Need a leather cleaner but there are too many options

There does seem to be a good deal of confusion going on!!
Foam cleaners are the most effective and safest way of cleaning leather - they allow for dwell time which gives time for any dirt to be lifted from the leather they are also the most economical as they make your product go much further. Using a foam means that the dirt is encapsulated and taken away from the leather rather than just moving the dirt around which most liquid cleaners do. Using a liquid can potentially be risky as some, if allowed to run can etch the finish on the leather which can be difficult to fx.
Successful cleaning is all about understanding the problem and using the appropriate methods and cleaners.
Dye transfer is a process - just using a stronger cleaner can lead to problems so use the gentlest first moving to the strongest.
You can use a brush to clean with a foam but this is not used to scrub the dirt out it is used to agitate the foam so that it can do its job properly.
Using an APC can lead to issues with the finish as most contain chemicals that could damage the finish on the leather and because the dilution rate is left up to the operative it will not have been tested.
Water is good for leather and necessary to keep it in good condition.
Hope this helps
Judyb
 
Thanks for the info Judy. I have a couple questions. Whats your thoughts on steam cleaning leather? Good or bad? What is the proper PH for a leather cleaning solution? Its supposed to be acidic, right? Or is that not a big issue? After cleaning coated car leather, what should the follow up be? A protectant? A conditioner? Do new cars even have real leather or is it some type of synthetic material? I hope you can answer some of these questions for me, I know you are a expert on leather.
 
Hi - thank you for the questions - always happy to help

Steam on leather
We do not recommend the use of steam as it tends to release the bond between the leather and the pigment so will degrade the finishes quicker. It can be too hot for some coatings

pH
Leather finishes can be degraded with products that are too acid or too alkaline. We have to distinguish between cleaning problems and removal of stains etc (like dye transfer) Cleaners should be pH neutral as far as possible but we may need to move somewhat from this when we are dealing with problems

Follow up
Conditioners containing waxes and oils should not be used on finished Auto leather as they are counter productive. The fats introduced into the leather during the retaining process are fixed these days and do not migrate so do not need replacing. We are generally dealing with the top finishes only so a protector is far more beneficial and worth paying for as it will prolong the life of the leather - conditioners can shorten the life of the leather by attracting more dirt which in turn degrades the finish n the leather. Beware of retailers renaming their conditioners as protectors without changing the formulation. Conditioners do not protect leather so read the ingredients and descriptions carefully!!

Leather
The quality of leather will vary greatly but just because it has a coating does not mean it is not real leather. The thickness of the coating determines whether it can be classed as leather. The more that leather is processed (to use damaged hides etc) the cheaper and more plasticky it becomes but it doesn't mean that it isn't leather!!

Hope this helps
Judyb
 
Judy B

thoughts on

leathermasters protection cream.

and

pinnacle black label leather and vinyl coating?

I have a 2015 Bmw. M4. With Black Nappa leather..

I want to keep the leathers matte look and dry type of feel..


which would be the better protect for the leather ?

thank you for your time
 
for a deep clean i use Leatherique, the oil and cleaner do a great job.

for a light cleaning i use very diluted APC and a soft brush.
 
I really like leather masters. The cleaner was effective, the moisturizer actually made the seats more supple, and the protectant is working thus far.

I am more satisfied with these products than others I have used.
 
judyb said:
pH
Leather finishes can be degraded with products that are too acid or too alkaline. We have to distinguish between cleaning problems and removal of stains etc (like dye transfer) Cleaners should be pH neutral as far as possible but we may need to move somewhat from this when we are dealing with problems

Follow up
Conditioners containing waxes and oils should not be used on finished Auto leather as they are counter productive. The fats introduced into the leather during the retaining process are fixed these days and do not migrate so do not need replacing. We are generally dealing with the top finishes only so a protector is far more beneficial and worth paying for as it will prolong the life of the leather - conditioners can shorten the life of the leather by attracting more dirt which in turn degrades the finish n the leather. Beware of retailers renaming their conditioners as protectors without changing the formulation. Conditioners do not protect leather so read the ingredients and descriptions carefully!!

Leather
The quality of leather will vary greatly but just because it has a coating does not mean it is not real leather. The thickness of the coating determines whether it can be classed as leather. The more that leather is processed (to use damaged hides etc) the cheaper and more plasticky it becomes but it doesn't mean that it isn't leather!!

Hope this helps
Judyb
Click to expand...

Hi Judy B - My first time posting...
After a half day or better of researching the subject, I had all but decided between either Wolfgang Leather Care Cleaner & Wolfgang Leather Care Conditioner, or Zaino Z-9 Leather Soft Spray Cleaner & Zaino Z-10 Leather in a Bottle.

