Ford King Ranch Leather reconditioning

[Znig22]

I have a client that just bought a ford f150 king ranch and it was poorly detailed at our local ford stealership, he calls me up wanting me to come through and do my base level detail (extract, steam, clay and seal) and so I arrived today to do just that. Upon first sight the seats and interior had been heavily cleaned with a very strong chemical. (Plastic burn marks, extremely hard leather, excessive chemicals in the carpets) after doing my routine on this I then talked with him about turning to my AG family for some much needed advice on a high end leather treatment to help bring his seats back to life. Normally I just do a 303 treatment and a mequiars gold class leather treatment but from experience this isn't going to cut it. Please give me your input and advice.

Sorry for the lack of pictures I forgot to bring my Nikon with me. Feed back please

[Nick McKees37]

You're in luck! Both leather care products in the Pinnacle Black Label line are safe and effective for use on King Ranch Style Leather.

Pinnacle Black Label Hide-Soft Leather Cleaner (http://www.autogeek.net/hide-soft-leather-cleaner.html)

Pinnacle Black Label Hide-Soft Leather Conditioner (http://www.autogeek.net/hide-soft-leather-conditioner.html)

If the seats are as bad as you say they are, I would pick up two bottles of the conditioner.

Let us know if you have any questions!

[GenesisCoupe]

i remember one member used Leatherique treatment on his King Ranch and the seats turned a complete different color and stayed like that permanently so i wouldn't use that product at least.

[Evan.J]

i remember one member used Leatherique treatment on his King Ranch and the seats turned a complete different color and stayed like that permanently so i wouldn't use that product at least.

:iagree:

From what I remember going with the ford stuff from the deanship is the best bet.

[Znig22]

Nick, will these products change the color like mentioned above? To be honest the seats are supposed to be that brown color like new (hard to describe) but there a very light brown to whiteish ash color now. I don't want to discolor them any worse is my point.

[Nick McKees37]

Nick, will these products change the color like mentioned above? To be honest the seats are supposed to be that brown color like new (hard to describe) but there a very light brown to whiteish ash color now. I don't want to discolor them any worse is my point.

It's going to hydrate them so yes, it will make them darker (as they're supposed to be).

When you first apply the cleaner and conditioner, it will cause the seats to look splotchy in some areas - THIS IS PERFECTLY NORMAL. Once all the oils are absorbed, the seats will return to a uniform color (albeit darker).

[Evan.J]

Here is a great thread on these seats:

King Ranch leather: My miracle project, and products/methods used - Autopia Forums - Auto Detailing & Car Care Discussion Forum (http://www.autopiaforums.com/forums/interior-car-care/42140-king-ranch-leather-my-miracle-project-products-methods-used.html)

[Chris@AutoCleanse]

:iagree:

From what I remember going with the ford stuff from the deanship is the best bet.

+ 1

[Klasse Act]

:iagree:

From what I remember going with the ford stuff from the deanship is the best bet.

That's exactly right, its been PROVEN and TESTED already on those seats, no guessing on this and that and new products, not worth it. I remember that thread a while ago and that one seat looked completely different.

Sent from my SPH-M930 using AG Online

[ShaunD]

If you have access to steam it will help soften the leather again and will help open the pores to condition the leather again. I would try conditioning first since it sounds like they have been stripped by a harsh cleaner. This will help remove an chemicals left over in the leather, as well as purge dirt out of the poles as well. Dont do any scrubbing on the leather. Just blotting if necessary to pull any contamination out of the pores. This is another reason steam would be a big help.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I897 using AG Online

[HateSwirls]

I had to clean and treat the leather on a King Ranch about a year ago.
It does have its challenges for sure.
Sure wish I had what Nick offered here:)

Just be careful what you use to treat the leather, people buy the truck mostly for the interior being its so pretty but using just any kind of product can and will change the color of the leather and you'll have one angry customer on your hands. Lol

At the time I used a product called Bayer Leather conditioner and worked well.
One thing to note, after you clean it the color will change but don't worry because once dry the original color will return.
Don't over wet either.

Also, be very gentle when you clean them, nothing harsh.

[HateSwirls]

+ 1:dblthumb2:
Specially made for the leather.
It's unlike any other type of leather I've ever worked with.


:iagree:

From what I remember going with the ford stuff from the deanship is the best bet.

[Alby]

I have a friend who also has a King Ranch and the best product to use for this is from the Ford dealership. He luckily did some test spots with other products and did not like the outcome, called the dealership and asked them what they use and they suggest their leather products. Its a unique type of leather if you will.

[Znig22]

If you have access to steam it will help soften the leather again and will help open the pores to condition the leather again. I would try conditioning first since it sounds like they have been stripped by a harsh cleaner. This will help remove an chemicals left over in the leather, as well as purge dirt out of the poles as well. Dont do any scrubbing on the leather. Just blotting if necessary to pull any contamination out of the pores. This is another reason steam would be a big help.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I897 using AG Online

The interior has already been steamed with my vapor system vx5000, it does normally soften leather but in this case it did not. A Soft low setting steam was performed with a plush microfiber.

[Evan.J]

So I did some searching around to get a better understanding of this leather and why its needs specific care and I found out some pretty interesting things to say the least and it gives me a better understanding of how the leather differs from other leathers in cars.

There is a company called King Ranch and they have a licensing agreement with for to supply the leather for the King Ranch Ford Trucks hence the name. The leather found in these trucks is more along the lines of leather you will find for a saddle that anything else. In most cars what you find is that they will have some type of coating on the leather while these seat are not coated.

The leather difference in that it is thicker than most leather you find in todays vehicles. While it is thicker and maybe tough it is still very delicate and should be treated as such.

I have found that conditioning these seats on a regular bases at 2-3 times a year is what keeps the leather in top shape and keeps the leather soft and moist. Using the King Ranch Leather condition is your best option as this conditioner was made specifically for those seats. So you will not have to worry about any staining.

Initial application of the leather will give a darker appearance to the leather it will slowly fade away as the oils get absorbed into the leather.

When condition on a regular bases then this will help resist stains and dirt build up on the seats.

I believe when you go to a ford dealership and ask for the conditioner it will be the same thing you can get from the saddle shop and its only $9.00 for a 8oz bottle.

IMO I would use what was made for that leather and only that as these seats are not your typical leather seats.