How to stop leather wrinkling/cracking ?

[Blueline]

I actually emailed Lexol the other day, and they responded, stating that they no longer recommend Lexol for coated leather like mine because it has no effect.
Straight from the horse's mouth.

I could not agree more. Coated leather does not absorb ANYTHING. Keeping it clean with Woolite and kept in the shade (as you say in your other post) is about all you can do. Of course the beach towel on the seat another good trick. Conditioners only purpose is to make the interior smell nice (like leather mostly)

[Michael Stoops]

Coated leather does not absorb ANYTHING.

Sorry, but this just isn't correct. Quite the contrary, these highly engineered coatings are highly porous and very elastic. They are engineered to behave as close to leather as possible, otherwise there would be no reason whatsoever to even consider using real leather in a car. What would be the point of using such a premium material if you were to then just lacquer over it and totally change the surface characteristics of the material? It would be so much cheaper to just highly mimic the texture with a quality vinyl and call it a day. It's not like the lacquer coating applied over fine woods on high end luxury cars like Rolls and Bentley - that coating is there to protect and even enhance the natural beauty of the wood. The coating on automotive leather is there to protect the leather, yes, but it is also designed to mimic all characteristics of the underlying leather as closely as possible. That includes porosity. If these coatings were totally impermeable then products like Leatherique would be useless as well, yet Leatherique does an incredible job of rejuvenating badly dried out leather seating.

[jfelbab]

I don't know Mike, I've done several tests where I put a drops of water on protected leather and left it for a day and it was still there the next day. I can't see how a thick, oily, conditioner, especially one that has a much larger molecule size than H20 has a chance of penetrating that coating. I'd really like to hear the scientific explanation from a chemist on how this is possible.

I'm of the opinion that these conditioners sit on the coating and if anything does get absorbed it is the water content of the conditioner and that would be through increased relative humidity in the proximity of the leather. I've not personally seen any evidence that conditioners actually condition protected leather. Do you think you could bring this issue to one of your chemists and ask if he can explain it in terms the we can understand. I just don't see conditioners doing much for protected leather.

Protective coating is applied to split leather hides for several reasons.
1. to prevent staining and water damage
2. to make a split leather hide look like top grain leather
3. to provide a uniform color and texture to the split hide
4. to hide natural leather imperfections, and scars.
5. to provide resistance to wear
6. to resist fading

Protection is applied to the leather so that it will NOT readily absorb water, oils, stains, grease, or other harmful spills. It is there to prevent damage from these things coming in contact with the leather. Protected leather is nearly impervious to these things, as opposed to non-coated leather, and that's by design.

I'd seriously like to see some scientific explanation of how and why my view is inaccurate.

As to conditioners improving dried out leather. Well I believe the thing that is improving these leathers is hydration. Hydration occurs from an elevated moisture level in close proximity to the leather. Leather likely absorbs more moisture through the back side than the top side. Moisture is the lifeblood of leather and the elevated humidity level in the vicinity of the leather is what restores the softness and suppleness of leather I don't for a minute think any oils or waxes penetrate that topcoat.

Leather is severely stressed in automotive use. It sees temperatures from below zero to over 150 degrees F. When it gets hot it loses moisture. When it dries out it shrinks and when it re-hydrates the fibers swell and return to normal. This process causes wrinkles, creases and after a while cracks in the topcoat.

[Michael Stoops]

Do you think you could bring this issue to one of your chemists and ask if he can explain it in terms the we can understand.

I have, and what I posted above is what he was telling me.

As for Leatherique, it's applied to the top surface, the coated surface, of badly dried out automotive leather and it will bring it back to a soft and supple texture.

[Jossy92]

If you've ever seen the product Leatherique

Always respect it when you "help" rather than push a product.

Leatherique is recommended for vinyl:

PRESTINE CLEAN-Absolutely the best cleaner available for all fine leather....... This product is also an excellent cleaner and conditioner for vinyl and rubber. Use Prestine Clean every time you wash your car.

