leather seats
Thread Starter
ON DA LOW CAR CLUB
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 1,363
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From: nYc
leather seats
i got a conditioner for my leather and it doesnt seem to clean them it just makes them soft and smooth i thought this will clean the leather cause my leather is dirty... what should i buy?
Leather conditioner is JUST THAT a Conditioner...
To actually clean the leather... you have to buy a Leather Cleaner like Lexol Leather Cleaner (read the directions on how to do so before starting)... then you follow with a conditioner...
Have fun Scrubing...
Will chop for food...
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 335
Likes: 5
From: San Anto, TX
Just like you need to clean your paint before you wax, you need to clean your leather before you condition it.
I have been very pleased with 4 Star Leather Cleaner:
http://www.autogeek.net/four-star-leather-cleaner.html
I use it regularly on ebony and taupe.
I have been very pleased with 4 Star Leather Cleaner:
http://www.autogeek.net/four-star-leather-cleaner.html
I use it regularly on ebony and taupe.
Thread Starter
ON DA LOW CAR CLUB
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 1,363
Likes: 0
From: nYc
lol... sorry its my 1st time having leather.. so what should i scrub it with?
Thread Starter
ON DA LOW CAR CLUB
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 1,363
Likes: 0
From: nYc
Just like you need to clean your paint before you wax, you need to clean your leather before you condition it.
I have been very pleased with 4 Star Leather Cleaner:
http://www.autogeek.net/four-star-leather-cleaner.html
I use it regularly on ebony and taupe.
I have been very pleased with 4 Star Leather Cleaner:
http://www.autogeek.net/four-star-leather-cleaner.html
I use it regularly on ebony and taupe.
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 4,563
Likes: 2
From: USA
theres a lot of cleaners....my personal favorite is a company named malco they make a really good n strong cleaner.... you have to get a rag and dampen it then spray the stuff on the rag to clean..then come back with a dry rag and wipe...then you apply conditioner.
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you can use just about anything to clean your seats as far as something like a warm water and soap, carwash soap, dish soap ect...woolite is the prefered method, dilute a cap full in a spray bottle full of warm water and spray it onto the seats and wipe it down with a microfibre cloth...
Thread Starter
ON DA LOW CAR CLUB
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 1,363
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From: nYc
Former Sponsor
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 6,624
Likes: 9
From: Thousand Oaks, CA
I dont recommend using the Magic Erasers for leather either. They're alright for scuffs, and situations where nothing else has helped, in/on an isolated area, but as for the whole seat? Not a good idea. They work for a reason, they are a super light abrasive which are too light to bare down with. If your actually careful, you can still cause damage as the "sponge" maintains its integrity better.
Most leather seats are clear coated with a vinyl U.V. inhibitor. They clean up rather easily with warm soap and water, and with a microfiber. Most conditioners add slickness which in and of itself is a good thing (not that it penetrates the vinyl) as it decreases the attrition when getting in and out.
Conditioner overuse, obviously, is as bad as lack of use. Stick to a schedule with VC leather, just as you do with your paint. Leather should be damp cleaned often, and conditioned every season (on average).
If your serious about your leather care, Michael Mankarious, a friend and sales rep for einszett USA has written one of the best leather care articles I have had the pleasure of reading. Here's a sample........
While popularity can sometimes be a reliable barometer, it isn’t always the correct choice. Some customers even make their decision based on fragrance alone. There is a certain romance with treating leather in much the same way as there is with waxing a car. You may laugh but let's face it, it's true. Like waxing a car's paint finish, many enjoy the process of cleaning and conditioning their leather with leather soap and natural conditioning oils. So, you can imagine the surprise when people find out that the two step process of soap and conditioning oils is a thing of the past. That simply adds to the confusion with what leather care product to choose. OK, with so many choices, how do you choose? The key to making effective choices is going beyond popularity, fragrances or whether the product is a one or two step process.
And heres the link...........
Most leather seats are clear coated with a vinyl U.V. inhibitor. They clean up rather easily with warm soap and water, and with a microfiber. Most conditioners add slickness which in and of itself is a good thing (not that it penetrates the vinyl) as it decreases the attrition when getting in and out.
Conditioner overuse, obviously, is as bad as lack of use. Stick to a schedule with VC leather, just as you do with your paint. Leather should be damp cleaned often, and conditioned every season (on average).
If your serious about your leather care, Michael Mankarious, a friend and sales rep for einszett USA has written one of the best leather care articles I have had the pleasure of reading. Here's a sample........
