Which product: Audi Leather

G

gonz0

New member
Hello,



I have a 2003 Audi A4 with the standard leather seating surfaces (not the uprated Nappa leather, but also not the synthetic leather seating that the non-Premium A4's came equipped with). I've read a bit in the detailing Wiki about leather and how most are coated, meaning that several products are worthless or even detrimental to these coated leathers finish and durability.



I ordered Leatherique Prestine Clean, and I was about to order the Rejuvenator Oil but now I'm second guessing my product choice in concern that it is meant for uncoated leather only. The Wiki doesn't come out and say which products are safe or not and their intended use, and even contradicts itself on some of the recommended vinyl cleaners that are safe fro the coated leather. Searching here reveled several detailers that are very happy with the Leatherique product but no discussion on which type of leather it was used on.



Up until now, I've been using Zymol Leather Cleaner and Zymol Leather Condioner, purchased from Target (Not Zymol Treat). The results seemed good but didn't appear to improve the suppleness or softness to the leather that I had hoped it would.



Thanks in advance for any input.
 
You could test to see if your seating surfaces are coated. Wet your fingers with water and rub the leather. Uncoated leather will tend to absorb the water and darken. The water will just bead on coated leather.



Rejuvenator Oil is a great choice for uncoated leather. Some guys claim that RO and other products will soften and improve coated leather, but that has not been my experience. Imagine wrapping your arm in Saran Wrap, then applying moisturizing lotion. Get it?



On coated leather I clean it with a 20:1 solution of water and Meguiar's APC+, using a mild horsehair brush. Then I wipe with a cotton cloth dampened with plain water. After cleaning I will apply either 303 Aerospace Protectant or Griot's Leather Care. I sometimes use the Griot's product just because I like the smell, not because the coated leather requires its leather conditioning properties.
 
Gonz, I don't know if it gets cold where you are, but I can't recommend doing the RO in the midst of winter ;)
 
FWIW, my current fave for Audi leather is the LeatherMaster stuff (got mine at TOL). But it doesn't really make the leather much (if any) softer... Actually, I don't really recall *anything* making it much softer than it already was, just seems like a sorta firm type of leather.



But FWIW#2, I hardly *ever* treat the leather in our Audis. I do clean it as needed, usually with Griot's Interior Cleaner, and it doesn't seem to be suffering from the sorta-neglectful treatment.
 
In my old A3 S Line, I had great success with a diluted solution of Woolite (1 cap full:gallon of water) for cleaning, and then protecting with Optimum Leather Protectant/Protectant Plus.



Unless your seats are really beat up, I don't see a need for using the Leatherique system. And as someone mentioned previously, I believe it yields best results on uncoated leathers.
 
Is OPP similar to 303 Aerospace Protectant, or would they compliment eachother? I ordered the Leatherique PC from George at DI, I may try to swap it for something else if I can find a more functional product. I'll also be using whatever I get on other cars as well that are not my own, but I want something that functions just as much for me as my customers.
 
gonz0 said:
Is OPP similar to 303 Aerospace Protectant, or would they compliment eachother? I ordered the Leatherique PC from George at DI, I may try to swap it for something else if I can find a more functional product. I'll also be using whatever I get on other cars as well that are not my own, but I want something that functions just as much for me as my customers.
Click to expand...



I have never used OPP but from what I've heard it is similar to 303 AP. It should work fine on coated leather seats.
 
OPP (Optimum Leather Protectant) is more of a focused product than 303, which is a general protectant. I never really cared for 303, but that's just me. My suggestion is to try a few products and see what fits your fancy and achieves your desired results.
 
I used the Leatherique system on my "coated" leather and it actually removed some of the dye in some areas. I was using Lexol prior to this accident with no issues.
 
Hmm, maybe I'll order some OPP, seems it's specificely made for leather protection but it also works with all other interior plastics, which may be a good follow up to my treatment of 1Z Cockpit Premium.



What about 1Z Leatherpfledge, it says it is specifically made for coated leathers and I know that 1Z is the choice maker of products that Audi supports. Would using that as a 'conditioner' for the leather be a good idea, and then follow up with OPP to add good UV protection? If conditioning is completely pointless, than I may be best left to cleaning with APC+ (10:1) and then protecting with OPP.
 
gonz0 said:
Hmm, maybe I'll order some OPP, seems it's specificely made for leather protection but it also works with all other interior plastics, which may be a good follow up to my treatment of 1Z Cockpit Premium.



What about 1Z Leatherpfledge, it says it is specifically made for coated leathers and I know that 1Z is the choice maker of products that Audi supports. Would using that as a 'conditioner' for the leather be a good idea, and then follow up with OPP to add good UV protection? If conditioning is completely pointless, than I may be best left to cleaning with APC+ (10:1) and then protecting with OPP.
Click to expand...



I bought OPP/OLP specifically for my dash/plastics/trim even though its marketed for leather and ended up using it on everything
 
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