Opinions on using APC to clean leather??

I'd listen to Judy Mark. ;)

LM is good stuff too.


On trashed leather APC's typically clean faster, but I always try to use dedicated leather cleaners first when ever possible.
 
Rasky, other than APC, what's the most effective leather specific cleaner you've used on trashed leather?

RaskyR1 said:
I'd listen to Judy Mark. ;)

LM is good stuff too.


On trashed leather APC's typically clean faster, but I always try to use dedicated leather cleaners first when ever possible.
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07 z-oh-6 said:
Rasky, other than APC, what's the most effective leather specific cleaner you've used on trashed leather?





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I honestly don't find dedicated leather cleaners to be very effective at all (time wise) on trashed leather, and I'll use an APC like OPC on them. For my clients that come in with well cared for leather I use LTT or LM.


While I agree with what Judy says on APC's, IMO it's not worth the added time and high material cost to sit there and try to clean leather seats as safely/gently as possible when their that far gone already. Unless of course the client is willing to pay for that extra time.


Just my $.02


Rasky
 
It really just depends on what kind of APC, and whether it produces the results that you like. I don't find APC to work all that great on really grimy leather. I use a leather cleaner from Malco with magic sponges. Works really great for me. But, that's me! :dblthumb2:
 
It would be interesting to see Dr G. from Optimum chime in on this.
 
or TOGWT, Jon, one of the leather gurus.

I was JUST reading a post of his in the UK where he recommends a member to test the pH of his cleaner, and says leather needs a slightly alkaline pH... not that I can really add anything to the thread, but though it was interesting. I have a pH meter and could run some pH tests on APC, but I don't have OPC.

There is another leather guru somewhere, she posts in obscure forums I believe. Marc knows who she is, let me see if I can find a name...
 
jlb85 said:
or TOGWT, Jon, one of the leather gurus.

I was JUST reading a post of his in the UK where he recommends a member to test the pH of his cleaner, and says leather needs a slightly alkaline pH... not that I can really add anything to the thread, but though it was interesting. I have a pH meter and could run some pH tests on APC, but I don't have OPC.

There is another leather guru somewhere, she posts in obscure forums I believe. Marc knows who she is, let me see if I can find a name...
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I'll gladly send you a sample to test OPC straight and at 3:1. Would you do that for me?
 
07 z-oh-6 said:
I'll gladly send you a sample to test OPC straight and at 3:1. Would you do that for me?
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Is it possible that the water a person uses to dilute products could change the pH rating? Not all tap water for example is filtered and chemically treated the same at every water treatment plant. Maybe test the pH level of readily available distilled water to see if there is a pattern of consistency, and if so go with that brand. Maybe I'm just too tired right now and spitting out crazy talk.
 
07 z-oh-6 said:
It would be interesting to see Dr G. from Optimum chime in on this.
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I will let him know about the thread. He will likely tell you that different APCs use different cleaners and that the type PC uses is safe.


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Mark, I'd be glad to! Let me make sure the ol thing works and measure the APC.

Regarding the water, I will use the same water I drink: filtered-filtered-softened-reverse osmosis. The water comes out at 002 ppm. But any water will probably be a minor contributor. Most water is close to 7, neutral, and only the nastiest tap water would affect the strength of the solution. If you can drink it, it should be fine.

Still, like I'm sure Dr G will say, pH is not the whole story. There are many other contributors to the story!
 
jlb85 said:
Mark, I'd be glad to! Let me make sure the ol thing works and measure the APC.

Regarding the water, I will use the same water I drink: filtered-filtered-softened-reverse osmosis. The water comes out at 002 ppm. But any water will probably be a minor contributor. Most water is close to 7, neutral, and only the nastiest tap water would affect the strength of the solution. If you can drink it, it should be fine.

Still, like I'm sure Dr G will say, pH is not the whole story. There are many other contributors to the story!
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To be honest I wasn't sure. People are always preaching about variables! Lol!
 
I Shine said:
I have had really good results using Meguiars APC plus 10:1 and a white terry cloth towel.

Once clean I go over it with a leather conditioner.
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:xyxthumbs:

When i purchased my T-Bird the un finished sand color leather was filthy.I tried OTC leather cleaners but they were useless.read several post about using Megs APC+ 10:1 and a small tampico brush.The interior came out like new i was really impressed,follwed with a leather conditioner and now i just keep it clean.
 
ShaunD said:
Anything you use though you just need to follow w/ a quality conditioner, and since you have been using products not designed for cleaning leather I would use the Lexol Neatsfoot Leather Dressing to replace the oils that have been striped away by the cleaners; as you will read the neatsfoot needs to be followed by leather conditioner. Sometimes it's not about what works best for you, but what works best for the material you are working on.
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No oils are stripped from the leather during the cleaning process and so do not need replacing - it would be impossible to replace oils into leather with these type of products. They are designed for saddles etc which require them for different reasons and should never be used on finished leather.
 
Found this in a search. Did a little homework to help makeup for my unknowledgeable speaking earlier.: WAIT WAIT for me !!! Lexol Interview - Detailing and Car Care Forum
Didn't leather was so complicated. I don't know what I don't know.:)
People keep saying that they mostly/only use apc for trashed leather. Does judyb think a conditioner is needed in that situation or will a protectant work? What about Lexol's 3in1 leather cleaner, conditioner, protectant?
 
rwright said:
Most modern auto leather is coated so in reality you're cleaning the coating, right?


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True , but in the real detailing world you will find many customers leather coated seats that have cracks and have damaged coatings from abuse .
 
My only concern when cleaning leather with Power Clean is when the seats have been repaired and redyed. It is safe on coated as well as natural leather.
 
Here is an odd use...I used Megs APC+ to clean my leather sofa and love seat in my house along with my porter cable with brush attachment and my family was quite impressed how clean then came, not to mention how much softer the leather felt.
 
I saw a video someone posted in youtube where he used 1:20 APC+ for leather. Would this scare people with nicer cars? Would you guys use this dilution to clean higher end cars with 1:20 or even 1:10 on leather?
 
judyb said:
No oils are stripped from the leather during the cleaning process and so do not need replacing - it would be impossible to replace oils into leather with these type of products. They are designed for saddles etc which require them for different reasons and should never be used on finished leather.
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Judy , do you have affiliations with bowdensown?

The reason why I ask is is when researching leather you have said much of what is on their website also.
 
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