Gold Class Leather Care

[James1114]

I used Meg's GC Leather Care today and was surprised when the color of the leather started to show up on my rag. I think this is called color fastness. I have a 2014 Laramie Longhorn. I only noticed this on the door handle leather (it's real leather). Doesn't seem to happen on other parts of door (also leather). Any thoughts on this? The leather is black in color. I thought this stuff was pretty gentle...but not so sure.

Thoughts?

[The Guz]

Re: Gold Class Leather Care

Are you sure it was not the dirt that was being removed and showing on your towel? It's a pretty safe product. Photos always help.

[James1114]

Re: Gold Class Leather Care

I thought that at first but then I tried it on another handle that's rarely used. Same thing happened again. I don't see any discoloration so not sure pics will help. It's definitely the color (black) coming off. I'm using a microfiber to apply. Maybe I rubbed too hard?

[The Guz]

Re: Gold Class Leather Care

My only suggestion is to contact customer service.

[Ghawk]

Re: Gold Class Leather Care

I have found the leather conditioner to be a super safe product. Without pictures we can only speculate, my best guess would it is like Guz said, dirt or grime. However if it is uncoated leather which it might be, you may experience a slight bit of color transfer.

[Top Gear]

Re: Gold Class Leather Care

I've been using GC Leather Care for about a year with absolutely no issues, on black and red leather (gosh, that sounded sexy ). The color on the rag is from the leather's dye and the dirt, which will transfer no matter what product you use, even water. Don't rub so much, and put the product on liberally. I think of it as lotion, not as a cleaner.

[James1114]

Re: Gold Class Leather Care

So I looked this morning in sunlight and it looks like the leather actually rubbed off a bit and smoothed it out on the handle. The other handles have more of a grain to them. I am starting to wonder if this handle is really leather. Top Gear, I agree that I may have been rubbing too hard on the handle.

Do you suggest using it liberally or not using it liberally? Sorry, I couldn't tell from your statement? Thank you for the input.

[James1114]

Re: Gold Class Leather Care

Just talked to the Meg's support line. Interesting call but that's another story. The guy said to stop using the product because some leathers are "sensitive." Do you all think I should clean off the leather or would you say if it's there...it's there and just leave it be?

[The Guz]

Re: Gold Class Leather Care

Do you have any photos of what your interior looks like? It is possible that the leather is sensitive and has to be treated similar to the king ranch leather found in the F150.

[James1114]

Re: Gold Class Leather Care

The Guz,

This is not my interior personally, but it is exactly what I have. It's the part with the "Ram" handle that seems to be rubbing off.

[James1114]

Re: Gold Class Leather Care

The leather to the left and right of the "Ram" grip doesn't rub off as bad, but it can if you do it hard enough (not much pressure either). The top of the door panel (also leather) does not rub off at all. Just seems to be whatever the door handle is made of that doesn't react well with the cleaner/conditioner. It looks like the product smoothed out the handle a bit (reduced the visual appearance of the grain).

[jfelbab]

Re: Gold Class Leather Care

I'd bet the applicator was the culprit not the GC. If you used a microfiber it may will have removed the protective clear coat. Some microfibers are very abrasive. It may will be that the area had more skin oils and acids left from the hands that may have acted to soften the coating too. I only use white 100% cotton toweling. White toweling lets me see that I'm removing dirt and not dye and as long as dirt is coming up to the towel I know I've not finished cleaning. I subscribe to the CHAT method of cleaning leather.
C = Chemical or detergent
H = Heat. I mix the cleaner 50/50 with mildly hot water
A = Agitation
T = Dwell Time.

I use foam applicators for the agitation. I mix the cleaner and pour some on a foam pad and squeeze it repeatedly to generate a thick foam then I clean a small area. I gently, but vigorously, agitate the cleaning solution with the foam applicator and let it dwell for a few minutes, but not dry, then finally wipe up with a white cotton towel. I inspect the towel to see if dirt is coming up onto the towel. If so, I repeat the process until the towel is coming up clean. If clean, I wipe up the area with a wrung out cotton towel to remove all traces of the chemical and wipe dry with another cotton towel.

If you are getting dye color on a towel, I'd probably have that area resprayed with a clear coat. You likely need a grain lifter to match the grain pattern as well. If left as is, I would expect the area to deteriorate rather quickly, especially if it is an area that gets handled a lot.

[davey g-force]

Re: Gold Class Leather Care

I'd almost bet that particular part you're referring to is not even real leather.

No doubt the surrounding pieces would be...

[James1114]

Re: Gold Class Leather Care

I just got home and tested an area with another well known leather cleaner/conditioner and got the same result. I agree. I'm not sure that piece is leather. Is it possible for Meg's or any leather product for that matter to remove the grain look (assuming it's leather for a moment)?

Does anyone sell a DIY leather clear coat application?

[davey g-force]

Re: Gold Class Leather Care

I'd say the "grain" was removed by normal wear & tear i.e. it became smooth due to that part always being handled.