Leather or....

[davisinla]

Now that spring is closing in, I’m starting to plan my upcoming detailing projects. As I often do, I start by coming here (I haven’t visited in a while) to see what new products I might want to try.

Since I have several vehicles with leather interiors, Ultimate Leather Balm caught my eye - but also got me thinking.

As we all know, in a leather interior, there are many pieces that are not leather. To be honest, on some of my vehicles, it’s hard for me to tell.

So my questions are:

1. If I used ULB on a piece of vinyl in error, what would the results be? (Other leather cleaner/conditioners wipe off and look just fine.)

2. Is there a sure-fire way to identify genuine leather?

[ffboy]

Re: Leather or....

It should pose no problem if one applies ULB on non-leather surfaces (eg. leatherette or vinyl).

However, I would be careful not to apply vinyl protectant (megs supreme shine, ultimate protectant, etc.) on genuine leather.

[davisinla]

Re: Leather or....

Thanks.

Yes, I always error on the side of leather.

[Bruce Almighty]

Re: Leather or....

I realise that this is an old thread, but I just want to share my similar frustration with not telling leather from vinyl in my interior.
I have a 2009 Ford Mondeo (I think similar to the Fusion in the US) XR5 Turbo, which has part leather and part vinyl seats and door trims.....well, I THINK the door trims might be leather! Anyway I too wonder which products I should be using on the surfaces that I'm not sure about. I'm surprised that this isn't a bigger issue....what does everyone do?
I took my car to an auto upholsterer and even HE couldn't tell the difference in some parts!
Yes I have been using mostly a leather treatment on everything, as the thought of using vinyl stuff on leather is a bit scary. However the vinyl bits (that I'm sure of) do come up better if I use vinyl protectant.
First world problems.....
Any suggestions would be appreciated.

[Blueline]

Re: Leather or....

Automobile leather is "finished" leather which means it has a coating similar to vinyl. Therefore "treatments" are really of no use, as nothing penetrates the vinyl like coating of the leather. Sure, it makes the vehicle smell nice, but that is all "treatments' and "conditioners" do. If it was real, unfinished leather, like horse equipment, or super high end European sports cars have, then conditioners are a must. All you have to do is read the owners manual, and every one I have read, simply states wash down your leather seats with warm water, and in some cases, used a mild soap. As for the leather in cars, it is mostly on the seat and seat back. Usually the sides, and the back facing the rear seat is vinyl, as is most door material. If you use a leather or vinyl "conditioner" is not going to make much difference which goes on what, because nothing penetrates the finished leather or the vinyl material. Can you imagine having to tape off the leather portion of your seat, so the vinyl conditioner doesn't get on the leather and visa versa? See, it really doesn't matter. But it sure smells nice. Ah, marketing. "Ya" gotta love it.