303 doesn't condition the leather, correct? so wouldn't one have to use Pinnacle or some equivalent to get the "conditioning" effect? or is that not necessary?

 

Yes, padway...

303 is for man-made materials, as stated.

A leather conditioner is called for on the leather which replaces essential oils that boil off over time. Remember- it is a skin. On top of that, it's dead skin. Even skin that's alive can get dried out and crusty.

The leather as it comes iin our TLs is overdue for conditioning. It is thirsty. Especially cars built and stored in the hot summer sun.

I have conditioned mine twice now with Zaino's Leather In A Bottle. It does a good job of softening and conditioning the leather and smells fantastic - like a saddle shop.

Keep in mind that the bolsters are leather also. It's not just the perforated part. If you were driving naked, whatever your skin touches is leather. The backs of the seats and other parts are "leatherette" or vinyl. The door trim is real leather - the perforated part.

If you keep the leather conditioned - like once every month or two in a hot climate - you will minimize the wrinkles and crazing. Contrary to popular opinion, it is a good quality soft leater- like glove leather. Other cars will go for courser, bumpy leather that wears better but is not as comfy. (eg: BMW)

Cheers!
XP

 

hmm... so this whole time I've been using 303 protectant on my leather... was it a bad move because I was not conditioning it?

 

I don't think you hurt it - I hope. There is nothing in their literature that says it can be used on leather. 303 is a UV blocker but it has no oils in it for conditioning. I would get some leather conditioner on there ASAP. There are many good brands. Search the word "leather" and it should take you to the threads that discussed this.

There is Zaino, Lexol, and Zymol, etc. etc.

XP

 

303 prevents fading, cracking and drying - it works great on leather - I would recommend you clean and dress the leather at least 4 times a year with a good leather cleaner and conditioner but weekly or semi weekly 303 is just fine

(folks with black leather, me included, you should clean and dress your leather once a month)

 

I just checked the fine print on the bottle of 303 and they say you can use it on leather.

But, it still won't give you the essential oils your leather needs to condition it. It will block the UV rays.

XP

 

When the sun hits the dash board from certain angles, I can see the streak marks in my dash. It doesnt' look very attractive. Does anyone else have this problem? If so, were any of you able to resolve this minor issue? Will Meguiars # 39 & 40 fix this?

-JBSM1

 

Man, I'm learning so much just from reading this thread... :o

 

Yes, I know this issue. You only notice it in bright light. I went over it again
and soak the rag I'm using to cover every inch evenly. Don't keep reapplying,
just make sure the area is covered. In a couple days, it fades nicely and
should be gone or mostly gone. Really only noticeable when very bright
out, otherwise not a big issue.


Just used 303 for the first time this weekend, very good stuff!

 

i use this spray shine. something called xtreme i think. its good cus dust doesnt cling it

 

the leather in our cars and most cars with leather is coated and it's coated with vinyl. This seals the hide and makes it durable so your tushy won't discolor the leather in a week. It's like the leather on your leather jacket - it's coated it goes out in the rain and snow and elements (well mine does) and is still soft, supple and black. So the essential oil thing is a myth and it's why 303 is just fine for coated leather. Your treating the vinyl coating, protecting it from UV and fading, cracking what not.

Don't get me wrong coated leather will lose essential oils and conditioners help to add that back in, but you really only need to do a full clean/treat 4 times a year (unless you have black interior then once a month!). The more important thing is to treat the coating and 303 is excellent for that. If you ignore that then it can dry and crack and expose the leather - then it can get nasty quick.

 

I use Mothers Preserves. Works very well, and it is on sale at Kragen for 3.99 ( 5.99 regular) for a 20 oz. Or Meguiar's #40 vinyl cleaner/conditioner works well if it need cleaning. These products will outperform all those fantasticks, which are not designed to be used on car interiors.

 

I love # 40 becuase it does not build up - and leaves my black dash very very black and not shiney at all -

 

Use ArmorAll Ultra Shine, shines better then anything I've ever used, even the expensive stuff. It's about 5.00 for a big spray bottle, doesnt leave residue either. For the interior fabric(floors or ceilings) use ArmorAll carpet cleaner with a scrub brush and paper towel or clothe to absorb dampness after cleaning. For tough stains on dash or plastic moldings inside car, use Clorox Cleanup and towel, spray on wait about ten seconds and quickly wipe hard. It will take out scuff marks pretty damn good and its cheap. Tires I use the ArmorAll Ultra Shine for tires awesome shine and it lasts longer than foam, I don't wipe off, just spray on(in the shade!) makes wheels look brand new. For windows Stoner Invisible Glass is great. Leather I use ArmorAll leather cleaner and then Meguiars leather conditioner after, smells awesome and shines brand new for weeks. All these products will cost you less than 50.00 and makes your interior look awesome. For rims I use BleechWhite and a rim brush. Just spray on bleech white wait two minutes and wet rim brush with hose and scrub rims while spraying rims with hose, rims sparkle great. Then for chrome trims and even rims I use Wadding compond. EagleOne is cheap and very effective. It's a silicon saturated fiberglass compond that fills scratches and helps protect chrome and alloys and makes them shine beautifully.

 

OUTSTANDING!!!

 

THEY'RE GRRRRRREAT!!!

 

I wiped my dash with Meguiar's wipes and didn't like the shine so I wiped it off. Now I notice splotches on the dash in certain lights. Are there any products that will reduce this. I intend on protecting the dash afterwards with 303.

 

I'm getting similar results.... :ghey: The interior looks darker and deeper but that won't be very good in the long term, I suppose.
I used 303 before and I didn't get anything like it... I might just go get the LEXOL stuff and be done with it...

 

The only bad thing I would say about Meguiar's Vinal and Rubber Cleaner (#40) is that is smells like a brand new innertube (pool toy) . When applied it gives off a plastic/rubber smell, doens't smell like a cleaner.....it smells like brand new plastic. I wish I could explain it better......but basically it didn't leave the inside smelling very nice when I was finished. I would rather use 303 or VinaleX, both are better products and they smell better than the Meguiars, even though none of them smell good, the Meguiars one is the only one that actually smells bad..

 

Has anyone tried just the Zaino Z-9 Leather Soft Cleaner and Conditioner on the Dashboard/Vinly stuff?

The directions say "Excellent for vinyl too."

I don't feel like forking out more money after buy this kit if I dont have to..

 

in my opinion armor all rubs!no pun intended
http://store.yahoo.com/autopia/index.html
great website for cleaning products