Hello everyone! I was wondering in what ways you guys have been keeping your leather healthy? Do you use some sort of bottled liquid that's used every so often? Do you use the sun protectors? If you could be as specific as possible, like exact type and how often you apply it, I would be very thankful. I'm not really a car guy, and my dad has never owned such a nice car before, so I'm calling on the experts to help me out. Thanks!!

 

303 aerospace

 

i use turtle wax leather cleaner. for the first year my mom drove the car and ddint take care of it, so there are already creases and cracks. now i tinted window and apply the cleanser, but the creases still shows

 

you can use aerospace on the leather?

 

i'm still undecided on 303 aerospace. it's a UV protector, but, UV doesn't get into our cars because the glass for our windows block them out. i won't be getting it unless i get data or more information on what it's benefits are.

i just used sonus leather cleaner and conditioner on my leather. from my observations, the leather is cleaner, and the black color is richer, but other than that, i can't really see a difference. i guess this is to keep it like new, or new-ish, instead of the hard, crackly leather you see on older cars. i suppose the verdict will come in a few years.

 

I highly suggest you to read up on Leather Masters line. It seems to be the better choice for our cars (Which has poly-coated leather), rather than Leatherique. From what I gather, Leatherique is good for our cars too, but it is more intended to be used with Aniline leather (Think uncoated BMW 7 series/MB S550, and Ferrari leather)

 

listen to the detail mastah hah

 

sonus = leatherique?

the kit i bought is for coated leather as well, so i'm not sure how CU2MIKE's post pertains to mine.

 

Acura sells their own leather cleaner in bottles at the stealership. That's what I use. Works O.K. I guess.

 

i use lexol leather cleaner and conditioner! tint your windows. park on the shades and seat like sittin on a throne!

 

I used to use Meguires for a while but got tired of the slimy residue it would leave on the seats! I tried Lexol but felt it was a little bit too strong on certain seats, especially vinyl and it began putting a slight discoloration to it.

Have used Blue Magic from PepBoys for about 2 years now and love it. It has just the right amount of chemicals for both vinyl and the leather Acura uses and it doesn't discolor the seat! I would recommend it.

I clean my vinyl and leather I would say at least once a month to keep it up properly, especially on the front seats since they get the brunt of the wear most of the time.

 

was a lexol guy for years, switched to leather CPR 2 years ago and no turning back, clean and condition in one stpe and it really brings back the supple feeling to the leather without any residue.

 

As far as cleaning the leather, well that depends on how often it gets dirty and the type of passengers you have in your car.

Since I'm usually the only one in the car I clean it about once a month, or try to at least.

If kids are in the car a lot then I'd try to clean it about 2-3 times a month.

I usually use Lexol cleaner then use the Aero 303. I like the 303 Aerospace because it leaves a matte look unlike most other products which leave a very shiny look. I don't like the shiny look as it appears to turn the leather more like vinyl in appearance.

When I first got the car I did a Leatherique treatment though. I did this to remove the oils and salt from the leather.

If you sweat a lot during summer and it transfers to your seat then try to clean it more often. The salt from your sweat can also contribute to faster wear on your leather.

 

Everything out there is for coated leather..... I just said leather masters because it's a water based product.
Many leather cleaners are uh....... acid/petroleum (I think)/solvent, etc etc... It's not something I want to be rubbing on my leather lol.

 

There was another thread on this where I recommended Zymol's leather cleaner and conditioner. I continue to recommend this suite of products because:

1) I continue to receive "new car smell" compliments.

2) No slimy residue.

3) When I'm done cleaning and conditioning, *my own hands* feel soft and supple. Since my own hands are covered in animal skin...

4) For the actual times when something's marked my leather, the cleaner was able to clean it off without much effort.

Here's the link:
http://www.amazon.com/Zymol-Z-507-Le.../dp/B000F7VKD4

Be sure to vacuum before the actual leather cleaning!

 

Ways To Keep Leather Healthy?

Exercises and a low fat diet.

 

Thanks everyone for their suggestions. When I have a little more time I"m going to do some more research on some of your picks. I do want one that doesn't make my leather shiny though.

My windows are tinted, but I don't use a shade thingy. Is that necessary? I had one like 6 years ago and I hated that thing to death.

 

i too, hated it..but it helps if you park in the sun for a long time. i park at school sometimes wihtout going to my car for 5 days..so it reli helps with the heat and protecting the leather

 

Here is a picture I've found from a leather masters strong cleaner review:

 

It's true that other cleaners can do the same, just make sure you read the description carefully. Try to stay away from cleaners that say things like "test in an inconspicuous spot first" or language of that nature. A leather cleaner that wont harm your leather in any way will not have that in the description. Also, if a cleaner lists a major ingredient in the description (Like something "ph balanced" or some sort of wax), google it first and read up on it as much as you can.

 

+1, lexol leather cleaner and conditioner here as well, very good product.

 

Do we have anything good that combine cleaner and conditioner together?
I don't want to do twice.

 

I say this all the time...you don't necessarily need to condition the leather in our cars (or virtually 99% of cars on the road today). You're working with coated leather, all you'll be doing is making the coating on top of the leather greasy. The conditioner doesn't penetrate down into the leather itself. While the conditioner might protect the seats a little longer due to the new layer of grease, that lasts for 3 weeks, tops. I use leather cleaner only. Wipe off with wet rag. Makes the seats in my 5 year old TL look new, in terms of the shine at least. Leather should have not have a shine to it; that's accumulated dirt and grease.

 

So I guess, someone will suggest doing cleaner then conditioner while some others think just cleaner, no need conditioner, hmmm.

Aerospace 303
Lexol
Blue Magic
Zymol
What else?

 

So can someone correct me if I'm wrong:

The only parts that are true leather are the parts that your body touches?
So for the drivers seat, it will be the seat surface and back and the headrest? Any other area will simply be vinyl?

How do you go about "conditioning" vinyl? Im sure plastic will crack and wear faster than leather even if no direct contact is ever made on them due to UV and stress.
Would you just do the whole seat with the leather products? Or are there products specifically catered to the vinyls?

 

It's what I do too.

 

Not sure on what parts are or aren't vinyl in the TSX. Just treat all the seating surfaces like leather. I clean with Lexol leather cleaner and then finish with 303 Aerospace on top. Makes for a nice feel and luster.

 

OMG you said what my arogent ass would normally say but it's so true. I'm 6'1 175 (not rubbing it in) and ive NEVER had creases in any of my cars minus a few in the firm leather oh my 00' s2k I owned when i was an even lighter 165 at 19 in college 8yrs ago..lol.

But I digress. I've always liked Lexol. I'm going to try Acuras offering on my TL to give it a try. Honda also has a a leather cleaner and conditioner kit if any of youn guys are up for trying it and reporting back with maybe some before/after pix like the detail guys do that we love seeing.

 

Wow thats the color (Taupe) of my TL's leather. It looks just like that. I'm sold!!! Where can I get that? I'll have my best friend do it for me ha ha ha!!!

 

Leather Master can be found on both www.autogeek.net or www.detailersdomain.com