UIGP vs dedicated leather product

[chris11le]

Ran out of my supply of Leatherique so Im looking to order some new product for leather.

I like the reviews on UIGP and the "tactile feel" that everyone raves about, but I was curious if Im better off with a dedicated leather product. Specifically the Leather Doctor kit(s).

I know UIGP has other uses, so it might almost be something to get on top of a leather kit, but I was curious if a diluted APC + UIGP would work the same as the Leather Doctor stuff.

One of our vehicles is brand new, so the leather is in perfect shape, no need for deep cleaning or restoration.
My daily driver is 4 years old and has some creases in the red leather but nothing horrible. Could stand to use a good cleaning and maybe some "conditioning" (the best you can condition a coated leather, anyway...its at least perforated so I can get *something* into it).

Roger's stuff seems good but leather care in general seems confusing....you can condition it, you cant condition it, water is bad, water is good, etc.

Thanks.

-Chris

 

[Setec Astronomy]

I always considered UIGP to be a product that you would only use on leather, say, if you had a new car and you were protecting it from the get-go. I've never heard that it has any real conditioning or rejuvenating properties. Of course I haven't had any new leather to use it on, and I haven't used it on my old leather, either.

It is really nice for hard surfaces of the interior though.

PS I haven't used it on my old leather because I would want to condition it first and I kind of feel like putting UIGP on top of leather conditioner is like trying to put a sealant on top of a wax on the paint.

 

[chris11le]

Thanks for the quick reply.

Yeah, one of our cars would be "new leather" but I also want to make sure I remove whatever (if anything) the dealer "installed" during their prep...the prep I told them NOT to do but they did anyway.

Our new car has semi-aniline leather and my daily driver just has pigmented leather, so technically I need slightly different products from Leather Doctor. But something like Leather Master or Leatherique is a "universal" type setup....not sure if thats better or worse.

 

[Jaretr1]

I use UIGP on all my interior surfaces, door panels, dash, console, and leather seats.

I agree with the confusion about conditioning needed or not.

I have also used UIGP just as you describe, cleaned light leather seats with an APC and then protect with UIGP.

Here is the thing, I think ultimately, leather is going to wear. Especially the drivers seat and there is not a product out there that will prevent it. We are getting in and out, rubbing out clothes and bodies on the surfaces etc. Products can only slow the process and keep the leather looking good until it gets to the point of no return.

What a product like UIGP or similar with UV protection can do is possibly slow the drying out or fading issue for parts of seats that might get the most sun exposure.

Its early in the morning and I probably should have had coffee before I hit reply. Hope something I said made sense.

 

[07gtcs]

I've used it on my older leather seats. Makes them look good and feel good. I did usually use something to "clean" them before application of UIGP.

 

[Rsurfer]

\Here is the thing, I think ultimately, leather is going to wear. Especially the drivers seat and there is not a product out there that will prevent it. We are getting in and out, rubbing out clothes and bodies on the surfaces etc. Products can only slow the process and keep the leather looking good until it gets to the point of no return.



The key is keeping it clean. The less abrasion the less the wear.