Leather Care

[Excessive Detail]

I know this has probably been talked about to death, but one more time, what the best for brand new leather to keep it from wrinkling or cracking, keeping it new?

[Gary Sword]

Connolly Hide Care is my first choice.

[Excessive Detail]

Connolly Hide Care is my first choice.

Thats what I thought, thanks for the reply.

[supercharged]

I know this has probably been talked about to death, but one more time, what the best for brand new leather to keep it from wrinkling or cracking, keeping it new?
Pinnacle, Wolfgang, and Four Star - all work equally rewarding.

[TOGWT]

Leather Care / Cleaning / Maintenance– These articles are written to help detailer’s make informed decisions when selecting leather care products for automobiles.

I had always advocated the oil-based leather care products as the most advanced but after attending various seminar's and some intensive hands-on as well as theoretical training in leather care (inc tanning, care, restoration and preservation) and I would like to share the knowledge / experience gained to help dispel the hype and myths surrounding automotive leather care

Many people are unaware of the fact that since the late ‘80s early ‘90s many of the newer domestic cars and some imports (US) do not use natural leather hides anymore. Approximately 80% of vehicle manufacturers have used (thermoplastic) polyurethane covered leather for their interior upholstery. It’s made from natural hides, chrome tanned and uniquely treated with a light pigmented urethane paint coating or a vinyl covering to make it more viable for automotive seating. It retains the softness of natural top-grain leather but resists fading in direct sunlight, which besides body oil is leathers worst enemy.

The complex tanning process of chromed tanned hides results in the fat liquoring and oils necessary to keep the hide soft and pliable being locked in, this is further sealed by a durable polyethylene covering to protect the hide from abrasion from clothing as well as the dust / dirt introduced by the vehicle’s AC system.

This type of automotive upholstery finish should not be considered a natural leather hide as far as care and its maintenance is concerned, but treated as a vinyl, only requiring that you maintain its moisture and protect it from ultra violet (UV) radiation. A water-based cleaner will permeate the polyurethane covering as its molecules are much smaller (oil has larger molecules than water and are unable to penetrate so oil will just sit on the surface) As the top surface has a high polyurethane finish normal leather creams should NOT be used.

Honest opinion or merely advertising? Commercialism brings with it concerns of honesty and true representation. In other words, it’s difficult to know what is true when someone is motivated by income, i.e. directly targeted at product sales, more so than an unbiased opinion

My best advise; research other options and products, test them and then make an objective decision based upon factual information not hype or brand loyalty. I would also strongly suggest that you verify any information that I or anyone else shares with you.

I am neither a vendor, nor a salesperson pretending to be an educator, I'm a detailer / author, and therefore there is no reason for me to hype products; just to provide factual information;

[HighEndDetail]

Connolly Hide Care is my first choice.

Or The Leatherique kit

[tonyspop]

Leather Care / Cleaning / Maintenance– These articles are written to help detailer’s make informed decisions when selecting leather care products for automobiles.

I had always advocated the oil-based leather care products as the most advanced but after attending various seminar's and some intensive hands-on as well as theoretical training in leather care (inc tanning, care, restoration and preservation) and I would like to share the knowledge / experience gained to help dispel the hype and myths surrounding automotive leather care

Many people are unaware of the fact that since the late ‘80s early ‘90s many of the newer domestic cars and some imports (US) do not use natural leather hides anymore. Approximately 80% of vehicle manufacturers have used (thermoplastic) polyurethane covered leather for their interior upholstery. It’s made from natural hides, chrome tanned and uniquely treated with a light pigmented urethane paint coating or a vinyl covering to make it more viable for automotive seating. It retains the softness of natural top-grain leather but resists fading in direct sunlight, which besides body oil is leathers worst enemy.

The complex tanning process of chromed tanned hides results in the fat liquoring and oils necessary to keep the hide soft and pliable being locked in, this is further sealed by a durable polyethylene covering to protect the hide from abrasion from clothing as well as the dust / dirt introduced by the vehicle’s AC system.

This type of automotive upholstery finish should not be considered a natural leather hide as far as care and its maintenance is concerned, but treated as a vinyl, only requiring that you maintain its moisture and protect it from ultra violet (UV) radiation. A water-based cleaner will permeate the polyurethane covering as its molecules are much smaller (oil has larger molecules than water and are unable to penetrate so oil will just sit on the surface) As the top surface has a high polyurethane finish normal leather creams should NOT be used.

Honest opinion or merely advertising? Commercialism brings with it concerns of honesty and true representation. In other words, it’s difficult to know what is true when someone is motivated by income, i.e. directly targeted at product sales, more so than an unbiased opinion

My best advise; research other options and products, test them and then make an objective decision based upon factual information not hype or brand loyalty. I would also strongly suggest that you verify any information that I or anyone else shares with you.

I am neither a vendor, nor a salesperson pretending to be an educator, I'm a detailer / author, and therefore there is no reason for me to hype products; just to provide factual information; see -
I love reading your your posts.Well researched and written.Some very in-depth and technical expertise.:DKeep up the good work.

[gary26]

Leatherique does have a very informative site. The most important fact is know what kind of leather your car has coated or uncoated.

[D]

Leather Master.

[supercharged]

Leather Master.
isn't that quite expensive?

[TOGWT]

isn't that quite expensive?

You're right leather upholstery is very expensive, so using the correct products for its care / maintenace makes for good sense :cheers: