Leather Care

[Muddy Bean]

Spent some time searching the forum using various search criteria and couldn't come up with much on 3rd Gen leather care...my former Toyota leather was in extremely rough shape when I traded it and I would really like to maintain the leather on my 2015 EL Limited for as long as I can. I may be wrong but the leather doesn't seem like it's actually leather...but if it is, what is the best conditioner I can use on it? Just a normal quality leather conditioner or do you guys use something special to keep it pliable and moisturized?

EDIT: just realized there's a "detailing" forum so I've been reading through that section. That being said, can someone confirm or deny that we actually have real leather that should be maintained like real leather or is this something manufactured?

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

 

[ExpeditionAndy]

The part you sit on and the part your back touches is Leather, everything else is vinyl. They are really leather inserts. I'll have to check later, but I think Ford as some leather cleaner and conditioner that they recommend. When I get back I'll check it out.

 

[J Ski]

Spent some time searching the forum using various search criteria and couldn't come up with much on 3rd Gen leather care...my former Toyota leather was in extremely rough shape when I traded it and I would really like to maintain the leather on my 2015 EL Limited for as long as I can. I may be wrong but the leather doesn't seem like it's actually leather...but if it is, what is the best conditioner I can use on it? Just a normal quality leather conditioner or do you guys use something special to keep it pliable and moisturized?

EDIT: just realized there's a "detailing" forum so I've been reading through that section. That being said, can someone confirm or deny that we actually have real leather that should be maintained like real leather or is this something manufactured?

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

I use meguiars ultimate interior protectant and also their leather balm. Reapply about once a month, twice on high traffic areas. I had some stuff from auto armor that I got when I purchased the interior protection plan on my 16 Platinum EL which was really nice but meguiars is top notch. And Andy is correct with them being leather inserts. Sides and backs are vinyl which the interior protectant does a great job on

 

[Muddy Bean]

Ok perfect. Exactly what I needed to know. I think Ford recommends Luxor? Or something to that effect?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

 

[ExpeditionAndy]

CLEANING LEATHER SEATS (If Equipped)

Without King Ranch Edition

Note: Follow the same procedure as
cleaning leather seats for cleaning leather
instrument panels and leather interior trim
surfaces.

For routine cleaning, wipe the surface with
a soft, damp cloth and a mild soap and
water solution. Dry the area with a clean,
soft cloth.

For cleaning and removing spots and stains
such as dye transfer, use Motorcraft
Premium Leather and Vinyl Cleaner or a
commercially available leather cleaning
product for automotive interiors.

Note: Test any cleaner or stain remover on
an inconspicuous area.
You should:

• Remove dust and loose dirt with a
vacuum cleaner.
• Clean and treat spills and stains as
soon as possible.
Do not use the following products as these
may damage the leather:
• Oil and petroleum or silicone-based
leather conditioners.
• Household cleaners.
• Alcohol solutions.
• Solvents or cleaners intended
specifically for rubber, vinyl and
plastics.

With King Ranch Edition

Your vehicle has seating covered in
premium, top-grain leather that is
extremely durable, but still requires special
care and maintenance in order to preserve
longevity and comfort.

Regular cleaning and conditioning
maintains the appearance of the leather.

Cleaning

For dirt, use a vacuum cleaner then use a
clean, damp cloth or soft brush.

For routine cleaning, wipe the surface with
a soft, damp cloth. For more thorough
cleaning, wipe the surface with a mild soap
and water solution.

• Clean spills as quickly as possible.
• Test any cleaner or stain remover on
an inconspicuous part of the leather as
cleaners may darken the leather.
• Do not spill coffee, ketchup, mustard,
orange juice or oil-based products on
the leather as they may permanently
stain the leather.
• Do not use household cleaning
products, alcohol solutions, solvents
or cleaners intended for rubber, vinyl
or plastics.

Scratches

Because the leather in the seat comes
from genuine steer hides, there may be
evidence of naturally occurring markings,
such as small scars. These markings give
character to the seating covers and are
considered to be proof of a genuine leather
product.

In order to lessen the appearance of
certain scratches and other wear marks,
apply conditioner on the affected area
following the same instructions as in the
Conditioning section.

Conditioning

Bottles of King Ranch Leather Conditioner
are available at the King Ranch Saddle
Shop. Visit the website at
www.krsaddleshop.com, or call
1–800–282–KING (5464) in the United
States. If you are unable to obtain King
Ranch Leather Conditioner, use another
premium leather conditioner.

