Leather: Zaino or Leatherique?

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DaveInLA

New member
I've used Lexol on my car's black leather seats and don't really like the wax-like film it leaves over the surface. My seats are pretty hard (not "cardboard" hard, but stiff enough so that if you push on it, it doesn't crinkle like soft leather does), and the Lexol didn't do much to change that.



I'm thinking of getting Leatherique to soften it up a bit, but that's expensive. Zaino Z10 plus Woolite mix is my other alternative, a cheaper one. Which one softens leather better? That's my main concern. I also don't want it to leave a sticky/greasy residue on the surface. I don't care about smell. Thanks.
 
LouisanaJeeper said:
i use lexol, sound like you are using too much product
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Why do you say that? A common complaint of Lexol is the plasticky film it leaves over the leather. Does Lexol actually make your seats softer? Maybe I am using too much. :(
 
you wouldn't recommend using Woolite instead of the Z9 cleaner?







Anyway, a tangent: how do I know if my leather is coated or uncoated? what's the difference?
 
i dunno if it made them noticably softer. all i know it has never left a film or residue on the seats, they were completely dry by the next day on all the leathers i have used it on
 
DaveInLA said:
Anyway, a tangent: how do I know if my leather is coated or uncoated? what's the difference?
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Most automotive leather has a coat of pigment on the surface of the leather. Actual "coated" leather has a colored polyurethane coating, is typically only available in darker colors, and lightens when scratched. Chances are very high you do not have uncoated leather but to test, drop a small amount of water on the surface. If the drop darkens the leather, it is uncoated.
 
TW85 HHI said:
Most automotive leather has a coat of pigment on the surface of the leather. Actual "coated" leather has a colored polyurethane coating, is typically only available in darker colors, and lightens when scratched. Chances are very high you do not have uncoated leather but to test, drop a small amount of water on the surface. If the drop darkens the leather, it is uncoated.
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My car is a 1989 BMW 3 series with black leather sport seats.

I tried the water thing and the water doesn't absorb initally but after I wipe it off, it's clear that a small amount has absorbed. It doesn't leave a dark mark, but it's pretty obvious where the water was dropped. After a few minutes, the mark is gone. Does that mean my seats are coated?



The reason I want to know is that I ran across an old thread here that explained the advantages of Leatherique for uncoated leather. But if my leather is coated, does Leatherique still have all the advantages over Zaino?



I also want to point out that I have another car, a 2002 Nissan Altima with tan leather that I garage. The leather is in pretty good condition as is, but I can use whatever I buy on this car, too.
 
I use Megs Medallion Leather Cleaner and Conditioner. It's the best even on leather blend. I've used alot of them and it's the best. I use it every 3 months and every 2 weeks with 303.
 
DaveInLA said:
My car is a 1989 BMW 3 series with black leather sport seats.

I tried the water thing and the water doesn't absorb initally but after I wipe it off, it's clear that a small amount has absorbed. It doesn't leave a dark mark, but it's pretty obvious where the water was dropped. After a few minutes, the mark is gone. Does that mean my seats are coated?



The reason I want to know is that I ran across an old thread here that explained the advantages of Leatherique for uncoated leather. But if my leather is coated, does Leatherique still have all the advantages over Zaino?



I also want to point out that I have another car, a 2002 Nissan Altima with tan leather that I garage. The leather is in pretty good condition as is, but I can use whatever I buy on this car, too.
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Dave, interesting situation. I have an 1990 Alfa 164, and it sounds as though you're in the same situation I'm in.



My seat were originally heavily pigmented - dark blue - (think painted leather)...before they started coating them with urethane (think clear-coated leather). The pigment was originally quite water-proof. But over time, the surface pigment cracks. The crackes allow dirt, sweat, water, other crap, to get into the leather, and accelerates the tanning oils evapourating.



When new, one would treat them like coated seats and use a surface cleaner/conditioner. Over time, deterioration means you have to treat them like uncoated leather.



I recently gave the rear seats the Leatherique treatment. They were so neglected they absorbed 1.5 litres of Leatherique...that's about 48 oz ! Now the back is soft as a babies bottom.



Does that describe your seats?
 
DaveInLA said:
My car is a 1989 BMW 3 series with black leather sport seats.

I tried the water thing and the water doesn't absorb initally but after I wipe it off, it's clear that a small amount has absorbed. It doesn't leave a dark mark, but it's pretty obvious where the water was dropped. After a few minutes, the mark is gone. Does that mean my seats are coated?



The reason I want to know is that I ran across an old thread here that explained the advantages of Leatherique for uncoated leather. But if my leather is coated, does Leatherique still have all the advantages over Zaino?



