Steam Cleaning Leather - Curveball Question

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pingable

New member
I've used the Steam Cleaner tons of times.....and generally on leather seats, I will use the triangle head and a MF ontop to clean them down.



On this particular applications, it's beige leather and it looks well maintained just short of the drivers side bolster area - which is inevitable.



However, on a test spot, if I just use the *single nozzle head*, it left that area considerably more beige. I'm not sure whether it is dirt, and or actually the fact that due to single head---alot more pressure, it's actually removing the topcoat which is darker than maybe the basecoat of the leather...



Interestingly enough, I am seeing similar results when I do the same on a test spot on the door panels (beige vinyl).



However, when I use a MF head, it does not produce the same cleansiness. And bear in mind....that using the single head is more like water flossing//////teeth cleaning pressure that is a bit more exact.



So I'm not quite sure how to attack this interior cleaning. Do I just use the MF head and take it that it's clean enough. I don't intend to use the pencil nozzle as I think it's more pressure blasting the area. Is there any middle ground to this or is the grey area my decision to make.
 
Did you try to apply a cleaner to the leather first (apc 10:1 or similar), then steam with triangle attachment? We use the APC, *lightly* agitate with magic eraser, and then steam with triangle...
 
Having a vapor steamer is great..... but you must use care when using it on leather and vinyl surfaces. The head needs to be two or three inches from the surface when using the triangle attachment as alot of steam(heat) will be concentrated on that area which could damage the surface(lexus interiors are really delicate as well as Ferrari and Lamborghini).





I clean conventionally, then supplement with the steamer as needed to remove serious dirt, especially on perforated seats to emulsify the gunk in the holes so it can be wiped away.



I love the fresh clean smell a steamer can give an interior because of the disinfecting abilities over a chemical residue smell.
 
I have not tried the APC route on leather.



If I'm using the steamer, I generally am not taking any cleaner to it.

If I am using a horsehair brush to agitate, I will use LM Strong cleaner cut with a MF to it.



I generally use water/mf in between leather sessions.

If I feel it's dirty, I will use the LM cleaner/horsehair to agitate and then wipe down with a MF'er. If it needs a light cleaning, I use Griots Interior Cleaner instead.



The only time I take it to steam cleaner level is when I know it's dirty and or I'm prepping it for a full on condition, deep clean session.



Let me give that a shot - cleaner, agitate and then steam. I wonder if it will get it *cleaner* than the methods I am seeing versus the single nozze. The results with the single nozzle is considerably cleaner by at least 2-3 shades.
 
Have not tried the majic erasure on leather as it will take the color off some surfaces(oh crap !!) but on some stuff it is majical (lol), btw ebpcivicsi your shop puts out great work as I have noted in before and after threads keep it up.
 
I know at work we do the same thing with leather wrap the triangle with a towel. However try adding in some leather cleaner before steaming spray it on and start steaming, works really well. Also when we steam vinyl at work with the bristle brush attachment we are told to get close enought to the vinyl to scrub it with the attachment, never damaged a car doing that before. But I would like to know if this is wrong as I will be getting a steamer for our company as well, thanks.
 
Auto Concierge said:
Have not tried the majic erasure on leather as it will take the color off some surfaces(oh crap !!) but on some stuff it is majical (lol), btw ebpcivicsi your shop puts out great work as I have noted in before and after threads keep it up.
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Hey thanks! I think one of my guys met you at SEMA--you were buffing a car, no?



Yeah, you have to be really careful when using the magic eraser--very important to be knowledgeable about the leather you are cleaning. We haven't had any issues with our method, but we are very careful and use common sense. We also use the steamer on medium heat/steam when cleaning leather.
 
Yes I was in the Gloss-it booth with Rich doing demos with the rotary,cyclo, and flex da polisher.



I did use the "majic eraser" today in my shop bathroom...... but I have taken paint of walls and the thought of using this on a Lambo interior gives me the willy's.
 
You damaged the coating. You can probably get away with it by putting some conditioner on it. The best solution would be to recoat the area.



I know people hate me saying it, but I think the steam cleaner is overrated for leather cleaning. I will do a thread about a car I recently did soon. It was really nasty. I cleaned half the seat with the steamer and the other half with a Scotch Brite delicate duty pad. The Scotch pad was quicker and a little better than the steamer.
 
These were test spots. Both in the rear trunk.

Thanks for confirmation that it more inline with topcoat versus. getting it cleaner. I suspected so...
 
Quality Leather said:
You damaged the coating. You can probably get away with it by putting some conditioner on it. The best solution would be to recoat the area.



I know people hate me saying it, but I think the steam cleaner is overrated for leather cleaning. I will do a thread about a car I recently did soon. It was really nasty. I cleaned half the seat with the steamer and the other half with a Scotch Brite delicate duty pad. The Scotch pad was quicker and a little better than the steamer.
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Agreed. Scotch pad or #0000 steel wool is quicker, safer, and gets into the texture of the leather better.



For many jobs, steamers are excessively bulky tools.
 
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