Just using Griot's to clean leather?

[levander]

I realize Griot's Interior Cleaner doesn't have any conditioner/protectant in it, but from reading these forums, cleaning is more important than conditioning anyway.



Wondering, is there any advantage to using a dedicated leather cleaner like Leather Master Strong over just using Griot's?

 

[Accumulator]

I realize Griot's Interior Cleaner doesn't have any conditioner/protectant in it, but from reading these forums, cleaning is more important than conditioning anyway.



Wondering, is there any advantage to using a dedicated leather cleaner like Leather Master Strong over just using Griot's?

Noting that I *really* like the Griot's Interior Cleaner, I do think that my LeatherMaster's stuff (and I don't even have the strong version) works better for *real* cleaing.



For just a quickie job, with minimal soiling, the Griot's works fine.



BUT... besides the better cleaning, dedicated leather cleaners like the LM stuff (that and Sonus are what I'm using these days) seem to leave leather in generally nicer condition than the Interior Cleaner.



I'd go ahead and get the LM. Their small-bottle kit (cleaner and conditioner) goes a pretty long way for such small quantities; I bought it as a trial run, figuring I'd place a "real size" order if I liked it...well, I *do* like it, but I still haven't used up those little bottles.

 

[levander]

Yeah, I'm eventually gonna get the Leather Master.



I know for a real cleaning, you're supposed to use a sponge with the leather cleaner/conditioner. But, just for quick spot cleaner, one of those white towels they sell by the box real cheap (I think they're cotton), those are okay with leather?



I almost assume they are, but there are so many do's and don't's since I've just started reading about this stuff...



I'd like to use those cheap rags on windows, carpet (won't be very effective, but want to make sure it's safe), vinyl (dash), and leather. Are those rags okay on all those surfaces?

 

[HowardPearson]

Detailers Domain has a nice kit of all 3 of the leather masters products with appropriate applicators and MF towels for about $45. Its a good way to get started off right with leather care..

 

[Accumulator]

..I know for a real cleaning, you're supposed to use a sponge with the leather cleaner/conditioner. But, just for quick spot cleaner, one of those white towels they sell by the box real cheap (I think they're cotton), those are okay with leather?...I'd like to use those cheap rags on windows, carpet (won't be very effective, but want to make sure it's safe), vinyl (dash), and leather. Are those rags okay on all those surfaces?[/

IF they're soft enough. Some cotton towels can be too coarse for some leathers, and other surfaces, and will cause damage.



Yeah, I use cotton towels, but nice soft ones and I'm careful with them.



Most any sponge, wet with product, is gonna be very gentle by comparison.



I dunno abvout the cheapie towels...if they work OK then all is well. But FWIW, I don't use any questionable textiles for stuff like this. Note that many interior surfaces can't really be repaired if you damage them, so I tend to err on the side of caution.

 

[levander]

Yeah, I use cotton towels, but nice soft ones and I'm careful with them.

You realize that judyb lady on this board who works with a leather consultany firm in the UK says not to use MF on leather, because it could damage leather.



Only thing is, I haven't found what she's said to use with them.



This auto-detailing stuff is crazy. It's insane how complicated it is. Everybody says different things are okay to do!

 

[Bunky]

You realize that judyb lady on this board who works with a leather consultany firm in the UK says not to use MF on leather, because it could damage leather.



Only thing is, I haven't found what she's said to use with them.



This auto-detailing stuff is crazy. It's insane how complicated it is. Everybody says different things are okay to do!

My guess is that sitting on the leather may damage it too.

 

[levander]

Bunky, you're not helping!

 

[Accumulator]

You realize that judyb lady on this board who works with a leather consultany firm in the UK says not to use MF on leather, because it could damage leather.



Only thing is, I haven't found what she's said to use with them.



This auto-detailing stuff is crazy. It's insane how complicated it is. Everybody says different things are okay to do!

Yes indeed, some of the overcomplications of this stuff are really something But hey, I guess I can be as bad in that sense as anybody...consider how I do my washes!



I've never had any problems from using MF on leather. But note that just like cotton, all MF isn't the same and scuffing up leather (or other surfaces) with *anything* can always happen if you use something that's not soft enough.

 

[Setec Astronomy]

This auto-detailing stuff is crazy. It's insane how complicated it is. Everybody says different things are okay to do!

It's as complicated as you want it to be, just like anything else. You can stick a CD in a boom-box and be happy, while an audiophile might tell you that a CD is too compressed, and that you need not only a different source, but a plethora of equipment...when all you want to do is listen to some tunes!



In the same way, you are overthinking your detailing for what you want to achieve. The kind of product differences and techniques that are used by many here wouldn't make a difference to anybody but a concours judge or less than 1% of the population. We only have 3000 active members here, from all parts of the world, that's .001% of the US population.



Get some towels that feel soft to you and stop agonizing over it. Your family won't be the first ones to use cotton or microfiber towels on leather or vinyl, regardless of who told you not to do it. And buy them each a nice roll of Bounty paper towels for the windows, that way you won't have any MF lint.

 

[levander]

Get some towels that feel soft to you and stop agonizing over it. Your family won't be the first ones to use cotton or microfiber towels on leather or vinyl, regardless of who told you not to do it. And buy them each a nice roll of Bounty paper towels for the windows, that way you won't have any MF lint.

That's what I've done. I bought some no-lint, really thin cotton towels. No-lint so they'd be safe on glass. But, I got so much grief for it when I posted in another thread, I figured I may as well find some microfibers. So, when I asked a couple of questions about MF, no one has responded, at least not yet.



But, just trying to learn further. Because this is not only getting my family gifts, it's a beginning exercise to learn more. If there are problems with cotton and microfiber on leather, what the hell are you supposed to use?

 

[levander]

Okay, the more I read, the more this stuff starts making sense to me.



According the the interior detailing article I'm reading on Autopia, apparently, the clean the dash and leather, you're supposed to have a sponge. Then, for the leather conditioner you're supposed to have a "foam wax applicator", whatever the hell that is. I didn't see it when I was at Target or Wal-mart the other night. And, to apply the UV protectant for the dash, you're supposed to have a "foam applicator pad", which I'm assuming is the same as a "foam wax applicator" you use for the leather conditioner.



Only confusion is it seems you need more than one sponge? On for each type of cleaner you use? Or, you have to run go clean the sponge in between each material you clean? E.g., don't want to get UV protectant on the leather, don't want to get leather conditioner on the dash.



But, for what I'm doing for the Christmas kit I've now got 3 threads on Autopia trying to figure out, I'm going to return my no-lint, really thin cotton towels. They just seem too flimsy. And, I'm going to replace them with terry cotton towels. And, I'll get a roll of paper towels for use with the windows. Yes, this is exactly what Setec told me to do. Thanks, Setec!



But, that thing about the sponges and the multiple types of cleaners. What do you guys do, use a different sponge for each type of cleaner? Wash every sponge between switch cleaner type? Or, it's just not that important?

 

[Setec Astronomy]

Frequently a foam applicator is used to apply leather cleaners and dressings. However, you generally have to wipe down the cleaner to get the dirt off, and wipe down the dressing to get the excess off. I don't see how you can generically say that a certain kind of towel is going to damage leather, there is such a wide variety of quality and textures to both MF and cotton.

 

[levander]

I'm not saying that. I'm trying to figure out if it's true or not. But, I have seen people say not to use both cotton and microfiber on leather on this forum.



But, I stopped at the stores again tonight. Reading the instructions on the back of some Lexol and Meguiar's Gold Cleaner/Conditioner, they both said to apply it with a terry cloth or an applicator.



I went and look at the applicators, which apparently are kind of like thick sponges. The packaging said "safe for all surfaces", but also explicitly mentioned clear coat and bumpers and only general saying "interior surfaces". Nothing specific about leather or vinyl or anything. But anyway, it definitely seemed like those applicators were more for exterior than interior. And, those were the only applicators at either Wal-mart or Autozone.



Anyway, the thing is, all the applicators I saw tonight, they all had micro-fiber covers on them. So, now I'm as confused as I ever was.



I think I've basically got what I want in this kit down. But, moving past it, when I get more into car detailing myself, I know I want Leather Master cleaner and conditioner, but still haven't specifically identified what to use to apply it to the seat!



