Woolite / Tide free

[judyb]

You are quite right. Leather should be kept clean and protected, simple as that, should only take about 20 mins.

Leatherique is a very complicated system with good marketing but actually has no proven benefits. It cannot actually clean from the inside out as it claims as this is impossible. 'Conditioning' has no proven benefit to leather and cleaning and protecting is a much quicker and more beneficial process than some of the systems that seem to take forever to do and seem so compicated (not to mention the expense)



Protection is actually a benefit to the leather as it protects the surface from dirt, stains and absorption of body oils (proven) and is a much quicker process then 'conditioning' so where is the probelm when it has more benefits. It also maintians the moisture balance which is most important.



The fact that it is so simple and should be done from the beginning will only help maintain the leather and help it to last longer.



I am not antagonistic just sharing our extensive experience with like minded others

 

[detaildoc]

You are quite right. Leather should be kept clean and protected, simple as that, should only take about 20 mins.

Leatherique is a very complicated system with good marketing but actually has no proven benefits. It cannot actually clean from the inside out as it claims as this is impossible. 'Conditioning' has no proven benefit to leather and cleaning and protecting is a much quicker and more beneficial process than some of the systems that seem to take forever to do and seem so compicated (not to mention the expense)



Protection is actually a benefit to the leather as it protects the surface from dirt, stains and absorption of body oils (proven) and is a much quicker process then 'conditioning' so where is the probelm when it has more benefits. It also maintians the moisture balance which is most important.



The fact that it is so simple and should be done from the beginning will only help maintain the leather and help it to last longer.



I am not antagonistic just sharing our extensive experience with like minded others

So, recommend for us some products that are leather "protectors." What about Zaino, Sonus, Leathermaster, etc..?

 

[judyb]

Leather Master is a good protector whether it is the Scandinavian version or the Italian. The most effective product on the market is produced by Camiel Chemie in Holland and distributed in the Uk and USA by LTT.

 

[detaildoc]

Leather Master is a good protector whether it is the Scandinavian version or the Italian. The most effective product on the market is produced by Camiel Chemie in Holland and distributed in the Uk and USA by LTT.

You mentioned that leather conditioning does not have a proven benefit to leather. However, after conditioning the leather, I find it a lot softer, which to me is a benefit (maybe not for the leather, but certainly for the driver), so I would not get rid of that process. So, how would one use a protector. Do you clean first, then condition, then protect? What should be the order? What is LTT?

 

[Scottwax]

Leather Master is a good protector whether it is the Scandinavian version or the Italian. The most effective product on the market is produced by Camiel Chemie in Holland and distributed in the Uk and USA by LTT.

I have used Leather Master's Leather Vital and it is an excellent product, especially for neglected leather.

 

[judyb]

The only reason that you can feel the leather is softer is down to the oils in the 'coditioner' which will have a 'feel' benefit. This is usually short lived and will leave residues on the surface which will continue to attract dirt. If you use a water based cleaner and protector you should get the same benefit as the moisture will swell the fibres and give the same feel factor.



If you insist on 'conditioning' it would not matter which order you did it in if you use products that interact with each other but this may be a problem if you are using a mixture of products. A protector will do all the 'conditioning' a leather needs so you are adding a process that is not required and if you are a professional detailer adding a cost that is not necessary.

 

[Chris@Optimum]

You are quite right. Leather should be kept clean and protected, simple as that, should only take about 20 mins.



Protection is actually a benefit to the leather as it protects the surface from dirt, stains and absorption of body oils (proven) and is a much quicker process ...

I believe I'll agree with you but here's my problem: I have never used a product on leather that I believed did what it said. The ones that repleanish oils just sit on the surface and come off on your clothes and the conditioners don't do as well at cleaning as Woolite and water. So I choose (based on experience not science) to just give a clean surface with a light conditiner wipe down. Maybe you have a different result from better products? Could you share your process or direct me to a previous post that contains this info. Also, would you mind telling me your experience with a protectant that absorbes into the material instead of what I described above?



TIA