Why so secretive about leather?

No it's not that I missed that, I wasn't referring specifically to that comment. It's just that, the name of the thread is why so secretive and then judyb makes a pretty good post about leather care and now we are back to "interpreting" it. I think part of the "secretive" thing is the fact that there has to be this interpretation of what is going on.



The very fact that someone has to ask a question about the post means the goal has not been accomplished (in this particular case).
 
duke4ever said:
The very fact that someone has to ask a question about the post means the goal has not been accomplished (in this particular case).
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Part of the problem is that leather is so diverse (based on the hides, tanning and surface treatments applied) that is can be hard to generalise.



In general automotive leather has been designed for ease of maintainance, and hence is sealed with a vinyl coating. The main test if it the leather absorbs water or not.



If it doesn't then the leather should be gently cleaned like a delicate waterproof surface. Unlike many other car surfaces, selective abrasion is not a good cleaning method. Thus the Mr Clean magic eraser is not recomended.



In my experience I wipe it down with a damp MF, and use Black Magic 2n1 Leather Cleaner/Conditioner for final cleaning/conditioning.
 
Striker,



I have grey leather seats in my SUV, they haven't been cleaned in a few years. I used Lexol leather cleaner a few weeks ago, and it worked great. The Lexol cleaner (foams on the surface) and removed whatever dirt and crap was on the surface and the seats look new again. I also use the Lexol conditioner as well.



I personally like the smell of Duragloss leather conditioner better. But for cleaning the Lexol worked for me.
 
I think the secret is called marketing which is the art of convincing you to buy something. you may really not need or costs more than many alternative products.
 
I cleaned both of my seats with a microfibre towel (an older one) and some plain old water. They weren't dirty to begin with but I wanted to get rid of the greasy feel of Lexol Leather Conditioner that I think started to attract more dust and dirt. Now that they're cleaned up well, I think im just going to use 303 Protectant on them.
 
David Fermani said:
I don't know - she might be referring to anything more agressive than a leather cleaning sponge or brush. I think microfiber isn't even recommended because of it's cleaning ability/characteristics.
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Which is why I asked the question. Ford used to include and recommend this type of sponge for cleaning their leather. One of my suppliers tried it and liked it. He has recommended it for years and I have used them for longer than I can remember. Can they do damage? Yes. The times that they have brought off part of the coating on auto leathers is when I am dealing with some old, dirty, body oiled up leather. In other words, the coating was probably already shot and anything more than a wet rag would have brought off coating.



GoudyL said:
Part of the problem is that leather is so diverse (based on the hides, tanning and surface treatments applied) that is can be hard to generalise.



In general automotive leather has been designed for ease of maintainance, and hence is sealed with a vinyl coating. The main test if it the leather absorbs water or not.



If it doesn't then the leather should be gently cleaned like a delicate waterproof surface. Unlike many other car surfaces, selective abrasion is not a good cleaning method. Thus the Mr Clean magic eraser is not recomended.



In my experience I wipe it down with a damp MF, and use Black Magic 2n1 Leather Cleaner/Conditioner for final cleaning/conditioning.
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I have seen this mentioned several times, but there is no vinyl coating on the leather. It is a coating specifically formulated for leather. Mobile techs will use the same products on both vinyl and leather, but that is the only thing available.





As for Judy, I have asked around about her company, but haven't found anyone that knows them on this side of the pond. That doesn't mean she isn't legit, but that there is no presence over here. Would I buy her products? Maybe, but probably not for autos. The protector might be good for you guys, but I don't own auto leather. I have a supplier that designed a protector for BMW that he tells me is great. If I were putting it a protector on clients cars, then I would probably go with this since it is about a third the cost of Judy's product.

One thing I should re-enforce is that modern auto leathers are built to certain specs. They are pretty darn durable. The usual culprits that destroy the leather are dirt and body oil. The other big culprit is friction or abrasion that happens on the bolsters, but there is not much you can do about that unless these protectors can reduce the friction.
 
I noted in my post, in regards to the magic eraser, that it should not be used often as it can be rather abrasive.



So use it to deep clean then if you keep up on it from then it shouldn't be needed again......most likely :)



Or just clean them really, really good then buy some $5 velour seat covers for them!:2thumbs:



Anthony
 
I was thinking, judyb is probably in a sort of precarious situation where she needs to balance not promoting her product openly but at the same time logically not promote a competing product. I think part of the problem here is that, most of us are in the US and the sheer cost of importing the product she sells is a PITA.



So probably the best she can do is give vague leather care advice where she is sure not to point in any products general direction.



However she does seem to post when she sees a comment which she believes takes leather care in the wrong direction. That's very good. :)
 
duke4ever said:
I was thinking, judyb is probably in a sort of precarious situation where she needs to balance not promoting her product openly but at the same time logically not promote a competing product. I think part of the problem here is that, most of us are in the US and the sheer cost of importing the product she sells is a PITA.



So probably the best she can do is give vague leather care advice where she is sure not to point in any products general direction.



However she does seem to post when she sees a comment which she believes takes leather care in the wrong direction. That's very good. :)
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Maybe this is the time to start a distributor stateside???
 
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