Leather cleaner and conditioner -- Routine Maintenance Favorites

[Tempest45]

CG leather serum as a primary protectant and maintained with Opticlean.

[rouxster]

Right now I'm really liking McKee's 37 All In One Leather Lotion. I like the fact it cleans and conditions in one step.

I love the leather smell also.

[FUNX650]

What are your "go to" leather product favorites
for routine cleaning and maintenance?

Have previously used leather masters for
deep cleaning cleaning and conditioning
with good results.

There's also leather masters strong
cleaner and leather master cream.
I plan on trying it on my seats in the
near future.

I still use the Leather Master's line-up
for cleaning and protection of leather.

That way:
My in-between "the deeper cleanings"
basically consist of wipe-downs using
a slightly dampened white cloth.


•Speaking of conditioners:
-I may be wrong, but I don't think Leather
Master's offers any leather conditioners in
their product portfolio (at least I've never
seen any... )

-Use of any leather conditioners isn't
part of my detailing leather processes.



Bob

[SabbyNJ]

McKees Total Interior Cleaner is a solid, easy cleaner.

But for the best, Leatherique.


Sent from my iPhone using AGOnline

[RippyD]

Another area of detailing where there is a ton of conflicting information. I've tried about 8 different leather products and have a hard time seeing much difference. Even when there is a difference, it doesn't seem to last more than a few weeks. Recently tried Leatherique - meh. Seems line a lot of other products, but is far more time consuming. The seat feels a little softer and sort of waxy (not sticky at all). I get similar results with DG Leather Conditioner and probably any other oil-based conditioning product. Leatherique is described in the MSDS as "inedible animal fat." It's almost certainly mink oil, similar to a lot of other leather products.

Side by side (which I just did), I really can't tell the difference between any of the oil-based products provided that I let them all stay on the leather for a similar amounts of time. And in a couple of weeks I likely won't see any difference between the leather I treated for 8 hours and covered with Saran wrap and the one I where I just use a conditioner/cleaner. Can report back and let people know.

Biggest factor seems to be keeping the leather clean regularly.

[WRAPT C5Z06]

With leather, after cleaning, if you're not seeing any color transfer when wiping down with a damp cloth, you do NOT need a conditioner. In fact, the oils will attract dirt and grime, as it's not penetrating through the protective coating. Just use a protectant, like leather masters protection cream. If you're getting color transfer with a damp towel after cleaning, a leather conditioner would be ok, because it's actually penetrating through the protective coating and being absorbed by the leather.

[RippyD]

^^^ Yep, but another point of contention. Many claim this is the case. Obviously the people selling leather conditioners want us to believe differently. Wish a real leather maker could chime in. Leather Doctor is kind of in the middle - they admit that coated leather can be be treated, but will get some benefit once the vinyl coating gets micro-cracks and conditioner can get through. Still no way to know what's really happening.

[WRAPT C5Z06]

Leather Doctor is kind of in the middle - they admit that coated leather can be be treated, but will get some benefit once the vinyl coating gets micro-cracks and conditioner can get through.

Exactly.

[Desertnate]

With leather, after cleaning, if you're not seeing any color transfer when wiping down with a damp cloth, you do NOT need a conditioner. In fact, the oils will attract dirt and grime, as it's not penetrating through the protective coating.

I've also heard over conditioning the leather may cause it to become too soft and cause it to tear away earlier from the stitching at stress points like seat bottoms. Any truth to that?