Cleaning Leather Seats - Help!
#1
Cleaning Leather Seats - Help!
I recently purchased a 2009 TSX. I used some leather conditioning wipes on the seats last night and this morning I found them to feel a little greasy and they looked "shinier". I guess the wipes left behind a residue. You can feel it on the seats. Is there a way to get the seats back to normal by using a different cleaner? Is it something that will fade eventually? I don't like the way they look or feel now.
Thanks in advance.
Thanks in advance.
#2
Graphite Ghost
iTrader: (2)
most of them tell you to wipe it dry after a few minutes; sounds like you left it wet and thats why it shines. you could try to reapply the same to a small area that is shiny and then wipe it good and see if the new will help remove the older stuff with a good wipe with a terry towel. I dont use MF on leather.
otherwise it will dry and wear out in about 30 days or less, depending on use/
otherwise it will dry and wear out in about 30 days or less, depending on use/
#4
SeeYou2Crew #2
most of them tell you to wipe it dry after a few minutes; sounds like you left it wet and thats why it shines. you could try to reapply the same to a small area that is shiny and then wipe it good and see if the new will help remove the older stuff with a good wipe with a terry towel. I dont use MF on leather.
otherwise it will dry and wear out in about 30 days or less, depending on use/
otherwise it will dry and wear out in about 30 days or less, depending on use/
#5
7# werC 2uoYeeS
iTrader: (1)
i don't think its bad ed, it's just that the microfiber cleans off too much of the conditioner so it detracts from your efforts more so then helping them. terry cloth allows you to spread it out more. pretty sure if u use a mf towel, it'll take off all the conditioner u just put on, or most of it.
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ed_423 (03-19-2012)
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ed_423 (03-19-2012)
#7
Microfiber cloths are not good for cleaning leather and are downright bad for cleaning leatherette (seat backs and door panels) - the fibers make the surface shiny.
I prefer two products for leather
or general purpose (every quarter or so) cleaning, I use LeatherMasters Soft Cleaner. For stubborn dirt I use LM Strong cleaner - both followed by the protectant and conditioner. You can use the Super cleaner for dye transfer (jeans/belts) and there is also a product to help hide scratches.
How well does it work?
If seats are in poor shape, then I use Leatherique. This product does an absolutely wonderful job of cleaning really crummy leather but is very time intensive - it needs to be applied, the soak into the seats in a warm evironment (think closed car in direct sunlight on a hot day) for about 8 hours - then cleaned. The use of Leatherique is a bit counterintuitive as you first condition (using Rejuvenator) then clean (using "Prestine Clean.")
LeatherMasters also has a product for Alcantara (for SE drivers)
For plastic/leatherette bits, I use Aerospace 303 mixed with distilled water 50/50.
Most other stuff (Lexol included) will leave a bit of a shine.
The OP just needs to use a proper cleaner to get rid of the gook that he smeared on and NOT use microfiber cloths.
Oh - and anything with ArmorAll in the name is evil - pure evil.
I prefer two products for leather
or general purpose (every quarter or so) cleaning, I use LeatherMasters Soft Cleaner. For stubborn dirt I use LM Strong cleaner - both followed by the protectant and conditioner. You can use the Super cleaner for dye transfer (jeans/belts) and there is also a product to help hide scratches.
How well does it work?
If seats are in poor shape, then I use Leatherique. This product does an absolutely wonderful job of cleaning really crummy leather but is very time intensive - it needs to be applied, the soak into the seats in a warm evironment (think closed car in direct sunlight on a hot day) for about 8 hours - then cleaned. The use of Leatherique is a bit counterintuitive as you first condition (using Rejuvenator) then clean (using "Prestine Clean.")
LeatherMasters also has a product for Alcantara (for SE drivers)
For plastic/leatherette bits, I use Aerospace 303 mixed with distilled water 50/50.
Most other stuff (Lexol included) will leave a bit of a shine.
The OP just needs to use a proper cleaner to get rid of the gook that he smeared on and NOT use microfiber cloths.
Oh - and anything with ArmorAll in the name is evil - pure evil.
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#8
Racer
is there anything out there that can tight up the leather? there is a spot on the seat, where my wallet would stretch the leather. I stopped keeping the wallet in my pocket so it doesnt stretch any further.
#11
You can see that in the 50/50 picture above where the creases are still there, but less noticeable.
Keep leather clean and nourished and it outlast the car.
Here is a photo of the entire seat before cleaning.
Last edited by ceb; 03-19-2012 at 02:37 PM.
#13
ed - you'll notice that the wrinkles are still there (50/50 pictire) on the second panel of the seat cushion (by the center console) but are far less noticeable and only visible if pointed out. The whole interior now looks new.
