I know I should know the answer but...
- Thread starter Dalton
- Start date
togwt
The Old Grey Whistle Test
Conditioning- recommend a preventative maintenance routine three to four times a year, once prior to the winter season to prevent cold temperatures cracking the leather, and once before the heat of the summer to prevent deterioration and shrinkage by heat, which result in continued cracking of leather. In addition to regular cleaning, leather requires replacement of natural oils; Collagen-based products restore the lost moisture and maintain it's natural flexibility. The smell of leather comes from oils evaporating out of the hide.
Schedule: Once every 30-60 days, Arizona, Florida and Texas, especially in summer, for northern climates between 90-120 days, use a leather conditioner to restore these natural oils and keep the leather soft and supple. (Criot's Leather Care, Autoglym Leather Care Cream, Zanio Z10 Leather in a Bottle or Zymol Treat leather cleaners are all good maintenance products)
Ultraviolet Radiation (UVR) Protection - you should consider additional sunscreen protection (especially if you own a convertible) leather conditioners typically do not offer any UV screening. The best solution is to alternate between a leather conditioner and a UVR Protectant. One month use a conditioner to keep the leather healthy and supple. On alternate months mist and wipe the leather with a UV protectant. After application allow 60 minutes for product to cure, then using a 100% cotton cloth lightly buff surface.
JonM
Schedule: Once every 30-60 days, Arizona, Florida and Texas, especially in summer, for northern climates between 90-120 days, use a leather conditioner to restore these natural oils and keep the leather soft and supple. (Criot's Leather Care, Autoglym Leather Care Cream, Zanio Z10 Leather in a Bottle or Zymol Treat leather cleaners are all good maintenance products)
Ultraviolet Radiation (UVR) Protection - you should consider additional sunscreen protection (especially if you own a convertible) leather conditioners typically do not offer any UV screening. The best solution is to alternate between a leather conditioner and a UVR Protectant. One month use a conditioner to keep the leather healthy and supple. On alternate months mist and wipe the leather with a UV protectant. After application allow 60 minutes for product to cure, then using a 100% cotton cloth lightly buff surface.
JonM
Dalton -
About once a month i will apply LEXOL to my seats & leather trim using a foam applicator, letting the LEXOL dry for about 15-25 minutes (Im in So Cal, pretty warm most of the time) then buffing it out with a terry cloth towel. I don't apply 303 or any UV protection for 2 reasons: (a) I don't like 303's matt finish, i like my leather to shine a bit (like my shoes LOL) (b) 95% of the time my car is parked in a garage, garaged @ home and @ work also, my windows are tinted very dark ( I know tint doesnt protect 100% from UV, but it does help).
About 2-3 times a year (used to be more often when I had a tan interior) I will thoroughly clean the leather. 1 bucket with clean water 1 bucket with a water/woolite solution, 1 towel in each bucket and 2 dry towels. First I wipe & lightly scrub down with the H2O/woolilte solution, then wipe with the clean water solution, then dry. I do one section at a time (eg front driver seat, back driver's side seat etc) then move to the next section. I let the seats fully dry off again leaving doors open for about 30 - 40 minutes and apply the LEXOL as I described above.
When I had the beige interior I would sometimes scrub with a soft bristeled brush rather than just use a terry towel.
My first Lexus in 1995 was the first time I had to deal with leather and didnt know how so I went to a upholstery shop that specialized in auto reconditioning and leather for help, this is what the guy told me. You treat leather the way you treat your own skin (1) wash it clean (2) dry it (3) condition it (4) keep it conditioned between washings, it's not more complicated then that. pretty simple steps I think
About once a month i will apply LEXOL to my seats & leather trim using a foam applicator, letting the LEXOL dry for about 15-25 minutes (Im in So Cal, pretty warm most of the time) then buffing it out with a terry cloth towel. I don't apply 303 or any UV protection for 2 reasons: (a) I don't like 303's matt finish, i like my leather to shine a bit (like my shoes LOL) (b) 95% of the time my car is parked in a garage, garaged @ home and @ work also, my windows are tinted very dark ( I know tint doesnt protect 100% from UV, but it does help).
About 2-3 times a year (used to be more often when I had a tan interior) I will thoroughly clean the leather. 1 bucket with clean water 1 bucket with a water/woolite solution, 1 towel in each bucket and 2 dry towels. First I wipe & lightly scrub down with the H2O/woolilte solution, then wipe with the clean water solution, then dry. I do one section at a time (eg front driver seat, back driver's side seat etc) then move to the next section. I let the seats fully dry off again leaving doors open for about 30 - 40 minutes and apply the LEXOL as I described above.
When I had the beige interior I would sometimes scrub with a soft bristeled brush rather than just use a terry towel.
My first Lexus in 1995 was the first time I had to deal with leather and didnt know how so I went to a upholstery shop that specialized in auto reconditioning and leather for help, this is what the guy told me. You treat leather the way you treat your own skin (1) wash it clean (2) dry it (3) condition it (4) keep it conditioned between washings, it's not more complicated then that. pretty simple steps I think