While popularity can sometimes be a reliable barometer, it isn’t always the correct choice. Some customers even make their decision based on fragrance alone. There is a certain romance with treating leather in much the same way as there is with waxing a car. You may laugh but let's face it, it's true. Like waxing a car's paint finish, many enjoy the process of cleaning and conditioning their leather with leather soap and natural conditioning oils. So, you can imagine the surprise when people find out that the two step process of soap and conditioning oils is a thing of the past. That simply adds to the confusion with what leather care product to choose. OK, with so many choices, how do you choose? The key to making effective choices is going beyond popularity, fragrances or whether the product is a one or two step process.
And heres the link...........
I dont recommend using the Magic Erasers for leather either. They're alright for scuffs, and situations where nothing else has helped, in/on an isolated area, but as for the whole seat? Not a good idea. They work for a reason, they are a super light abrasive which are too light to bare down with. If your actually careful, you can still cause damage as the "sponge" maintains its integrity better.
Most leather seats are clear coated with a vinyl U.V. inhibitor. They clean up rather easily with warm soap and water, and with a microfiber. Most conditioners add slickness which in and of itself is a good thing (not that it penetrates the vinyl) as it decreases the attrition when getting in and out.
Conditioner overuse, obviously, is as bad as lack of use. Stick to a schedule with VC leather, just as you do with your paint. Leather should be damp cleaned often, and conditioned every season (on average).
If your serious about your leather care, Michael Mankarious, a friend and sales rep for einszett USA has written one of the best leather care articles I have had the pleasure of reading. Here's a sample........
While popularity can sometimes be a reliable barometer, it isn’t always the correct choice. Some customers even make their decision based on fragrance alone. There is a certain romance with treating leather in much the same way as there is with waxing a car. You may laugh but let's face it, it's true. Like waxing a car's paint finish, many enjoy the process of cleaning and conditioning their leather with leather soap and natural conditioning oils. So, you can imagine the surprise when people find out that the two step process of soap and conditioning oils is a thing of the past. That simply adds to the confusion with what leather care product to choose. OK, with so many choices, how do you choose? The key to making effective choices is going beyond popularity, fragrances or whether the product is a one or two step process.
And heres the link...........
Most leather seats are clear coated with a vinyl U.V. inhibitor. They clean up rather easily with warm soap and water, and with a microfiber. Most conditioners add slickness which in and of itself is a good thing (not that it penetrates the vinyl) as it decreases the attrition when getting in and out.
Conditioner overuse, obviously, is as bad as lack of use. Stick to a schedule with VC leather, just as you do with your paint. Leather should be damp cleaned often, and conditioned every season (on average).
If your serious about your leather care, Michael Mankarious, a friend and sales rep for einszett USA has written one of the best leather care articles I have had the pleasure of reading. Here's a sample........
While popularity can sometimes be a reliable barometer, it isn’t always the correct choice. Some customers even make their decision based on fragrance alone. There is a certain romance with treating leather in much the same way as there is with waxing a car. You may laugh but let's face it, it's true. Like waxing a car's paint finish, many enjoy the process of cleaning and conditioning their leather with leather soap and natural conditioning oils. So, you can imagine the surprise when people find out that the two step process of soap and conditioning oils is a thing of the past. That simply adds to the confusion with what leather care product to choose. OK, with so many choices, how do you choose? The key to making effective choices is going beyond popularity, fragrances or whether the product is a one or two step process.
And heres the link...........
Right.. Ive used these on about 26 cars already not a single one with a problem. If you use it correct and apply light pressure your not going to kill anything. Besides we beat this to death theres only like 20% real leather in the TL. After your done cleaning your seats you put on a conditioner. Again we don't drive a mercedes benz we drive hondas they aren't going to put fancy crap on vinyl seats.
Former Sponsor
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 6,624
Likes: 9
From: Thousand Oaks, CA
I dont recommend using the Magic Erasers for leather either.
Again we don't drive a mercedes benz we drive hondas they aren't going to put fancy crap on vinyl seats.
why is your buffer dirty from waxing
Just my
Racer
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 439
Likes: 1
From: Northern Virginia
With Pat. I would not recommend using a magic eraser on Vinyl or coated Leather either. If you like it then that is fine and so far it does not appear to have damaged your coated leather seats. Hope that stays the case but you may have removed the Polyurethane coating already and not realize it, then again maybe not? I like the Leather Masters Strong Cleaner and Protector lotion. The 1Z Einzett has a great one step cleaner/conditioner (Thanks for the article Pat). That product is pretty much perfect for any vehicle with coated Leather which is about 95% of the vehs sold in the USA. You can't go wrong with that either.
9th Gear
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
From: Palo Alto, CA
Do you know what kind of leather Acura uses?
