When leather gets shiny...

[Quality Leather]

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.

Sorry, if you thought the second part was directed at you. It definitely was not.



That is some good info, but I haven't had the same success on car leather. The biggest thing to me is to get into the grain of the leather to remove the dirt and grime. The scrub head on mine is to aggressive with the steam and will damage the finish. If you got something that will work, then that is great. I have also noticed that I still have to use cleaners to get stuff clean with it. Using it in the tub, a cleaner and steamer seems to work best otherwise it takes twice as long. That brings up another problem I have with the steamer, which is time. I can scrub a seat and wipe it off with a towel much quicker than with a steamer. Now, what I love about the steamer is using it on body oil accumulation like on a recliner head rest.

For the dangers of steamer, it can damage the finish if you are not careful. One of my suppliers told me he asked Katzkin, Classic, some tanneries and others about steamers. Their reply to him is that it could put to much moisture in the leather and lead to mold or mildew. I am not sure I agree with this, but something one should be aware of. The other thing he mentioned was damage to those damn air bags. I am not sure how much damage it could or would do, but another thing to be aware of in this litigious environment. THese airbags make it difficult to do almost anything to a car these days.

 

[Imatk]

Sorry I must have missed it... what is "LM" ?

 

[imported_DetailDan]

Leather Master.

 

[Imatk]

Thank you

 

[Quality Leather]

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.

I appologize if you were offended and I am not going to get into a "he started it first crap".

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.

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?

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.

Reading your first response to my recommendation of Joy, it sounds like you are saying that I am giving bad advice and don't know what I am talking about. Hey, I may not know what I am talking about, but I have tried a lot of these products, met the people and companies behind them and believe I know a thing or two.

I did a quick search on Joy and its first mention was a year and a half ago. Actually someone else gave the formula and he got it from another leather professional. Here is the thread: Leather Secrets. Do I have documented proof like in writing? No, I do not. Does it matter? Let me turn this around. Do you or anyone else have documented proof that any of the cleaners and conditioners talked about here and elsewhere won't do any damage to the leather finish? Just because it isn't talked about on forums doesn't mean it is incorrect. The single biggest change in leather has been the conversion from solvent based coatings to water based coatings. Leatheirque gets a lot of play, but have they changed their formulations. What is their background in the leather industry and do they have documentation and testing to back up their products? LeatherMaster has a decent cleaner, but did you know it was made for the furniture industry? Why is this important? It is important because they have to make it so gentile that it won't do any damage to any leather it will be applied to. This means that cleaning power is second to doing no damage. Automotive coatings are more durable and stronger than furniture coatings, so gentileness doesn't need to be first on the list. I could go on, but I will stop here.



As for my business, I have gotten one job that I know of and maybe a second one from here. Not really bang for the buck.



As for an apology, I would give you one, but your first reply to me sound pretty contentious to me. If you meant it differently or everyone thinks that I am out of line then one will be issued.

 

[blk45]

Well said. I appreciate the civility of that response. If I came off argumentative, I apologize. I was more looking for an explanation because I haven't heard that recommended for leather in a long time. A lot of the stuff that you see people recommend for leather makes me raise an eyebrow. I'm no expert and am anxious to learn, so I appreciate you taking the time to make some valid points.



Thanks.

 

[imported_Exelero]

The leather secrets was a good batch of info. thanks i learned 2 things i did not know about leather.but hey as stated in those posts to steam baby steam lol.:bigups

I appologize if you were offended and I am not going to get into a "he started it first crap".















Reading your first response to my recommendation of Joy, it sounds like you are saying that I am giving bad advice and don't know what I am talking about. Hey, I may not know what I am talking about, but I have tried a lot of these products, met the people and companies behind them and believe I know a thing or two.

I did a quick search on Joy and its first mention was a year and a half ago. Actually someone else gave the formula and he got it from another leather professional. Here is the thread: Leather Secrets. Do I have documented proof like in writing? No, I do not. Does it matter? Let me turn this around. Do you or anyone else have documented proof that any of the cleaners and conditioners talked about here and elsewhere won't do any damage to the leather finish? Just because it isn't talked about on forums doesn't mean it is incorrect. The single biggest change in leather has been the conversion from solvent based coatings to water based coatings. Leatheirque gets a lot of play, but have they changed their formulations. What is their background in the leather industry and do they have documentation and testing to back up their products? LeatherMaster has a decent cleaner, but did you know it was made for the furniture industry? Why is this important? It is important because they have to make it so gentile that it won't do any damage to any leather it will be applied to. This means that cleaning power is second to doing no damage. Automotive coatings are more durable and stronger than furniture coatings, so gentileness doesn't need to be first on the list. I could go on, but I will stop here.



As for my business, I have gotten one job that I know of and maybe a second one from here. Not really bang for the buck.



As for an apology, I would give you one, but your first reply to me sound pretty contentious to me. If you meant it differently or everyone thinks that I am out of line then one will be issued.