Question on Leather Cleaner

I suggest cleaning before conditioning, not both at the same time. That will just give you OK results. I also use a bristle brush on the leather when I'm cleaning, which helps out tremendously!
 
I agree with addicted. Using a dedicated cleaner and conditioner would yield best results. As a cleaner I would recommend Ultima Interior Shampoo. As far as conditioner my recommendations, based on my experience, are BF, Optimum Interior Protectant and DG Leather Conditioner.
 
I've been using Leatherique for a long while, and not once have I felt the need to replace it with anything else.
 
Meguiars D181 Leather Cleaner is good!
Very effective and cheap in bulk!
It is very similar to Gold Class Spray Cleaner so you may go for a small bottle to try first.
 
an excerpt from the valuable article submitted by glen e....

Dr. Herndon Jenkins, an industry authority and Technical Director of the Lexol Division of Summit Industries, is the author.

Dr. Jenkins explains how to tell the difference between “coated” and “naked" leather. Referring to coated leather he states, “Such leather can be identified by the failure of a drop of water applied to its surface to be absorbed into the leather after a few minutes.”
Contrasting the ability of naked leather to absorb conditioners (and water) with coated leather, Dr. Jenkins states: “While vinyl-coated leather is care free by virtue of its protective plastic surface, it is also inaccessible for purposes of maintenance.” Meaning, of course, there is absolutely no point to using leather conditioners on plastic coated leather.
So, how should plastic coated leather be maintained? According to Dr. Jenkins, “Such leather should be maintained exactly like vinyl upholstery.”


Cleverly anticipating your questions, we wanted to make sure this information is still current. So, we contacted Dr. Jenkins at his office in Atlanta. In our conversation Dr. Jenkins told us that in the years since the article was published coated leather has become more common than ever. That now virtually 100% of leather upholstery in American and Asian-made cars is plastic coated. Among European car makers naked leather upholstery is still much more common than with U.S. makes, but coated leather is becoming more prevalent there as well.

Mr. Jenkins can repeat that a million times, and still some will swear that treating plastic coated leather is beneficial.
 
Mr. Gloss said:
an excerpt from the valuable article submitted by glen e....

Dr. Herndon Jenkins, an industry authority and Technical Director of the Lexol Division of Summit Industries, is the author.

Dr. Jenkins explains how to tell the difference between “coated” and “naked" leather. Referring to coated leather he states, “Such leather can be identified by the failure of a drop of water applied to its surface to be absorbed into the leather after a few minutes.”
Contrasting the ability of naked leather to absorb conditioners (and water) with coated leather, Dr. Jenkins states: “While vinyl-coated leather is care free by virtue of its protective plastic surface, it is also inaccessible for purposes of maintenance.” Meaning, of course, there is absolutely no point to using leather conditioners on plastic coated leather.
So, how should plastic coated leather be maintained? According to Dr. Jenkins, “Such leather should be maintained exactly like vinyl upholstery.”


Cleverly anticipating your questions, we wanted to make sure this information is still current. So, we contacted Dr. Jenkins at his office in Atlanta. In our conversation Dr. Jenkins told us that in the years since the article was published coated leather has become more common than ever. That now virtually 100% of leather upholstery in American and Asian-made cars is plastic coated. Among European car makers naked leather upholstery is still much more common than with U.S. makes, but coated leather is becoming more prevalent there as well.

Mr. Jenkins can repeat that a million times, and still some will swear that treating plastic coated leather is beneficial.
Click to expand...

thanks - I should have spelled it out like you, people will not click and read sometimes...IT'S ALL A PLASTIC SURFACE UNLESS YOU HAVE A BENTLEY OR ROLLS - or some other super high end car - and why you should use a platic cleaner. Plexus and 303 work well - I use Poorboys Natural Look which is a multi surface cleaner...
 
The cleaners and conditioners that are intended for "real" naked leather should be labeled...

"For Use On Real Leather Only":D
 
Mr. Gloss said:
Mr. Jenkins can repeat that a million times, and still some will swear that treating plastic coated leather is beneficial.
Click to expand...

