When leather gets shiny...

Exelero said:
Well to be honest steam is the best for leather an that is what i have used for 7 yrs. now without a problem.i have a therma-kleen steamer not cheap but well worth the money.
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What are you basing this on? I have a Daimer steamer and use it on leather occasionally. I don't recommend others use a steamer, but if you do only use the lowest setting. The steam can damage the finish.







blk45 said:
Are you serious? Why would you want to use that? You *can* use a lot of things on leather. It doesn't mean that it is good for it. A lot of the things recommended for leather will not harm it in a couple of uses (at least that you can see), but after a while, it will be detrimental to the leather. Everyone is free to use what they want, but I would not recommend using dish soap to anyone.
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Umm, ok genius how do you know that Joy is detrimental to leather or more correctly the leather finish? Joy was the surfactant component of one major leather tanneries leather cleaner. I am guessing that their lead chemist knows a thing or two about leather. Here is the formula that he came up with - 3% Joy, 10% alcohol and the rest water. If you want verification of this, then go to the Mobile show and ask the guy at the RC booth what is good to clean leather?
 
Quality Leather said:
umm, ok genius how do you know that Joy is detrimental to leather or more correctly the leather finish?
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Yeah... sarcastic name calling usually contributes significantly to an adult conversation regarding the relative merits of auto care processes... Probably time for me to take a break from Autopia.
 
OP - CG leather combo, Leatherique combo, Swissvax combo, Zymol combo, hell even Lexol. Take your pick.



To all those that are bitching about "advertising". The product sold is implied, but not easily found. Get over it. This thread is the most childish I've ever seen autopia members...
 
John Henry said:
Yeah... sarcastic name calling usually contributes significantly to an adult conversation regarding the relative merits of auto care processes... Probably time for me to take a break from Autopia.
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At least he gave a specific product that worked, rather than saying everyone else is wrong, then giving a vague reference to his own product.
 
judyb said:
We do not recommend woolite or APC for cleaning leather.
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Toyota/Lexus themselves state in the owners manual that woolite is safe and recommend a woolite/water mixture to clean the leathers in their vehicles. Most automotive leather now has some form of protectant/sealant applied which stops most chemicals from harming or staining the leather but also prevents the leather from absorbing anything and being properly conditioned/nourished/softened so it is sort of a win/lose situation. I doubt Toyota/Lexus would recommend a woolite to water mixture in the owners manual to clean the leather if it was known to harm the leather.
 
Quality Leather said:
Umm, ok genius how do you know that Joy is detrimental to leather or more correctly the leather finish? Joy was the surfactant component of one major leather tanneries leather cleaner. I am guessing that their lead chemist knows a thing or two about leather. Here is the formula that he came up with - 3% Joy, 10% alcohol and the rest water. If you want verification of this, then go to the Mobile show and ask the guy at the RC booth what is good to clean leather?
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John Henry said:
Yeah... sarcastic name calling usually contributes significantly to an adult conversation regarding the relative merits of auto care processes...
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Agreed. Last I checked, this was a discussion forum. Great way to represent your company btw. Just for the record, I never said Joy was detrimental to the leather, I said a lot of the things that are recommended for leather can be in the long run. You could have just as easily explained (without the sarcasm) why you believe this to be a good idea. I know Joy was recommended a long time ago, but a lot of things have changed since then. Do you have any documented proof of this, or is it just "gospel" because this guy says so. I think it's strange that no one else has recommended this (that I'm aware of) in the hundreds of leather care threads here and on other forums. Guess I should just take what the "experts" say as fact. See you at the Expo.
 
Quality Leather said:
What are you basing this on? I have a Daimer steamer and use it on leather occasionally. I don't recommend others use a steamer, but if you do only use the lowest setting. The steam can damage the finish.











Umm, ok genius how do you know that Joy is detrimental to leather or more correctly the leather finish? Joy was the surfactant component of one major leather tanneries leather cleaner. I am guessing that their lead chemist knows a thing or two about leather. Here is the formula that he came up with - 3% Joy, 10% alcohol and the rest water. If you want verification of this, then go to the Mobile show and ask the guy at the RC booth what is good to clean leather?
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I have been detailing for over 21yrs. i have done good an bad during those years an tried many different products and ways to use them.within the past 7yrs. i started using steam which i was turned onto while in italy where they use it alot along with others in europe.i tried to find a good steamer and went threw many an alomost all are **** period an i only found 3 to be worthy imo.i have a vx5000 which use for small stuff a therma-kleen for most of what i do and just sold the 220v one i had so i can get the new therma-kleen which is not out yet but will be soon.these are high end high dollar machines but you can get the vx5000 for a fair price.steam is the best way to clean an hydrate leather an get it plush an supple again without harsh crap chemicals.not saying you can't use chemicals or conditioners but steam is the best an yes it has to be used right an is very easy to use.i do many high end cars an not just the beemer an benz deal. i have done an do my fair share of the big dog cars out there an have a private company an do well very well an get the money my details demand. so to answer experience is my answer.