AND rubber bumpers.

[ARCStig]

This Leatherique sounds to be exactly what I need! I have gone through 1 spray bottle of Meguiar's Leather conditioner, and 2 bottles of the Cleaner & Conditioner...gel/goo which they both clean and work great on the good leather I have, but the top corners of my front seats, and the top of my back seat is all rough and wrinkled and dryed up, and no amount of conditioner seems to be working. Where could I get me some of this Leatherique?

[Blueline]

Simple, keep it clean.

leather furniture Miami

Absolutely agree, and avoid heat and the sun as much as possible, is about all one can do. All these auto leather conditioners are just a waste of time and money in my opinion. Their use stems from using leather conditioners on "uncoated" leather, such as my horse tack, which gets dirty from normal riding and horse sweat. Conditioners are must for uncoated leather. Even the car manufactures do not recommend "leather conditioners". The only purpose I can see for auto leather conditioners, is to make the car smell good (like leather) and of course to increase product lines.

[Wilhelm]

In an undated article the makers of 303 Aerospace Protectant basically say they confirmed with the "Technical Director" of Lexol that "coated leather" should be maintained just like vinyl. The article also suggests that information is available on the Lexol website. A research professional would not accept the statement and conclusions as authoritative, but they are interesting and quite plausible.

If that information is indeed available on the Lexol website, I was unable to find it. But it is interesting to note that Lexol no longer appears to have any of the traditional Lexol leather care products in the "Auto Care" section of their website. This could be for a number of reasons, but I'm going to guess that it does not seem likely than any manufacturer would concede their leather care products are ineffective on modern auto leather upholstery without a very good reason, given the effect such information would have on their profits.

Wish I knew what the real reason is. The information regarding whether or not the use of leather care products on a coated leather interior are of any value whatsoever to a consumer, as opposed to the manufacturer, seems to be lacking in verifiable facts, generally vague at best and downright misleading at worst.

Where does that leave us? Keep trying different products, including plain water, and see what works best for you generally or on a specific issue. Personally, I doubt very much any leather conditioner is going to "replenish" coated leather or make it "softer" or "more pliable." Or that the best source of truth or accuracy is always going to be the manufacturer. If all you want is your coated leather to look a little less scratched or worn, or maybe with a certain level of shine or even just smell "fresher" or more like real leather, there is probably something that will help you achieve your goal. Or at least make you feel like it has.

[TOGWT]

Posts by jfelbab (# 3 and 13) contain good information on coated leather

[Blueline]

[QUOTE=Wilhelm;507889]In an undated article the makers of 303 Aerospace Protectant basically say they confirmed with the "Technical Director" of Lexol that "coated leather" should be maintained just like vinyl. [QUOTE]

Very true...it IS vinyl.

[QUOTE]
But it is interesting to note that Lexol no longer appears to have any of the traditional Lexol leather care products in the "Auto Care" section of their website. This could be for a number of reasons, but I'm going to guess that it does not seem likely than any manufacturer would concede their leather care products are ineffective on modern auto leather upholstery without a very good reason, given the effect such information would have on their profits. [QUOTE]

Profits....you got that right.

[QUOTE]Wish I knew what the real reason is. [QUOTE]

The real reason is consumers are getting smart.

[QUOTE]The information regarding whether or not the use of leather care products on a coated leather interior are of any value whatsoever to a consumer, as opposed to the manufacturer, seems to be lacking in verifiable facts, generally vague at best and downright misleading at worst.[QUOTE]

I would go with misleading

If all you want is your coated leather to look a little less scratched or worn, or maybe with a certain level of shine or even just smell "fresher" or more like real leather, there is probably something that will help you achieve your goal. Or at least make you feel like it has.

That is the only value added, is that conditioners WILL make the vinyl coating smell nice. The other claims are false in my oinion AND experience.