"Protected" Leather recommendations

[jfelbab]

Skimmed through this and still not getting it. My wife has a 2007 Acura MDX. I'm assuming it is protected. I tried Lexol on it and wasn't happy with the results. So, what is the recommended cleaner? water, woolite, what?

My best results have come from Leather Masters products. I suggest the LM soft cleaner or strong cleaner depending on the amount of soiling and then the LM Protection Cream.



I've also had good results using Woolite in a 1:6 or 1:10 dilution (strong or light cleansing) followed by the protection cream.



Use the cleaner with a soft foam applicator pad and work up lots of suds. For stubborn dirt use a soft bristle brush but be careful not to abrade the leather or stitching. Wipe off the residue completely with damp MF towels and go over the cleaned area twice to remove all traces of the cleaner. Buff with a dry MF.



Most leather conditioners used on semi-aniline (protected) leather leave an oily residue after application and that attracts and holds dust and dirt while the LM Protection Cream is more like a sealant that dries and therefore resists dirt accumulation much better. So conditioners tend to make your leather get dirtier and wear faster.



Here is a link to LM products. I have no affiliation with LM or this site.



Leather Master Protection Cream 250 mL - ProAutoGear

 

[MSOsr]

Assuming the leather is clean, how should you hydrate it to keep it from developing cracks/creases? Microfiber dampened with distilled water?



Can you just leave a damp towel on the leather overnight?



My seats look great now, but I see some early creases in the driver's thigh support that I would like to remove/minimize.



Mike

 

[RaskyR1]

+1 for the LM protection cream! :bigups

 

[jfelbab]

Assuming the leather is clean, how should you hydrate it to keep it from developing cracks/creases? Microfiber dampened with distilled water?



Can you just leave a damp towel on the leather overnight?



My seats look great now, but I see some early creases in the driver's thigh support that I would like to remove/minimize.



Mike

Most of the hydration will be through the air. You should have little problem in Florida during the summer, LOL. Trying to add hydration through the urethane coating doesn't work well. You also don't want to over wet your leather as it will actually cause cracking and hardening.



Leather will form creases. This is natural and if the leather is clean and hydrated it should not crack. Like your hands, they have creases and as long as they don't get too dry they won't have cracks. Unlike your hands, the leather in your car is coated with a urethane coating so conditioners don't penetrate that coating well.

 

[Downgear]

I have been driving myself crazy trying to come up with conclusions on this topic of leather care. I like most, have protected leather and want avoid future creases and wear. I have decided on Leather Masters as it seems to have the most votes. My car is a convertible as well so the sun will be adding to the drying process.



Should I purchase the protection cream, vital conditioner and soft cleaner from LM? After reading 9 pages I am still not sure 100% which of these 3 products will best suit my requirements to keep the leather at its best.