On coach.com, the leather cleaner is designed for specific kind of leather.
COACH CLEANER
Use Coach Cleaner on:
Soho Buck Leather
Hamptons Buck Leather
Legacy Buck Leather
Polished Calf Leather
English Bridle Leather
On coach.com
, the leather cleaner is designed for specific kind of leather.COACH CLEANER
Use Coach Cleaner on:
Soho Buck Leather
Hamptons Buck Leather
Legacy Buck Leather
Polished Calf Leather
English Bridle Leather
^ leather wipes does barely anything. I would know because Ive had my car for over 2 years and wipes haven't done much except make the seats look greasy.. Magic clean erasers work great on our TL. Just use cleaner/conditioner wipes after. Let the leather seats air for a day and use a reg dry cloth to wipe off any excess amount of conditioner. Just PM me bro if you have an problem. The difference between some of these posters and myself is that I clean my car almost daily and have worked in a dealing shop and HAVE USED magic clean before.. in fact more than a few times.
Racer
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 439
Likes: 1
From: Northern Virginia
^ leather wipes does barely anything. I would know because Ive had my car for over 2 years and wipes haven't done much except make the seats look greasy.. Magic clean erasers work great on our TL. Just use cleaner/conditioner wipes after. Let the leather seats air for a day and use a reg dry cloth to wipe off any excess amount of conditioner. Just PM me bro if you have an problem. The difference between some of these posters and myself is that I clean my car almost daily and have worked in a dealing shop and HAVE USED magic clean before.. in fact more than a few times.
I'm just a High Quality Detailer that researches the crap out of products and materials before it ever touches a customers car and is usually tried on my own first anyway. My only advice is that if your car interior is an absolute mess and heavily stained and you want to try a magic eraser given that it prob can't make your already bad interior any worse then go for it. It may work magic for you and hopefully without removing the top coat of your leather. However if you have a nice interior and wish to keep it that way I would highly recommend that you not use a magic eraser on the interior for routine cleaning. Use a ph balanced leather cleaner and you cannot go wrong. I like Leather masters and 1z EInzett leather cleaner/conditioner. There are several other great products out there also. I'm not a huge fan of Lexol as It has darkened the leather on some vehicles. Always question and research what you read on these forums and don't take my word as the only word. Everyone has an opinion, I'm not taking shots at anyone in this post simply putting out a caution to anyone that may stumble onto this post and think Magic erasers are great tools for leather maintenance. In my opinion they are not but I admit i have not done extensive testing to find out the effects good or bad. This is my opinion and nothing more.
I do Not recommend cleaning wipes in general as I think they are crap as are alot of OTC detailing products but I would not recommend that anyone use a magic eraser on their leather upholstery. BUt then again I have never worked at a detailing shop/Car Wash/Dealership/Hack shop that puts swirls galore in your paint and uses harsh chemical agents that can cause damage to the interior of your car I'm just a High Quality Detailer that researches the crap out of products and materials before it ever touches a customers car and is usually tried on my own first anyway. My only advice is that if your car interior is an absolute mess and heavily stained and you want to try a magic eraser given that it prob can't make your already bad interior any worse then go for it. It may work magic for you and hopefully without removing the top coat of your leather. However if you have a nice interior and wish to keep it that way I would highly recommend that you not use a magic eraser on the interior for routine cleaning. Use a ph balanced leather cleaner and you cannot go wrong. I like Leather masters and 1z EInzett leather cleaner/conditioner. There are several other great products out there also. I'm not a huge fan of Lexol as It has darkened the leather on some vehicles. Always question and research what you read on these forums and don't take my word as the only word. Everyone has an opinion, I'm not taking shots at anyone in this post simply putting out a caution to anyone that may stumble onto this post and think Magic erasers are great tools for leather maintenance. In my opinion they are not but I admit i have not done extensive testing to find out the effects good or bad. This is my opinion and nothing more.
I'm just a High Quality Detailer that researches the crap out of products and materials before it ever touches a customers car and is usually tried on my own first anyway. My only advice is that if your car interior is an absolute mess and heavily stained and you want to try a magic eraser given that it prob can't make your already bad interior any worse then go for it. It may work magic for you and hopefully without removing the top coat of your leather. However if you have a nice interior and wish to keep it that way I would highly recommend that you not use a magic eraser on the interior for routine cleaning. Use a ph balanced leather cleaner and you cannot go wrong. I like Leather masters and 1z EInzett leather cleaner/conditioner. There are several other great products out there also. I'm not a huge fan of Lexol as It has darkened the leather on some vehicles. Always question and research what you read on these forums and don't take my word as the only word. Everyone has an opinion, I'm not taking shots at anyone in this post simply putting out a caution to anyone that may stumble onto this post and think Magic erasers are great tools for leather maintenance. In my opinion they are not but I admit i have not done extensive testing to find out the effects good or bad. This is my opinion and nothing more.Do your research first and understand why a product does what it does and what adverse affects it may have. Just because working in a "shop" doesn't make anyone any better than the rest of us. However, doing research will broaden your knowledge and in effect expand on your skills.
