Light color leather is fine but do not scrub with force. However, dark color leather I never use magic eraser
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That's like saying a perticular polish or wax can be used on a light colored vehicle, but never use that same wax on a dark colored vehicle...
 
Eldorado2k said:
That's like saying a perticular polish or wax can be used on a light colored vehicle, but never use that same wax on a dark colored vehicle...
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It's even worse IMHO.

At least wax/polish is doing SOMETHING good for the surface. You may not need an ultra fine polish for a white/silver car simply because ultra-fine scratch patterns may not be visible to the naked eye on these colors.

But the M.E. is actually damaging the top clear coat of the leather - regardless what color you are using it on.
 
swanicyouth said:
But the M.E. is actually damaging the top clear coat of the leather - regardless what color you are using it on.
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Correct. That's why even though I have M.E. available in my bag, I never use them on leather seats. I have done a test spot with them on my own leather seats and I immediately felt like I was on a very short leash with it.. And the bad part is that if you're having to resort to use a M.E. on leather, it means that the stain/spot is so bad that it requires aggressive rubbing to remove, and aggressive rubbing + M.E. gets dangerous in a hurry.
M.E. always requires rubbing in order to work.

I'd rather use Soft Scrub bathroom cleaner and a soft nylon brush to clean leather seats vs. a Magic Eraser.
 
swanicyouth said:
You may think your good because there is no color on the Eraser. But, you are removing the top clear polyurethane coat on the leather nonetheless. Which is fine if it's your car - but is a shame if someone pays a detailer to clean their seats who doesn't know any better and this is what they use.

I would only use M.E. on leather if the only alternative was to get the piece re-colored. M.E. is just a fine sandpaper - you are just sanding the surface when you use one.



What difference does the color make? Because one color hides the damage a M.E. Inflicts and one doesn't?
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Color makes a huge difference. Everything from using a brush/apc to using a magic eraser is an considered abrasive. Just like polishing pads, magic erasers come in all shapes, sizes, and stiffness. I use a magic eraser that is less abrasive than the mr.clean brand. If you are putting pressure on the magic eraser on leather, that will definately damage the coating. Like I said, it really depends on what type of eraser you use, color, and the amount of pressure you put. I have done this on many cars without having any sort of color change, color residue after rubbing, or damage. I will stick with this method and you stick with yours.
 
Eldorado2k said:
That's like saying a perticular polish or wax can be used on a light colored vehicle, but never use that same wax on a dark colored vehicle...
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Like I said, if your going to use a m.e on a leather, its better to do it on a light interior than a dark. A lot of detailers use m.e on light plastic not on dark to remove scuff marks. Anything you rub against leather, such as a brush/apc, towel/apc multiple times on dirty leather can jeopardize the coating on a vehicle. I have done tons of vehicles with soft brand m.e without using any pressure without damaging or getting any color slurs off from leathers.
 
Maestro Sam said:
Just like polishing pads, magic erasers come in all shapes, sizes, and stiffness. I use a magic eraser that is less abrasive than the mr.clean brand.
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I'm currently using the fake Magic Erasers from China that I bought in bulk on the bay.. What are those considered? Mild or aggressive? I'm not sure, but I do know that they're not the high quality when compared to the real original Mr. Clean Magic Erasers. The China ones suck.

They work, just not as quik. And they fall apart rather fast.
 
Eldorado2k said:
I'm currently using the fake Magic Erasers from China that I bought in bulk on the bay.. What are those considered? Mild or aggressive? I'm not sure, but I do know that they're not the high quality when compared to the real original Mr. Clean Magic Erasers. The China ones suck.

They work, just not as quik. And they fall apart rather fast.
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Hahaha yea nothing can compare with the original eraser but I use a brand that is 4x cheaper and way softer than mr clean. Mr. clean is to stiff and abrasive so I go purchase some softer erasers from a Korean store. Even if they don't last as long as mr.clean, they are way softer and less abrasive.
 
