Rambling Thoughts on Coated Leather.

M

Matt M PA

New member
After reading some posts here about coated leather and conditioners, I have been wondering about the actual best care for these leathers. :nixweiss



As I understand it, most cars have coated leather…a leather that has a vinyl topcoat that protects it from dirt, moisture, etc. One of the ways to tell if it is coated or not is to put a drop of water on the surface and see if it beads or sinks in.



So, if indeed coated leather is coated with a vinyl coating, is it correct to assume that a leather conditioner will simply sit on the top as a dressing and never be able to actually nourish the leather? If so, what’s the point in using a specific leather product as compared to a vinyl product like 303?



I have an e-mail in to 303, as they recommend this for coated leather.



Obviously, we all want to know what the best thing is for coated leather. A friend recommended his Griot’s leather product. I called Griot’s and Leatherique about this. Both said that their products would be absorbed into the leather, even coated leather. How can this be if the leather is topcoated?



I’m not trying “to prove anyone wrong�, just hoping to find out what the real story is.
 
An update....I got a reply from 303....here 'tis...



Hello Matt, and thanks for the inquiry.



Matt, we can't give you specifics on the models you mentioned, but generally speaking "leather" interiors are most typically part vinyl and part finished leather, not all leather. And even then the finished leather is often "coated".



Since leather "conditioners" often contain one or more ingredients which are not appropriate for vinyl....petroleum distillates, animal or vegetable fats/oils...well, you see the problem.



303 Aerospace Protectant, properly applied, bonds to vinyl, finished leather, coated leather and leaves a lustrous, non-oily, non-greasy repellent finish. Repels water, dirt, dust, oils, sweat, lotions, ink marks, etc. Here's a link to more info on the "leather" application. Please contact me if questions.



"Proper application": For 303 A. Protectant this is spray on, wiped COMPLETELY dry. One needs to apply sufficient 303 to get the surface WET, not just damp, with the product. Then wipe COMPLETELY dry. 303 A. Protectant does NOT air dry and can NOT be wiped dry with a damp cloth. One has to use a dry area of the wiping-dry cloth or use a second clean, dry, absorbent, non-abrasive cloth to finish the drying.



If not wiped dry, extra un-bonded 303 polymer remains on the surface, retaining dampness, and it will not perform as promised. Hint: Extra enthusiasm in the wiping-dry part of the application process (with a dry cloth) makes the treatment MORE repellent(to dirt, dust, soiling) and makes the finish LAST LONGER.
 
Very Interesting Matt. Thanks for doing the research. :up



I've wondered about the coated leather question for sometime and have tried different leather conditioners to get the desired softness. Although Gliptone's Leather Conditioner works well me thinks the 303 approach might be the answer.



I am a sucker for the "leather smell" that some products offer, such as Gliptone, but I'd rather have a product that is effective rather than just a pretty smell !
 
I was just about to post the same ? then I found this doing a search. Does anyone else have an opinion on which products to use for Coated Leather Seats? I am confused. I have a 96 Explorer that have coated leather seats which are slightly worn and winked and I want to use a product that I can prevent more of this occuring. I have always used a Leather conditioner on them but after reading this thread I am not sure what to use now. Plus I want to find something that I can use on Clients vehicles since most leather is coated. Should I keep using a Leather Condition on the coated seats assumeing it does actually penetrate the leather or is it better to use something like Vinylex, and will this prevent the leather from winkling/cracking? thanks for the help
 
SR77...I have been concerned about this for quite some time, and now having two cars with leather (one a daily driver) I really would like to get to the bottom of what is right.



As written above, it is my understanding, from reading both at this forum and others that coated leather is "sealed" to protect the leather from moisture. (Rain, sweat, stains.) If indeed it is sealed...how do these leather products get "into" the actual fibers to nourish the leather.



I called Leatherique and Griots and they both say that their products "penetrate" the leather to preserve/recondition. Both Reps said that indeed their products work on coated leather...but were tight lipped after that.



As written above, 303 was the ONLY company willing to respond in writing, and their logic makes sense (at least to a layman). I am going to try 303 and see.



I was reminded of my leather quest when I read here about a leather product that seemed to wipe off onto clothing and leave a irregular look to the seat. I have a few different leather products and have noticed a similar effect on one car. It's not a big deal and it can be easily buffed to look correct again...but does this mean that it is not being absorbed and is just sitting on the surface?



I wish a thread like this would get some good, factual input from the leather product makers....not just a response that says "our product works". I can't help but wonder that if coated leather is indeed "sealed"....maybe all leather products are unneccesary.
 
I agree. If leather is coated to seal and protect how do these products penetrate the leather through the coating if nothing else is suppose to get through. I too hope this thread can get to the bottom of this with some facts and not just some company telling use it works because they are selling it without giving an explaination why or how it works. Leather seats are expensive and I as most people would like to know which is the right product to use on coated seats that will effectively condition the leather to prevent wearing/cracking/winkeing and keep them looking good for many many years.
 
I've wondered about this exact question. Unfortunately, I have no idea how to find out the real answer. If you think about it, you got some pretty predictable responses. Essentially they said:



303: Our product works great on coated leather!

Griots: Our product works great on coated leather!

Leatherique: Our product works great on coated leather!



Unfortunately the companies that will tell you the truth even if it means steering you away from their product seem to be few and far between.



Caveat: Maybe I'm just cynical and all three products actually do work great on coated leather. I don't know for sure, but I'm inclined to think that one method works better than the other. If the conditioners can penetrate the coating, then a true leather conditioner *probably* works better, otherwise, 303 probably works better.



I've been using 303 because I'm inclined to believe the conditioners don't do much because of the coating, but I'll use a leather conditioner every now and then to freshen up the leather smell.



