Need a complete cost effective leather cleaning guide!

[KyleBis2]

So I recently started my small auto detailing buisiness. I’m having trouble finding a good way to clean leather that give good results and no harm to the surface. Using Megs d101 diluted 10:1 as of right now. I’m having issues with it staining and I don’t want to risk damaging the surface. I want a product that I know will be safe to use and have good results. Also something that’s cost effective since I’ll be doing a fair amount of vehicles per week. What brushes work the best and are safe along with steaming recommendations. I just need to get a routine that I can follow and that will be efficient. Thanks


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[JCDetails]

Ditch the d101, pick up some d181 and get a couple different horsehair brushes to agitate. I also like the rag company’s jersey microfiber leather scrubber for heavier dirt. Steam if needed after application and agitation before wiping off with a cotton terry cloth towel.

If you want to dress/condition after, go ahead. I personally do not.


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[Eldorado2k]

Any pics of the staining? What is your exact method of attack when it resulted in staining? I’ve never had anything like that happen when using D101 to clean leather.

[custmsprty]

If you are offering leather cleaning are you billing it as a separate service?

[Eldorado2k]

If you are offering leather cleaning are you billing it as a separate service?

If it’s an interior detail, how could it not include the seats if they happen to be leather?

Btw cleaning leather seats is far easier than cleaning upholstered/cloth seats. At least I think so.

[Maxreed241]

If it’s an interior detail, how could it not include the seats if they happen to be leather?

Btw cleaning leather seats is far easier than cleaning upholstered/cloth seats. At least I think so.

I completely agree.

[KyleBis2]

Any pics of the staining? What is your exact method of attack when it resulted in staining? I’ve never had anything like that happen when using D101 to clean leather.

Staining was on a customers vehicle. I got it out of the seat but it was a pain. It was a white run mark on the gray leather. Not bleach white but definitely noticeable. Seems like etching.

[KyleBis2]

If you are offering leather cleaning are you billing it as a separate service?
Seats were included in the full interior service.

[KyleBis2]

Ditch the d101, pick up some d181 and get a couple different horsehair brushes to agitate. I also like the rag company’s jersey microfiber leather scrubber for heavier dirt. Steam if needed after application and agitation before wiping off with a cotton terry cloth towel.

If you want to dress/condition after, go ahead. I personally do not.


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Sure will. Stupid me didnt remember about D181. For the brush i have a Kiwi soft bristle brush. I think that combo will do great. Thanks!

[Eldorado2k]

Next time spray into the brush then begin scrubbing. It’s safer than directly spraying the cleaner onto the seat.

[JCDetails]

Also, something I've found as time goes on is the order in which you work the seats.

Start with the headrest, then the seatback, then the seat bottom. With D181, I use the meguiar's dedicated bottle, but have used an HDX bottle as well with both set to a nice fine mist. Definitely load the brush with your cleaner also, it'll help foam things up a little better. I find that a light mist is best for both perforated and non-perforated seats to prevent soaking down the foam. Mist on the section and immediately start brushing, remove with the cloth. By starting at the top, you catch any mist or drips that get to the lower sections as you work your way down.

Break bench seats into 3 sections, overlap edges just slightly. Do the steering wheel before you do the driver's seat,


I'd agree with Eldo's comment above if you're going to continue to use D101.

[Eldorado2k]

And I recommend steering clear of this little yellow leather scrubbing brush that looks like a mouse... This thing works too dry and it’s waay too aggressive. I immediately regretted it. Cringe moment... This brush is [emoji1361]

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20180503/14c491c6e578737cacb7e30724c26b5c.jpg

[JCDetails]

^^really?? I have one also and I love it. I use pretty high foaming cleaners on leather though. I spray d181 on the seat and then a few squirts directly into the material on that scrubber and use very light pressure.


Though, Levi from the company that makes it has a video where he uses it with ONR, so maybe it's intended for a much more wet application.

[Eldorado2k]

^^really?? I have one also and I love it. I use pretty high foaming cleaners on leather though. I spray d181 on the seat and then a few squirts directly into the material on that scrubber and use very light pressure.


Though, Levi from the company that makes it has a video where he uses it with ONR, so maybe it's intended for a much more wet application.

I used it with D181 and thought I sprayed enough for it to be nearly too wet on the seat. As soon as I started scrubbing I knew it just didn’t feel right.. I mopped up and pulled a bunch of dye off the seat and you can even see how dry the leather immediately looked. I was like holy crap![emoji32]

I was doing just fine using my horsehair brush on the 2 front seats and pulling up nothing but dirt, then I got the bright idea to try that brush for the 1st time.[emoji57] I dunno if I’ll ever be using it again.. It’s almost like sandpaper.🤯

[JCDetails]

I used it with D181 and thought I sprayed enough for it to be nearly too wet on the seat. As soon as I started scrubbing I knew it just didn’t feel right.. I mopped up and pulled a bunch of dye off the seat and you can even see how dry the leather immediately looked. I was like holy crap![emoji32]

I was doing just fine using my horsehair brush on the 2 front seats and pulling up nothing but dirt, then I got the bright idea to try that brush for the 1st time.[emoji57] I dunno if I’ll ever be using it again.. It’s almost like sandpaper.��


What kind of car was it?

I really wonder about the issues with dye transfer as the vast, vast majority of vehicles now have coated leather in them. To get dye coming out you'd have to completely strip the coating off the leather to get down to the actual hide, which I would imagine would require actual sandpaper.