OTC inexpensive leather cleaner?

fiveiron

New member
I am a new here and new to detailing. I learned a lot already--my floormats came out great using the popular method I read about on this forum.





I have an EX-L Accord and I want to clean and condition the leather. Any tips on where to start and what product to use will be greatly appreciated.



Thanks in advance!!!!
 
I picked up some Tanner's cleaner today at Strauss. I believe that the Zymol products are pretty good too. They can be found at Target.
 
The local Autozone here carries Lexol leather cleaner. So does the local Target. I have never used it, I usually use Megs Gold class. I want to try the Lexol and will probably do so once my Megs runs out.
 
I'm going to go against the grain.....I hate Lexol. It smells awful, and it made the seats sticky/tacky.



I recommend Turtle Wax (I know I know, just trust me) Leather Cleaner/Conditioner in the tan spray bottle. It's available at Target or Pepboys.
 
If the leather needs a little more cleaning, then Woolite/Water at 1:6 will be a gentle, effective, ph correct cleaner.



I second the Turtle Wax Leather Cleaner/Conditioner as a good OTC 1-step product for light cleaning/conditioning.
 
I really disliked the Meguiar's cleaner/conditioner wipes. It smelled kind of nice but it made the seats so slimy. I had to clean them twice with water and woolite to get it of (this was days later). Armor all leather wipes left the seats too shiny for me. I finally bought lexol and I like it a lot. Nice leather-like smell and a soft finish that isn't shiny.
 
Keep in mind that most all recent cars with leather seats have coated leather, so you're basically dealing with a vinyl surface. On this, for difficult spots a Magic Eraser works well.
 
I like using the Zaino Z9 and Z10. THey are not exactly OTC, but there is this place that stocks them near where i live.
 
I have been using the Lexol cleaner and conditioner and I am NOT very happy with either. I don't like the feel of the leather post cleaning. Feels as though there is a chalky film on the seats.
 
My favorite is available at any Lexus parts counter. GST Autoleather, the provider of many of the finer leathers in our cars, provides a cleaner and a conditioner to Lexus. IMO, this is the best pair of leather products I've used and it is surprisingly affordable. They typically sell for $8-$10 each, depending on how much your local Lexus dealer marks it up.



leather_care_kit_1.jpg
 
jfelbab said:
My favorite is available at any Lexus parts counter. GST Autoleather, the provider of many of the finer leathers in our cars, provides a cleaner and a conditioner to Lexus. IMO, this is the best pair of leather products I've used and it is surprisingly affordable. They typically sell for $8-$10 each, depending on how much your local Lexus dealer marks it up.



leather_care_kit_1.jpg





I've seen them at my dealership, but always just brushed it off as "dealership stuff", how good could it be? Have you compared this stuff with other OTC stuff and if so, which ones? As I wrote above, I am VERY disappointed with the Lexol stuff.
 
I used to be a Lexol diehard but got tired of the smell. The Zymol Leather cleaner and conditioner both have a great light clean smell and work great. I get them at Target as well. :woot2:
 
Honestly......a friends Acura came with a cleaning kit and I loved the leather cleaner/conditioner. Now that I know that I can get some Lexus stuff at the dealership I might give it a try. I really haven't found anything I really like on leather. Actually that is a lie because I really like the Duragloss leather and vinyl stuff but it is just a UV protectant and not a cleaner.
 
wannafbody said:
Try Mothers



the Lexus stuff looks like Mother's in black bottles instead of red. I like Mother's cleaner, and as I have the treated leather I don't use the conditioner. Conditioner just makes the seats slippery.



Recently had a mishap while out of town. Dropped into a local store and all they had was the Meguiars leather cleaner/condition wipes. They do a pretty good job. The white wipes picked up a lot of dirt that I didn't even know was there. Overall I was satisfied, except that the fake leather seats in the back looked a little greasy. Had to wipe that up with soap and water.
 
Back
Top