Leather care

[mikesal57]

Hi all..

like everything I do..

I need a wipe on / wipe off leather cleaner -conditioner - maintenance

Any suggestions?

Mike

[Robert8194]

I have used both Lexol Premium 3-in-1 and Nanoskin Nourish with pretty good success.

[ChrisJ]

I really like the duragloss cleaner and conditioner

[glen e]

remember, 99% chance you really don't have "leather".....
Link:
Plasticized Automotive Leather (http://303products.com/index.php/product-uses/automotive-leather)

[erichaley]

I have been using Griot's Leather Care Spray with a microfiber applicator. Works and smells great!

[MrOneEyedBoh]

Yeah my king ranch has true uncoated leather. As soon as water or sweat hits it, it turns dark instantly. The. Evaps or soaks in. So my choice of conditioner and cleaners has to be very specific.

What I found that works beat is LeatherCPR and Leather Masters Vital.

[UnklFungus]

I have leather motorcycle gear and I am looking for a good cleaner as well as conditioner, as they are subjected to heat and lots of dust. Ideas? I'd guess that any of the good stuff for the seats would be good, but my gear gets pretty dirty, luckily it is black.

[mikesal57]

remember, 99% chance you really don't have "leather".....
Link:
Plasticized Automotive Leather (http://303products.com/index.php/product-uses/automotive-leather)


what do you suggest Glen?

I have an Infinity G37...I hope there's some leather in there..:laughing:

Any suggestions for a all-in-one , leather,vinyl,rubber?

Thxs

mike

[glen e]

poorboys natural look all surface cleaner conditioner - love the stuff

or who wrote the article: Aerospace 303!

[jjj]

I think one of the best things to do to leather is clean and seal it. Most leather newer of course is treated with spar urathane. It lasts a while. Out door wood furniture is treated with this. So I don't think a conditioner will penetrate setup in the leather like it should. Clean it seal it. Most sealants will have condioning lotions in it. Sealing will help prevent dye transfer, stains from setting into the pores of the seats and make cleaning a breeze. Just my two cents.

[judyb]

Keep your leather clean by protecting it with a leather protector and then regular cleaning.
Adding 'conditioners' which generally contain oils and waxes will change the appearance of your leather over time as dirt will build up on the surface and cause a sheen.

Using the correct care methods and products will not alter the factory finish.

The type of leather you have is 'coated' leather. This is essentially a 'painted' leather
with a clear coat finish over the top. The leather may or may not be dyed through with
aniline dyes prior to the finish coating.

Essentially it is this top coating that needs looking after.
Cleaning is vitally important as the top coat will wear away if allowed to become dirty.
Dirt on the surface will also become ground into the finish by constant abrassion.

'Conditioners', balms, feeds etc (traditionally oil and wax based) cannot penetrate this
finish so are not worth applying - they can also leave behind residues on the finish which will only attract more dirt if allowed to remain. 'Conditioners' will not do any
protecting on leather even if they say they do as there will not be enough active
ingredient in them to do anything.

A protector will make the finish easier to clean and also inhibit dye transfer etc
on pale coloured leathers.

Leather however finished has to remain breathable and it will allow the movement of
moisture back and forth (transpiration) so the use of water based cleaners and
protectors will keep the leather correctly hydrated which is essentail to keeping it in
good condition.

Leather needs a little regular care and attention and this can be done with a maintenance product rather than a deep clean which you would then only need to do once or twice a year depending on usage and colour.
You will find that detergent style cleaners will remove the protection applied so you would need to reprotect each time you clean.
A maintenance product like Auto Ultra Maintain helps to retain the protection rather than remove it so a reapplication of protector is only required after a deep clean.
Whilst individual products may be effective if they have not been tested together you may find they are counter productive

The routine for correct care should be

Protect from new
Maintain with a maintenance product
Deep clean with a foam cleaner once or twice a year

Simple steps of cleaning & protecting will prolong the life of the finish on the leather

Hope this helps
Judyb
__________________
Leather care | Leather Protection | Car Leather Products | LTT Leather Care (http://www.lttsolutions.co.uk)
Leather Care, Repair and Restoration consultants
IICRC (LCT)
NCCA
AMU

[erichaley]

With that many acronyms, not to mention the avatar, I'd say Judyb probably knows a thing or two! :)