I've used both LTT and LM.
As far as the cleaners go, I think Leather Masters offers more options. And they are both similar. You always have to consider the fact that getting the LTT products shipped to the USA is expensive. Not by a little, but a lot more expensive. So for this I would suggest the LM cleaners.
To be honest , I also like to use Ultima Interior Shampoo. As its just faster to use and works just as well while being safe (ph7). Its also pretty foamy even when sprayed on a towel. This is another cleaner that works well without a lot of agitation (rubbing in).
As for the protectant's, while the end result is similar (which is protection from stains and abrasion as a result of a curable, breathable, water based polymer top coat), I feel that these product both have pretty different attributes.
I really go back and forth on the protectants. The best I can do is compare them from what I have seen and felt.
Leather Masters / Leather Protection Cream-
- softer feel to the leather
- top coat feels more substantial (maybe do to the soft feel it imparts)
- Have to be careful not to overapply to avoid long curing time which can lead to sticky feeling before it dreis fully. To help this I use a MF applicator and lighly wipe on in strokes while slightly overlapping, then let cure. no need to rub it in, it will level and cure with no streaks if applied evenly.
- non scented as far as I could tell. Maybe a light smell that is nice or fresh due to its chemical makeup.
- Inexpensive compared to other products that offer protection
- Noticeable results nextime you clean or wipe down the leather. driver seat is easier to clean with less chemicals.
- NON Slippery feeling. Grippy feeling on seats.
- No Gloss, but gives an even look once applied. You can tell its there but not from any gloss. Moreso from an even, flat look, with optical clarity of whats underneath. if the leather is cheap and has a glossy look natually, it might tone that down a bit actually.
LTT Leather Care / Auto Ultra Protect
- Trigger Spray
- Feeling of leather is virtually the same after application. Soft feel is very minimal.
- Wipes on a is taken in immediately. Meaning fast and foolproof application. I would feel comfortable getting in the seat within 5 minutes after application. compared to 1 hour for LM Protection Cream.
- Top coat feels less substantial compared to LM PC due to the non soft feeling.
- Noticeable results nextime you clean and wipe down the leather. Driver seat is easier to clean with less chemicals.
- NON Slippery - NON Grippy feeling. Really no change at all in the look or feel to the leather with LTT. Only way to tell its applied is from its protection and from its even look.
- NON Streaking. Even on those tough leathers. Goes back to the foolproof application.
- UV PROTECTION. LM PC does not offer UV protection. But LTT's Auto line up does. This may be important to some. It is to me which is why I bought LTT in the first place. the last thing I want to do is apply PERL or 303 over a protectant on leather. The reason for spending the extra coin on these products is because of the look, feel and stain protection they offer. I would not prefer to apply a product that is meant for rubber and vinyl over them. The real question is whether the amount of UV protection offered in LTT actually makes a difference or not in the end. I have not noticed any detriment in oxidation using LM PC. So I kind of stopped buying into the UV protection angle.
- Sight fragrance added IME. Noticeable fresh scent while applying. But oddly enough that scent is completely gone 5 to 10 minutes later once the product is dry.
- Very expensive to have shipped over to the USA.
So if I had to really sum up some of the key differences that first come to mind between the two last step protection products it would go like this :
- Leather Masters gives a better feeling to the leather with its soft touch effect. it also gives a more visual even appearance.
- LTT is the product that is easier to apply and is taken in faster and dries quicker. (although both take 24hours for the polymers to fully cure). Over application is not a concern at all. LM is very easy to apply but you have to be aware not to overapply it and to use the correct applicator as I have found foam to not work best when applying either product.
- LTT offers UV Protection and LM does not. Will this 'actually' make a difference in the end ?
- Its tough to say which one is more durable, but I think that Leather Masters Protection cream may last longer.
For Maintenance of these leather sealants its best to follow the manufacturers recommendations. Leather Masters suggest using there "soft cleaner". LTT suggests using there Auto Ultra Maintain. My preference is to wipe the seats down with a damp cloth weekly. If I see a spot to two that needs to be cleaned up I will put the LM soft cleaner in a trigger spray and add one spritz to my damp towel, helping to dilute the product. I feel that doing this maintains the coating instead of just going at it with a full strength cleaner, removing the coating, then starting over again. After about 2 months I will clean the seats again with 1 of Leather Masters cleaners (strong cleaner), then reapply.
