I know we've had a few threads on conditioning & treating leather. I wanted to share my success with some subtle but stubborn stains / dye transfer on my Parch interior.

I had some dye transfer onto the driver's seat side bolsters, likely from my belts. Although they were subtle, none of the products we have all been comparing removed these stains (Lexol, 303, etc...even tried the Windex tip).

Road Rage suggested the Townsend Spot / Stain remover and I gave it a try (THANKS RR!!!). Worked like a charm! It comes in a stick something like a Glue Stick. Rub it on the leather stain and it slowly dissolves / removes the stains. The instructions advise to rub the stick on the leather, wiping the stick as it picks up the stain but NOT to wipe the leather directly. It took a few minutes 'massaging' the spot remover stick into the leather, but as you wipe the stain remover stick clean, you will see the stain residue on the cloth. Continue until it is gone, then just treat the leather.

At least now I can drive without removing my belt from my trousers...embarrassing! <snicker>

 

Mike: thx for sharing. That stain remover really is great - as I wrote a while back, my little daughter had scribbled 5 Yr old something on the leather in ink pen, and then did what all kids do - covered it up. By the time I noticed it, it had probably been baking in for a week!! I tried the usual cleaners/conditioners (Lexol, Meguiar's, etc) to no avail.

Then I remembered I had the Townsend kit, and found that "Glue Stick" (great description - probably is exactly where they sourced the container). I steadily rubbed it in - almost gave up, but stayed with it, and after a while, the stain started to fade, and soon was alll but gone. By the time I checked it again and it had dried, it WAS gone.

Important "add" to TM's post - there was no damage to the leather surface, no change in its look or feel from using "Da Stick".

I figure if Townsend has something demonstrably better than others have out there, then they are likely just as superior with the rest of their leather care. So I have stayed with it, although it does not look especially sexy, or have Pam Anderson types hanging over it at SEMA.

Townsend are heavy duty leather pros - pure and simple. I'll bet that stain remover is one of the industry's best kept secrets. Guy comes in fretting over his Enzo's camel leather - 'better leave it, sir' says the leather guy. 10 mins later - stain gone. 3 hours later, guy shows up with wife (in her SLK350) looking all antsy - car is perfect. Price: a mere $100. And the Enzo guys is thanking the Leatherman, even offering the Wife AND the Car!

 

I wanted to order couple of sticks, but the only two places on-line each wanted $10 or more for shipping, making it almost a $30 purchase! Can you buy it at a local auto store by any chance?

Thanks.

 

Same question... any help w/ a brick and mortar store for these products?

 

I did not find any online vendors that had favorable shipping. I just spent the $18 and was done with it. Frankly, this is a glycerine stick intended for ink stains and stubborn spots, so I cannot imagine you needing this in bulk. You won't use it over large areas like a general leather cleaner. I would expect one stick will last the lifetime of my car.

But perhaps someone adventurous might approach a vendor and offer to make a bulk purchase to save on shipping? I would expect the fees to redistribute will only add up to individual purchases.

 

The way these guys described it above sounded like you'd consumer a lot of the compound on a singly stain. Repeated rubbing was mentioned...

 

Man, we can make an issue out of anything.

Unless one is running a prostitution ring out of the back seat, I doubt a lifetime of use would require multiple Sticks. Cheesh.

I love Internet buying - I ask for things, and they arrive - no muss, fuss, or taxation.

 

yep....what he said.