#14
+1 on Leather masters. I use the Strong or Rapid cleaner depending on the condition of the seats and follow with the Protection Cream. LTT is some good stuff too but it has to be purchased from the UK.
Light dye transfer removal...
50/50
Light dye transfer removal...
50/50
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vong (03-21-2012)
#15
Another great real world example. That looks like a BMW 3 series sport seat with the Dakota leather although I'm not sure if that dye transfer as the side of the bolster wouldn't normally be exposed to jeans.
In any case, the LM cleaned it right up. Amazing stuff and you don't get the shiny look.
In any case, the LM cleaned it right up. Amazing stuff and you don't get the shiny look.
#16
Another great real world example. That looks like a BMW 3 series sport seat with the Dakota leather although I'm not sure if that dye transfer as the side of the bolster wouldn't normally be exposed to jeans.
In any case, the LM cleaned it right up. Amazing stuff and you don't get the shiny look.
In any case, the LM cleaned it right up. Amazing stuff and you don't get the shiny look.
That's what I like most about LM, no added gloss, just OEM looking leather! I do like Leatherique as well, but the whole debate on conditioning coated leather drives me nuts, especially with all the conflicting info put out by the care care manufactures.
The transfer is from getting in and out of the car...same thing happens on my TSX with parchment interior...though I've learned to wash my new jeans a few time before wearing them in the car now.
So do you do interior restoration or detailing?
Rasky
#17
Yep, 2011 335.
That's what I like most about LM, no added gloss, just OEM looking leather! I do like Leatherique as well, but the whole debate on conditioning coated leather drives me nuts, especially with all the conflicting info put out by the care care manufactures.
The transfer is from getting in and out of the car...same thing happens on my TSX with parchment interior...though I've learned to wash my new jeans a few time before wearing them in the car now.
So do you do interior restoration or detailing?
Rasky
That's what I like most about LM, no added gloss, just OEM looking leather! I do like Leatherique as well, but the whole debate on conditioning coated leather drives me nuts, especially with all the conflicting info put out by the care care manufactures.
The transfer is from getting in and out of the car...same thing happens on my TSX with parchment interior...though I've learned to wash my new jeans a few time before wearing them in the car now.
So do you do interior restoration or detailing?
Rasky
Interior care just takes a little time and energy. With a bit of work you can keep your interior looking near new. If you don't invest that time up front, then you'll be spending way more time trying to fix it down the road.
You're right, Leatherique is better suited to fixing really old car leathers (or handbags and furniture) that for modern car interiors. I first used it on an old Mercedes (early 70's 280 SEL 6.3) and the results were amazing. The car had been garaged for most of the time but the interior had never been cleaned - maybe a vacuum at a car wash but that was it. Leatherique removed literally decades of grime and the seats ended up nice and matte and looking like well cared for old furniture.
I generally use LM for modern car interiors though.
Last edited by ceb; 03-20-2012 at 07:24 AM.
#19
SeeYou2Crew #2
^i have ebony too, and you'd be surprised. i used a mf towel (i didnt know i wasnt suppose to use it lol) with some turtle wax leather cleaner, scrub it a bit and my towel turned from blue to grey!
#20
" Do not use microfiber cloths to clean genuine leather, artificial leather or Alcantara® covers. If used often, these can damage the cover."
In short, the microfiber will "polish" the surface leaving it shiny.
#23
Yep. The stains are there - you just don't see them. What you will see is the leather getting shiny and creases forming. That's when it is time to give it a good scrub.
From the Mercedes Benz owner's manual
" Do not use microfiber cloths to clean genuine leather, artificial leather or Alcantara® covers. If used often, these can damage the cover."
In short, the microfiber will "polish" the surface leaving it shiny.
From the Mercedes Benz owner's manual
" Do not use microfiber cloths to clean genuine leather, artificial leather or Alcantara® covers. If used often, these can damage the cover."
In short, the microfiber will "polish" the surface leaving it shiny.
#24
Or they used crappy stuff to clean them. Get a bottle of leather master and give it a good clean. You will be surprised
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TrojanTSX (03-29-2012)
#25
#26
#27
#28
Pro
Bought LetherMaster (small starter set) today. Thx to all. I searched a while for a good product without a glossy look.
Never did something good to my lether seats, the last 2 and a half years.
Never did something good to my lether seats, the last 2 and a half years.
#29
Goodbye.
Which kit did you buy? the regular cleaning or the professional one?
ceb, I know not to use microfiber for cleaner, but what about with protectant/conditioner?
#32
Cotton towel. You can buy a bag at any auto parts store or just ask your wife for one of her "guest towels."
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