I tried to clean/condtion leather facing with an Armorol Wipe for leather. It didn't absorb all that well on the leather and I can see where I applied the treatement and where I missed. I tired to blend it in / wipe it off with a soft cloth , but that didn't really help. Never had this happen using this product on my Volvo. I think the grade of leather is not as good in the TL as my old Volvo. I know some have complained on this site about splits and defects in the TL's leather facing.

Any recommendations on a product and/or procedure to eliminate my problem with contrast on leather and preserve it?

Thanks

 

Lexol has been highly recommended by several posts. I used it on mine, and it looks just fine.

 

I would use Lexol cleaner and then apply Lexol conditioner....been using it for years on all types of leather and love it!!!

 

Zaino leather conditioner works great too. I do not like the after look of Armorall. It becomes shiny which looks cheap.

 

My fellow TSX drivers recommended Lexol products, which I've found to be noticably better on leather and vinyl than Armor All.

 

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

 

http://www.lexol.com/newauto.html

People haven't been so happy with the cleaner, but the conditioner works really well. I did my seats yesterday (first time since I got the car on the 3rd of March). I noticed the wrinkles that had begun to appear simply disappeared as I was condititioning the leather.

As for a simple cleaning method, try Woollite and water...1 part Woollite to 6 parts water.

 

Use Lexol, i switched to Meguiar's recently and it does not condition as well as the Lexol. whenever you are applying a product of any type to your car. always use it on a non-conspicuous area. in case the product does change the look of the part it will not be noticable.

 

i heard that the leather is not really "leather" in the true sense. it's some kind of hybrid recipe that mixes leather and a vynel compound ???, that honda has been using and having problems with. don't know if there is any truth to that, but it could explain the problem? maybe they just use substandard hide?

 

Only the back and sides are "leatherette" I think.

 

I don't mean to disparage product here, but Armor All SUCKS! It is water based and will not be good for the leather in the long run. Lexol is Ph balanced specifically for leather and will be infinitely better for the car. The problem is that the leather is VERY dry. I took a close look at this during my recent trip to the dealership ( mine is on order ).

 

same here the leather on teh driver's seat is very dry. i have been applying conditioner for the past couple of days to try to get it softer.the passenger seat is perfect.

 

Do they sell Lexol in retail outlets? I looked at an Auto Parts store and a Target, but no luck.

 

I saw it at Pep Boys...

 

They even have Lexol in many supermarkets...

<TED>

 

lexol is working well for me, I just am wondering how often I can use it? I like to get the leather really conditioned well.

 

I couldn't agree more! Armor All is one of the lousiest "car care" ever produced - it does more damage than good.

 

http://www.lexol.com/dealers.html ...they give a break down by state on the website.

 

Thanks for the heads up

 

Or try any leather shop - they will most certainly have Lexol, Pinnacle and all the other high-end, quality leather conditioners and treatments.

 

How often do you use the conditioner? And how do you apply it? (If its not obvious by now, its my first car with leather...)

 

I use it at least once a month or if I can detect the leather beginning to get dehydrated. I use a soft sponge to apply it, wait about 5 minutes for it to soak in, then wipe off the excess with a new shop rag (the t-shirt looking ones that come in the huge bag for like $5). These allow me to use a cloth that is guaranteed clean and new each time. Don't use an old rag or dirty cloth because you will transfer the dirt to the leather.

Sean

 

Lexol Cleaner and Condtioner sound like the preferred choices. Has anyone tried this on the Parchment? I have heard many good things about the Lexol products but was still a little concerned with a color as light as the Parchment.

Thanks

 

I just did my entire parchment interior yesterday and it came out great. I only used the conditioner because I feel mine is new enough to not require much cleaning. It appears the leather is a little less slippery. Still easy to get in and out but not as much sliding around when driving. There are no uneven patches. I used the Lexol generously and it dried nicely and then I wiped it off with a clean towel, as directed by other contributors.

 

The leather is not as good as I thought, I already have creases in my seat where I carry my wallet in my back pocket. I must agree w/everyone in saying that Armor All sucks; I used it on a small section of my seats and it came out horrible….This Lexol sounds like a good idea.

 

I have ordered a bunch of "stuff" in anticipation of my new arrival about the 21st. I have the camel interior. I shyed away from the Parchment as I figured it would be high maintenance with scuff marks, etc. Complicating things is that I have a faithful companion, Zorro. He is a 14 year old dog about twenty-five pounds. He thinks my vehicles are his personal conveyances- especially the Jeep Wrangler. He will occupy (in the Bushian sense) the back seat and expect the window to go down when he so commands. He is my brother, my son, my best friend, and my personal weapon of mass destruction. :piss2: I have ordered leather conditioner from Zaino so I can obsess over my new ride. My last car had maroon velour that was still like new after 14 years of Zorro. I hope the TL does as well.