John
 
I think the only way to get some "Factual" information is to find out who manufactures the leather for each automobile-maker's seats and drill them about the coated issue, and that could be impossible. I mean, I called VW of America to find out the weight load limit on the LATCH lower anchors for my Passat and it was a two week ordeal to really get no hard "facts" except that the "engineer" could varify that the weight load was enough for small children. Companies that have a cleaning product aren't going to be able to tell us the specifics of our car's leather, shoot I can't even tell which areas are coated leather and what's vinyl! I just wipe it all down with water regularly and clean with 1Z Lederpflege monthly and protect with 303. I've been doing that for two years and everything still looks new.



Maybe I'll try to contact VW again and ask about the leather....:nixweiss
 
John...your comments about different companies saying their products "work" was exactly my point.



The only difference so far has been that 303's website is very informative about leather, vinyl, rubber....and the others simply say that a given product is for leather.
 
Matt,



Agreed, the 303 website is very informative about the products they sell. I read through every bit of it when I started using 303 several years ago and it prompted me to use it on my leather seats. Great stuff.
 
~One man’s opinion / observations ~



I think you may be confusing the word sealed, it does not mean that nothing can penetrate. A paint system’s clear coat (polyurethane) ‘seals’ the paint, yet if you use a polish that contains oils it will penetrate through to the paints resin system (otherwise it would oxidize)



Coated leather is a similar system insofar as they use polyurethane to coat the leather (not seal) Products like 303 UVR Protection, Groit’s Leather cleaner or Conditioner penetrate the coating to nourish and/or protect the leather underneath, otherwise they would ‘sit’ on the leather coating (the way Lanolin, or PDS silicones tend to do)



~Hope this helps ~



* justadumbarchitect so I question everything *

Experience unshared is knowledge wasted…/ Jon
 
Some afternoon searching found this at ProperAutoCare.



Some leather being used in domestic automobiles has a top veneer of vinyl. This should be considered a vinyl interior and treated with a vinyl dressing. Do not use a leather conditioner on vinyl topped leather. The conditioning oils can not penetrate the vinyl coating to reach the leather. If you're not sure if your car's leather is vinyl coated, check with your car dealer or the manufacturer.



And another from sparkleauto.com.



The majority of automobiles today are not the high-grade leather we talked about above but are plastic-coated. The underlying leather is treated with a product called “ polyvinylchloride plastic “ or vinyl. The same way we have PVC pipe. These treated vinyl leathers are protected by a clear layer of vinyl. The advantage to this type of treated leather is that it is generally impervious to moisture. However, since no moisture can penetrate the vinyl coating the use of a leather conditioner serves no purpose since it cannot penetrate the leather. The advantages are that this type of leather proves to be maintenance free because of its vinyl coating. To treat this type of leather clean it with a good all purpose cleaner and condition the vinyl coated leather with a high quality vinyl conditioner.



I don't post the above to "stir the pot", but just to pass along another bit of info. Again...I just want to know the real story.
 
Quote: Some leather being used in domestic automobiles has a top veneer of vinyl. This should be considered a vinyl interior and treated with a vinyl dressing. Do not use a leather conditioner on vinyl-topped leather. The conditioning oils cannot penetrate the vinyl coating to reach the leather. If you're not sure if your car's leather is vinyl coated, check with your car dealer or the manufacturer.



~One man’s opinion / observations ~



To the best of my very limited knowledge leather cleaner will clean/penetrate Vinyl To recondition Vinyl requires oils to prevent the platiciziers from drying out. Leather also requires oils to renew those that have dried out. (Conclusion, both materials require oil to penetrate to stop them drying out) the only difference is the type of oil used, Vinyl conditioners use a silicone oil, and leather uses natural oil like collagen oil.



You could just wipe the coating with a damp cloth and a light soap to lift the grease / dirt and watch both the viynl and the leather underneath crack



~Hope this helps ~



* justadumbarchitect so I question everything *

Experience unshared is knowledge wasted…/ Jon
 
TOGWT...I agree completely that there needs to be something applied to keep the leather soft, prevent cracks, etc. I suppose my concern is more that if this topcoat cannot be penetrated....there is no way to get "to the leather" with any product.



From my also very limited knowledge, I find it hard to believe that a cleaner-protectant could get through this vinyl coating to penetrate the leather, yet not damage the vinyl topcoat.



I would respectfully disagree that vinyl cleaner-protectant should use a silicone oil. My understanding of vinyl is that silicones are detrimental to the plasticizers (sp?). Excellent info on 303s website about that. (Which makes me wonder why so many companies make vinyl and rubber products with silicone.)



Again, in the end, I'd just like to get the truth so that we all can treat out leather the appropriate way.



Good vinyl info here-

http://www.303products.com/techinfo/vinyl1.htm
 
From Ford regarding my F-150 Supercrew leather interior,



LEATHER SEATS (IF EQUIPPED, EXCEPT FOR THE KING RANCH SUPERCREW)



Your leather seating surfaces have a clear, protective coating over the leather.

For King Ranch F-150 SuperCrew leather seats, refer to separate section in this chapter.



To clean, use a soft cloth with Deluxe Leather and Vinyl Cleaner (ZC-11–A). Dry the area with a soft cloth.

To help maintain its resiliency and color, use the Deluxe Leather Care Kit (ZC-11–D), available from your authorized dealer.



Do not use household cleaning products, alcohol solutions, solvents or cleaners intended for rubber, vinyl and plastics, or oil/petroleum-based leather conditioners. These products may cause premature wearing of the clear, protective coating.



Same statement for the newer Taurus Premium......
 
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