Leatherique -- Leather re-conditioning - W/ Pictures.

[imported_Dave11]

Your seats look great Neofate, thanks for the update.......:bigups



I seriously doubt that a mild watered down solution of a Woolite type product would have gotten them in that shape.....but, I am keeping an open mind to hearing what others have to report about the products you used.....

 

[David Fermani]

Nice pictures, thanks for posting them. Do you have any close ups of the driver's seat?

 

[Neofate]

Nope, no closeups -- But do we have something to compare it to? I'll have to go back to the original pictures and see if I can replicate when the sun comes up.



The driver seat is the most worn, as are all cars. But it isn't terrible.



This product didn't fix worn spots -- I have no 'holes' but I do have a few worn in spots on the driver seat. I will post those bad spots for you Fermani. I know that is what your after the bad shots -- I hate to post close ups of the only worn spot on the leather because it gives the product a false representation.. because it is really good. If it wasn't I would definitely tell everyone the 50-60$ is NOT worth it.



But Fermani look back soon for some pics of the driver seat from many angles, showing all defects.



Dave1: No, a cleaner 'woolite' wouldn't have done what this did. It is impossible -- The inability to see what it really did is the major property of Leatherique. You can't see the softness in the pictures. You have to come feel it -- So come on over to B'ham, AL and feel my seats



But I am interested in the 'science' behind what others find out -- But I can pretty much tell you what is what because I'm speaking from experience not scientific theories or seat of the pants assumptions.



Facts -- Well, experienced conclusions -- I guess it can't be considered fact.



1) Leatherique does much of what it claims --

Known world wide for its ability to soften even cardboard hard leather.

My leather was considerably hard, and dried out from age. It wasn't quite cardboard hard, but very hard. It did significantly soften the leather, and I do not believe this is a temporary effect. So claim one, check.

It is a complex blend of animal proteins, collagens, with absolutely no oil fillers of any kind.

This is where Judy comes in, I guess -- If she can test the product for ingredients, not sure if she has that type of facility.



Anyhow this is unimportant to me, results are,.. not sure why they would lie here after 40years, but who knows.

Totally unlike all other leather products, it will not stain or discolor leather.

I don't know about indirectly claiming other leather products 'stain and discolor' -- but no, leatherique doesn't stain, and doesn't discolor the leather. Check.

It is perfectly safe for equestrian use!

This I can't speak for. Though my family does have a Stable.. (Guess stables.. if anyone cares about Tennessee Walking Horses.. go to Guess Stables - Tennessee Walking Horse - Home Page -- A few are shown there) -- So I could try it out on some saddles and see. Hrmm.

Simply spray or wipe onto the surface and massage into the leather with your hands.

It is that simple -- It takes a bit of time to do it 'proper' though. And I do believe your hands are the best applicator.

Allow for it be absorbed into the fibers. Rejuvenator Oil has a unique capillary action which forces proteins into the leather and dirt out!

That you must do,.. Time! - As for its "capillary action" I can attest to it.. I watched it absorb and seemingly spread itself throughout the leather upon each application (applied at least twice hours apart). It DID absolutely force dirt out, and something IN that caused this transformation of FEEL.

Repeated use will keep leather in tip top shape.

Don't know yet -- I anticipate though, that this application will last for quite some time. Perhaps every 12-18months would be a good cycle for this. Will comment a year from now =)

Use to condition and preserve all your leather cars, saddles, tack, furniture, motorcycle leather and even apparel.

It has been prooven to work on other things, purses, briefcases, cars, watch bands and so forth -- So check.

Prestine Clean is the perfect cleaner to use after each application of Rejuvenator Oil to remove the displaced impurities on the surface of the leather.

Pristine Clean works -- Whether it is the perfect cleaner.. I have no clue -- It worked very well, and smells just like the oil, but of much thinner consistency.



2) It is worth the money. To have leather restored even 50% of what it was like new (in softness) is worth $50 definitely. Basically it is like taking, oh, say 8-10yrs off the leather age in this property for my vehicle. If you used it from the start, I bet the leather wouldn't have a chance to harden. Though I would not recommend using it till about year 3-4 of the vehicle age.



3) It evens 'tone' of leather. In my case, it changed the color slightly (I assume from the cleaning) -- But more impressive and important was that on a small area of scuff/scratches it completely evened them out -- They are gone.



