New Car Leather Care?

[joe41281]

I have a new Sonata with leather and wanted to know the best products to use and how often I should apply a conditioner?

[andytsang]

Re: New Car Leather Care?

Welcome to MOL.

I would recommend Gold Class Leather Cleaner & Conditioner. If you find it a bit glossy for your taste, you could do a final wipe with clean microfiber towel. You may also maintain the leather with Quik Interior Detailer. QID is very versatile which can be use on most interior surface.

[Murr1525]

Re: New Car Leather Care?

Even just the spray version used regularly should be ok.

And then if you had some APC around, it could be used for stronger cleaning every so often.

[Blueline]

Re: New Car Leather Care?

As it says in the owner's manual, all you need is a mild soap and water. (Diluted APC) It is vinyl coated leather, so nothing you put on it will be absorbed, and that is why auto manufacturer do not recommend anything. If they did, it would be their own product, and they don't make one for leather. Og course, if you will to make you car smell nice, then go ahead and use a conditioner. Wipe it on and wipe it off,,,seems a waste to me.

[mav]

Re: New Car Leather Care?

i bought the GC Leather Cleaner/Conditioner as well for my Elantra nappa leather. Have applied it and found that it give a nice gloss to the seats. However, i think it a bit greasy. Had to use a microfibre for a final wipe. I was wondering if i can use this for the leather steering wheel as well.

[TOGWT]

Re: New Car Leather Care?

As it says in the owner's manual, all you need is a mild soap and water. (Diluted APC) It is vinyl coated leather, so nothing you put on it will be absorbed, and that is why auto manufacturer do not recommend anything. If they did, it would be their own product, and they don't make one for leather. Og course, if you will to make you car smell nice, then go ahead and use a conditioner. Wipe it on and wipe it off,,,seems a waste to me.

Agreed...

[jfelbab]

Re: New Car Leather Care?

I'd suggest using a leather protectant on leather, especially lighter colored leather, to avoid dye transfer and stains. Most conditioners don't offer any protection from this, IME. Meguiar's now has a leather protecter product coming to market, BTW.

Steps I'd recommend:
Cleaning every two to three months depending on your environment.
•Vacuum any loose dirt.
•Gently clean the leather with a mild detergent and a soft foam pad.
•Wipe down the leather with a wrung-out cotton towel to remove all traces of the detergent after this cleaning.
•Seal your leather with a leather protectant after cleaning and the leather is dry.

Maintenance every week or two.
•Vacuum up any loose dirt.
•Wipe down the leather with a wrung-out cotton towel and wipe dry.

These simple steps will keep your leather looking like new for many years.

[Escape Artist]

Re: New Car Leather Care?

Lets say you are a product junky and you have a brand new car you got to spray on something because - well you have to - but its really hard to tell where the real leather ends and the vinyl begins - what would be your recommendation.(i'm already in therapy).

[jfelbab]

Re: New Car Leather Care?

Lets say you are a product junky and you have a brand new car you got to spray on something because - well you have to - but its really hard to tell where the real leather ends and the vinyl begins - what would be your recommendation.(i'm already in therapy).

I'd use Meguiar's Quik Interior Detailer weekly. You can use this on leather, vinyl plastic and even NAV screens. It does offer some UV protection in the process. I'd also suggest applying a leather protector as soon as you can, especially if your leather is light colored.

[Escape Artist]

Re: New Car Leather Care?

I'd use Meguiar's Quik Interior Detailer weekly. You can use this on leather, vinyl plastic and even NAV screens. It does offer some UV protection in the process. I'd also suggest applying a leather protector as soon as you can, especially if your leather is light colored.

Thanx jfelbab
Leather and vinyl a gorgeous dark chocolate - so this sounds like a good choice also I believe I have a bottle from a sale last year -never used it - so this is a pleasant suprise.(half blind labels are difficult to read).

[Slats]

Re: New Car Leather Care?

Lets say you are a product junky and you have a brand new car you got to spray on something because - well you have to - but its really hard to tell where the real leather ends and the vinyl begins - what would be your recommendation.(i'm already in therapy).

Don't forget that the backs and probably the sides of your seats are vinyl, not leather. In all but really high end vehicles this is the case. If you look closely at the grain and feel for differences you can tell. I use #40 for the vinyl portions and then something designated for leather on the rest.

[jfelbab]

Re: New Car Leather Care?

Don't forget that the backs and probably the sides of your seats are vinyl, not leather. In all but really high end vehicles this is the case. If you look closely at the grain and feel for differences you can tell. I use #40 for the vinyl portions and then something designated for leather on the rest.

Without a doubt, Quik Interior Detailer. This is my weekly maintenance product. For full details I use Leather Masters Strong Leather Cleaner and LM Protection Cream for the leather. I use #39 and #40 for the vinyl. I'm looking forward to trying the new Meg's leather sealant.

[jfelbab]

Re: New Car Leather Care?

See my previous posts.