Leather cleaning and Maintenance

[manu_b]

Thanks for all this useful information. Hopefully now I can find these products in Toronto.

[tramtwo]

Most of us order our products from the internet.

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[Spartan01]

You could also get seat covers. This drastically cuts down on oil and dirt deposits and also provides some measure of UV protection.
Use them for daily driving, then take them out for shows, rally's, and dates.

[Camero5]

Originally Posted by Rlandon87

Using a cleaner on your seats and not first "pre-cleaning" is ruining your seats, using just a cleaner (harsh one at that) and not wiping it away is ruining your seats, finally- not conditioning isn't helping either.

What was said above is correct-- you're seats are covered with a protective coating that most likely won't get penetrated by any conditioners anyways. BUT! After a while that coating will wear off (or get stripped off by your cleaning method) and then conditioners do help.

Picture this-- when you wash your hair-- do you just put shampoo in your dry hair, rub it all in then leave it for 2 weeks without ever rinsing? Now picture how gunked up your hair is, not to mention the chemicals slowly breaking your hair and scalp down.... Then you do I all over again. Not a good look or feel.

How you should be cleaning your seats.
1) vacuum them with a soft brissle/brush attachment.
2) wipe down with a damp warm cloth
3) wipe with dry cloth
4) repeat 2/3
5) use whatever cleaner you would like (this step not necessary often unless you are rough on your car or deposit oils, dirt, and other contaminants frequently)
6) repeat 2/3
7) choose a conditioner and apply generously (I choose to put it in my hands and rub it in that way, more even and gets in deeper)
8) let sit for 30 mins or so and gently wipe with terry cloth.
9) enjoy

Do this once a month or more depending on your personal situation.

Zaino Z-10 makes a good conditioner but it smells like cheap plastic to me, some people think it smells amazing. It is probably the best IMO as far as softness of the seat and protective quality.

Meguiars gold class- smells AMAZING IMO, also good for softening protecting.

Lexol- Smell is ok, good for protection and softness.

I agree on the Zaino product for cleaning and conditioning. It keeps it nice and soft while not giving too much gloss.

[rock1962]

I use autoglym leather cleaner followed by there leather balm.

[Iron Chef]

Originally Posted by Spartan01

You could also get seat covers. This drastically cuts down on oil and dirt deposits and also provides some measure of UV protection.
Use them for daily driving, then take them out for shows, rally's, and dates.

I only use seat covers when I am on a date. Keeps them from getting all slobbery.

[fbodfather]

the front seating surfaces are leather.....

NEVER NEVER NEVER NEVER use window cleaner or harsh cleaners on leather!

leather is 'skin' -- you wouldn't wash your face with vinegar and a steel wool pad --

Use a quality Leather cleaner - and then follow it up with a quality leather conditioner.......

...and know that Jeans are the worst thing for leather seats -- if I"m going for a long drive with a car with leather, I put a bath towel down on the seat bottom to protect it.....

And RLandon is right about the procedures - esp using your hands to massage the conditioner into the leather........

[70rsz28]

Originally Posted by fbodfather

the front seating surfaces are leather.....

NEVER NEVER NEVER NEVER use window cleaner or harsh cleaners on leather!

leather is 'skin' -- you wouldn't wash your face with vinegar and a steel wool pad --

Use a quality Leather cleaner - and then follow it up with a quality leather conditioner.......

...and know that Jeans are the worst thing for leather seats -- if I"m going for a long drive with a car with leather, I put a bath towel down on the seat bottom to protect it.....

And RLandon is right about the procedures - esp using your hands to massage the conditioner into the leather........

Thanks for the info! will treat it in the spring they are in storage now.

[Bamaguy]

I use Wolfgang Leather Cleaner and Leather Conditioner for routine maintenance and Leatherique Pristine Clean and Rejuvenator Oil for semi-annual cleaning and conditioning. The Leatherique works the best, however, would be cost prohibitive for routine maintenance.

[manu_b]

Can Leatherique be used in this cold weather? They recommend to apply it and park car under sun which is little hard with cold weather and flurries every day.

[Bamaguy]

I have read articles when researching the product where customers have used heaters and other heating elements in their garages to try and replicate. Degrees of success varied, but with that said I do agree it probably is a non-option in the situation you described.