Leather cleaner and conditioner -- Routine Maintenance Favorites

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spewking

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What are your "go to" leather product favorites for routine cleaning and maintenance? I am looking for something I can use monthly or as needed to keep things good and clean (not deep cleaning like you would do with a full detail)?

I bought some D181 leather cleaner to try after having good experience with the megs interior cleaner/detalier.

Have previously used leather masters for deep cleaning cleaning and conditioning with good results.

Thanks,

David
 
I always liked Optimum Protectant Plus for those occasions. Has some light cleaners In it and and leaves the leather with a nice non greasy feel.
 
Einszett Cockpit is AMAZING!

I'm also testing Mckee's Fast Interior Detailer and it's pretty good too. That said, it seems an awful lot like it's primarily Distilled water and Fragrance where Cockpit is a thicker emulsion that despite still drying completely matte, it does enhance the finish a bit more than the Mckee's product. I am definitely not dismissing the Mckee's product, I just don't have anyway of knowing that it's actually cleaning more than water and it's actually providing UV protection.

Optimum Protectant plus is great but a bit too satin for me so I always have to go back over it with a damp microfiber to try and knock it down some. I wonder if it's dilutable? I might try that. I typically use it on my customers cars rather than my own. It's the best I've found at hiding scuffs and scratches on dark interior plastic panels and it seems to provide the most UV protection of all the interior detailers/protectants I've tried
 
I'll second Cockpit Premium.


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I too like the Meg's 181 or 180 but since receiving a sample of Griots Leather Care Spray I am addicted to the way it turns around slightly dirty leather (haven't tried it on anything bad cause haven't had any in that were trashed) I have had specific comments from 2 of the 3 cars I've touched up the leather on since using GGs awesome spray. AG doesn't carry it at least anymore but I wish they did!
 
I've come to love poorboys leather stuff. Mostly because it has a very pleasant leather scent. It does seem to help soften up stiff leather as well. My current go to on every job I do that has leather
 
Right now I'm really liking McKee's 37 All In One Leather Lotion. I like the fact it cleans and conditions in one step.
 
I also use griots Leather 3-in-1 on my Golf R's Leather seats. The R's seats have a black firm matte finish to them and griots works well with them. Griots Leaves a nice pleasant leather smell which compliments their car fragrance Fine leather.


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+1 For GG 3-in-1....works great for maintenance cleaning/conditioning and smells good to boot.....
 
There's also leather masters strong cleaner and leather master cream. I plan on trying it on my seats in the near future.


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CG leather serum as a primary protectant and maintained with Opticlean.
 
spewking said:
What are your "go to" leather product favorites
for routine cleaning and maintenance?

Have previously used leather masters for
deep cleaning cleaning and conditioning
with good results.
Click to expand...
DSVETS7R said:
There's also leather masters strong
cleaner and leather master cream.
I plan on trying it on my seats in the
near future.
Click to expand...
I still use the Leather Master's line-up
for cleaning and protection of leather.

That way:
My in-between "the deeper cleanings"
basically consist of wipe-downs using
a slightly dampened white cloth.


•Speaking of conditioners:
-I may be wrong, but I don't think Leather
Master's offers any leather conditioners in
their product portfolio (at least I've never
seen any... :dunno: )

-Use of any leather conditioners isn't
part of my detailing leather processes.



Bob
 
McKees Total Interior Cleaner is a solid, easy cleaner.

But for the best, Leatherique.


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Another area of detailing where there is a ton of conflicting information. I've tried about 8 different leather products and have a hard time seeing much difference. Even when there is a difference, it doesn't seem to last more than a few weeks. Recently tried Leatherique - meh. Seems line a lot of other products, but is far more time consuming. The seat feels a little softer and sort of waxy (not sticky at all). I get similar results with DG Leather Conditioner and probably any other oil-based conditioning product. Leatherique is described in the MSDS as "inedible animal fat." It's almost certainly mink oil, similar to a lot of other leather products.

Side by side (which I just did), I really can't tell the difference between any of the oil-based products provided that I let them all stay on the leather for a similar amounts of time. And in a couple of weeks I likely won't see any difference between the leather I treated for 8 hours and covered with Saran wrap and the one I where I just use a conditioner/cleaner. Can report back and let people know.

Biggest factor seems to be keeping the leather clean regularly.
 
With leather, after cleaning, if you're not seeing any color transfer when wiping down with a damp cloth, you do NOT need a conditioner. In fact, the oils will attract dirt and grime, as it's not penetrating through the protective coating. Just use a protectant, like leather masters protection cream. If you're getting color transfer with a damp towel after cleaning, a leather conditioner would be ok, because it's actually penetrating through the protective coating and being absorbed by the leather.
 
^^^ Yep, but another point of contention. Many claim this is the case. Obviously the people selling leather conditioners want us to believe differently. Wish a real leather maker could chime in. Leather Doctor is kind of in the middle - they admit that coated leather can be be treated, but will get some benefit once the vinyl coating gets micro-cracks and conditioner can get through. Still no way to know what's really happening.
 
RippyD said:
Leather Doctor is kind of in the middle - they admit that coated leather can be be treated, but will get some benefit once the vinyl coating gets micro-cracks and conditioner can get through.
Click to expand...
Exactly.
 
WRAPT C5Z06 said:
With leather, after cleaning, if you're not seeing any color transfer when wiping down with a damp cloth, you do NOT need a conditioner. In fact, the oils will attract dirt and grime, as it's not penetrating through the protective coating.
Click to expand...

I've also heard over conditioning the leather may cause it to become too soft and cause it to tear away earlier from the stitching at stress points like seat bottoms. Any truth to that?
 
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