Review - Gyeon Leather Shield (Leather Coating)

[cwp2016nd]

If leather conditioners never make it past the top coating, then how do you explain this seat still feeling supple and conditioned 3 weeks later as it sits in my buddies garage? It looks and feels just like the day I conditioned it with D180.

And if it never makes it past the top coat, then how does the leather seat ever get to feel soft and supple, the way it does after applying leather conditioner?

I can't explain what you are feeling, but I can tell you I have never experienced a difference in the "suppleness" of any leather after applying leather conditioner. There is a plastic coating on modern day leather so all the "conditioner" is doing is providing some UV protection and possibly making it easier to clean in the future.

If you were to feel the seats in my Mother's 2014 Cruz with 130,000 miles you would think I condition them all the time. When in reality, I have only done it once or twice. They are super soft and supple. The only thing I do is clean them semi-regularly with APC diluted 10:1 and that's it. I do use an interior detail spray once in a while, but I mean once every couple of months.

Certain leather just feels nice and others don't. The leather in my 2016 Miata don't feel very soft. It's just the kind of leather Mazda used in these vehicles. That SS seat is probably the same leather used in my Mother's car and that could be why it feels so soft. I bet if you never condition the seat again it will still feel soft.

 

[Eldorado2k]

I can't explain what you are feeling, but I can tell you I have never experienced a difference in the "suppleness" of any leather after applying leather conditioner. There is a plastic coating on modern day leather so all the "conditioner" is doing is providing some UV protection and possibly making it easier to clean in the future.

If you were to feel the seats in my Mother's 2014 Cruz with 130,000 miles you would think I condition them all the time. When in reality, I have only done it once or twice. They are super soft and supple. The only thing I do is clean them semi-regularly with APC diluted 10:1 and that's it. I do use an interior detail spray once in a while, but I mean once every couple of months.

Certain leather just feels nice and others don't. The leather in my 2016 Miata don't feel very soft. It's just the kind of leather Mazda used in these vehicles. That SS seat is probably the same leather used in my Mother's car and that could be why it feels so soft. I bet if you never condition the seat again it will still feel soft.

Have you ever steam cleaned automotive leather seats? If so you’ll notice that sometimes [more likely than not] they’ll be left in what I like to call a state of shock from the aggressive cleaning the steamer combined with whatever cleaner you use with it.

They can feel a bit stiff and dry, but when you follow up the steam cleaning with leather conditioner as the final step it helps bring it back and remind the leather that it’s leather and not cardboard. It’s a well known process most people do after steam cleaning leather, even the anti leather conditioner people will do it. [I believe it’s even recommended on the back label of Megs D101 APC for that exact reason]

The most convincing example of leather conditioner making seats supple can be seen in any Mercedes or BMW that has their faux leather trim seats. It goes from looking and feeling coarse and dry to looking and feeling moisturized and supple without a doubt. And how could that happen if leather conditioner never penetrates the top coating? You can see and feel the difference.

 

[Eldorado2k]

They say the clearcoat paint on a vehicle is no thicker than a sheet of paper or a post it note... Well even after 25yrs. and aggressive wetsanding and numerous times of machine compounding and polishing, the clearcoat that’s currently peeling from my hood can be seen and it’s physically there and still about the thickness of a sheet of paper.

Now lets ask ourselves, have we ever seen even a slight comparison to that physical layer of clearcoat come from automotive leather seats? No. Can you peel the protective layer off of your leather seats if you tried? No. Can you even tell when you’ve accidentally cleaned too aggressively and removed it? No.
Yet people always seem to compare the coating on leather seats to the clearcoat that’s on your vehicles panels when IMO they shouldn’t even be mentioned in the same sentence.

The leather coating is not impenetrable. I’ve seen enough with my own eyes and therefore refuse to believe that myth.

 

[cwp2016nd]

In my experience the coating does not allow any "conditioner" to penetrate the leather itself. BUT, to each their own

 

[The Guz]

Final update on how Gyeon Leather Shield has performed. I did not bother looking at the passenger front seat or the rear passenger seat as I am the only one that drives this car on a daily basis. As Jeff from Gyeon mentioned in his detailed image blog, I ended up just giving the passenger seats a light wipe down and topping it with some Gyeon Leather Coat.

Since the drivers seat is constantly used, I could tell by how it felt that the coating was starting to show signs of wear. This seat was coated 3 months after I wrote this review at 7/2017. It is now 12/18 and the water was still showing signs of some beading. The surface was not as hydrophobic after a wipe down with Gyeon Leather Cleaner followed by a damp towel.

Gyeon Leather Shield lived up to the 1 year claim and did a good job. I ended up reapplying it to this seat after the the wipe down.

Notice the lack of tight beading in these photos.

Compare that to the images on the first page of its strong behavior.

 

[SirFrederick]

Can Gyeon Leather Shield be used on ventilated seats?

 

[The Guz]

Can Gyeon Leather Shield be used on ventilated seats?

Should be fine. But you may want to double check with Jeff, I think his forum name is Jeff at Gyeon or contact Gyeon.

 

[BadgerRivFan]

Can Gyeon Leather Shield be used on ventilated seats?

