What product for 4 year old leather in good condition? Never conditioned.

M

mDw

New member
Hi everyone,


 


I just picked up a 2010 BMW M3 and the interior leather is black in good condition. It just has the typical wear you would expect from a 4 year old car. It's mainly slight wrinkles on the heavy areas where you get in and out of the car. Rear seats look mint. I believe the leather has never been thoroughly cleaned/conditioned. Would leatherique be good product to go with? Goal is to really get a thorough cleaning/conditioning with as much of a matte factory finish as possible. Thanks for all the support and good fellowship the community has. Take care!


 


Thanks!
 
briancl- I never did try my Leatherique, just seemed like *SUCH* a hassle, sold it to a fellow Autopian.


 


I somehow think of it a being more for uncoated/older leather, but that's just me.


 


My *best* results have come from using stuff from The Leather Doctor, though it's a bit of a hassle to order it and it's a multi-step/product approach. 


 


I've done fine with Sonus and Leather Master's stuff too, but I was downright shocked by how much better I liked the Leather Doctor regimen.  It left the leather closer to "just like new", as opposed to "just treated" if you get my meaning.  For that "matte factory finish" I think you'd be hard-pressed to do better, that's just how it left things in my Audis.
 
Accumulator said:
briancl- I never did try my Leatherique, just seemed like *SUCH* a hassle, sold it to a fellow Autopian.


 


I somehow think of it a being more for uncoated/older leather, but that's just me.


 


My *best* results have come from using stuff from The Leather Doctor, though it's a bit of a hassle to order it and it's a multi-step/product approach. 


 


I've done fine with Sonus and Leather Master's stuff too, but I was downright shocked by how much better I liked the Leather Doctor regimen.  It left the leather closer to "just like new", as opposed to "just treated" if you get my meaning.  For that "matte factory finish" I think you'd be hard-pressed to do better, that's just how it left things in my Audis.
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So in your experience, leather doctor was the closest to a factory finish, and the other products felt treated? I know what you mean about the treated feel as it feels and smells like products were applied. I'm looking at the leather doctor site and see a bunch of products, should I go with a cleaner and then a conditioner? Thanks!
 
briancl- Yes, I think we understand each other with regard to the "factory finish" thing.  The other products I mentioned were certainly not bad in that regard, they did not leave things "slimed", but the Leather Doctor stuff was best.


 


Figuring out what to order can be a chore, so complicated.  I did not use the "fat liquor" product as I didn't feel it was needed.  I used the cleaner and rinse, followed by the "buttery feel"  and "draggy feel" protectants, of which I chose the unscented versions (just a personal preference, I like my Audis to smell like Audis, not like a luggage store).


 


Try to get hold of Roger Koh at Leather Doctor and see what he wants to sell you.  I got a basic kit with plenty to do at least two large sedans (the products go farther than I expected).


 


Sorry if I sound so vague on this...I hardly *ever* treat my leather interiors and it's been a while since I used the Leather Doctor stuff.  As I recall it, it was more a matter of "pretreat, clean, rinse, protect" as opposed to the usual "clean and then condition".
 
Here is a picture of the wear I am referring to. Would like to see if I can improve/condition this section.


 


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I don't want to start another leather war - it got kinda crazy last time. But, speaking from experience of trying most of the OTC stuff, Lexol, some Leather Masters and good old woolite / water (20:1), I would try the  Leatherique route. I have seen 2 pro detailers use this stuff with really good results. I have 2 Leather Masters products that are barely touched that I would trade in a heartbeat for  Leatherique. But that's my problem, sorry to get off task.
 
JneBug- Too bad we didn't do a trade back when I had that Leatherique stuff!


 


There's just no way I'd ever do that whole Leatherique process.


 


And yes indeed, discussions about leathe care can get crazy for some reason.


 


briancl- Note that you might never be able to get "used" leather back to 100% never-used condition.  I wonder what Roger Koh at Leather Doctor would recommend if you sent that picture to him.
 
C'mon George! That process? You apply the oil, you let the windows up and let it heat up in the sun for a few hours, then you spray on the cleaner and wipe off.

I plan on buying the kit as soon as I can sell that LM stuff.
 
JuneBug- Well, that "in the sun" is a non-starter for me because I have tree-droppings issues during the hot weather.  And IIRC you're supposed to cover the leather with plastic bags (my leather presses against stuff I don't want to get oil/etc. on too).


 


I like being able to do a portion of the interior, or one step of the process, and then take a break, go back and do more, etc. etc.


 


I had originally thought I'd use the Leatherique on my Jag, and it might've been great for that, but that car's still in mothballs while I deal with other stuff...
 
I have used both Leather Masters & <span style="color:rgb(40,40,40);font-family:'helvetica neue', helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"> Leatherique  and I really liked <span style="color:rgb(40,40,40);font-family:'helvetica neue', helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"> Leatherique . 


<span style="color:rgb(40,40,40);font-family:'helvetica neue', helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">It works best on a hot and humid day. I really think it works better than LM.
 
I've had great results from Optimum Protectant Plus and it's very easy to use in that you can put it on the leather and the vinyl so you don't need two products and don't have to worry about getting one product on the other surface.    OPP has a mild cleaner in it, but at least once a year I'll give the leather a good cleaning with a mild APC like HD Total then apply the OPP.   Everytime I wash the car I wipe down the leather with clear water and let it dry on the surface for hydration.   And put another coat of OPP every 3 or 4 months since it's so easy to use.  My car is nearly 8 years old and the leather looks new.
 
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