After reading your comments above, I now have concerns not so much about the cleaners, but about the accompanying conditioners. Given that the conditioners in both of these product lines have UV protection, would this then qualify them as a protectant? Here are links to the conditioners:

Zaino Store : Z-10 Leather in a Bottle

Wolfgang Leather Care Conditioner <font color=red>Improved Formula</font>

Thank you for sharing your considerable knowledge on the subject! There's far more to choosing leather care products than I ever could have imagined!
 
To add to my post. Alot of the cars I work on could probably use a deeper cleaning. Such that it would help remove all the oil and dirt in the leather.

I just want to see what everyones favorite product is. I will spend above 50 if the results are good and I get alot of product
 
When considering products (particularly 'conditioners') always read the description and contents carefully. Products containing oils and waxes (be they natural or not!!) should definitely be avoided on finished Auto leather as they are not needed and can be counter productive.
Protection is not just about UV - a good quality protector will help keep the leather clean and free from dye transfer and also help with rehydration and abrasion.

A lot to of companies have renamed 'conditioners' as protectors without changing the formulation. Protectors are specifically formulated products and conditioners do not protect.

Hope this helps
Judyb
 
judyb said:
When considering products (particularly 'conditioners') always read the description and contents carefully. Products containing oils and waxes (be they natural or not!!) should definitely be avoided on finished Auto leather as they are not needed and can be counter productive.
Protection is not just about UV - a good quality protector will help keep the leather clean and free from dye transfer and also help with rehydration and abrasion.

A lot to of companies have renamed 'conditioners' as protectors without changing the formulation. Protectors are specifically formulated products and conditioners do not protect.

Hope this helps
Judyb
Click to expand...


Mind answering my question that I asked on the page before??

would really appreciate your input..

you can PM me if you would rather reply there

question is below

Judy B

thoughts on

leathermasters protection cream.

and

pinnacle black label leather and vinyl coating?

I have a 2015 Bmw. M4. With Black Nappa leather..

I want to keep the leathers matte look and dry type of feel..


which would be the better protect for the leather ?

thank you for your time
 
I love the smell of ultima interior gel cleaner,smells like dial the gold bar body wash and not so strong that it smacks you in the face very suttle . used it today on a 3 month old car.probably a good product as far as a maintenance but not good on a moderately dirty car it's missing that extra kick of power.Im not a agitation person,I like to spray and wipe and clean to the best possible results.It may work on a dirty car if you have the patience to brush or lather in,I'm not that guy so from 1 to 5 I give it a 4 for performance smell no residue and price.at 11.99 a bottle I will save for exotics or gentle newly leather,I'm a stickler when it comes to products and this one I would recommend hope that helps.
 
Jrocket said:
Mind answering my question that I asked on the page before??

would really appreciate your input..

you can PM me if you would rather reply there

question is below

Judy B

thoughts on

leathermasters protection cream.

and

pinnacle black label leather and vinyl coating?

I have a 2015 Bmw. M4. With Black Nappa leather..

I want to keep the leathers matte look and dry type of feel..


which would be the better protect for the leather ?

thank you for your time
Click to expand...
IF that was my car I would not use anything to preserve the leather being that it is so new I like the natural feel no oily or low sheen products.my wife has a 13 charger with black interior being a detailer for so long I'm old schooled in certain products or techniques this may sound off the wall but I apply pledge to everything and wipe it dry and works awesome,no lingering smell no sheen no lard.
 
judyb said:
When considering products (particularly 'conditioners') always read the description and contents carefully. Products containing oils and waxes (be they natural or not!!) should definitely be avoided on finished Auto leather as they are not needed and can be counter productive.
Protection is not just about UV - a good quality protector will help keep the leather clean and free from dye transfer and also help with rehydration and abrasion.

A lot to of companies have renamed 'conditioners' as protectors without changing the formulation. Protectors are specifically formulated products and conditioners do not protect.

Hope this helps
Judyb
Click to expand...


Judy, what is your favorite leather care product. Is lexol in the orange bottle, not the brown, good if you read the msds
 
Go to your local auto parts store and pick up Mother's Leather Cleaner. Unless your leather is heavily soiled, it'll work great.
 
Jrocket said:
Mind answering my question that I asked on the page before??

would really appreciate your input..

you can PM me if you would rather reply there

question is below

Judy B

thoughts on

leathermasters protection cream.

and

pinnacle black label leather and vinyl coating?

I have a 2015 Bmw. M4. With Black Nappa leather..

I want to keep the leathers matte look and dry type of feel..


which would be the better protect for the leather ?

thank you for your time
Click to expand...
Leather master will do.
 
I don't think Judy will answer some of your questions out of respect for her associated company's competitors.
 
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