I'm gonna go read more about it now.

 

[Accumulator]

Only confusion is it seems you need more than one sponge?

Yeah, if you're doing different things you'll probably want dedicated sponges for each.

On for each type of cleaner you use?

Yeah, I'd get one for vinyl and one for leather. And maybe an extra for rubber as it often leaves nasty black stains.

Or, you have to run go clean the sponge in between each material you clean? E.g., don't want to get UV protectant on the leather, don't want to get leather conditioner on the dash.

Clean the sponges, or get out a new one, as they get soiled, which probably *will* happen even when you clean first.



No need to overthink this; the wax applicator sponges are nothing really special, they're just versatile and cheap.

But, that thing about the sponges and the multiple types of cleaners. What do you guys do, use a different sponge for each type of cleaner?

Yeah, that's how I do it. But I don't use all that many different cleaners on the interior, pretty much just Griot's Interior Cleaner or LM/etc. on the leather. And it's not like this stuff needs doing all that often.

Wash every sponge between switch cleaner type?

I'll sometimes do that too, if you clean them out *very* well it shouldn't matter. But I kinda like having dedicated materials for each category.

Or, it's just not that important?

Well, I *am* tempted to say you're worrying too much



Some of my vehicles hardly ever need their interiors done while the dog-haulers get some kind of cleaning almost every day.



Most of the time I just grab a cotton terry towel and the Griot's Interior Cleaner. Or a MF towel. 99% of the time it just doesn't matter.

 

[levander]

Okay, thanks Accumulator. Yeah, I know I'm over-thinking, I do that with everything. But, I promise you, I'm getting to the end, I'm starting to understand everything. Since you guys like to comment on my "over-thinking". That's typical of me. I'm happen to be very bright in a way which tends to hamper me when I'm learning something new, because I use my mind too much. I don't just go with the flow. But, after that steeper initial learning curve I experience, I tend to pick up on things faster than most after that.



The only sponges I found at the Wal-mart and Autozone last night were these huge sponges that from reading the packaging, were more designed washing the outside of your car. Do you guys use those same sponges on the interior?



Also, the "applicators", those really seemed designed more for appyling waxes to the outside of your car. Is that the same products you guys use for applying leather conditioner and UV protectant?

 

[imported_mburnickas]

I have used Griots cleaner and cond, along with PB leather stuff and CG leather cleaner and cond...



For light cleaning all are okay..For good cleaning Griots blows PB leather stuff away. For the best cleaning I will take CG and cond. CG.

 

[Accumulator]

Okay, thanks Accumulator. Yeah, I know I'm over-thinking, I do that with everything. But, I promise you, I'm getting to the end, I'm starting to understand everything. Since you guys like to comment on my "over-thinking". That's typical of me. I'm happen to be very bright in a way which tends to hamper me when I'm learning something new, because I use my mind too much. I don't just go with the flow. But, after that steeper initial learning curve I experience, I tend to pick up on things faster than most after that...

Heh heh, truth be told, I'd rather discuss epistemological topics like learning styles than detailing And it's actually a little out of character for *me* to caution somebody about overthinking this stuff; IMO most people need to think more deeply about most everything!



It's just that in this case, unless there's something really special/fragile/different about your interior, this particular topic is pretty simple.



While I dislike the phrase "paralysis by analysis", and find it most often employed by shallow thinkers, I do think you're bordering on that in this instance. Heh heh, a smart-aleck might suggest that you save that for machine polishing :chuckle:



You want to clean the leather (and, with generally fewer caveats), the other interior surfaces, with something that's gentle enough that it won't scuff the surfaces being cleaned. If it feels soft enough on your skin it's probably OK.



Besides the softness/avoiding damage, you want to have something with enough texture/coarseness to agitate the surfaces being cleaned a little bit. And something that's free-rinsing will make heavy cleanups easier as you can rinse/wring it out and keep going.

The only sponges I found at the Wal-mart and Autozone last night were these huge sponges that from reading the packaging, were more designed washing the outside of your car. Do you guys use those same sponges on the interior?