Plus, it doesn't help anyone's cause to be close-minded...
The Old Grey Whistle Test
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 1,001
Likes: 18
From: Florida / England
Well said.
Do your research first and understand why a product does what it does and what adverse affects it may have. Just because working in a "shop" doesn't make anyone any better than the rest of us. However, doing research will broaden your knowledge and in effect expand on your skills.
Plus, it doesn't help anyone's cause to be close-minded...
Do your research first and understand why a product does what it does and what adverse affects it may have. Just because working in a "shop" doesn't make anyone any better than the rest of us. However, doing research will broaden your knowledge and in effect expand on your skills.
Plus, it doesn't help anyone's cause to be close-minded...
So....am I understanding this correctly? The center part of the leather seats (perforated area) in the TL are the only real leather areas? The other paddings (left and right parts of the perforated area) are just vinyl?
If so, could I just treat the vinyl areas of the seats with a vinyl protectant treatment such as Lexol Vinylex?
If so, could I just treat the vinyl areas of the seats with a vinyl protectant treatment such as Lexol Vinylex?
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 4,563
Likes: 2
From: USA
TL yes u can treat it with vinylex.....and that goes for a majority of cars nowadays (vinyl n leather) except for your rolls bentleys lambos etc....pretty much anything u pay for thats over 100k has leather all around including the dash... they do this because leather has a lot of imperfections so they get a good quality vinyl to match up and its a done deal. PLEATHER! lol.....the headressts we have are partial leather and partial vinyl...and that also depends on the batch they are using on that specific build date...I remember arguing with someone about them being all pleather or all leather and it was verified that it can be mixed or all one material or all another by someone i know who works for katzkin.
leather n plastic conditioners n cleaners are pretty much the same unless specified on the container that its diff.
leather n plastic conditioners n cleaners are pretty much the same unless specified on the container that its diff.
TL yes u can treat it with vinylex.....and that goes for a majority of cars nowadays (vinyl n leather) except for your rolls bentleys lambos etc....pretty much anything u pay for thats over 100k has leather all around including the dash... they do this because leather has a lot of imperfections so they get a good quality vinyl to match up and its a done deal. PLEATHER! lol.....the headressts we have are partial leather and partial vinyl...and that also depends on the batch they are using on that specific build date...I remember arguing with someone about them being all pleather or all leather and it was verified that it can be mixed or all one material or all another by someone i know who works for katzkin.
leather n plastic conditioners n cleaners are pretty much the same unless specified on the container that its diff.
leather n plastic conditioners n cleaners are pretty much the same unless specified on the container that its diff.
Thanks for the info Tripn, I'm gonna treat the vinyl parts of the seats with Vinylex. It states on the bottle that it provides some UV protection and I happen to come across a bottle locally.
Pro
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 500
Likes: 8
From: C. Florida - Orlando
I love to use Ziano Bros leather cleaner, then their conditioner.
I scrubbed my seats this weekend with the cleaner (w/small washcloths) and couldnt believe the dirt that was on my seats. I used 1 fresh washcloth per seat. Then a nice application sponge of the conditioner and SMOooth new looking, clean seats.
Ziano's stuff smells like new leather too (in fact the conditioner is called "leather in a bottle").
I scrubbed my seats this weekend with the cleaner (w/small washcloths) and couldnt believe the dirt that was on my seats. I used 1 fresh washcloth per seat. Then a nice application sponge of the conditioner and SMOooth new looking, clean seats.
Ziano's stuff smells like new leather too (in fact the conditioner is called "leather in a bottle").
Senior Moderator
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 21,407
Likes: 2,185
From: Space Coast, FL
So....am I understanding this correctly? The center part of the leather seats (perforated area) in the TL are the only real leather areas? The other paddings (left and right parts of the perforated area) are just vinyl?
If so, could I just treat the vinyl areas of the seats with a vinyl protectant treatment such as Lexol Vinylex?
If so, could I just treat the vinyl areas of the seats with a vinyl protectant treatment such as Lexol Vinylex?
you ever see the bentleys with the leather dash? thats hot...