UltraLux seats recommendations

[texan solstice]

Hello everyone, my brother-in-law asked me if I can do something to clean the seats of his 06 malibu ltz. This kind of seats are leather with inserts from what looks like suede, but actually is some kind of ultramicrofiber. As you can see, the seats are in bad shape and I haven't tried anything on them yet as I have no idea how to treat this material. Any help would be appreciated and I apologize for the cell phone pics and for any mistakes on this post, as you can probably tell English is not my first language. Here are some pics.
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/uploads/38892/16Feb_0001.jpg
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/uploads/38892/16Feb_0002.jpg
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/uploads/38892/16Feb_0003.jpg
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/uploads/38892/16Feb_0004.jpg

[mwoolfso]

Without getting extravagant with power tools .... APC 10:1 with a light brushing (skim the surface with the brush, very little elbow grease); you may need to do this a few times. If you don't notice a big difference after the first attempt, increase the APC concentration 20-30%. If it works out well for you, put a coating of Scotch Guard or some other type of fabric guard.

[Danube]

/

+1 on APC with warm water if possible.

.. and don't use Meguiars Gold Class Rich Leather Cleaner/Conditioner, if you don't want your seats to look like these on the photo



http://i559.photobucket.com/albums/ss32/draganc_photos/D44.jpg

[texan solstice]

Without getting extravagant with power tools .... APC 10:1 with a light brushing (skim the surface with the brush, very little elbow grease); you may need to do this a few times. If you don't notice a big difference after the first attempt, increase the APC concentration 20-30%. If it works out well for you, put a coating of Scotch Guard or some other type of fabric guard.

Awesome, I just got the Meguiar's APC+ I will give it a try. I believe instructions say to rinse with water after using the APC, am I right? If that's true how much water are we talking about a couple of sprays?

[texan solstice]

/

+1 on APC with warm water if possible.

.. and don't use Meguiars Gold Class Rich Leather Cleaner/Conditioner, if you don't want your seats to look like these on the photo



http://i559.photobucket.com/albums/ss32/draganc_photos/D44.jpg

Does that mean I should't use any cleaner/conditioner on them or just Meguiar's? I have pinnacle that's why I'm asking.

[Danube]

You should use a cleaner/conditioner after you clean the seats properly, but don't use anything like the abovementioned product as it's creamy and plugs all the pores on the perforated leather (It looks awful, doesn't it)?

As for water used, don't soak the seats, use just enough to 'collect' the dirt residue, without wetting the seats excessively.

[mwoolfso]

Awesome, I just got the Meguiar's APC+ I will give it a try. I believe instructions say to rinse with water after using the APC, am I right? If that's true how much water are we talking about a couple of sprays?

I rinse when I saturate the fabric. If the fabric is not saturated it is a judgement call.

[Mike Phillips]

Actually, any "creamy lotion" is going to fill into the holes of perforated leather or vinyl. Not just Meguiar's.


Part of the problem is the perforated design. It lends itself to holding and trapping ANY liquid substance, don't ya think?

I share a tip for applying liquids, whether sprays or lotions in this video... it's a technique that's worked for me for years...


How clean and detail your car's interior (http://www.palmbeachmotoring.net/ascg-videos/interior/index.html)

http://www.auto-geek.net/ascg-videos/pg-buttons/ascg-interior-button.jpg (http://www.palmbeachmotoring.net/ascg-videos/interior/index.html)



It's also in the new DVD with me and Matt Steele


The Pinnacle Paintwork System DVD (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/new-car-care-products/46308-new-instructional-dvds-now-available.html)

http://www.autogeekonline.net/nick/January/Pinnacle%20DVD.jpg
(http://www.autogeek.net/picocarcasyi.html)



:)

[Jacob Perry]

If you have a good scrub brush thats clean use it. Spray your apc on the seat (not a huge amount) and scrub then go get a clean terry cloth towel (or a dish towel) and wrap the head brush and scrub again. Do this till no dirt is coming off on the towel.

[donb]

Jacob - That's are really good tip. Thanks.

[texan solstice]

Awesome, thanks everybody I"ll give it a try later today and see how it works out. I appreciate it.

[Danube]

Actually, any "creamy lotion" is going to fill into the holes of perforated leather or vinyl. Not just Meguiar's.


Part of the problem is the perforated design. It lends itself to holding and trapping ANY liquid substance, don't ya think?

I share a tip for applying liquids, whether sprays or lotions in this video... it's a technique that's worked for me for years...


How clean and detail your car's interior (http://www.palmbeachmotoring.net/ascg-videos/interior/index.html)

http://www.auto-geek.net/ascg-videos/pg-buttons/ascg-interior-button.jpg (http://www.palmbeachmotoring.net/ascg-videos/interior/index.html)



It's also in the new DVD with me and Matt Steele


The Pinnacle Paintwork System DVD (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/new-car-care-products/46308-new-instructional-dvds-now-available.html)

http://www.autogeekonline.net/nick/January/Pinnacle%20DVD.jpg
(http://www.autogeek.net/picocarcasyi.html)



:)








I can not comment on other lotions/products as I've only tried the Megs one with great disappointment.


I believe it would be smart from Meguiars side to notify buyers that this product is not suitable for perforated leather.


One of the guys I know used 'rotary only product' on his car and inflicted millions of swirls by rubbing it all over his car. After noticing the damage we realized there was 'rotary only product' warning on the bottle label (in red).


Meguiars Gold Class Rich Leather Cleaner/Conditioner has no such indication on it's packaging, thus the result that can be easily judged.


http://i559.photobucket.com/albums/ss32/draganc_photos/D111.jpg



http://i559.photobucket.com/albums/ss32/draganc_photos/D55.jpg


http://i559.photobucket.com/albums/ss32/draganc_photos/D44-1.jpg


http://i559.photobucket.com/albums/ss32/draganc_photos/D22.jpg



Mike Stoops also commented:


OK gang, let's back down a bit on the whole "user error" thing here ...

Yes, it is true that the lotion version of Gold Class Rich Leather Cleaner/Conditioner has been known to cause this sort of issue when simply wiped onto perforated seats. The spray version of this product, or the new gel version, are better choices, but what's done is done at this point so let's see about correcting it rather than play Monday morning quarterback (or detailer).

We would suggest you get a clean terry cloth towel and soak it in very warm water. Wring it out so that it's no longer dripping wet and then go over the seats with the warm, damp towel. This should break down the plugged product and pull it into the towel. You may need to do this two or three times, but it should correct the issue for you. Of course, this process will also remove any protection the product gave to the rest of the seating as well, so you will want to re apply a leather dressing when done.

The lotion product you have can be safely used on perforated leather, but you need to work it into the applicator first so that you just transfer a thin film of product onto the seats rather than rubbing the lotion itself onto them. A little product goes a long way, so you don't need to load it up.

We do apologize for the inconvenience posed by this situation but we're here to help you out and make this right for you.

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Btw, the above suggestion as to how to remove the plugs didn't help.

.