Opinions on using APC to clean leather??

Thanks Bunky.

I do think now most of what Judy is saying is true, although I havent had any troubles with lexol over many years ,using it on coated leather . I think the key to maintaining coated leather is regular cleaning .
 
I protect my leather with G|Techniq L1 Leather Coat and clean with Ultima Interior Shampoo Gel spray. Great combo IMO!

I believe Judy is a leather expert who is spot on regarding coated leather.
 
So after going through this thread...is all leather cleaner/conditioner BS since automotive leather is coated? This kind of puts a bullet in Leatherique does it not? So really you need to find out what the coating is that used and clean/treat that because whatever you're putting on/cleaning the seat with isn't even touching leather...or am I missing something?
 
goathead said:
So after going through this thread...is all leather cleaner/conditioner BS since automotive leather is coated? This kind of puts a bullet in Leatherique does it not? So really you need to find out what the coating is that used and clean/treat that because whatever you're putting on/cleaning the seat with isn't even touching leather...or am I missing something?
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It makes sense to know about the surface you are working on. That's pretty much the challenge to variations in seating material installed in cars/suvs etc...Education is a big part of this business. If truly the body comes in contact with leather surfaces, then one can assume that a mild soapy solution should clean with agitation followed by a leather care cream or solution. I have used a mild soapy solution with a mild bristled brush and achieved excellent results. I followed up with either a griot leather or leather master treatment. Sometimes dye from clothing gets on a leather seat which requires a little TLC. An APC with proper dilution works nicely. Always test when cleaning leather to ensure you get the correct results.
 
Personally as long as we're talking about coated leather, APC should be fine. Uncoated or higher end leather always gets a dedicated leather cleaner to prevent damage or deterioration.
 
That is all I am saying. If you went after someone's Ferrari leather with an APC, and continued that over time, I don't think the results would be the same as on an American cars leather. As JudyB pointed out I am obviously not a leather expert, or car expert, or detail expert for that matter. That is why I am on here. To learn and post my thoughts/opinions/knowledge/mistaken knowledge and have someone in-the-know teach me better. I just want to figure out why AG and other sites/products advertise/have available leather care products that you "need" but it is unclear their intended use. There is, to me at least, a mystery behind leather care and treatment. SO if Lexol has a "neatsfoot" product that has nothing in it of a traditional neatsfoot, and it isn't oily, and won't dry out leather/stitching, why wouldn't you want to use it on treated leather that is showing signs of wear and possible cracking due to lack of proper cleaning and protecting? Or especially if the leather is already cracked/heavily worn? Just curious and confused.
 
07 z-oh-6 said:
It would be interesting to see Dr G. from Optimum chime in on this.
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Sorry for the late reply. Most APCs contain caustic soda or caustic potash. Caustics are also used in paint removers so at high enough concentration, they can not only damage uncoated (tanned) leather, but also they can damage coated leather as well. However, Optimum Power Clean does not contain any caustics and that is why it is safe to use on coated as well as tanned leather. As Chris already pointed out, you should avoid using Power Clean on repaired and redyed leather.

In most cases, you can just use Optimum Leather Protectant to clean and condition leather. This product contains mild cleaners as well as substantive polymers that protect coated or tanned leather for months and are used in the process of manufacturing automotive leather. These polymers allow moisture to penetrate leather and keep leather supple while preventing contaminants to bond or react with leather.

If leather is heavily soiled, we recommend using Optimum Power Clean diluted anywhere from 3:1 to 10:1. This should be followed up with Optimum Leather Protectant to protect leather from drying out as well as resoiling.
 
David G. said:
Sorry for the late reply. Most APCs contain caustic soda or caustic potash. Caustics are also used in paint removers so at high enough concentration, they can not only damage uncoated (tanned) leather, but also they can damage coated leather as well. However, Optimum Power Clean does not contain any caustics and that is why it is safe to use on coated as well as tanned leather. As Chris already pointed out, you should avoid using Power Clean on repaired and redyed leather.

In most cases, you can just use Optimum Leather Protectant to clean and condition leather. This product contains mild cleaners as well as substantive polymers that protect coated or tanned leather for months and are used in the process of manufacturing automotive leather. These polymers allow moisture to penetrate leather and keep leather supple while preventing contaminants to bond or react with leather.

