Hi all, Paul Dalton here from Miracle Detail

I

imported_89LXi

New member
I just bought a new 2002 Ford Expedition with leather interior. And this is the first time I have had leather. There are a lot of products that will probably do a great job of protecting it. I would appreciate any and all opinions and experiences on what has worked best for you.



I am new to the site and have found it to be very informative and entertaining. Keep up the great posts!
 
Welcome to the site! It is one of the best.



I suggest you first read David B's Autoia website and check out all his detailing tips. Then do a search for leather in the forums and I am sure you will find a ton of information.



After that research you probably have more specific questions.



Be careful at first since your seats probably have a coating on them to protect the leather and use mild cleaners like just plain water and a MT.



I have tried several products and have been happy with most.
 
AmsoilAD, the first thing to figure out is whether or not your leather is coated....ask the dealer, they might know...if not, use a mild cleanser in a hidden spot, rub gently and see if any of the leather color comes off. No color on your rag = coated. If coated, you can more or less treat it like vinyl. My fiance has an Escape and the leather is coated so I imagine it is coated on the Expedition as well....shouldnt assume though. Like Guess My Name said, you can simply use plain water and a miracle towel to wipe clean and then cover with 303 protectant. Seems to have worked so far...........
 
Ron, dont suppose you supply GM as well? No matter who I talk to there, I cannot get a definitive answer on whether or not my Tahoe leather is coated. ..... After doing the "tests", I am 99.0% sure it is, but would love to hear from another source???
 
It is coated as well, the hides for all the big 3 come from about 5 suppliers and all are to the basic same specification.



Ketch

:up
 
Gee, this sounds like one of those posts I used to see on the ragingbull stock board. Somebody would post a question that was so generic that it could have been posted on any one of 5000 stock boards and would then tout a product in their sig. Just thought it was interesting as this is the first one that appears to be blantant. If I'm off base, sorry. But I'll bet that AmsoilAD doesn't reply to this.
 
I have used 'em all the EO is very good stuff, the seat seems to absord the product much better than the Lexol I previously used, and it looks much better to boot! Lexol is supposed to be the standard, but the EO is a much better product to me. I use the Lexol and never really saw a difference in the look of the leather (as if it had not been conditioned) but EO leaves a very nice, conditioned sheen to the seats without being

sticky or greasy. I use 303 protectant every couple of weeks to protect the seats. (UV)
 
I left on Oct 21 and went to Manila for 8 days, then on to Singapore, then Maylasia and ended up in Bangkok.



Set up our new distribution in the Philippines, worked with our guys in Singapore and the Proton people are going to handle the AI line in Maylasia. Got back on Nov 9 th.



We are either going with VIV or a Ford Parts division for Thailand.



Met a lot of oil guys in Maylasia attending a safety conference at the Marriott.



Have some background in that business, so was like old home week a bit.



Ketch

:up
 
Hey Ron! U comin to Singapore again? Let's meetup if U're down here again in our sunny island! (okay, it's rainy right now).



Do drop me a mail or try calling me (065) 96913646.



Cheers!

Gavin
 
I stayed at the Marriott on Orchard.

Will possibly be back next spring, but not sure at this point.

Know I will be in the Philippines, Kuala Lumpur and Bangkok, but have to make a decision on some things in Singapore.

Don't have your email, mine is ketch@autoint.com

If I do come back there, we will most likely do a "road show", have an evening or Saturday 2 hour Seminar.

Seems that is very popular over there.

Ketch
:bounce
 
For cleaning leather, the best product I have found it Woolite. Yes, Woolite, the same gentle sweater detergent your Mom used.



Mix it down 6:1 with water (6 parts water to 1 part Woolite) in a spray bottle. Spray onto the leather, use a semi-stiff brush to remove heavy soil, or just a towel for light soil. Wipe dry and use the protectant of your choice. I prefer Tanner's Preserves protectant (I haven't tried their cleaner but someone else posted they didn't like it) because it changes the color very little, soaks in quickly and leaves a light sheen without looking greasy.
 
Thanks Ron! .... I should have freakin' asked you in the first place...would have saved myself lots of time...



As for your observance regarding the product plug Guess My Name...nice pick-up, I didnt even notice........



