New leather care

[Outbacker]

My truck is in the upholstery shop as I type this getting Katzkin leather seat covers installed, and this got me to thinking about caring for the leather. I have never had leather seats before and I am quite excited about it. I looked at the various Meguires products, but which ones do I need? I want to keep the leather supple and soft, while protecting it from drying out from the sun, and from stains. What is the best stuff to use, and how often should it be applied?
Any other suggestions to take care of it would be appreciated. Thanks.

[Markus Kleis]

Re: New leather care

Welcome to MOL Outbacker!

I personally have fallen in love with the Detailer line version of a combined Leather Cleaned and Leather Treatment. I believe it is called D-180.

It cleans well, and leaves a great protective layer to keep the leather soft and avoid cracking in my experience.

As for other tips, I have heard that hot water on a rag or even steam is a good way to open the pores of the leather for better cleaning AND to allow it to absorb more leather treatment.

Mark

[J. A. Michaels]

Re: New leather care

Enjoy your new seats. On the leather seats we use to have, I used the Gold Class "rich leather and conditioner". It worked very well. It stood up to the Florida hot temps just fine. Enjoy.

[Mike Phillips]

Re: New leather care

The best thing to do is,

"Find something you like and use it often"

If you like it, then you obviously like how it applies and removes and it looks good in your eyes, if you use it often your car's leather surfaces will always look new because it's only when a surface is neglected that it goes down hill.

Other's can chime in with their recommendations here's what I use on the leather seats in our Pilot.


G10916 Gold Class Rich Leather Spray


Then instead of spraying this product directly onto the leather, instead spray and dampen a clean cloth like a folded microfiber polishing cloth or a wash rag and then use this dampened side to wipe the leather surfaces clean when needed or for regular maintenance to condition and protect.

By applying with a cloth instead of spraying the product you avoid overspray on surrounding components and areas.

By choosing a spray and applying the spray to a cloth and then using the dampened cloth to apply the product you don't use a liquid lotion type product which when most people use these types of product they end up getting too much into the seams, stitches and perforated holes because when you pour some out of the bottle you have a pile of lotion type product on usually an applicator pad or a cloth and it's just too easy to take this and apply it to you see in one huge pile and that's when it starts to load up the seams, stitches and perforated holes.

Cleaning leather once a month is a good plan and focus on any areas where your skin touches because your skin emits sweat which is water, salt, acid, and oils. These things then attract dirt and you end up with stained leather.

Hope that helps...

[Mike Phillips]

Re: New leather care

Lots of helpful information in the "Information Station" like these two forum groups and the List 'O Links thread.
Hot Topics
How To Articles


The below article was taken from the How To Articles forum.

How To Apply Interior Dressings

[Sal329]

Re: New leather care

Gold class leather cleaner/conditoner or the gold class with Aloe condtioner and clean the seats with a damp MF towel.

[livingwater]

Re: New leather care

I just ordered "on-line" the Mequiar's Gold class leather cleaner/conditioner for my 2009 corvette seats. I purchased the wipes type and tried it on my wife's older volvo seats. The product clean the seats very well however it made the cracks stand out more. I decided not to use it in the Corvette so I'm hoping that the spray will do an awesome job in the vette instead.

[miahjohn]

Re: New leather care

Enjoy your new seats. On the leather seats we use to have, I used the Gold Class "rich leather and conditioner". It worked very well. It stood up to the Florida hot temps just fine. Enjoy.

i agree this stuff is really good. takes a while to work in but worth the time.

[sudsbyhubbs]

Re: New leather care

If I'm at home doing my own car's leather, I put my Detailer line cleaner in the microwave for a few seconds then apply it. I think it makes a little difference in getting into the pores.