If leather is heavily soiled, we recommend using Optimum Power Clean diluted anywhere from 3:1 to 10:1. This should be followed up with Optimum Leather Protectant to protect leather from drying out as well as resoiling.
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Excellent insight. Welcome to AGO, Doc! :props:
 
David G. said:
Sorry for the late reply. Most APCs contain caustic soda or caustic potash. Caustics are also used in paint removers so at high enough concentration, they can not only damage uncoated (tanned) leather, but also they can damage coated leather as well. However, Optimum Power Clean does not contain any caustics and that is why it is safe to use on coated as well as tanned leather. As Chris already pointed out, you should avoid using Power Clean on repaired and redyed leather.

In most cases, you can just use Optimum Leather Protectant to clean and condition leather. This product contains mild cleaners as well as substantive polymers that protect coated or tanned leather for months and are used in the process of manufacturing automotive leather. These polymers allow moisture to penetrate leather and keep leather supple while preventing contaminants to bond or react with leather.

If leather is heavily soiled, we recommend using Optimum Power Clean diluted anywhere from 3:1 to 10:1. This should be followed up with Optimum Leather Protectant to protect leather from drying out as well as resoiling.
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Thanks Dr. G!



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I think it would be really nice if one of AG's
knowledgeable
leather persons wpould post on this matter especially since they sell so many leather and vinyl products. :props:
Ive also put in an email to lexol about this and hope to get a reply.
 
Originally Posted by buddhadog
Judy , do you have affiliations with bowdensown?
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We do not have any affilliations with bowdensown although we have trained and consulted all over the world so our take on leather and its care is now widely followed in the industry. We have a training school in the UK and act as a consultancy service for the cleaning/detailing/furniture industries.

Hope this helps
 
buddhadog said:
I think it would be really nice if one of AG's
knowledgeable
leather persons wpould post on this matter especially since they sell so many leather and vinyl products. :props:
Ive also put in an email to lexol about this and hope to get a reply.
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Read and heed David G.'s post from the previous page... he is about as good a source as you'll find when it comes to understanding cleaning chemicals and their effects on various materials. :props:
 
judyb said:
We do not have any affilliations with bowdensown although we have trained and consulted all over the world so our take on leather and its care is now widely followed in the industry. We have a training school in the UK and act as a consultancy service for the cleaning/detailing/furniture industries.

Hope this helps
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Thanks for the reply Judy and taking time to educate us.
 
Shiny Lil Detlr said:
Read and heed David G.'s post from the previous page... he is about as good a source as you'll find when it comes to understanding cleaning chemicals and their effects on various materials. :props:
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Thanks, and I did reread what he had to say! Sounds like the leather protectant ( optimum leather protectant) would be a good choice for both coated and uncoated leather . Anyone using this here?
 
I'm being lazy and not reading all of the previous posts after a couple pages. So I may repeat.

But, I only use leather products on leather. If I hired a detailer I would be annoyed if they used APC on my leather. Family members in the past have had the stitching start deteriorating and the leather repair shop said that stronger non dedicated leather type of cleaners can encourage and speed up the process of deterioration.

So with that I am pretty particular about what goes onto a few of my cars.

EDIT: I just read Dr. G's post, so I think that makes my stance more accurate. At least to me haha.
 
I had put in an email to lexol and here is my question and their reply:

I have an auto detailing business and have used lexol conditioner for years. My question is that most leather is now COATED.......so is lexol conditioner really the right product to use? Does it penetrate into the leather beneathe the coating? Thanks!

Good morning,
Thank you for your inquiry on our Lexol Leather Care products.
You are correct, most manufacturers do “top-coat” the leather to protect it during processing. It’s like “scotch guard” for sofas.
Gradually that will wear off with continued use, getting in and out of the vehicle. You can do the water-drop test, to see if the coating is still on the leather, I would recommend after 3 to 4 months of a new vehicle. The leather should be protected until the top-coating comes off.
Our Lexol is formulated to absorb into the leather, to condition from the inside out. So applying Lexol will only sit on top of the leather and become sticky.

image001.jpg
 
So since i have uncoated leather on the T-Bird am i safe to use Leatherique?
 
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