I was wanting to detail my leather interior as well as the vinyl on the dash this weekend. now my question is, what parts of the seats are actually real leather and what parts are pleather? I want to use Lexol products to do the job but didn't know if I should go with the leather care stuff for all of the seats or use something else for the pleather parts...

Also what would be a good product to use on the dashboard. Could I just use Lexol's Vinyl cleaner and protectant on it?

Some suggestions would be much appreciated...Thanks!

 

I'm not 100% sure on the leather thing, but as far as I know, all seating surfaces are leather along with the insert on the door. I expect soemone else will know for sure.

I am really responding to the dash question. You can use the Lexol vinyl stuff, but I use Meguiars NXT Tech Protectant and it is awesome...you can use it on vinyl, plastic, rubber (tires), etc. I am very, very happy with this product, and I have tried a lot of stuff.

 

The perforated parts are leather for sure, I think the outsides of the seats are too based on how easily my car's is wrinkling and creasing. I used Meguiars LEather conditioner and cleaner. Works great and leaves car smelling fresh and new. As for the dash, I am not sure, anything but Armor All.

 

Yeah, I learned my lesson with Armorall back when I had my integra. Never again.

I was doing some searching and I think I'll go with the 303 Aerospace Protectant for the dash.

 

Common opinion on the dash and vinyl/rubber surfaces seemes to be 303 Aerospace Protectant. It protects without the harsh Armor All shine...leaves a nice matte finish. I haven't personally tried it, but I've got a bottle on order. It's tough to come by in my neck of the woods.

Also...I remember somebody in another thread quoting their dealer who, when asked what was leather and what was not, replied "anything that would touch your skin if you were naked", or something to that effect. So if you're planning to try it out, hopefully you've got a fenced-in yard or something

 

i heard 303 is available at ace hardware stores, there are plenty in the pittsburgh area. correct me if i am mistaken

 

I've tried two Aces and one TrueValue and come up empty thus far I even checked the 303 website and went to shops that were listed on their site in my zip code and the proprieters hadn't heard of it...but one did order it for me. Oh well.

 

Best leather stuff I have founds is from www.townsendleather.com They do all sorts of leather work, including $40K aircraft seating. Our corporate jet guys turned me on to it.

Make sure to clean your leather before conditioning - you want to remove body salts and dirt, not seal them in. Soapy water using the bubbles is fine, or saddle soap, or a wipe from the Townsend kits.

http://www.townsendleather.com/products.asp

 

I finally found 303 at a boat store, after trying several auto places. It does a great job, especially on the dash and areas that see a lot of sun. I have tried Zaino leather conditioner on the seats, and for the most part the "butt prints" are minimal when used every wash cycle.

 

You can generally tell the difference between real and fake leather by the "push" test. When you push your finger into the material, real leather will form radiating lines outward from your finger. The fake stuff will just indent uniformly. Frankly, I like Lexol cleaner followed by Griot's Leather Care from Griot's Garage (http://www.griotsgarage.com) for the leather and just a damp cloth for the vinyl. Works for me, but everyone has their preferences.
Bill

 

From Road Rage:

Make sure to clean your leather before conditioning - you want to remove body salts and dirt, not seal them in. Soapy water using the bubbles is fine, or saddle soap, or a wipe from the Townsend kits.

I use distilled water mixed with Woolite, 5:1 ratio. Wipes clean, I don't have to dry and it prepares the seats for my Lexol leather conditioner. I may have to try the Townsend product, especially if it is used on seats that cost more than my car.

As for the dash, I use 303 protectant and absolutely love it. No gloss, just a nice shine that isn't tacky to touch, and it functions as a sunscreen for your stuff! I found mine at EMS sporting goods.

 

Yeah, 303 Aerospace Protectorant is absolutely amazing.

 

I have always been impressed and amazed by the zaino product line Zaino Bros

 

You can also buy 303 at Murrays Auto Stores or Pep Boys! I have found it at both. Web site says Ace and TruValue but they don't carry it anymore.

 

303 is great stuff....definately worth the effort finding it

 

Only the perforated material is leather, plus of course steering wheel and shift knob. Sides and backs of seats are not leather.

 

I think side bolsters where your body touches are leather-the side where it faces center is not (you can tell if you touch it).

 

The headrest is leather too...at least the fronts are.

 

What about the armrests on the doors? I would think that those were leather, too.

 

I am 100% sure it is not.

 

Hm. Disproves the "naked" hypothesis. Disappointing

 

i love my tl, but the leather is the worst i ever seen. the holes makes it very stretchable. bmw is the best, lexus is far better than tl.

 

Does anybody know what conditioner to use on the perforated leather seats such that the conditioner doesn't fill-in the perforation holes?

 

I think it's up to the way you clean it. I don't spraying them directly but rather lightly apply the lotion or spray to the sponge or cloth (i use microfiber) and then apply.

 

Gee, I wonder if sparkstream still has the same car?

 

You can get 303 on ebay too.

 

Thread Reincarnation!!!!

 

Got mine from NAPA Auto Center.

 

only the center part of ANY car on the market is real leather the rest is vinyl.....except unless u go to the 120k mark for the price of a car then its all leather.

 

I'm pretty sure the center arm rest and door armrests are leather too. They take up the leather conditioner the same as the other leather surfaces. When you use the condtioner on the vinyl you can tell the difference by how the material takes up the liquid.

 

figured i'd stop by Advance Auto parts earlier and try my luck to see if they had 303. nope... they never heard of it.

 

rocky yea thats right all leather.... either way leather cleaner vinyl cleaners are all the same stuff.