Leather cleaner / preserver

[tkoden]

I finally have a vehicle with leather seats and would like to keep them treated so they don't crack. What does everyone use to protect their seats?

Thanks,

Kirk

 

[detailer03]

check out Griots Garage. on line. also mequires has a good product line. DO NOT use a scrub brush to clean, use a damp soapy sponge.

 

[Adieu]

Dish soap in hot water + HORSEHAIR brush

 

[GAINMOB]

Only the front seats have leather... all others are vinyl... on the leather on the front seats is what your back touches and your but... the sides and the back side of the seats are vinyl

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[USMCBuckWild]

I put Carhartt seat covers on mine (front seats, 2nd row captains and 3rd row) which is made crom the heavy 1,000 denier cordura. While not exactly cheap, they do an excellent job of protecting, being tough as hell, easy on and off and machine washable. The heated and a/c seats still work just fine.

I am not a huge fan of leather seats due to the heat in the south. Short shorts/running shorts/bikini bottom and bare legs on hot leather is not conducive to a happy wife.

 

[chart75]

I've used the Griot's Leather Care as well along with Lexol for years. I like the way the Griot's smells (like leather) but that's personal preference. If you're leather is dried out then Lexol might be a good one to try. A lot of folks recommend the Leather Master kit (https://www.detailersdomain.com/products/leather-master-plus-kit) but I have no experience with it. There are several website reviews which list almost the same products in different order: http://www.buythebest10.com/top-10-best-leather-conditioners-for-cars-reviews/ http://mycarneedsthis.com/best-leather-conditioner-and-cleaners-to-buy/

You might try a few and decide which one you like better.

Chuck

 

[John Christopher]

I use Lexol leather care kit. It has a cleaner and a leather preservative. Kit also includes 2 applicators. Work real well and it easy on the leather. About $12.

John

 

[powerboatr]

lexol as recommended by king ranch if you don't use the king ranch cleaners and preservers
king ranch stuff is lexol re-branded.
king ranch seats fronts are 100% leather, 2nd row as well, third row vinyl

tractor supply has 32 oz and 63 oz jugs for half the price of the 16 oz spray bottles at auto stores and wally world

 

[star-art]

Leatherique is really good stuff. I've been using it for many years. It not only preserves leather, it can also be used to restore it:

http://www.leatherique.com/

Leather is present in the second row on some models (according to Ford's brochures). Keep in mind, though, that if you have perforated inserts those are not actually real leather but rather *synthetic* leather. It may be referred to as Perforated Ultra Leather because of the resistance to tearing where the holes are cut through:

https://leather-auto-seats.com/product-category/ford/expedition/

 

[Adieu]

Unbeatable for regular leather/vinyl

 

[Adieu]

To

 

[star-art]

Many degreasers will do a good job cleaning dirt like that. Use a toothbrush to get dirt out of the grain lines. I've also used Goop and it works really well. I cleaned up a set of leather/vinyl seats from a Lincoln Town car and they looked brand new. Just be sure to test whatever you're planning to use in a hidden area to make sure it won't damage or discolor the leather. . .

 

[Flight-ER-Doc]

Chamberlains leather milk and cleaner...works well on my flight jackets too.

 

[J Ski]

I finally have a vehicle with leather seats and would like to keep them treated so they don't crack. What does everyone use to protect their seats?

Thanks,

Kirk

Meguiars leather balm before and after. No residue left behind

 

[Bill Schell]

Great info here folks - thanks. This is the first ventilated leather seats for us and are their issues using these products on the perforated areas? Obviously take care not to slobber any product on, but can this be an issue?

Just poking around for info and found this.

 

[star-art]

The most important thing I've learned is that most leather in the interior of our cars is FINISHED LEATHER. It has a protective coating on it that conditioners can't really penetrate. So, applying an expensive conditioner can be a waste of time, energy, and money. Also, many times there are matching vinyl parts and it can be tricky to tell one from the other. You don't want to waste leather conditioner on vinyl.

According to the pros I've talked to, the best way to treat finished leather is to keep it hydrated by wiping with a damp cloth once a week. I like to use Leatherique Prestine Clean for this as it hydrates and gently cleans. It works great on both finished leather and also vinyl so you don't have to keep track of what's what. The last time I used Leatherique conditioner it just built up on the surface, never really soaked in, and remained tacky. After that I decided not to use it again.

If you know for sure you have ANALINE leather (like a King Ranch interior) then you need to apply leather conditioner.

 

[Trainmaster]

I've found the best cleaner by far if Scrubbing Bubbles Bathroom Cleaner with a scrub brush. Then wipe with a damp cloth. This is recommended by TheSeatShop, which makes replacement leather covers. I'd just use it for perhaps yearly cleaning, because it's strong stuff, but it surely gets the dirt off.

Star-art's post above is on the money. The leather's basically painted, and any conditioner or goo will just sit on the surface and often make it shiny and greasy. Keep it clean and that's it.

 

[16plati]

I finally have a vehicle with leather seats and would like to keep them treated so they don't crack. What does everyone use to protect their seats?

Thanks,

Kirk

Meguiars ultimate leather cleaner + Meguiars ultimate leather balm

 

[carymccarr]

Gtechniq products are awesome and this one is no different. This stuff provides a barrier between you and the leather (read: no more dye rub off from new jeans). Careful with overspray though. It’s very difficult to remove once it’s dry.

https://usa.gtechniq.com/products/auto/l1-leather-guard-ab


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[Bill Schell]

Thanks for the insights. Some are suggesting that many of these conditioners are useless on these faux leather seats. Because they have a "clear coat" of sorts on the leather veneer, mild alkaline cleaning is the best approach to long term maintenance. The thought here being that the clear coat prevents this conditioner products from ever getting to the leather covering - so they're really just shining the coating??

One video suggested a 5:1 mix of Woolite and Deionized water; something along the lines of the Scrubbing Bubbles noted above. Sounds like two completely different approaches between the King Ranch and other trims leather seats.