Anyhow -- I've leatheriqued it to death heh..



Again the only addition I would add to my process is to use plastic bags over all seats for better absorbtion (condensation/evap effect) or some sort from the *seal* and heat. As well as giving it even more time to work with the bags. A week would be extra nice.



Driver seat , ugly worn shots, coming up just to make me look bad, and you see if Leatherique fixes cracks -- It doesn't,.. minor cracks yes,.. But reasonable sized ones.. It doesn't change that much.

 

[Todd@RUPES]

Here are my 50/50 results with Leatherique...

And the afters...

 

[Neofate]

Yeah saw that in the other thread -- lots of good examples there. Almost looks like you could have cleaned the seats even more -- But I know some stains are just rediculously hard to remove.

 

[Todd@RUPES]

It has also been about 2 months (or more) since I did that car and the leather remains very soft and supple....

 

[tom p.]

It has also been about 2 months (or more) since I did that car and the leather remains very soft and supple....

T, thanks for weighing in. Has the owner of that vehicle expressed any concerns or worries about these seats? Has the surface cracked or show any other sort of (new) deterioration?



Thx.

 

[Todd@RUPES]

Yeah saw that in the other thread -- lots of good examples there. Almost looks like you could have cleaned the seats even more -- But I know some stains are just rediculously hard to remove.

The (before/after)50/50 was not after the complete removal of the product. I grabbed the camera because I was so impressed with the results.



If you look at the completed afters, all the staining came right out with a little prestine clean and a touch of passion.

T, thanks for weighing in. Has the owner of that vehicle expressed any concerns or worries about these seats? Has the surface cracked or show any other sort of (new) deterioration?



Thx.

No, no problems at all with the seats. I saw the car a couple days ago and it is still fresh. Also I contacted a client of mine whose Lambroghini Espada got the same treatment. His leather was truely cardboard hard, and after 4 applications of Rejuvinator Oil became very soft.



His Espada was done 4 months ago and he says that the seats/leather is still very soft and has a great, orginal smelling scent to it still....

 

[tom p.]

No, no problems at all with the seats. I saw the car a couple days ago and it is still fresh. Also I contacted a client of mine whose Lambroghini Espada got the same treatment. His leather was truely cardboard hard, and after 4 applications of Rejuvinator Oil became very soft.



His Espada was done 4 months ago and he says that the seats/leather is still very soft and has a great, orginal smelling scent to it still....

N I C E :xyxthumbs





I did our kitchen chairs about 1 year ago when I got Leatherique. They were rock hard. Leather is still fairly supple today - - probably could use a follow up session at this time.



Thanks.

 

[Scottster]

I have an almost 20 year old Pontiac Grand Prix with leather seats. They are in fantastic condition, with only a little wear on the drivers left bolster. I know that the foreign manufacturers used much higher quality leather in these days, especially considering this is a Pontiac (pretty low on the GM food chain compared to a Cadillac) but was wondering if any of you think Leatherique would bring some suppleness back to the leather used on my seats. I believe the american manufactuers used some type of "coating" or treatment to the leather at this time and throughout the 90's which took away from the leathers natural feel and sheen.



The leather, although in great condition, has a very plastic "lifeless" feel to it. (and no, it's not Vinyl...the car's not THAT old!!! lol)

 

[imported_beachwolverine]

For any of you with experience. Would it not be a good idea to first clean with a 50/50 woolite solution and then use the Leatherique process? The purpose would be to gently get some of the surface dirt off so Leatherique can be more effective.



Regards,

bw

 

[tom p.]

For any of you with experience. Would it not be a good idea to first clean with a 50/50 woolite solution and then use the Leatherique process? The purpose would be to gently get some of the surface dirt off so Leatherique can be more effective.

Hi, no, that's not the strategy recommended by the product mfr. He suggests conditioning with a follow-up cleaning session.





You can read much more at his website.

 

[Asad_A203]

Do you think Leatherique will do anything on my leather:

I really like my Lexol and the way it leaves the leather soft; but it never seems to do anything I can notice visually. Granted my seats are mint except for the creasing; but the dirt on the driver seat never does seem to go away with Lexol.