Not for nothing i'm not complaining about the info. in this thread just giving my opinion based on what i use and have done.since this is what was asked in this thread has i see some have gone off track with their info.
 
EDIT

I've been borrowing my neighbors steamer to clean the inside of my house(grout/bathroom). I haven't had the time to try it on a car yet, but maybe soon. I've heard some good and some bad things about it. I've heard too hot of heat can damage the surface. We'll see. :nixweiss
 
man. leather threads...



i searched and read tons on leather for a week on autopia in a quest to not only learn about leather (it's properties, how it's made, developments in products) but to learn how to take care of it and protect it for the sake of myself as well as clients. i even searched to look through all of judy's posts. oddly enough leather care is one of the most debated topics on autopia it seems. with paint correction, it doesn't seem to matter what you use as long as the end-result is correct. the wax you use doesn't matter though they have different durabilities, depth/shine, ease of application, cost, etc. but LEATHER....oh boy.



i think experience is a key factor in advice. research/background on the topic is the other. find the balance.



i can completely understand and believe judy saying woolite and some other things aren't really recommended. why is that unrealistic? because toyota says you can use it? are we taking into account that toyota must dumb-down car care to appeal to the vast majority? how about car companies would recommend keeping your paint clean to keep it in good shape - we all know swirl-o-matics aren't the BEST thing for your paint though. this isn't an attack on anyone, rather i think things need to be taken in context. that's why i think it's believable that woolite is not the best thing for leather, although i'm sure it's better than not cleaning leather.



Not the best / not recommended / not good for / detrimental



keep techniques and products seperated by those four catigories. i don't care if judy is selling leather care products, and i think i've learned a lot from her. it sounds similar to how some people respond to me giving them advice on car care when they know i do detailing. they act like i'm telling them washing with an old dirty rag is bad for their car soley as an effort to gain their business.



personally i made the switch to diluted woolite + water wipe-down + LM conditioner.
 
Heatgain said:
I have never seen JudyB suggest a certain brand of product in any of her posts. In fact, I've read criticisms of her because she refuses to hawk a certain brand.

If she did hawk a brand she'd be criticized for that.

Now she's being accused of hawking a brand because she doesn't.
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judyb said:
The most effective product on the market is produced by Camiel Chemie in Holland and distributed in the Uk and USA by LTT.
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What have you said that is productive to this discussion? You obviously have axe to grind with judyb for some strange unknown reason. What gives? Why so negative?
 
David Fermani said:
What have you said that is productive to this discussion?
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I was the first person to respond in this thread and I gave advice consistent with my experience and the recommendations of other experienced people.



David Fermani said:
You obviously have axe to grind with judyb for some strange unknown reason. What gives? Why so negative?
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I don't have a problem with judyb or you or anyone else. The truth is that Woolite has been used as a leather cleaner for decades and is widely accepted as safe for most automotive finished leather. She may make a product that's even better--that's not the point. The point is that every time a post on leather is made, she counters saying the response is wrong and then recommends (though often vaguely) her products. I don't want to be a jerk, get anyone kicked off the board, or anything else, but I would like it to become acceptable again for other people to respond to leather-related threads.
 
For the original question...

If the leather finish has been compromised (which is likely if shiney), then you're probably not going to get it back to matte without re-applying a clear satin or matte finish. Should be able to purchase that from one of the many leather repair suppliers and apply by foam brush, cleesecloth, or spraying.



As for cleaning, if the finish is already compromised what does it matter if what you use contains salt or foams or doesn't foam, steams, or is a mild detergent. Just don't use too strong a solvent and remember to rinse the residual. If something is dirty you have to use something strong enough to cut it or it's a waste of time. Woolite is perfectly safe, but also not quite as strong as some other cleaners. On dirty leather I usually clean with a diluted citrus or other cleaner and a brush, follow with Woolite to get the Ph right, then rinse. Repeat if necessary.
 
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