Leather

[David Fermani]

what are some good leather cleaners for black unfinished leather?

Don't use Woolite.

 

[flyfishindawg]

You guys have me extremely confused. More than one forum that I have read says that spending money on expensive leather treatments for modern leather is a waste of money. I have read that, since most of the newer leathers (other than very high end) are coated (pleather?) and the product doesn't penetrate, you might as well light cigars with the cash.

Would someone (expert opinion please!) please settle this once and for all?! For the record, no one likes nice, expensive products more than I; however, if these expensive treatments amount to nicely packaged snake-oil, please let me know so that I can shift the funds to other products.

 

[David Fermani]

I believe the key to proper leather care is using a PH balanced cleaner (most cleaners aren't) and using a water based protector. Oil based conditioners will attract soiling and deteriorate it over time. Proper products aren't much more expensive that regular ones. If you want a professional opinion do a Google search for "judyb - leather or leather care"

 

[CharlesW]

Would someone (expert opinion please!)

As with most things, different definitions for different people.
From Wikipedia: An expert can be, by virtue of training, education, profession, publication or experience
For me to consider myself an expert would be very presumptuous as well as incorrect.

I do have 8+ years of experience with caring for the gray coated leather in our 2000 Pontiac GTP.
1. I clean it about every two weeks with either a dedicated leather cleaner or a Woolite/water combination.
2. At that time, I also apply Four Star Leather Conditioner.
3. I have done that for the past 6+ years. The first two years we owned the car, I used "The Tannery" cleaner and conditioner.
4. I clean and treat all the seats the same even though much of it is actually vinyl.
5. Because of the stuff I have been reading, I have recently started using 303 on all of the seating about once a year. This helps me deal with my paranoia from too much reading.
4. The car is a daily driver with 65,000+ miles on it.
5. The leather still looks new.
6. None of the products have darkened the leather and since the leather is coated, I wouldn't have expected them to.
7. I have also read all the debate about what will or will not work. It certainly seems that what I am doing is working so I think I will continue the same process for another 8 or 9 years to give it a fair test.

please settle this once and for all?

This is probably not going to do that.

 

[AudiTTman]

Well since your looking for an expert, i don't think I'm going to be helpful. I have black leather seats(2001 model 88,000miles) and I have mine looking like the car just rolled off the lot( and they still smell like new). The only way to know what works with your leather is to try the products. Now that doesnt mean go out and by 20products and give em all a shot. Just a few to see how the leather looks, feels, and withstands daily driving. Its taken me almost 2 years to find what kind of leather product i like lol. I may only be 20yrs old, but i can make a pair of seats look like new...and the ladies love me for it haha

Ill settle this for you though........you had 20+ people give you great opinions on their experiences. Most normal people don't get to hear any of this awesome info, so you should be happy!

 

[supercharged]

As with most things, different definitions for different people.
From Wikipedia: An expert can be, by virtue of training, education, profession, publication or experience
For me to consider myself an expert would be very presumptuous as well as incorrect.

I do have 8+ years of experience with caring for the gray coated leather in our 2000 Pontiac GTP.
1. I clean it about every two weeks with either a dedicated leather cleaner or a Woolite/water combination.
2. At that time, I also apply Four Star Leather Conditioner.
3. I have done that for the past 6+ years. The first two years we owned the car, I used "The Tannery" cleaner and conditioner.
4. I clean and treat all the seats the same even though much of it is actually vinyl.
5. Because of the stuff I have been reading, I have recently started using 303 on all of the seating about once a year. This helps me deal with my paranoia from too much reading.
4. The car is a daily driver with 65,000+ miles on it.
5. The leather still looks new.
6. None of the products have darkened the leather and since the leather is coated, I wouldn't have expected them to.
7. I have also read all the debate about what will or will not work. It certainly seems that what I am doing is working so I think I will continue the same process for another 8 or 9 years to give it a fair test.
This is probably not going to do that.

every two weeks is a bit overkill. Once every 2 months or so is good enough...Trust me...All three cars in a family have leather seats, and so did my fist car, which I did leather once a week, and ended up removing coating...just be sure to use a GOOD leather conditioner, something better then Megs or Mothers...