LTT makes a 1 step cleaner/protectant called Auto Ultra Maintain. This product cleans and protects with a very nice fresh scent (cant describe the smell but its not a leather scent and its also very mild one the product dries). This product works great to clean without removing the protection you recently applied. The way I use this product is by cleaning my seats with a damp rag, then using a spritz or two of the Ultra Maintain on my damp towel to remove blemish's in the leather. I like the product for what it is and what it does, but I find that wiping down with a damp towel is faster and easier for me. I prefer to deep clean often then re-protect on the drivers seat. On the seats not being used often, this product can stretch your application of the protectant to every other time compared to the drivers seat. So If I protect the drivers seat with a 2 step product every two months, The LTT ultra maintain could help me stretch the application of the passenger seats to every 4 months.
In the end LTT Ultra Maintain is a TRULY unique product that has zero competitors available that I know of in the USA. Its a true dedicated leather cleaner that is safe, but its also a leather protectant also. with UV protection. When I say protectant, dont get that confused with other traditional leather products that use the word also. Protectant can mean a lot of different things. For example, when pinnacle leather products say they 'protect' the leather, they mean UV protection and moisture. There is nothing in traditional leather products that protects the seats from staining or abrasion. Thats what sets Leather Masters and LTT apart from those products. The word protect is describing something VASTLY different than the way traditional leather conditioners are. Two completely different things.
Personally I think the 1 step product, Ultra Maintain, is the best product to use on all the leather upholstery around the vehicle. Basically making it a great interior cleaner/protectant. If you have a leather dashboard or leather door panels this is the product you want to use often for wipedowns.
Leather Masters also makes a product called "Vital". The name comes from Revitalization. This product was made to penetrate and soften old and stiff leathers. Protected or finished leather has a vinyl top coat. Its said on these forums that no conditioner can penetrate these finished leather top coats but that not true. It would be better stated if people said, "MOST" leather products can not penetrate this top layer on finished leather. The reality is that finished leather has a vinyl clear coat that is breathable and flexible. Most products can not penetrate but some can. Leather Masters Vital is one of those products. Its water based and has small enough molecules to go past the top coat. (from what I have read regrading the product line). Same goes for the protection products. They have molecules that are small enough that can go into the protected leather. Oil based molecules can not. which is why you see greasy , slippery and patchy results when not using the correct products.
As for my experience using Vital, I have very little to add. I used the product once before I knew what it was designed for. On my new Audi leather it made no difference. and it also made using the LM system more laborious and time consuming. Its my understanding that is product was specifically made for leather repairs and older stiff leather. Its not a protectant at all and has its use's. Of which ime, are not needed for my scenario's of protecting cars that are relatively new. LM recommends that you use 1 of their cleaners and then go straight to protection cream afterwards. This is why all the kits dont include vital.
So to recap, as for Leather Cleaners I think Leather Masters has the more comprehensive offering. 3 of 4 different strength cleaners that are all very safe to use. LTT offers one cleaner that is similar in power to strong cleaner or rapid S and also very safe to use. So when I consider the pricing of shipping I recommend using LM.
For protection I find that I like both products. they both offer slightly different attributes which could really only be appreciated by buying and using both of the products.
In any case, by choosing either of these products, I personally feel that you are doing the best you possibly can to care for your leather interior. While also keeping it looking its best and helping to avoid stains and abrasion form the stains.
LMK if you have an specific questions.
If your car is over a year old and you have been using old school leather "conditioners" I would HIGHLY recommend this kit to aid in removing all of the old conditioners to get to a clean base. They use the starter cream, then protection cream. This kit is fantastic and I really like the fact that includes everything you need to convert to LM in the correct way. The only thing missing in the kit is a couple MF applicators to apply the Protection creams. You can use the soft white towel to apply it, but I prefer MF for a more even application and to avoid using too much product.
Leather Master Car Leather Interior Service Kit, leather care, leather cleaner, leather protection
Microfiber Applicator Pads spread car care products evenly & neatly. Microfiber is nonabrasive and safe on clear coat finishes.
For any other scenario I would recommend this kit :
Leather Master Car Leather Protection & Cleaner Kit, Leather Master Ink Away Ink Remover, ink lifter, leather cleaner, leather protection
and add this for extra cleaning power
Leather Master Car Interior Rapid Cleaner S, Rapid Leather Cleaner, Leather Master Auto Care Master
Always use MF to apply the protection cream. avoid using foam app's.
Microfiber Applicator Pads spread car care products evenly & neatly. Microfiber is nonabrasive and safe on clear coat finishes.
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