2004TL_believer

Anyone have thoughts on leather protection? Should I use a leather product. Used Mequires on my Saab 9-5 and leather is still in great condition after 3 year.

I will say the leather on the TL, particulary on the front side of both seat backs is kind of wrinkley in a couple spots. Anyone else finding this.

Just something I noticed, but still love the overall quality.

Any advice appreciated.

FYI - been using a car wash and noticing some small scrathes and swirls marks. Easy rubbed out with some compound, but will be doing myself going forward.

TLover

Use a solution of 6 parts water and 1 part Woolite as a cleaner, and Lexol for the conditioner.

Tripp11

I concur.

Also, some folks brag and boast about Pinnacle for a leather conditioner.

As for your Saab leather looking better over time and your TL leather wrinkling much faster, my Saab leather on my 9-3 was a bit on the firm/hard side and didn't break in like I thought the leather should. I think the TL leather after conditioning regularly with Lexol is looking great and I, for one, think the wrinkles look great!!!

Bear2Day

Try, Lexol Leather cleaner, the best I`ve ever seen. It even gets up Blood!
Lexol Leather conditioner, and lexol Vinlex for the vinel!

Tripp11

Ok, that scares me a little... :cop:

caball88

lexol conditioner. i just usually use distilled water to clean the leather. tap water is not ph balanced while distilled is a neutral ph which won't harm the leather. stay away from the pasty leather conditioners it gets in the perforated seats. its a bitch to get out.

Cyclonus

You can say that again. I bought a bottle of Meguire's Leather Cleaner/Conditioner and it didn't take me long to figure out that I needed to stay away from those perforated parts of the seat. I will be purchasing a bottle of Lexol as soon as I run out of the Meguire's. One thing I do notice, if you live in SoCal you may need to condition your seats quite regularly. In my case I will probably re-condition every month.

TBone2004

where you guys finding the lexol spray (brown bottle)? my local KarParts only had it in like a cream form, not the spray like on the lexol website. where can i buy it?

Tripp11

Try a high quality leather shop.....look it up in your phone book as I didn't even know I had one about 2 blocks from where I live.

roadman

I have used the Pinnacle Leather cleaner and conditioner and it works pretty good, I ordered some for my TL a good all-in one product

I also ordered 303 protectant, which many people say to apply lightly once a month to preserve the leather better from UV damage.

As a conditioner the Lexol works great on the TL's leather, makes it much softer and leaves no oily residue. Just one application makes my parchment interior look richer

Most online auto detailing sites offer 303, Lexol and Pinnacle.

If you like Zaino's, my neighbor swears by the Z9 and Z10, I may try it once to see how it compares to Pinnacle and Lexol

w1n78

found mine at pep boys but i had to go to 3 before i found them

caball88

i use 303 as well, this was my first time using the 303 protectant and i like the results. no oily shine from the dash. when applied it the dash looks wet but absorbs and dries nicely to leave a clean finish. i hate the armor all oily look. works great on all plastics in the car.

9600Gator

Am I supposed to avoid applying conditioner (I have the liquid type, but not in a spray bottle) to the perforated portions of the seats?

Tripp11

Apply sparingly and just ensure you rub it in quite well.

caball88

use a towel or applicator pad and put the conditioner on that first. then wipe the seats with it. let it set in for a few minutes and wipe the remain excess off with a clean towel. make sure you test it on a conspicuous area if you are not sure how the results will turn out. if it looks ok to you then do the rest of the leather. usually the leather will get a little darker cause its more moist now but should go back to its original color when it sets in.

TBone2004

Having never treated leather before - is this something you do all the time, once per year?

9600Gator

Thanks for the replies, tripp11 and caball88.

Cyclonus

TBone: I do it whenever my leather feels kind of dry to the touch. It's hard to give someone a timetable because your local climate will play a big role in how ofter you need to condition it. Here in southern CA, I'm guessing I will have to do mine at least once a month (I've had the car for 4 weeks and I've done it twice so far).

TBone2004

Does the black leather color come off on your pants (like light colored kakhis?)

Cyclonus

My interior is Quartz (exterior NBP) but I haven't noticed that it comes off on my clothes, but to be honest haven't been looking out for it. Is that a problem some have been experiencing with the black interiors only or all colors?