Coated leather still needs protectant

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pman626

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I've read arguments about not needing to put anything on coated leather seats because nothing penetrates them, or because anything on top attracts dirt.

Well, I just felt the backside of the leather headrests on the backseats of my 6 year old car, which is parked outside 24/7, and the coating on the leather is getting stiff.

My back glass is tinted to 30% with ceramic tint. It still does not prevent the coating on leather from turning hard.
The leather underneath the coating still seems supple.

So this is a good example of how cheap leather still needs protection. The sun or intense heat will dry and crack the coating on leather. Even if traditional leather conditioner only sits on the surface, it probably still provides a sufficient sacrificial layer.

I think it's the same idea with yellowing headlights. ANY substantial coating over the headlights will prevent the polycarbonate from yellowing, even if the coating itself turns yellow.
 
pman626 said:
I've read arguments about not needing to put anything on coated leather seats because nothing penetrates them, or because anything on top attracts dirt.

Well, I just felt the backside of the leather headrests on the backseats of my 6 year old car, which is parked outside 24/7, and the coating on the leather is getting stiff.

My back glass is tinted to 30% with ceramic tint. It still does not prevent the coating on leather from turning hard.
The leather underneath the coating still seems supple.

So this is a good example of how cheap leather still needs protection. The sun or intense heat will dry and crack the coating on leather. Even if traditional leather conditioner only sits on the surface, it probably still provides a sufficient sacrificial layer.

I think it's the same idea with yellowing headlights. ANY substantial coating over the headlights will prevent the polycarbonate from yellowing, even if the coating itself turns yellow.
Click to expand...

Is it any different when we protect the clear coat which is protecting the color coat?
 
Its not that leather doesn't need "protecting". That's not the argument. Its over "conditioning".

Anyway, I like CarPro F & L because it provides a durable coating on the leather. I believe the product bonds to itself, like a sealant, forming a mechanical barrier.
 
But coated leather needs regular hydration unlike headlights. My 7 year old black leather looks like new--every few weeks I spray it with a mist of distilled water and let it dry by itself -- then every 3 or 4 months give it a coat of Optimum Protectant (Leather protectant) and once a year a good cleaning with a mild APC.

I'll bet if you cleaned you head rests well, hydrated them regularly and tried the Optimum Protectant they'd be soft again in a few weeks.
 
I was actually going to cover the headrests with a towel.

But I have several cans of Pledge sitting unused, and Pledge claims it is good for this exact type of leather.

Cleaning Wood Furniture | Lemon Clean Furniture Spray | Pledge®
http://www.whatsinsidescjohnson.com/en-us/products-by-brand/pledge/pledge-lemon-clean.aspx

It has the same kind of silicones as other protectants, and seems to be compatible with the paint coating on leather.

I am going to test it on the center head rest. I have a feeling the silicones will help make the coating soft again.

Such a big company like SC Johnson is not going to risk lawsuits by falsely claiming it can be used on typical car leather.
 
I don't want to argue with the leather experts but the passenger seat on my Wrangler were like a thick paper when I bought it. After two years of cleaning and conditioning, it is FINALLY feeling like leather and similar to the driver seat. I might think it was related to having a passenger loosening it up but it is rare anyone sits in that seat. When I condition it, I leave the conditioner on as long as I can.
 
There was an excellent post by Michael Stoops at MOL and according to this, even the coating is porous in which case, the leather will need to be conditioned and protected. Let me see if i can find that thread.
 
So, what is a good maintenance plan (including product suggestions) for coated leather?
 
Here's a link with some information:
Pigment Coated Leather
Judy Bass is a member of AGO and posts from time to time on this kind of subject. Search her posting history: it might help.
 
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