• Clean the surfaces using the steps
outlined in the Cleaning section.
• Make sure the leather is dry then apply
a nickel-sized amount of conditioner
to a clean, dry cloth.
• Rub the conditioner into the leather
until it disappears. Allow the
conditioner to dry, then repeat the
process for the entire interior. If a film
appears, wipe it off with a dry, clean
cloth.

 

[LokiWolf]

BIG fan of Griots Garage Leather care stuff! Used it on my stuff for years, and does a great job.

 

[Muddy Bean]

Ok will shop around and find a good conditioner and use it religiously.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

 

[Flexpedition]

UV rays are 99% of the problem. Get a layer of film installed on all your windows, including the windshield. Transparent or tinted - doesn't matter. All of the interior, including the occupants, will last longer and look better.

 

[jkayca]

I've always like Meguiars products. You really don't need anything special for your particular vehicle so don't spend extra on a "Ford" approved product. Just use a good product.

 

[ExpeditionAndy]

UV rays are 99% of the problem. Get a layer of film installed on all your windows, including the windshield. Transparent or tinted - doesn't matter. All of the interior, including the occupants, will last longer and look better.

I have my front side windows tinted to match the rest of the glass and I use a sun shade in the windshield to cut way back on the UV rays. It will also help keep the dashboard from drying out and cracking down the road.

 

[svfetter]

All good advise above. I will add that the key is to treat as often as possible. Recommendation is once a month but most of us just can't get around to it that often. If you treat it 2 or 3 times a year you should be good. There will be some natural cracking in high wear areas even if you keep the leather soft. Can't seem to get away from that. Had fabric for years but once I had leather, I will never go back.

 

[FisherPete]

One precautionary note ... if you have heated and/or cooled seats, do not over apply any treatment to prevent plugging the holes that distribute the cooled/heated air.

 

[ads245]

The King Ranch Leather Conditioner works great regardless of whether or not you have King Ranch Seats. However, it's a bit pricey because of the name. Duragloss 221 Leather Conditioner is the same stuff, just bottled under their own name so it's half the cost.

https://www.amazon.com/Duragloss-221-Creamy-Leather-Conditioner/dp/B0002JMDAE

 

[Muddy Bean]

UV rays are 99% of the problem. Get a layer of film installed on all your windows, including the windshield. Transparent or tinted - doesn't matter. All of the interior, including the occupants, will last longer and look better.

I have matching black tint all the way around with the sole exception of the windshield which will be getting a ceramic Uv blocking clear on it. So that should help keep the leather happier at least.



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[ExpeditionAndy]

Muddy that sure is a good looking Expedition.

 

[rjdelp7]

Mothers leather conditioner is very good. It is a thick paste. It comes with a sponge. I use my hands to work it in. Your body heat helps, work it into the leather. It is not greasy and keeps leather supple. I use a cheap seat cover on my driver seat. I do it only because, my work clothes get dirty.

 

[dakotazeb]

Ok perfect. Exactly what I needed to know. I think Ford recommends Luxor? Or something to that effect?

I think what you are referring to is Lexol. http://www.lexol.com/ I've used it for years and it's a top notch product. I use the Leather Conditioner. However, I see that it has no UV protection in it.

 

[sixsix]

The black leather seats in my '15 Limited are some of the worse I ever had in any vehicle. The leather is pretty stiff and just doesn't feel right. The second and third row seats are fine, it's just the front two.

Either way...The leather is coated so conditioning won't do anything. You can apply a conditioner everyday if you want to and it won't change a thing. You can't condition plastic. The best thing to do is keep them clean. I hit mine every couple of months with a dedicated leather cleaner, but usually just maintain them with any kind of "all in one" leather care product. Lately I've been using mothers vlr, but I've also used poorboy's leather stuff and the chemical guys leather detailer. I like the spray products cause I can knock it out pretty quick.

 

[Don Hall]

For the leather part of your seats, you might try saddle soap followed by mink oil. They both are in paste form, and come in large shoe polish cans for about $1.50/ea. They are usually located in the shoe department of local stores. Have used these products on my Corvettes for 25 years with no complaints.

 

[Trainmaster]

Sissix is right, you can't condition coated leather. It's basically painted. Keep it clean. Most conditioners just make the painted leather ultra shiny or sticky like Armorall.