Sure, I use all sorts of sponges for all sorts of stuff (but not washing the car ). I'm just careful until I got a feel for how aggressive they are, and I don't hesitate to quit using something that proves unsuitable.



The last time I did something like this, I used a sponge made for cleaning wheels (it came with some P21s Wheel Cleaner) to scrub an interior. I've used the same sponge for all sorts of different jobs before and since. It doesn't cause any damage, it does the job, and it cleans up well enough to use again. Why did I try it on the interior? Because it was handy, simple as that. No need to walk across the shop and root around in my collection of sponges/applicators/etc.

Also, the "applicators", those really seemed designed more for appyling waxes to the outside of your car. Is that the same products you guys use for applying leather conditioner and UV protectant?

Those are useful for a whole lotta things, from polishing/compounding to cleaning (e.g., your interior work), to applying dressings/waxes/whatever. Very versatile, in part because they're quite gentle.



It simply boils down to how soft/gentle the foam in question behaves on the surface you're working on. Besides that, you'll find differences in stiffness and porosity that will determine just how it'll behave. Don't worry about the foam's "official application", just worry about how well it'll work in whatever role you use it. And try not to worry too much about that

 

[levander]

Heh heh, truth be told, I'd rather discuss epistemological topics like learning styles than detailing

I had to look up the word epistemological. But, styles of what? There aren't "styles" to detailing are they? "Styles" so complex, they are epistemological? And here I thought I was just getting to the point of figuring out what the hell was going on with this stuff...

Heh heh, a smart-aleck might suggest that you save that for machine polishing :chuckle:

My objectives are as multi-purpose and as simple as reasonable. A machine polisher doesn't fulfill these goals.

You want to clean the leather (and, with generally fewer caveats), the other interior surfaces, with something that's gentle enough that it won't scuff the surfaces being cleaned. If it feels soft enough on your skin it's probably OK.

Probably the wisest thing anyone's said to me since I've started this rash of posting on this message board.



I'm thinking what the guys who determine how they'll stock the Wal-mart shelves think is that people will just use their terry of MF towels to do the leather. Those sponges they got there are huge. They look exactly what something would look like to splash soap all around the outside of the car. And reading the label, the exterior of the car was definitely more mentioned. That's why it was confusing to me, well, if you think about it, me in there looking for a sponge to do leather with, not knowing what I'm doing, and the only sponge I find is this huge one that's being marketed for exteriors, but makes vague mentions toward interiors....



I made the mistake of coming in here and reading what the pros do before just reading the simple step-by-step stuff. But, if you'll note, there's no well-known easy instructions for what the beginner needs to know. And, even those kits they sell at all the brick and mortar stores, all those things got stuff the beginner doesn't need, and stuff the beginner would want that the kit doesn't have..

And something that's free-rinsing will make heavy cleanups easier as you can rinse/wring it out and keep going.

Yeah, exactly. Not enough people put enough thought into maintenance issues like cleaning and storage. The stupid aerosol bottle of Rain-X foam I almost bought didn't even have a use-by date on it! Luckily, Invisible Glass does. I find it hard to believe Rain-X is good indefinitiely...

Sure, I use all sorts of sponges for all sorts of stuff (but not washing the car ).

If that's a sexual reference, I'm glad you left it out... Not enough ladies in here...

The last time I did something like this, I used a sponge made for cleaning wheels (it came with some P21s Wheel Cleaner) to scrub an interior. I've used the same sponge for all sorts of different jobs before and since. It doesn't cause any damage, it does the job, and it cleans up well enough to use again. Why did I try it on the interior? Because it was handy, simple as that. No need to walk across the shop and root around in my collection of sponges/applicators/etc.

It's weird now that I read it, but that's exactly what I needed to be told.

 

[Bunky]

It's as complicated as you want it to be, just like anything else.

Right. It is more complicated since there a lot of products being sold for cleaning/conditioning and they are trying to differentiate themselves. Therefore, there is a lot of FUD being spewed out.



You see this when someone says they use diluted woolite to clean leather. The best product for cleaning leather..probably not but a lot of people use it.



The net is use the least aggressive method (chemically/mechanically) as possible.