Don't do it....before I found this forum, a friend said I should use the magic eraser on our cars leather seat to remove a ink stain...he told me it worked good. Well needless to say, I tried it on cream colored leather seat to remove the ink stain and it removed the stain AND the coating on the leather. Nothing I did after that restored the leather to the "before" condition and I was unhappy with how it looked for the entire time we owned the car. Lesson learned..I should have researched his suggestion further and wouldn't have damaged the leather seat in my car!
 
It is really sad when I hear that someone has scrubbed through the coating on their leather with a magic eraser because a buddy said how great they were. It's like when car guys watch a detailing video on youtube and then tell their buddies "The only way to bring out the shine on your paint is with a high speed polisher and some good wax"

The truth is both Magic erasers (melamine sponges) AND rotary polishers are incredible tools when used by experienced professionals, in certain situations, when paired with the right chemical, on an appropriate surface, with the correct pressure and technique.

While I agree with SwanicYouth about the damage it can inflict, I personally always keep a melamine sponge with me just in case. Whether it's to aid in light paint transfer removal or for cleaning a trouble spot on an interior surface, where the only other option is using a harsh solvent and a stiff abrasive brush/scrub pad...if I do decide to use the magic eraser I've already deduced (based on experience) that it is the best tool for that application.
 
mwoywod said:
It is really sad when I hear that someone has scrubbed through the coating on their leather with a magic eraser because a buddy said how great they were. It's like when car guys watch a detailing video on youtube and then tell their buddies "The only way to bring out the shine on your paint is with a high speed polisher and some good wax"

The truth is both Magic erasers (melamine sponges) AND rotary polishers are incredible tools when used by experienced professionals, in certain situations, when paired with the right chemical, on an appropriate surface, with the correct pressure and technique.

While I agree with SwanicYouth about the damage it can inflict, I personally always keep a melamine sponge with me just in case. Whether it's to aid in light paint transfer removal or for cleaning a trouble spot on an interior surface, where the only other option is using a harsh solvent and a stiff abrasive brush/scrub pad...if I do decide to use the magic eraser I've already deduced (based on experience) that it is the best tool for that application.
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You are indeed correct. Magic erasers are totally fine, it is the user who does not know their limits. When I use M.E. I do little to light pressure and check my pad to see if I get any dye transfers. People who are against my argument, why do paint correction if you know that their is a huge risk and also removes clear coat? Paint correction is totally safe depending on the user. I did tons of interior and rated top in my area for auto detailing without no complaints. Stick to using M.E and go soft, very soft on all leather, typically dark colored. Do not use a M.E are steering wheels.
 
Maestro Sam said:
Magic erasers are totally fine, it is the
user who does not know their limits.

When I use M.E. I do little to light
pressure and check my pad to see
if I get any dye transfers.

I did tons of interior and rated top
in my area for auto detailing without
no complaints.

Stick to using M.E and go soft, very soft on
all leather, typically dark colored.
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From reading your M.E.-posts, wherein you
are touting your amazing skillz with/while
using a M.E., I'm nearly flabbergasted
that you'd ever even bother to look for
any leather dye transfer. Because, after all:

Finding dye transfer means a goof...And
that ain't gonna happen with you...amiright.


•Also (still keeping your M.E.-skillz in mind):
What, then, could possibly be your reasons for
the below Public Service Announcement (PSA)?
(Seems a little-out-of-character for you.)

Maestro Sam said:
Do not use a M.E are steering wheels.
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Bob
 
FUNX650 said:
From reading your M.E.-posts, wherein you
are touting your amazing skillz with/while
using a M.E., I'm nearly flabbergasted
that you'd ever even bother to look for
any leather dye transfer. Because, after all:

Finding dye transfer means a goof...And
that ain't gonna happen with you...amiright.


•Also (still keeping your M.E.-skillz in mind):
What, then, could possibly be your reasons for
the below Public Service Announcement (PSA)?
(Seems a little-out-of-character for you.)





Bob
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That is correct and still stand behind using a magic eraser. Like I said before. magic eraser should be used only if it needs to be used on certain occasions. It is always good to use precaution and check for any type of transfer. Even using a mild apc, depending on the type of leather, you will get transfer. My point is, whatever you do or use, always use precaution.
 