Some have said that the coated leather is not 100% solid coating so over time it becomes more permeable due to flexing of leathers and age.

But, it is a debate that will continue to go on but I think we know if you keep coated leather clean and use a protectant or conditioner it will provide a barrier that can extend its life.

From my experience, I have never experience the soften effect with uncoated leather but the conditioners do make the surface feel softer to the touch but do not think it translates to pliability.

For example, we put natural waxes on paint (does not absorb into paint) to protect and enhance the look but you could also synthetic products to do the same thing.
 
I know many that continue do use LEXOL and other leather stuff on the plastic leather with good results...I think you can gt good results with other stuff, just realize in many cases, you are not getting to an actual hide in your treatments.
 
I think it's positive when a manufacturer clarifies the use of its products.

Lexol makes a product for both leather and vinyl, or plastic coated leather.

As for waxes, some folks are persuaded that the wax penetrates the paint.

Lot's of myths in auto detailing.

From Autogeek

"Apply a small amount of Scholl Concepts Premium Vintage Wax to a section at a time and wipe away 70% of the haze using a soft microfiber towel. Massage the remaining carnauba wax into the paint using the palms of your hands to melt the wax molecules and ensure a tight paint-wax bond. Wipe away the melted residue completely to reveal your masterpiece."

I don't believe it.!

Where is Jared Pointer? :D


BTW, we can disagree and still have fun and laughs.
 
Back in 2000, I bought a new 2001 BMW 3 Series, Jet Black, 5speed, etc...
Black Leather, Sport Seats, etc...
On the few websites/blogs back then, the buzzword was Lexol.
I went to the store, picked up a bottle, unscrewed the cap and was almost sickened by the smell. It was like medicine or something. It didnt smell to me, like it belonged on Leather, so I didnt use it.
Move forward to the next year - people on the same websites/blogs are now saying that their religious applications of Lexol has made all their Leather surfaces in the Bimmers very Sticky and not anything like they were when they bought their Bimmers new a year ago...
Along the way, I researched and found this product - Spinneybeck.com, called and talked to the Regional Rep who told me that they supply more hides than anyone else to automotive industry across the world. I asked them what do they put on their hides after Tanning, etc., when the hides are ready to be shipped out to be made into car seats, etc...
He said they sell the same product they use as a Leather Conditioner, so I bought it and have been happy with its performance for over 10 years.
Its white in color and has a different smell that goes away after application and the leather smells like clean leather (if cleaned appropriately and completely), and the leather is smooth, more supple, not sticky, or shiny, but more of a matte finish, which is what I like, and what the majority of my Clients like.

Just recently I bought a few different formulations of the Leather Master product line and their conditioners smell very, very, much like the Spinneybeck product I bought over 10 years ago..

So I have Spinneybeck, Leather Masters, Zaino, and Einszett Leather Conditioner, and any of these seem to do good things on Leather for me and some smell more like "leather" than others... I pick out what will work best after evaluating the Interior, the scope of work, the feedback from what the Client wants, and what I feel will work best for that job...

Dan F
 
My list of preferred leather cleaners is fairly close to Stokdgs:
1Z einszett Lederpflege
Four Star Ultimate Leather Cleaner Gel
Leather Masters

I've never seen any of these in gallon or five liter containers but I don't go through it quickly enough to justify that amount.
 
Mr. Gloss said:
I think it's positive when a manufacturer clarifies the use of its products.

Lexol makes a product for both leather and vinyl, or plastic coated leather.

As for waxes, some folks are persuaded that the wax penetrates the paint.

Lot's of myths in auto detailing.

From Autogeek

"Apply a small amount of Scholl Concepts Premium Vintage Wax to a section at a time and wipe away 70% of the haze using a soft microfiber towel. Massage the remaining carnauba wax into the paint using the palms of your hands to melt the wax molecules and ensure a tight paint-wax bond. Wipe away the melted residue completely to reveal your masterpiece."

I don't believe it.!

Where is Jared Pointer? :D


BTW, we can disagree and still have fun and laughs.
Click to expand...

FWIW, those directions are directly from Scholl Concepts.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top