Bunky
Well-known member
- Jun 20, 2007
- 6,408
- 137
Mothers VLR review
Manufacturer's Description
VLR Vinyl-Leather-Rubber Care: Mothers VLR quickly and easily cleans, conditions and protects a wide variety of vinyl, leather and rubber surfaces. This pro-strength, pH balanced formula safely cleans even the most stubborn ground-in dirt, soil and stains. Infused with neat’s-foot oil and lanolin, this all-in-one blend conditions and protects against drying, fading and cracking, in one simple step.
Product specifics:
1. Size: 24 oz. with sprayer
2. Directions: spray surface then wipe with a microfiber or terry cloth towel. Wipe. Shake well during use.
3. Consistency - translucent liquid
4. Scent - mild light leather scent
My initial reaction when I heard about this product is how does lanolin and neat's foot oil work in a product that also claims to be a cleaner on vinyl and rubber. I expected a more lotion like product you would find in some leather care products like PB's Leather Stuff or DP Total Interior Protectant.
Usage notes
Unlike the label instructions, I usually sprayed VLR on an terry cloth applicator for most sections except for one sprayed for photo since I always get whatever it on glass.
It has a fairly thin consistency and spreads evenly. It wets the surface more like some interior cleaning products like Meg's QID or 1z Cockpit Premium. Left alone, it will dry somewhat (evaporate) on its own. I buffed the surface down after letting it sit for a 10 to 15 seconds.
As shown in pictures, it darkens some surfaces somewhat. The effect seems to vary by how the light reflects. It will look darker initially but lightens as it dries. It does not seem to add more gloss so fairly neutral in terms of gloss.
I also applied it to my protected leather seats. It did not really seem to change the color like it did on the darker surfaces or add that much slickness that leather care products do in varying amounts.
As for cleaning, it worked fine on some greasy residue. In the side by side there is a very slight difference in darkening but no real change in gloss.
It leaves a nice very light leather like scent (maybe real with neat's foot oil?) compared to some muskier leather care products and the scent lasts a few days. Like all protectants, I cannot really judge a product's protective properties.
Door Panel Test
The side by side difference on the center console seems more distinct. I saw no difference on the the lighter surfaces.
This shows the initial untreated door panel surface:
DSC_2542-1
After application:
DSC_2545-1
This shows the consistency. I was expecting something thicker given the comment regarding including lanolin.
DSC_2555-1
Without tape
DSC_2548-1
Center console (tape was used for focus).
DSC_2551-1
Cleaning evaluation Test
Before
DSC_2565-1
Control section. Tape in place prior to cleaning
DSC_2566-1
After tape removed
DSC_2567-1
Finished
DSC_2568-1
Manufacturer's Description
VLR Vinyl-Leather-Rubber Care: Mothers VLR quickly and easily cleans, conditions and protects a wide variety of vinyl, leather and rubber surfaces. This pro-strength, pH balanced formula safely cleans even the most stubborn ground-in dirt, soil and stains. Infused with neat’s-foot oil and lanolin, this all-in-one blend conditions and protects against drying, fading and cracking, in one simple step.
Product specifics:
1. Size: 24 oz. with sprayer
2. Directions: spray surface then wipe with a microfiber or terry cloth towel. Wipe. Shake well during use.
3. Consistency - translucent liquid
4. Scent - mild light leather scent
My initial reaction when I heard about this product is how does lanolin and neat's foot oil work in a product that also claims to be a cleaner on vinyl and rubber. I expected a more lotion like product you would find in some leather care products like PB's Leather Stuff or DP Total Interior Protectant.
Usage notes
Unlike the label instructions, I usually sprayed VLR on an terry cloth applicator for most sections except for one sprayed for photo since I always get whatever it on glass.
It has a fairly thin consistency and spreads evenly. It wets the surface more like some interior cleaning products like Meg's QID or 1z Cockpit Premium. Left alone, it will dry somewhat (evaporate) on its own. I buffed the surface down after letting it sit for a 10 to 15 seconds.
As shown in pictures, it darkens some surfaces somewhat. The effect seems to vary by how the light reflects. It will look darker initially but lightens as it dries. It does not seem to add more gloss so fairly neutral in terms of gloss.
I also applied it to my protected leather seats. It did not really seem to change the color like it did on the darker surfaces or add that much slickness that leather care products do in varying amounts.
As for cleaning, it worked fine on some greasy residue. In the side by side there is a very slight difference in darkening but no real change in gloss.
It leaves a nice very light leather like scent (maybe real with neat's foot oil?) compared to some muskier leather care products and the scent lasts a few days. Like all protectants, I cannot really judge a product's protective properties.
Door Panel Test
The side by side difference on the center console seems more distinct. I saw no difference on the the lighter surfaces.
This shows the initial untreated door panel surface:
DSC_2542-1
After application:
DSC_2545-1
This shows the consistency. I was expecting something thicker given the comment regarding including lanolin.
DSC_2555-1
Without tape
DSC_2548-1
Center console (tape was used for focus).
DSC_2551-1
Cleaning evaluation Test
Before
DSC_2565-1
Control section. Tape in place prior to cleaning
DSC_2566-1
After tape removed
DSC_2567-1
Finished
DSC_2568-1