I also want to point out that I have another car, a 2002 Nissan Altima with tan leather that I garage. The leather is in pretty good condition as is, but I can use whatever I buy on this car, too.
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On a 1989, I would give leatherique a shot. I can't say 100%, but I don't know that it would be coated. I have / use both. On my Mom's '96 Jag, Leatherique all the way-it's uncoated and Z 9/10 won't do a thing on it. On my MB, with coated CST leather, Leatherique won't touch it-the Z 9/10 does a fine job (won't soften it or anything but cleans it and gives it a nice sheen). If you're not sure about Leathrique, give them a call-they'll tell you if it will work or not on your car. And yes, it is expensive, but it's not an everyday treatment. I've done 4 or 5 cars / treatements and have only used 1/2 of the small bottles. Once or twice a year is sufficient.
 
I use lexol and I've never had any of the filming problems. Keeps the leather supple. I started when it was recommended at the Corvette forum.
 
Alfisti said:
Does that describe your seats?
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Mostly, yeah. But if you were to just look at them without touching, they look like thye're in pretty good condition for 16 year old seats. There are lots of little lines and several cracks along the side bolters, though.



I think I'll go the route of Leatherique. Did you put all 48 oz in at once, or over a period of time (what time schedule)? Is that 48 oz per seat or all together?
 
I think I'll get the Leatherique RO and PC in 32 oz bottles ($55, I think), but I think they only take PayPal (don't know how to use that). I also don't know how much they charge for shipping.
 
DaveInLA said:
I think I'll get the Leatherique RO and PC in 32 oz bottles ($55, I think), but I think they only take PayPal (don't know how to use that). I also don't know how much they charge for shipping.
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The 32 oz. bottles are a lot of product. It would last you years. I forget how much they say to use per car, but the 16 oz. bottles will do multiple applications. Again, Leatherique isn't a 'maintenence' product. You only use it occasionally. Don't tink of it like the Lexol you are use to using-totally different deal.



They have the deal for the two 16 oz. bottles for $35 on their sale page. Can't remeber how much shipping is. If you don't want to do Paypal, try calling them and I'm sure they'll take a cc. They're in South Carolina.
 
I would estimate that you would end up using about 4-8 oz of the RO on your car and about 3-4 oz of the PC. It is definitely best to do it on a day when the sun is out and the hotter the better. Roll the windows up and let it sit in the sun and bake for 24-36 hours (at least one day in the sun and two is better). The seats may be a little bit tacky for a day or two (you might want to sit on a towel) but after that you will be AMAZED at how soft they are. It is well worth the money.
 
Dave, I don't know how much you'll need...each situation is different. Some only need a few ounces, but my rear bench needed 3 large bottles. It was done over about a month. (Have pity on me...my front seats are 10x worse than the rear).



My rear seats didn't look bad, but the pigment had micro-crazing which made all the leather porous, like unfinished leather. It also felt quite inflexible.



The process you use is to pour the RO onto the seat and spread it in with your (gloved) hand. Leave it in the heat or overnight, and inspect. It will drink it in in the bad areas, and you re-apply it on the areas that look dry. You keep doing that until it stops absorbing. Let it sit for a few days until the carrier (water) evapourates (if you need to use the seats wrap it in a plastic drop-sheet) and wipe the white/grey surface scum off using PC. That's the impurites coming to the surface.



BTW, don't buy PC...make your own. Its just RO diluted 4 to 1 with water...the Australian Leatherique distributor told me that. Its more cost effective.



Now my rears are so soft and flexible...they feel absolutely plush. I believe they're softer than when they were new because the pigmented leather is quite stiff (compared to c/c leather).



If you have anymore questions, please don't hesitate to ask. :bigups
 
Alfisti said:
BTW, don't buy PC...make your own. Its just RO diluted 4 to 1 with water...the Australian Leatherique distributor told me that. Its more cost effective.
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You're confident about that? Have you tried diluting your own RO to make PC?



Anyway, I was about to order the 32 oz "special" for $55 and the total came out to be about $70. OUCH! I knew it would cost some $$ for shipping, but I hesitated because of the high price. I decided to try Lexol pH cleaner + conditioner again and give TW cleaner a try.



The back seat of my BMW looks fine. I'd bet that it was in very close condition to your rear bench. Looked good, but felt like dried elephant skin. Extremely dry and extremely rough. Rigid. Not plush or supple at all. I gave half of the bench the Lexol treatment and the other half I used TW. Just as I remembered, the Lexol seems to leave the seat feeling like plastic. It also gives it a bit of a shine. The TW does the same thing, but without as much shine. I don't think either product really penetrates into the leather at all.



So, it looks like I'll have to get the Leatherique after all. However, given what Alfisti wrote, I think I'll opt for just a bottle of RO without the PC. The reason I need so much is that they recommend 4 oz per seat, but I also have the back seat to deal with. Also, I have a feeling my seats will require multiple treatments. :hmph: :hairpull
 
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