Should mention I am 99% sure my seats are coated and I used a Mr. Clean Magic erase originally but I think it ended up stripping the coating and I have exposed leather now. I got a slight discoloration which I think can only be fixed my dying the seat again.

 

[new2mud]

If that discoloration hasn't "dyed" into the leather, than your G35 leather should be a prime candidate for Leatherique.

 

[Neofate]

I have an almost 20 year old Pontiac Grand Prix with leather seats. They are in fantastic condition, with only a little wear on the drivers left bolster. I know that the foreign manufacturers used much higher quality leather in these days, especially considering this is a Pontiac (pretty low on the GM food chain compared to a Cadillac) but was wondering if any of you think Leatherique would bring some suppleness back to the leather used on my seats. I believe the american manufactuers used some type of "coating" or treatment to the leather at this time and throughout the 90's which took away from the leathers natural feel and sheen.



The leather, although in great condition, has a very plastic "lifeless" feel to it. (and no, it's not Vinyl...the car's not THAT old!!! lol)

Yes, Leatherique should do wonders for your seats.



This goes for all of you asking about your 'coated' seats.



This whole thread was done on coated/protected seats. My seats come with a thick urethane coating from the factory that does NOT wear off easily.



This evidently makes it much harder for such products to get into the pores of the leather .. But it still makes it in.. the coating has holes in it,.. either from wear and tear -- Or just the leatherique using osmosis -- To get through some larger holes microscopically . It gets in, regardless of coating or not.



However, if your seats do NOT have a coating, the product will provide more dramatic results, of course. That said, eithier way you will be pleased.



I just always recommend the following:



Use AMPLE of the product, work it in very very well.. two applications ont of each other spread a few hours apart isn't a bad idea.



Second,.. TIME is of the essence here. If you have to drive it within say 8-12hrs.. Put plastic bags over the seats after 3-4 hours of it sitting, and drive with the plastic on the seats. Letting it remain on the seats for at least 2-3 days,.. and preferably a week or so. Trust me, you will thank me for this later.



Third,.. heat -- If its chilly where your car will be parked.. wait till warmer days. Having it parked in the sun of at least 75-80 degree's.. hotter is better.. Really works it in. I didn't have that option so I put the cars heat on 85, and had it on high for 4 hours at idle. Then turned the garage heater on 90 for 8 more hours. Then let it sit for another day or day and a half in 75degree's.



In hindsite, I should have put plastic on the seats and let it stay for a good week. (I have half a bottle left, which I will do in probably a year or so, for a week +)



Lastly -- Clean up WELL. When the week has gone by.. use Warm to HOT water in a gallon bucket.



Get some old cotton t-shirts,.. or cotton towels (something you can throw away) --



Spray the seats , all of them, down with the Pristine Clean. Work that in with your HANDS again just like you did the Rejuvenator oil. Then.. Spray a top coat of Pristine Cleaner over that and do *not* work that in.



Step back and smoke a cig. or clean your car windows, spray detail the outside, put tire dressing on.. Or just go inside and watch TV for 15 minutes.



Now that it has soaked a decent while. Dip your cotton cloth in the hot water and wring it out. Do a section of a seat at a time. Dipping in the water and rinsing very OFTEN.



After you do say the front two seats.. Dump the water and get fresh water, and do the back. Three buckets would work even better. You'll know when to change the water.



This is ALL you will need to clean it.. I used about 3 cotten shirts (undershirts) -- I was able to use ample water and got the seats spotless.. no residual oil , etc, when I was done washing them. I made about 2 good scrub passes with clean water.. Then a third pass with a dry Microfiber towel just to 'buff' it a bit.. (Didn't take but 5 minutes, as they were clean 99%) This was just to shine it a touch.



Then I chose to top the freshly conditioned seats with Aero 303 protectant.. which seals with SPF 40 protection.



In the following days you will notice some additional positive changes with the seats.. but the bulk has been done once cleaned.

 

[peterp]

I've had good luck with Leatherique in cars, but didn't it didn't work well on a sofa. It depends on the sofa leather, but if it's soft glove type leather, it doesn't work that well. We have another sofa that is less glove leather like and I'm sure it work fine on that. I like Leatherique, but prefer Gliptone leather products (their leather products are very popular in the UK but not popular in the US) -- Gliptone works well and is very easy and fast to use.