New Tan leather Seat, Protecatant?

K

krodista

New member
I purchased tan leather seats in my new car and I have read on the forum about protectants being the best thing to use on new car seats in order to avoid colors from clothes and such rubbing off on them. The problem is, I cant seem to find a list anywhere on here for protectants or to find out if my car leather is "sealed" already. I have found a lot of helpful info on how to clean these seats, but what about preventative measures and products to keep cleaning to a simply wipedown with a wet cloth, is this possible?
 
is there a way to find out if the leather is coated or not? It talks to most leather being coated in the states, but is there a way to look up and see which vehicles are and arent, just to be sure as it seems to change the product to use.
 
As the linked page describes - the water drop test is frequently used. If the large drops of water placed on a level portion of your seats are still sitting there after 15-20 minutes, you have coated leather. If the water is absorbed, you have unfinished leather.
 
While it is important to protect your seats, it is more important to keep them clean. I like 303, but there is much better stuff for leather, even treated. 1Z makes my favorite leather protectant, it is carnauba based and prevents oils and dirt from sitting on the surface and damaging the leather.
 
I wouldent use 1Z on your leather to protect it. Heres my opinion, the carnuba will just attract dirt. I strongly believe its much like the Leatherique stories on here, all the oils do is sit on the surface then get wiped away or are left to dry off. Prehapes leaving a little on the surface which just attracts more dirt later on (in the case of protected leathers). Its amazing how a good clean with a water based cleaner can make leather supple and nice.



I asked about 1Z in relation to topic in this thread:



http://www.autopia.org/forum/car-de.../120192-suggested-leather-care-vw-passat.html



Is your leather coated? Sprinkle some water on the leather, does it get obsorbed and leave a little damp patch or does it stay mostly in a puddle on the surface? Just like car paintwork, if its dirty it might effect how the water behaves!
 
sounds like 303 is the best bet for leathers from everything I have read on this site and the responses to this post. I hear good things about other products, but then others bash the same product, which leaves me weary of using those. I have heard of people using products and actually speeding up the aging of the leather which certainly would scare me from using those.
 
steelwind101 said:
I wouldent use 1Z on your leather to protect it. Heres my opinion, the carnuba will just attract dirt. I strongly believe its much like the Leatherique stories on here, all the oils do is sit on the surface then get wiped away or are left to dry off. Prehapes leaving a little on the surface which just attracts more dirt later on (in the case of protected leathers). Its amazing how a good clean with a water based cleaner can make leather supple and nice.
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What sort of issues did you run into using 1z? I have been very happy with it. I feel it adds a significant layer of "something" on top of the leather and yet it is very dry and non oily. I have had no dirt buildup problems and have noticed that body oils are not absorbed into the leather surfaces that are treated with 1z.
 
303 is pretty versatile and you should feel safe picking up a 16 or 32 oz to give it a try. if you dont care for it much on your leather seats youd be happy with it on your dash. so far in my experience nothing beats 303 for the center console buttons and dash. leaves the perfect amount of shine without any cleaners so it doesnt smear painted on numbers or words that are on the buttons. it just sucks on exterior plastic cause water will make it streak just like most waterbased exterior dressings.
 
Most auto leather is matt when it is new and looked after correctly. Leather with a shiny or glossy look is usually due to build up of dirt together with abrassion (constant sliding in and out). This is often exacerbated by the use of 'conditioners' that contain waxes and/or oils which only sit on the surface and attract more dirt.



Leather does not require 'conditioning' with anything other than water.



Keep your leather clean by protecting it with a leather protector and then regular cleaning.

Adding 'conditioners' which generally contain oils and waxes will change the appearance of your leather over time as dirt will build up on the surface and cause a sheen.



Using the correct care methods and products will not alter the factory finish.



Leather in cars is generally 'coated' leather. This is essentially a 'painted' leather with a clear coat finish over the top. The leather may or may not be dyed through with aniline dyes prior to the finish coating. (There are a few exceptions to this but they are rare at present)



Essentially it is this top coating that needs looking after. Cleaning is vitally important as the top coat will wear away if allowed to become dirty. Dirt on the surface will aslo become ground into the finish by constant abrassion.



'Conditioners', balms, feeds etc (traditionally oil and wax based) cannot penetrate this finish so are not worth applying - they can also leave behind residues on the finish which will only attract more dirt if allowed to remain.



A protector will make the finish easier to clean and also inhibit dye transfer etc on pale coloured leathers.



