Leather Care 02 Z06 Corvette

[Eddie 70]

My first post here. I just picked up a new to me 02 Z06 with the Mod Red interior. The car has 20k miles on it and has spent most of its life in the garage with a cover over it. Very clean car for an 02. My question is, I don't think anything has ever been put on any of the interior surfaces as far as protectant. The shift boot looks like it has never had anything put on it but is very clean. The seating surfaces are nice and show very little wear but also feel like there has never been anything on them. I want to treat the leather surfaces so I can get the most life out of them. I don't want to let them get to the point that they may start cracking like I have seen in some neglected vehicles. What do you guys suggest for leather care on these seats.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v399/Eddie70/2002%20Red%20Z06/DSC03924.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v399/Eddie70/2002%20Red%20Z06/DSC03922.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v399/Eddie70/2002%20Red%20Z06/DSC03923.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v399/Eddie70/2002%20Red%20Z06/DSC03921.jpg

[WRAPT C5Z06]

Beautiful car! The leather looks to be in good shape. Pick up Wolfgang leather cleaner and follow it with leather masters protection cream. Keep the dash and door panels clean and protected with 1Z cockpit premium.

[Eddie 70]

Thanks for the tip. I will let you know how it goes.

[Driwash]

Very nice looking Vette, Mark gave you great advice. The products he suggested will help to keep it looking new.

Tom

[Mike Phillips]

1966 Corvette Stingray - Machine Polish & Machine Wax (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/show-n-shine/40053-1966-corvette-stingray-machine-polish-machine-wax.html)




Interior
Note this car was restored and very low mileage since the restoration so the interior is still in excellent condition but you can see where the Pinnacle Leather Cleaner & Conditioner (http://www.pinnaclewax.com/fcopileclco.html) restored the richness of color to the black leather and vinyl surfaces.

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1241/Pinnacle66Vette08.jpg

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1241/Pinnacle66Vette09.jpg

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1241/Pinnacle66Vette10.jpg

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1241/Pinnacle66Vette11.jpg



:)

[Mike Phillips]

My first post here.




Hi Eddie,

Welcome to Autogeek Online! :welcome:

I really love the color scheme in your Corvette, that is too cool...

The key to maintaining leather is to find something you like and use it often, a simple approach works best and then just being consistent.

Here's something I'm working on...


3. How to clean and dress leather surfaces
There are two approaches to maintaining a leather interior, the one-step approach and the two-step approach and both will provide excellent results. The key to maintaining soft, supple leather is to find product you like and use them often.

Most people are pretty good about regularly washing their car's exterior and one reason for this is because it's easy to visually see when the car is dirty. On the other hand, when it comes to your car's interior, it can be hard to see when dirt and grime are building up because it's less noticeable visually.

Skin oils, sweat and cosmetics
The primary areas that accumulate dirt are any places that you touch with your skin because your skin emits oils, perspiration, salts and acids.

You also might use cosmetics on your skin like hand lotion, sun screen, hair care products, etc. These oily residues will accumulate onto areas frequently touched and this will attract and hold even more dirt and grime.



Hands --> Steering Wheel
Arms --> Arm rests, center console
Backs of legs --> Seats
Back of head --> Headrest

Convertibles = more exposure to UV Rays
If you own a convertible then both you and your car's leather surfaces are directly exposed to the full effect of UV rays from the sun. Just like you apply a sun screen to your skin to protect your skin from burning, you need use a product that offers UV protection to protect the leather from the harmful effects from exposure to the sun.

Convertible owners also need to be even more aware and more pro-active about keeping the leather cleaned and conditioned because with the convertible top down both you and your passengers will tend to sweat more on a warm day and/or apply extra sun screen to your skin.


Tip: Monthly Maintenance Schedule
Dirty, oily grime is continually building-up even if you can't easily see it. The best way to keep this build-up to a minimum and to keep your interior looking brand new is to follow a regular maintenance schedule to clean and dress your car's interior.

Important: Always test any leather product to an inconspicuous area to test the leather for color fastness. This is recommended for all leather products because the quality of leather used in the automotive industry varies in quality.


:xyxthumbs:

[eaglefan]

Leatherique is by far the best leather stuff out there. other stuff will make it look nice and thats it. Leatherique takes it to a totally different level. Cleaning and softness of the leather when done is crazy!

[C. Charles Hahn]

Leatherique is by far the best leather stuff out there. other stuff will make it look nice and thats it. Leatherique takes it to a totally different level. Cleaning and softness of the leather when done is crazy!

I agree, but there's only so much you can do to soften the leather in a C5 'vette.... so don't have unrealistic expectations.

[ScottB]

LeatherMasters .... if your looking to replace leather with newer uncoated offerings look up DSVettes on Corvetteforum, theyve done several pieces for me in past/present and work is beautiful.

[WRAPT C5Z06]

LeatherMasters .... if your looking to replace leather with newer uncoated offerings look up DSVettes on Corvetteforum, theyve done several pieces for me in past/present and work is beautiful.
I want my seats re-done. Can they do them in coated leather?

[WRAPT C5Z06]

After a second look, the leather looks very clean! I think you could get away with a cleaner/conditioner AIO. 1Z leather care or Optimum Leather Protectant seems like they would be the ticket.

[Eddie 70]

These are some pics the previous owner took the night before I picked it up.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v399/Eddie70/2002%20Red%20Z06/Seat2.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v399/Eddie70/2002%20Red%20Z06/Seat1.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v399/Eddie70/2002%20Red%20Z06/Bolster4.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v399/Eddie70/2002%20Red%20Z06/Bolster3.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v399/Eddie70/2002%20Red%20Z06/Bolster2.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v399/Eddie70/2002%20Red%20Z06/Bolster1.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v399/Eddie70/2002%20Red%20Z06/Threshold2.jpg

[Eddie 70]

Thanks for the replies so far. I am enjoying the detailing forums. Since I brought the car home on Saturday, I have spent most of my free time downstairs cleaning on it. Gathering info and saving the seats for last.

[Flash Gordon]

Leather Conditioner want do anything on coated leather other then make it look pretty

Welcome from Memphis

[Flash Gordon]

Those lines in the seat are normal. The only way you can prevent them is to not sit in the car....that makes driving it difficult