Z10 vs. Sonus Leather Conditioner

[Saintlysins]

I clean with Zymol Leather Cleaner (which says also adds some protection if I recall, just too lazy to go out and look right now … sorry). After cleaning, I’ll wait about an hour for the product to gas-off and completely dry. Then follow up with “Smart-Leather Conditionerâ€�.

It takes well to any leather, visibly reducing stress wrinkles and cracks, bring back a nice finish to the leather. A light (cotton) wipe down just before use for any residual residue and I’m always astonished at how well it looks and feels.

It doesn’t have much of a smell/odor, but at the same time, my sniffer is a little weak. This works for me quite well.

 

[Bert]

Well stay away from leatherique, leathermaster and connelly hide treatment then (what i consider the best leather care in the business) because your nose will not recognize the scent of those fabulous world renowned products.

Brian, are all three of these leather conditioners or is a leather cleaner or two mixed in there? I am pretty sure Leatherique is a conditioner. Not sure about Leather Master or Connelly.

 

[Deanski]

The old version of Zymol Treat was one of the top leather conditioners, but they reformulated it, so it's just not the same. That had just the right amount of conditioner and had a unique way of giving off leathers natural odor. Sonus has the same effect, but smells terrible out of the bottle, but once on leather, a very unique thing happens. It's as if the leather starts to release the original odor from when new. And let me tell you, Porsche leather has a very distinct odor. Go to a dealer and sit in one and you'll know right away about what I'm trying to explain. Not your adverage leather odor. Same can be said for English cars, those have a very pungent odor of leather.



All cleaning of leather should be given the time for the leather to become fully dry before treatment. All too often, people make the mistake of cleaning/conditioning in a short time frame. Once fully dry, and leather conditioner is applied, that too needs a bit of time to fully cure into the leather. If you give it the time needed, leather skins will become more resistant to stains and "butt shine". You don't want to transfer the conditioner to your pants now do you? Nor do you want any dirt from pants or other items to get back on the leather, or worse, a dye transfer from whatever you're wearing.



Having full leather in the Porsche does pose a challenge in maintenance. The dash, door skins are all leather. It takes a long time to fully clean, then treat, but once done, it's ready for travel. I also use a sun shield to protect the dash area whenever parked for a duration.



Just learn to take the time, use a good mild cleaner and conditioner and you're good. Don't waste money or possibly ruin leather by using the wrong products on todays coated leather.



Each leather conditioner has it's place, it's knowing which one to use.



Regards,

Deanski

 

[baseballlover1]

Boy i guess this is def. a plus about trying out and being wise about all the products. I think i may try leatherique on my 77 911 and keep it for those high end cars that may appear at my door hopefully.



Now i understand what you mean about the odors of Brand Spanking new porsche (and british cars) but im not exactly sure what cleaner and conditioner to use on them to reinstate that amazing smell.



Just talking about the smells of leather makes me wanna go detail and save for a new car. lol

 

[Deanski]

New Porsche: Sonus seems to be the closest thing. Besides, David B is a Porsche owner as well.



British leather: Leatherique to bring it back from splitting. Both products from Leatherique work very very well. Their dyes can be made to match anything! Hide Food has been changed, prior it had a very strong kerosene odor. Leathermaster also works well on untreated older leathers. Newer "Brit" cars now have coated leather, except for a few high-end ones that refuse to go that route and still use the same tanners they've been using for years.



A good source: Go to a junk yard and just get a leather skin to try several products. I do this with fenders and hoods with polishes before they touch a known good finish so I know how a polish will react, break down, pad choice etc.



I haven't touched a new "Brit" car in sometime now, just an old Austin Healy years ago where the seats were so bad. Leatherique really made a difference, BIG difference!



Deanski

 

[TGates]

Z-10, Sonus, and Adam's, and Griot's Leather Care are my favorites.



Z-10 is my favorite on smooth, non-perforated, non-grainy leather.

Sonus is my favorite for grainy, textured leather.

Adam's and Griot's are my favorites for misc. leather parts around the house and car. Griot's has some cleaners in it.

 

[NOVALEE]

When you say the z10 smells like auto expressions new car scent, are you referring to their current formula or the old formula from about 1 1/2 to 2 yrs ago??? Thanks!

i have been using sonus leather conditioner for about 4 months now. I really like this stuff. It makes the leather really soft and brings back that new car/leather scent. I decided to order z10 to see what all the fuzz is about and i tried it today. It has a very strong scent, but i did not find it very pleasant, and imo, it does not come anywhere close to the new leather scent; instead, it smells a lot like the auto air freshener spray by auto expression ("new car" scent), which is not very pleasant. In addition, z10 left the leather looking and feeling a bit more dry than when i use sonus, which imo, adds more moisture. I will be wiping my seats tomorrow and reapplying sonus. On sunday i will be trying z8 on top of ultima pgp. I will post the pics, i am expecting some amazing results, as my car already looks great with the ultima pgp.