Leather however finished has to remain breathable and it will allow the movement of moisture back and forth (transpiration) so the use of water based cleaners and protectors will keep the leather correctly hydrated which is essentail to keeping it in good condition.



The routine for correct care should be

Protect from new

Maintain with a regular clean or maintenance product

Deep clean with a foam cleaner once or twice a year



This will prolong the life of the finish on the leather



In tests we have found that the 303 offers little or no protection for leather against dirt or oils.

Water based fluorocarbon protectors offer the best form of protection there is. There are a few of these on the market. Most 'conditioners' that say they protect the leather do not as they do not contain fluorocarbons. Pure fluorcarbon protectors are expensive but as they actually work they will prolong the life of the leather and so be very cost effective in the long run.







Hope this helps
 
judyb said:
Most auto leather is matt when it is new and looked after correctly. Leather with a shiny or glossy look is usually due to build up of dirt together with abrassion (constant sliding in and out). This is often exacerbated by the use of 'conditioners' that contain waxes and/or oils which only sit on the surface and attract more dirt.
Click to expand...



While I do agree with you, many conditioners do add oils that attract dirt, I think you need to be a little more cautious in what you say as your statement is a bit too broad. 1z, which contains wax, actually makes leather MORE matte than in its used state even after cleaning with a strong cleaner.
 
HI Yakky



The problem i had with 1Z was a couple of things. The cleaning action i found confusing, i could never work out when it had done enough cleaning. The towel would come away dirty, i would go back and re apply and then the towel might come up clean or dirty, but the thing was could i be cleaning off the protection from the first go or am i covering up dirt with more layers. I guess a dedicated cleaner.



Also, i found it became shiney quickly, as you say it did become matt. I presume, atleast in my enviroment (humid rather then hot, damp rather then dry chilling cold) that it was attracting dirt. Quicker then say when i applied a fluroprotectant (sp?), Leather Masters.



Thats just my experince with it. I posted before that i think Accumulator or someone else used to use it alot too and posted about and they liked it.



Judyb highlighted with the 303 product what i was saying about Leatherique. People who think they it does wonders are most likely benefitting from the cleaning action and then moisture going back in to the leathers. They end up appling oils which they wipe away or remain on the seats only to attract dirt and grime an end up causing more cleaning headaches later!



I notice on alot of the Pro posts, and not just on this forum how detailers use oil based products (conditioners) on coated leather after cleaning. Its like spraying a car with a clear oil as a QD, looks good for about a second, then all the dirt is going to attracted 10 fold.



Geoff
 
steelwind101 said:
HI Yakky



The problem i had with 1Z was a couple of things. The cleaning action i found confusing, i could never work out when it had done enough cleaning. The towel would come away dirty, i would go back and re apply and then the towel might come up clean or dirty, but the thing was could i be cleaning off the protection from the first go or am i covering up dirt with more layers. I guess a dedicated cleaner.



Also, i found it became shiney quickly, as you say it did become matt. I presume, atleast in my enviroment (humid rather then hot, damp rather then dry chilling cold) that it was attracting dirt. Quicker then say when i applied a fluroprotectant (sp?), Leather Masters.



Thats just my experince with it. I posted before that i think Accumulator or someone else used to use it alot too and posted about and they liked it.



Judyb highlighted with the 303 product what i was saying about Leatherique. People who think they it does wonders are most likely benefitting from the cleaning action and then moisture going back in to the leathers. They end up appling oils which they wipe away or remain on the seats only to attract dirt and grime an end up causing more cleaning headaches later!



I notice on alot of the Pro posts, and not just on this forum how detailers use oil based products (conditioners) on coated leather after cleaning. Its like spraying a car with a clear oil as a QD, looks good for about a second, then all the dirt is going to attracted 10 fold.



Geoff
Click to expand...



Interesting. I have the Leather masters stuff but I don't have enough use with it to make a comment on it yet, however 1z is the only stuff that I have been pleased with, everything else is like you say oily and most of it reeks of fake leather. One other point, I don't use mine as a cleaner at all, I use woolite or LM strong as a cleaner. I could see how on soiled seats there would be issues with the product as it would just cover the dirt with wax.
 
judyb said:
In tests we have found that the 303 offers little or no protection for leather against dirt or oils.

Water based fluorocarbon protectors offer the best form of protection there is. There are a few of these on the market. Most 'conditioners' that say they protect the leather do not as they do not contain fluorocarbons. Pure fluorcarbon protectors are expensive but as they actually work they will prolong the life of the leather and so be very cost effective in the long run.
Click to expand...



What are some examples of some flourcarbon protectors? I have never heard of them.
 
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