Basic Leather Care Instructions?

[megan1031]

We have a 2006 Z71 Tahoe, and I'm interested in learning some good, basic maintenance to take care of the seats. With time, they've started their natural wear-n-tear and I would like to try and keep up a good appearance (as we plan to have this car for a while).

My husband travels a lot for work, so I'll be the one tending to the vehicle.

There is a bit of denim dye on the seat (think from my jeans), and I *guess* basic cracking on the seats, as well

Would love to give the leather a good clean and deep conditioning treatment.

Any good tips and product recs?

Thanks!

[Murr1525]

Re: Basic Leather Care Instructions?

The best would be the 2-step Leather Cleaner and Conditioner.

Apply the cleaner with a terry cloth, working it in. Wipe off. Then same with the conditioner, though I would let it sit 5-10 minutes, then wipe off.

The Gold Class Cleaner/Conditioner is good for more generasl use, just work the product in, let it sit, then wipe off excess. I like the gel and cream forms, dont find the wipes or spray to be as usefull.

Can do one of those steps every month if you want.

[Rcktsled]

Re: Basic Leather Care Instructions?

Please correct me if I am wrong, but doesn't GM use vinyl-coated leather? All of the Japanese car companies have been using it for many years.

My point is this: if it is vinyl-coated, anything beyond cleaning is a waste of time and effort. The conditioners won't penetrate the coating.

[Mary S]

Re: Basic Leather Care Instructions?

We were talking about this in a different thread the other day. Most leathers do have a polyurethane coating, but the leather underneath you still need to protect it from drying out. I think as I understand it is the water based products are the only ones that can penetrate through the urethane pores. So the 2-step cleaner is really a gentle pH-balanced cleaner and the conditioning step is more of a protectant step to protect the leather and its surface from the UV rays, and prevent further damage/cracking, similar to the way vinyls are protected.

I am not sure which Meguiars leather products do this or whether the vinyl/rubber cleaners and dressings/protectants are more appropriate for preserving the coated leather and keeping it from cracking.

[Murr1525]

Re: Basic Leather Care Instructions?

The leather products are also safe to use on vinyl, so some of that overlap may come into play there, as far as coated or uncoated, what the coating allows through, etc.

But dont want vinyl only products on leather.

[Mary S]

Re: Basic Leather Care Instructions?

It looks like Gold Class Rich Leather Aloe Cleaner and Gold Class Rich Leather Aloe Conditioner are the only 2-step cleaner/conditioners Meguiar's has, unless I missed something. I will try to track some down.

The Quick Interior Detailer says it works for both leather and vinyl, and I finally tried that product (it had been sitting in my garage for months). I really like how it looks.

[Murr1525]

Re: Basic Leather Care Instructions?

It looks like Gold Class Rich Leather Aloe Cleaner and Gold Class Rich Leather Aloe Conditioner are the only 2-step cleaner/conditioners Meguiar's has,

Yes.

[CSI K-9]

Re: Basic Leather Care Instructions?

We have a 2006 Z71 Tahoe

Me too, and I had a 2003 Z71 before that!

My regimen is to use the Gold Class lotion or gel once a month and wipedown weekly with the wipes, or as needed if they get dirty.

My 2003 had some cracking on the front seat from lack of care from the original owner. I found that using the lotion and wipes dramatically slowed down the deterioration of the seat for the next 4 years that I had the truck.

If the leather cleaner/conditioner doesn't work, maybe give some lightly diluted APC a try on the denim dye.

Enjoy your truck!

[TOGWT]

Re: Basic Leather Care Instructions?

The complex tanning process of chromed tanned hides results in the fat liquoring and oils necessary to maintain the hides rip resistance, tensile strength, elasticity and compressibility locked in, it then has a pigmentation coating (a water-based paint) to ensure a uniform colour. By-cast hides are further sealed by a durable urathene covering to protect the hide from abrasion from clothing as well as the dust / dirt introduced by the vehicle’s AC system.

Many leather products market themselves on how they feed or condition leather. In fact your car's leather seats are first coated with a very fine emulsion (pigmentation) to give them the desired colour and then a clear urethane coating. So for best longevity you should be keeping that coating clean, hydrated and as well protected as possible.