Leather cleaning

Jomax

Jomax

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Just bought a 2012 ford focus with black leather interior. What's the best stuff to use in caring for it? I heard car leathers today do need conditioner because the leather is sealed and to just use a cleaner like simple green etc often. Thoughts?
 
Jomax said:
Just bought a 2012 ford focus with black leather interior. What's the best stuff to use in caring for it? I heard car leathers today do need conditioner because the leather is sealed and to just use a cleaner like simple green etc often. Thoughts?
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I would avoid using Simple Green.


I recommend Leather Masters Strong Cleaner and Protection Cream.


Leatherique is good stuff too.
 
I meant to say car leather today DOESN'T need conditioner, is this true??
 
Jomax said:
I meant to say car leather today DOESN'T need conditioner, is this true??
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That seems to be the general consensus but there is still a lot of conflicting information out there, especially from the manufactures themselves.

The Protection Cream I listed above is not a conditioner, it's a sacrificial barrier that will help protect the top coating much like a wax on paint, or Scotch Guard on carpet/fabric.
 
Jomax said:
Just bought a 2012 ford focus with black leather interior. What's the best stuff to use in caring for it? I heard car leathers today do need conditioner because the leather is sealed and to just use a cleaner like simple green etc often. Thoughts?
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UIGP :xyxthumbs:
 
RaskyR1 said:
That seems to be the general consensus but there is still a lot of conflicting information out there, especially from the manufactures themselves.

The Protection Cream I listed above is not a conditioner, it's a sacrificial barrier that will help protect the top coating much like a wax on paint, or Scotch Guard on carpet/fabric.
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I see, Makes sense, price isn't to bad either:)

I
 
I remember reading an in-depth article about automotive leather conditioning and I believe it said to use a water-based conditioner over oil-based conditioner (I could be off on how they're labeled, but the article basically said there are only a couple "real" automotive leather conditioners). Basically, the way automotive leather is, oil-based conditioners won't do anything but sit on top as a dressing whereas water-based will penetrate the leather and condition it the way it is meant to. Someone here should be able to chime in, but I believe leatherique was listed as one of the only "true" automotive leather conditioners.
 
tw33k2514 said:
Ultima interior guard plus

How strong is LM strong cleaner anyway? In comparison to an APC.
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Pretty mild IMO, but SAFE. For brand new leather there is no need for harsh cleaners. Regular cleaning with the water based cleaner and protection cream should keep them looking like new (no added gloss) for a long time.
 
Someone probably already said it...but, I wouldn't use Simple Green on your leather seats.

Stick with products made strictly for leather. If you clean them often...you shouldn't need to do any extensive cleaning. Something to spray and wipe should do the trick, unless you let them go for a while.

I would recommend a product...but I don't use anything on leather than can be bought at AG. I'm sure others will point you in the right direction. I hear leatherique works really well. But, I can't speak from experience on that product. :dblthumb2:
 
RaskyR1 said:
Pretty mild IMO, but SAFE. For brand new leather there is no need for harsh cleaners. Regular cleaning with the water based cleaner and protection cream should keep them looking like new (no added gloss) for a long time.
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agree 100%.

the LM protection cream is very good stuff that adds ZERO gloss. and repel dirt buildup and transfer.

I actually found that Pinnacle Leather conditioner adds to dirt buildup on the seat, forcing me to clean them more often as this product adds moisture.

Along with the LM products I spend a crapload on importing LTT leathercare products from that women judy who always spams the forums about leather care. turns out these products are amazing, and there leather protect is very similar to behavoir with water beading as the Ultima interior gaurd. BUT the LTT is water based and does not condition and darken the leather like the Ultima. not even slightly.
 
RaskyR1 said:
Pretty mild IMO, but SAFE. For brand new leather there is no need for harsh cleaners. Regular cleaning with the water based cleaner and protection cream should keep them looking like new (no added gloss) for a long time.
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Good to know. Ive been using Mothers VLR on well kept leather with pretty good results. But I may give the LM stuff a try. I always hear such good things about it.
 
So. A 30:1 dilution of Simple green is still hard on it?
 
I just bought the Chemical Guys combo and really like it. Best product I have used to date and I have had cars with leather interiors for the past 10 years. I have tried a ton of different products and really like this combo.
 
I'm glad this topic came up.

I've got a '98 Regal with tan leather (I think) inside. I say I think, because it's not like the leather in Mercury Marquis'. Since I've been keeping it outside, the seats have went from a smooth nice looking appearance to a wrinkled up mess. It's like they're so dry that is seems like the coating on the surface is beginning to crack. In the crack, it's white colored. I wasn't sure if there was anything I could do for them. There are no cracks gone completely through as in holes in the seats though. They're just wrinkling and no longer smooth.

I thought about getting some leatherique on them, but wasn't sure really what to do or use.
 
Jomax said:
So. A 30:1 dilution of Simple green is still hard on it?
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Any kind of APC is going to dry out the leather from repeated use. I have used Megs APC+ to clean neglected leather seats and then treated with Mothers VLR or a water based dressing made for leather.

Believe it or not Megs Quick Interior Detailer would be a good choice for maintenance, it has light cleaning ability, a matte finish, dry to the touch and a nice smell. Plus you can use it on the entire interior including your Nav. screen.
 
Sounds good, I'll be buying some interior cleaner along with LM
 
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