Absolutely. Have been using it for two years now on my wife’s Buick LaCrosse with heated/cooled seats. My favorite leather product for new vehicles.

Highly recommend!

 

[SirFrederick]

Gyeon only recommends one coat. I was able to get a in touch with Jeff the rep from Gyeon to answer my question on multiple coats. He confirmed that one layer is all that is needed but that it can be layered for multiple coats. Thanks Jeff for getting back to me.

I was thinking of doing a second coat on the driver side seat only. Do yo know how long between coats? I wonder it's even worth it to do a second coat?

 

[The Guz]

I was thinking of doing a second coat on the driver side seat only. Do yo know how long between coats? I wonder it's even worth it to do a second coat?

One hour should be ok.

 

[SirFrederick]

I tried leathershield out last night. I ran into some issues. This is a brand new car with only 65 km's on it. I used Gyeon leather cleaner on the seats before using the coating.

First, I found that the block you wrap the suede cloth around is pretty much useless for car seats. There a way to many crevices, not flat spots and small areas that the block won't work on. It's also just not pliable enough to really fit the curvatures of seats in general. This car happens have a diamond stitched pattern on the seats, seat back, and doors. The bolsters, arm rest, middle section of back seat and headrests do not have diamond stitching. Each diamond protrudes out slightly so it was impossible to use the block and suede cloth. I ended up just using the suede cloth on it's own to apply. It worked significantly better.

Second, from what I've read about this product you may want to buff out what looks like high spots after applying, but you aren't supposed to. After drying those spots should disappear. That did not happen in my case. It looks sort of like streaking in a way. Even a simple section like the arm rest, that looked perfect as soon as I finished applying the coating, dried with some high spots on it.

The only thing I can think off is maybe I used to little of product and therefore the coverage was not uniform enough? I'm not sure though.

I'm wondering if I add a second coat will it cover up the streaking or will I just end up with the same problem. Any ideas on how to fix this or do I just ride it out until the coating degrades?

 

[The Guz]

Can’t say exactly what went wrong with your application. Sounds like you may have used to little product.

No need to buff as it will flash to a matte finish.

Try adding a bit more and see if that helps.

Other than that all I can say is that I have had success using this product. Even the recoat after a year went on just fine.

 

[BadgerRivFan]

Cutting a slot on either side of the foam block and pushing in the suede cloth so it is tight across the face of the applicator makes it much easier to manage.

Or using the cloth by itself as you did works perfectly fine as well, especially in the cracks and crevices.

Leather Shield is self leveling, so do not buff it off after applying. I believe you may have used too much product, as opposed to too little. I did that my first time using it as well and had a few “high spots” on my headrests. Don’t be afraid to work the coating in a little as you apply it (if you didn’t) for full even coverage.

It needs several hours to fully cure and level out. After a few hours go ahead and wipe it with a dry microfiber if you see streaking or high spots and it should help a bit.

I don’t believe multiple coats is necessary or will give you any added protection. Just my 2¢.

 

[BudgetPlan1]

I too ended up with an isolated high spot when using it for the first time; over application and not leveling correctly. It faded after a couple of months. I used a red foam applicator like the below one for application and it worked far better than the microsuede cloth and block.

Have a new package of Leather Shield sitting on shelf, will be using soon. In my situation the stuff just plain works although this time I'll be using it on vinyl seats which Jeff from Gyeon says will work just fine.

View attachment 65531

 

[socal2fast]

Can the Gyeon leather shield be used on other interior parts like door panels and dash? I know the carpro leather can. I would like to try the Gyeon Leather Shield if it can be used on all the interior parts.

I would love to hear what you guys think.

 

[Pats300zx]

Can the Gyeon leather shield be used on other interior parts like door panels and dash? I know the carpro leather can. I would like to try the Gyeon Leather Shield if it can be used on all the interior parts.

I would love to hear what you guys think.

Yes...Here is a Vette interior that I just did. In this case I did all areas that would have physically contact. Doors, arm rests, center console, grab bar.

 

[socal2fast]

So for Dash plastic and stuff like that it's good to go?

 

[The Guz]

Can the Gyeon leather shield be used on other interior parts like door panels and dash? I know the carpro leather can. I would like to try the Gyeon Leather Shield if it can be used on all the interior parts.

I would love to hear what you guys think.

So for Dash plastic and stuff like that it's good to go?

I stuck with using Leather Shield and Cquartz Leather for leather and vinyl. That is the substrate they are designed for so I can not comment on the plastic and rubber. Well I did use Cquartz leather on the piano type interior plastics as it works for that as well.

You could try contacting Gyeon or you could try it in an inconspicuous area and see if it works.

 

[Coatingsarecrack]

Can thus be used on leather steering wheels? Better yet should it be?

And Guz if your reading this any problems with perforated seats?

What about using 303 ontop every quarter? I have it and just beed to use it....


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[CopperMtnGuy]

I put in on my seats and steering wheel of my new Renegade... after it dried, it looks 100% factory like nothing was applied! I'd put it on the steering wheel. I wouldn't see any issues with perforated seats, but I don't think I'd top it with anything. 303 might add shine, I personally like the new matte finish better.