I bought a 2001 BMW M3 in March of 2007. When I bought it, the leather was in decent shape, no cracks, creases, etc but the driver's seat had a shiny/tacky feel on any surface that your back touches.
I figured this was the combination of improper leather cleaning products, and the sweat/oils/salts from the previous owner(s). I cleaned regularly with a few popular leather products such as Zaino Z9 and Duragloss 221. No improvement. Just clean and smells good.
I stepped it up a notch and bought a Leather Masters kit with the Strong Cleaner, Leather Vital and Protection Cream. Warmed up the leather by letting it sit in the sun, and then tried repeated cleanings with the Strong Cleaner, a mild brush, and then rinsed with a cotton towel, continually rinsed in clean water. No improvement at all.
I decided to give the popular Leatherique Rejuvinator Oil a try after strong recommendations on M3forum.net. Again, it is recommended that the car be allowed to sit in the sun with the windows closed to warm up the leather and "open the pores". The first time I did Leatherique, it really wasnt' that warm and I only let the oil sit for about 4 hours. Washed off with Leatherique Pristine Clean. No improvement at all.
I repeated the process this weekend on Sat morning. Warmed up the seat with the seat heater. Applied a liberal amount of the Rejuvinator oil. Massaged it in by hand (man, where my hands soft afterwards!) and then closed the windows and let the car sit.
It was hot all day Sat. It was hot all day Sunday. Finally, Sunday night, I used the Pristine clean to wash off the gummy, oily residue from the Rejuvinator oil and who knows what is sitting on my seat. It seemed to get less tacky as I cleaned it. But After wiping it with a MF towel, and allowing it to dry, I dare say the seat is even more sticky. I repeated the Pristine clean, and towel bath with clean water, thinking I hadn't adequately removed the Rejuvinator Oil. Let it dry and it's still tacky.
Today, after the car sat in the sun in the parking lot at work, the back panel is as sticky as a postit note. The other surfaces look great (bottom, side bolsters, headrest, etc), it is just the back. Primarily the upper portion where your shoulder blades rest.
Is my leather beyond repair? Apart from the fact that it looks shiny and not matte as when new, my shirt sticks to the seat and pulls away as I lean forward. I'm beyond frustrated. I really thought Leatherique would do it. Did I do something wrong during the cleaning/application process?
Sorry for the long post. This is the culmination of a lot of frustration!
I figured this was the combination of improper leather cleaning products, and the sweat/oils/salts from the previous owner(s). I cleaned regularly with a few popular leather products such as Zaino Z9 and Duragloss 221. No improvement. Just clean and smells good.
I stepped it up a notch and bought a Leather Masters kit with the Strong Cleaner, Leather Vital and Protection Cream. Warmed up the leather by letting it sit in the sun, and then tried repeated cleanings with the Strong Cleaner, a mild brush, and then rinsed with a cotton towel, continually rinsed in clean water. No improvement at all.
I decided to give the popular Leatherique Rejuvinator Oil a try after strong recommendations on M3forum.net. Again, it is recommended that the car be allowed to sit in the sun with the windows closed to warm up the leather and "open the pores". The first time I did Leatherique, it really wasnt' that warm and I only let the oil sit for about 4 hours. Washed off with Leatherique Pristine Clean. No improvement at all.
I repeated the process this weekend on Sat morning. Warmed up the seat with the seat heater. Applied a liberal amount of the Rejuvinator oil. Massaged it in by hand (man, where my hands soft afterwards!) and then closed the windows and let the car sit.
It was hot all day Sat. It was hot all day Sunday. Finally, Sunday night, I used the Pristine clean to wash off the gummy, oily residue from the Rejuvinator oil and who knows what is sitting on my seat. It seemed to get less tacky as I cleaned it. But After wiping it with a MF towel, and allowing it to dry, I dare say the seat is even more sticky. I repeated the Pristine clean, and towel bath with clean water, thinking I hadn't adequately removed the Rejuvinator Oil. Let it dry and it's still tacky.
Today, after the car sat in the sun in the parking lot at work, the back panel is as sticky as a postit note. The other surfaces look great (bottom, side bolsters, headrest, etc), it is just the back. Primarily the upper portion where your shoulder blades rest.
Is my leather beyond repair? Apart from the fact that it looks shiny and not matte as when new, my shirt sticks to the seat and pulls away as I lean forward. I'm beyond frustrated. I really thought Leatherique would do it. Did I do something wrong during the cleaning/application process?
Sorry for the long post. This is the culmination of a lot of frustration!