FUNX650 said:
Sure...Keep using magic erasers on
vehicles' leather appointments, and
you probably won't ever get to the
point that you're trying to make in
this thread:
https://www.autogeekonline.net/foru...years-detailing-garage-9-years-detailing.html

:smh :

Bob
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Thanks man I will do me and you do you. If you want to be negative then so be it. Should take your pride and ego out of your ass and start respecting other opinions. Just like how wetsanding or any type of compounding might damage clear coat, with the right hands and experience, it should be safe. Get that in your thick head. I did not state I use M.E on all leather. I said when " I NEED IT" I grab one JUST LIKE others. Also, pulling up my thread and stating I wont be up there LOL! You are just a troll, I have a lot of success in this business and want to surpass what I am doing atm. Please get off my back.
 
FUNX650 said:
Sure...Keep using magic erasers on
vehicles' leather appointments, and
you probably won't ever get to the
point that you're trying to make in
this thread:
https://www.autogeekonline.net/foru...years-detailing-garage-9-years-detailing.html

:smh :

Bob
Click to expand...

Yea right... You act like true professionals don't know the tricks of the trade and when and how to safely bend the rules...

Take Darren Priest of Auto Fetish Detail for example, he's made vids where he demonstrates using Wheel Brightener to detail the intricate grill on a Bentley. Plus he uses that same Wheel Brightener to clean just about every wheel he runs into on a daily basis for the past 20+ years and to your surprise hasn't even died yet! Lol.

He also uses Magic Erasers for a plethora of different uses because he's smart and experienced enough to know when.. I think you're in the wrong to try and tell a full time professional detailer what's right and wrong.

Just my 2 cents.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
Magic Erasers are incredibly useful tools and have their place for both interior and exterior application.
Maestro Sam makes great points about being cautious, checking your work, and keeping an eye on the progressive application of Magic Erasers on leather.

Important to not that not all leather is the same quality, and in some cases, may not even be leather at all, though advertised as such.
Also important to note that leather dye and coatings on production vehicles these days are not the best quality, and that trend is only getting worse.
It is entirely possible to remove coatings and dye from leather as a result of the poor quality of the coating and dye.
Not a result of over aggressiveness or misapplication of the tool.

Detailers using the Magic Eraser will have different opinions on the subject, and have different experiences to draw from.
There will be cases where no other tool nor chemical product will work, and the Magic Eraser is the most suitable tool for the job.
There is a time and place for it.
A high level of caution is always advisable when applying a Magic Eraser to leather, vinyl, plastic, etc...

There will be trial and error for anyone new to using a Magic Eraser to clean interior surfaces.
This goes for both experienced detailers and rookies.
There is a learning curve for everything.

Most detailers have burned through clear coat and/ or paint at least once.
Does not mean they are a bad detailer.
Just means they made a mistake / miscalculation in their approach: pad, product, machine speed, pressure, temperature of panel, etc...

I personally use the Magic Eraser for interior cleaning when the appropriate moment calls for it.
I find it to be an indispensable tool that can remove dirt and contaminants when other methods just don't work.
Like anything else, test on materials of your own first, before using on a customer's vehicle.
 
judyb works for this company: Home - LTT

As you can see, they are specialized in leather care. Judy has been active in Detail Forums for 10 years or more, always being very helpful and straightforward with any questions asked: what is there still to doubt?

"Melamine sponges are like a very fine sandpaper
They work by removing or ‘sanding’ a very fine amount from the surface that is being cleaned – great for wood and hard surfaces but very detrimental to the fine surface finish on leather

Whilst results might look amazing the process is seriously detrimental to the longevity of your leather and in no time at all your leather will need repairs and restoration work to stop the finishes from depleting further

Products sold to be used in conjunction with these sponges simply rely on the abrasion of the sponge rather than the product being the correct formulation to clean the leather safely

So take care next time you reach for one of these to use on your leather you it may cost you much more than you think

Team LTT"
 
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