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Leather Seat Care

Posted: Tue Jan 21, 2014 8:23 pm
by DangerBoy
Howsit fellow vdubbers...

The Recaro seats in my car really looks terrible. I must admit that i do not look after them very well, but the previous owner totally neglected it...

What products can i use on them to give it a good clean and protect it???

Re: Leather Seat Care

Posted: Tue Jan 21, 2014 9:26 pm
by MeanTdi
Moved to Technical: Detailing
Related Discussions...

Try searching the detailing section bud.

Re: Leather Seat Care

Posted: Tue Jan 21, 2014 9:29 pm
by N3mo
Auto finesse hide cleanse and conditioner
MOTHERS Leather Tech
MOTHER Reflections Leather Care

Re: Leather Seat Care

Posted: Tue Jan 21, 2014 9:36 pm
by MeanTdi

Re: Leather Seat Care

Posted: Wed Jan 22, 2014 7:08 am
by DangerBoy
Thanks Gents..... :hug:

Re: Leather Seat Care

Posted: Wed Jan 22, 2014 8:23 am
by lawrence
My opinion is that there are a multitude of leather cleaners out there, some of which work really well, and some that don't work at all. Kyle has been having great success with BMW Leather Cleaner, and I know Nemo is enjoying the Mothers stuff.

I have been using APC (correctly diluted) + a soft bristled brush for agitation, for many years with much success, for cleaning. It works out a lot cheaper and negates the need for another product sitting my shelf.

For conditioning (to replace any lost oils etc during cleaning, and to provide some protection) again there are many options.

Smartwax Smartleather has been my go-to for some time - it works and really does smell like leather. Availability is an issue though.
I have recently started using GlossWorx and am enjoying it so far. Also got a fairly decent leathery smell.
Cyclo Leather tone dries a bit patchy in my opinion and I do not like the smell (a little fruity)
Meguiars Gold Class is also a good product and readily available.

One also has to know what type of leather you are working on. The modern 'coated' leather is a whole bunch different from real actual leather hide, which requires a whole different system of cleaning/conditioning.

Re: Leather Seat Care

Posted: Wed Jan 22, 2014 8:29 am
by Kyle
N3mo wrote:Auto finesse hide cleanse and conditioner
MOTHERS Leather Tech
MOTHER Reflections Leather Care
Really find this product not up to the job of heavy cleaning, As Lawrence said, I have been using BMW leather cleaner exclusively.

@ R130 for a large can its well worth it, my goto cleaner :thumbup:

EDIT:

Heres a comparison between AF hide and BMW cleaner, the top part was cleaned using the af cleaner, and lower part using BMW cleaner.

Image

Re: Leather Seat Care

Posted: Wed Jan 22, 2014 8:34 am
by JVA
I have read some good reviews on this product:
Haven't use it myself so cant really comment, anyone here tried it before?
Image

Re: Leather Seat Care

Posted: Wed Jan 22, 2014 8:35 am
by lawrence
JohanGP wrote:I have read some good reviews on this product:
Haven't use it myself so cant really comment, anyone here tried it before?
Image
Can't see pic at work - what is it?

Re: Leather Seat Care

Posted: Wed Jan 22, 2014 8:38 am
by Kyle
lawrence wrote:
JohanGP wrote:I have read some good reviews on this product:
Haven't use it myself so cant really comment, anyone here tried it before?
Can't see pic at work - what is it?
Turtle wax, cleaner and conditioner.

@Johan, you need to clean leather with a separate cleaner before conditioning. so you dont just rub the dirt back in.

I use the cleaner I mentioned above, then wipe it off using warm water and a MF cloth.

Re: Leather Seat Care

Posted: Wed Jan 22, 2014 9:14 am
by N3mo
I use mother's leather tech system only now.

been really happy with it so far, cleans dark leather well.

you could always try the Chinese hot towel trick to clean leather.

right hand side cleaned and treated with Mother's leather tech

Image

Re: Leather Seat Care

Posted: Wed Jan 22, 2014 9:27 am
by Kyle
N3mo wrote:I use mother's leather tech system only now.

been really happy with it so far, cleans dark leather well.

you could always try the Chinese hot towel trick to clean leather.

right hand side cleaned and treated with Mother's leather tech

Image
Nice

Re: Leather Seat Care

Posted: Wed Jan 22, 2014 9:38 am
by DangerBoy
Thanks for the advice guys. Problem is with mine, looks like a whole bunch of creases in the leather and dirty, so i think a good clean first and then a treatment

Re: Leather Seat Care

Posted: Wed Jan 22, 2014 9:40 am
by lawrence
Dangerboy wrote:Thanks for the advice guys. Problem is with mine, looks like a whole bunch of creases in the leather and dirty, so i think a good clean first and then a treatment
If you use a soft bristled brush (think of a shoes brush) and GENTLY work the cleaner into those cracks, you should be able to release a lot of the dirt and make them less noticeable.

Conditioning will also help to soften the leather and make it more pliable

Re: Leather Seat Care

Posted: Wed Jan 22, 2014 9:52 am
by DangerBoy
Thanks Lawrence, will test it out soon