...Hope everyone has a nice Thanksgiving...
 
Well, what ever the motivation it was timely for me. I did some searching recently and found many threads a few months old. Based on those threads it threw a wrench in my current gameplan (for leather care). Didn't want to rehash old discussions so I posted this on another board:





"Just when I thought I had my system down! Stumbled on some old threads in another forum last night dealing with leather care on clear coated seats vs those that aren't.



Learned a lot, but began doubting my system. On my 95 Lexus LS400 I like to wipe on a little Pinn conditoner every week as part of the interior clean up. I mainly like the smell, but thought it was wiping off some of the weekly wear and tear.



Now I'm not sure if it's the correct product to be using and it sounds like I'm doing it way more than others. I use it sparingly, but none the less each week. I have also been wiping with 303 about every fourth week.



I may be switching to Eagle's conditioner, safe for both types of leather. Mainly due to the price.



Thoughts from others. Good/bad gameplan. What do others do as part of a weekly clean up on ? "



Since the thread has been started...... For those of you with coated seats: 1) Do you do anything as part of a weekly cleanup?



Sounds like I'll go to a damp MF towel. I'm going to miss my Pinn. smell.

:(



HTGiving

LC
 
that say...will dawn hurt my car,....:D i use the pinnacle conditioner about very other wk....otherowse every week i wipe them down with a damp MF(soap and water)....and once a nth 303.....now thats its colder im way less with the conditioner r/t low absorbency(even with heated front sets)....so what did u read that makles u think your messed up...if nothing got rehashed all the htread wouldbe about BF and awaiting the release of ZFX(oh wait...now thats old too....:eek:
 
Great FLONI,



The debate was over the whole clear coat vs. non. Conditioners such as Pinn. Cond. will eventually wear through the clear coat and cause the leather to become saturated.



I am now under the impression this may happen to my seats over time.



Clear coat seats should treated as vinyl is what I walked away with from the threads which is a big change to my mindset.



Staying in line with newer cars have a clear coat on the seats I'm guessing yours do as well.



Like every other part of the car I think the seats need a light wipedown weekly. Your plan sounds good, did you have concerns over conditioners on coated seats.



LC
 
let me tell you...i just went back and spent the last 20 minutes reading all the leather threads...clearcoated...non-clear...conditioner...no put 303....those were some great posts by Ron K...db and Don...really informative...i kept asking my self the same question as Don....if it hurts the leather(a conditioner) then why the heck do they feel softer after you apply it....Ron answered it...it could very well be the clear evaporating..??whether that is exactly the truth i dont know but...im stopping the Pinnalce conditioner and staying with a wipe down every wk and 303 about once a mth...if i see a huge difference in softness(like...negative wise i mean) then ill go back...otherwise im really gonna miss that pinnacle smell..i havent had a car freshner in there since i got the car....the pinnacle was so nice i didnt need it....anyway....i think you summed it all up perfectly...really did a good job there LC....just think those posts were from June of this year....but it really sparked up a debate....it was cool....that doesnt happen too often....mostly with Klasse vs Zaino stuff...or things like that which are mostly personal preferences type of things....i really appreciate u bringing the topic back up...its very interesting and i like u had given no thought to the clear on my seats....good job buddy!!

:up ........funny...all the products...hide food...tanners..pinnalce lexol...leatherique...they might go under if everybody was aware of the damge it "could" cause...good job to all in this thread...i think its a great topic for discussion...
 
It's definitely good reading. I've been back three times now picking up more details!



I'm glad you jumped on the thread. I was hoping Don would give an update to what he's doing.



Here's my plan. Seems like cleaners are straight forward, it is the conditioner that can get you in trouble. I picked up the Eagle One cleaner and spray conditioner today. The EO conditioner is the only one I've seen that specifically said safe for both types of leather. Used both tonight to reset the "clock" mindset. Very little of each. Good first impressions.



I'm going to a plain damp MF wipe once a week. Use the Eagle every couple of weeks and 303 once a month.



Sent Lexol an email to see what they say about their conditioner (not crazy about it, more curious)



I was debating about getting the big Pinn. conditioner, when I stumbled onto all this. Glad I held off.



Got to run for now.
 
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