Cleaning/Detailing Car Leather

[KPSquared]

Hey guys, I know I may be getting WAY more answer than I want considering some of the Car detail geeks on here, but I'm just looking for some solid info from the people in the know.

I just picked up a 2006 Subaru Outback L.L.Bean edition. The car is already super clean but I just want to give it a good once over in the detail department to make it my own.

What products do you guys recommend for the leather, vinyl, etc.?

No AmorAll please. . .

I have used the standard stuff from Mothers, Meguires, and AutoGlym (Local place just started carrying it, so far my new favorite) but just want to know what the serious detail guys on here are using.

 

[mustanginky]

Lexol cleaner and conditioner, or leatherique is what I've heard. Rarely ever use leather cleaner but those are supposed to be good.

 

[rshadd]

Lexol Cleaner and Conditioner works well for me.

 

[stonesfan68]

4 to 1 mixture of water and Simple Green for cleaning leather and vinyl.

Leather in a Bottle or Lexol for conditioning leather.

Lexol also makes a very good vinyl cleaner called Vinylex.

 

[Jsf721]

If you want it better than new check out leatherique

 

[KPSquared]

Now I'm trying to figure out how much of the seats are real leather. I'm guessing sitting surfaces only? Even that is probably sealed with something.

Do I even need to condition the stuff if it's not open grain leather?

I won't have the car in my possession until Tuesday so I've got some time to figure stuff out.

 

[gipraw]

Lexol or Leatherique will be fine. I wouldn't recommend using simple green on the seats unless they are really dirty and then only at a highly diluted ratio. 12:1 or greater. I have seen simple green damage seat stitching and cause drying and cracking.

Water and Woolite mixed 6:1 is a good cheap leather seat cleaner.

 

[graffix000]

Lexol or leatherique.

I am a leatherique fan, but know that is takes a better part of a day to use it properly, if not two days.

 

[Matt M PA]

I prefer Zaino's leather cleaner and leather conditioner.

If it's like most car leather today (except in really hi-end cars) it's "coated leather", which means it was basically "painted". You really are only cleaning this top surface.

303 is great too.

I used Lexol for years, and when I switched to Zaino's cleaner I was amazed at how much dirt came off my leather that had been cleaned with Lexol.

I too have Leatherique and it's a great product. However, I found it most useful on older type leather where it can better penetrate the surface and do it's magic.

Most interiors have leather where your body touches...the rest is usually vinyl. You can usually treat this vinyl with anything you put on the leather.

 

[Eslader]

Vote for Leatherique here. As for what's vinyl and what's leather, the rule of thumb for factory leather unless you're in something like a Bentley is whatever touches you is leather. So, the sides and back are vinyl. Some cars take it a step further, and only the center inserts are leather while the bolsters are vinyl. Some reverse that (usually those are referred to as "leather-trimmed" seats).

Leatherique obviously works best on leather, but you won't hurt anything putting it on vinyl It'll still clean it just fine.

 

[Todd.Brock]

I just bought some griot's interior cleaner that is good for leather. I will still use Lexol to condition the leather

 

[MacTexas]

Another vote for Zaino leather cleaner.

 

[KPSquared]

So, if all the leather is either sealed or vinyl, why condition it at all? If it's sealed, none of the conditioner is getting in anyways. Why not just clean it?

Is this just detailing companies selling you products you don't need?

I know a King Ranch is real leather that absorbs anything you put on it. My Mazda and my Jeep and now my Subaru don't absorb anything. It just sits there until it dries or you wipe it off.

I think I'm going to do some more research. Conditioning leather that can't be conditioned seems silly.

Sent from my SGH-I747M using Tapatalk 2

 

[Matt M PA]

My understanding is that most cars use coated leather as most car owners don't take care of the seats and this protective layer helps keep the leather in good shape.

I also understand that this layer is (to a degree) porous so some products can get into the leather. One would also assume that this would help keep this products in the leather. Plus, many of the better leather products also contain a UV guard to protect against sun damage. (My 2006 Lincoln's (70,000 miles) seats are treated with the Zaino products and still look great.)

Early King Ranch leather was leather like a baseball glove. Current King Ranch is the coated leather.

All that being said...there are those that believe the coated leather is not permeable and therefor, no benefit is given to leather treatment. I only rely on what has worked for me...

 

[KPSquared]

This is all great info guys.

I think I'll assume the treated leather can absorb some ammount of the conditioner and will benefit from the UV Protection.

I have enought AutoGlym Leather Cleaner and Leather Care Balm that I think I'll try that until I run out. Then maybe make the switch to one of the brands reccomended here. None of the stuff mentioned is very easy to get ahold of in my town. Have to order it or head into the city.

 

[litljay]

Adam's also makes a pretty good leather cleaner.