Petrie1997

Hi guys,
I have a couple of questions for you detailing buffs out there.

1) How often do you condition your leather? I'm using Connelly Hide Food. Do you have to clean the leather before every time you condition it?

2) I polished my TL using Z-2 yesterday after washing with Z-7. Then I used Z-6 over the entire car. When I ran my hand across the surface, it wasn't as smooth as before. I'm thinking about claying again. How often do you guys clay? Do I have to go through the Liquid Dawn process again before I clay?

Thanks a lot,
Peter.

'01 Acura TL - Laguna Green w/ Nav

NSXNEXT

iTrader: (2)

I condition my leather once every month or every other month. In between, I clean it with a damp microfiber towel, to get the body oils and dust off it.

Just a suggestion, you are wasting your money with the Connolly Hide Food. Since out leather is coated, it doesn't do anything to feed the leather. You'd be better off with something like 303 Aerospace Protectant. It works better to clean and protect the clear coat and provides UV protection as well. Connolly was designed for Jags that did not have any clear coat protection. I believe the newest Jags do.

So long as the car is very clean, you should be ok. You could get away with using Z7. Just remember, you'll have to Z2 again as the clay will remove some of the Z2.

I clay whenever my car doesn't feel smooth. Do the plastic baggie test. Stick your hand in a plastic baggie and run it across your car (right after you've washed it.) It doesn't feel smooth, clay.

johnnyb_s

Are you sure it does nothing for the leather? I did some searching and found that people also use it for the leather in their BMWs...is the leather in BMW also coated with a clear coat? Also, on the hide food label, it says to test out an area to check for colorfastness...if the leather isn't sealed, the leather would become discolored. Isn't the clear coating a type of sealant?

NSXNEXT

iTrader: (2)

Unfortunately expensive and good are two different animals. I would assume most BMW owners would have no clue as to whether their leather is CC or not. They probably assume that it it's good for Jag, it's good for them. The easiest way to tell is to rub a hidden section of the leather with some sort of paint cleaner. turpentine, paint thinner, etc. If the color comes off, it ain't cleared.

Because most leathers are CC, there is no way that a conditioner is gonna get down into the leather's pores.

My suggestion is to use 303. Lexol, from what I've seen does more to protect the CC than to protect the leather underneath. Basically any oil-based conditioners do nothing more than create a slick surface for you to slide off of. I've heard Vinylex is good as well, but haven't tried it.

johnnyb_s

Does Tim sell 303 here? Got a site where we can order some NSX? Thanks.

Petrie1997

NSXNEXT:
Thanks so much for the info! I'm gonna try out the 303 asap. What kind of cleaner do you use to clean your seats? Also, when you clean with just the damp microfiber towel, do you have to dry it with another towel or just let it air dry?

Peter.

NSXNEXT

iTrader: (2)

johnnyb_s
303 is available at most marine supply stores. I just read on their site that it's available at True Value Hardware Stores.


Petrie1997
I just use a slightly damp MF towel and let the seats air dry.

copland007

Here's another vote for 303! It is great stuff!

Petrie1997

NSXNEXT:
Where did you get the microfiber towel? Why do you choose this over a regular terry cloth towel?

Thanks again,
Peter.

Petrie1997

~bump~

Seotaji

MF cloths are available at any retail store.

walmart, kmart, cosco, etc...