 

[CharlesW]

every two weeks is a bit overkill. Once every 2 months or so is good enough...Trust me...All three cars in a family have leather seats, and so did my fist car, which I did leather once a week, and ended up removing coating...just be sure to use a GOOD leather conditioner, something better then Megs or Mothers...

You are probably right about the overkill, but I used to be even worse.
At one time, I cleaned and did the 303 thing weekly with the leather conditioner monthly.
Chances are the cleaning is the most important of any of the steps I follow. As far as the routine is concerned, the car is my wife's daily driver and I feel like I need to do as much as I can to it when I can get it away from her.

 

[supercharged]

You are probably right about the overkill, but I used to be even worse.
At one time, I cleaned and did the 303 thing weekly with the leather conditioner monthly.
Chances are the cleaning is the most important of any of the steps I follow. As far as the routine is concerned, the car is my wife's daily driver and I feel like I need to do as much as I can to it when I can get it away from her.

I was cleaning and conditioning leather in my TL once a week with Megs 2 step aloe products...for a couple of months...

 

[wytstang]

To be honest the day I put leather seats in the mustang I will probably be just as bad as CharlesW lol. Heck I have a leather shift knob I condition often lol but the oils in my hand cause me to condition it often (especially during winter).

 

[Craig]

Allot of choices for the interior. I did a Town car about a week ago. Had a leather roof covering, felt like, looked like, the owner said it was leather. What are some ideas on that beast? I used Lexol, the smell was disgusting. He was happy with the results and wants it done before returning north. I don't want to use Lexol again.

 

[flyfishindawg]

As I said before, I am not trying to be a Richard about this. I guess the best way to explain myself is by example:

I am now on my fourth Acura -

1993 Legend - this car had "real" or untreated leather. No doubt this type of leather would benefit from the best quality products.

1997 RL - same

2002 RL - leather with urethane impregnation. If you dropped water on it, the water would roll off like it was waxed.

2005 RL - ditto.

For the first two, I believe that the best quality treatment products that I could afford was the way to go. Why? Because they actually penetrated into the leather and did their job. For the last two, since their is no real penetration (or is there?), what is the point as long as they are cleaned and protected from UV discoloration?

Maybe I am the one that doesn't understand, and that is fine; however, I still am not convinced (but want to be so I can get the good stuff!)

 

[CharlesW]

When I first started caring for my leather, I didn't know the difference in how the conditioners work. Unfortunately, I'm not much better off today.
Many say they help, many say they are a waste of money.
Since my present leather is coated, I use both like I posted earlier. The 303 should be protecting the coating, the conditioner should be conditioning the leather. There are those that say the conditioner will get to the leather through the stitching and any perforations.
I have no idea, but what I am doing has worked for 8.5 years so I don't think I will change a thing.

 

[supercharged]

As I said before, I am not trying to be a Richard about this. I guess the best way to explain myself is by example:

I am now on my fourth Acura -

1993 Legend - this car had "real" or untreated leather. No doubt this type of leather would benefit from the best quality products.

1997 RL - same

2002 RL - leather with urethane impregnation. If you dropped water on it, the water would roll off like it was waxed.

2005 RL - ditto.

For the first two, I believe that the best quality treatment products that I could afford was the way to go. Why? Because they actually penetrated into the leather and did their job. For the last two, since their is no real penetration (or is there?), what is the point as long as they are cleaned and protected from UV discoloration?

Maybe I am the one that doesn't understand, and that is fine; however, I still am not convinced (but want to be so I can get the good stuff!)

I have 2005 RL, and leather is coated. It is also perforated. I use Wolfgang/Pinnacle leather conditioners and love the both.