So I know that over 90% of leather used in modern cars are coated in polyurethane, and many say that the OTC conditioners don't penetrate this coating (Lexol, etc). I want to keep the leather in my Accord in great shape for a LONG time, so I have been doing some research. I found a product called Leather Love, its made by Bowden's Own which is based out of the UK. This product says that it was developed directly for coated leathers as it is water based and CAN penetrated the PU coating. It goes on to say that current leather care products like Lexol that are OIL based will DAMAGE the coating over time, and can even cause it to de-laminate from the leather itself. I say that to ask this...has anybody used a product like Lexol or any OTC oil based leather conditioner on their modern COATED leather for a long period of time and say that they don't have damage? I currently use Meguiars Gold Class leather conditioner to condition the seats but it is oil based, so I am now not sure if I want to keep using this product if it will harm the surface over time. So has anybody used these products for at least 5+ years on modern coated leather and not suffered any damage? TIA!
Modern leather care....
- Thread starter gregk24
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All leather has to have some kind've protective coating or else it would get ruined the second you sat on it. It's porous so it can "breathe". If you notice,leather won't burn you on a hot summer day but vinyl will. Imo leather is cooler in the summer that cloth,which doesn't seem to breathe at all.
I use dedicated leather conditioner religiously and my 20 year old leather is still showroom fresh. A dedicated leather conditioner will also protect and nourish the stitching as well.
My fave has always been Armor All Leather Protectant. It's cheap and works better than any other I've ever tried. Not a single crack or any wear whatsoever. Take care of your leather and it will last forever.
I use dedicated leather conditioner religiously and my 20 year old leather is still showroom fresh. A dedicated leather conditioner will also protect and nourish the stitching as well.
My fave has always been Armor All Leather Protectant. It's cheap and works better than any other I've ever tried. Not a single crack or any wear whatsoever. Take care of your leather and it will last forever.
I use leather masters protection cream for modern coated leather. The last time i used any "conditioners" was when my brother worked for La-Z-Boy and bought me a high end non coated leather recliner.
I don't recommend any conditioner for any of my customers that have modern coated leather. Clean and protect is the word of the game.
I don't recommend any conditioner for any of my customers that have modern coated leather. Clean and protect is the word of the game.
Originally Posted By: FastEddie
I use leather masters protection cream for modern coated leather. The last time i used any "conditioners" was when my brother worked for La-Z-Boy and bought me a high end non coated leather recliner.
I don't recommend any conditioner for any of my customers that have modern coated leather. Clean and protect is the word of the game.
Hmmm...looked this up, seems to have good reviews. So you use this on modern vinyl coated leather car seats?
I use leather masters protection cream for modern coated leather. The last time i used any "conditioners" was when my brother worked for La-Z-Boy and bought me a high end non coated leather recliner.
I don't recommend any conditioner for any of my customers that have modern coated leather. Clean and protect is the word of the game.
Hmmm...looked this up, seems to have good reviews. So you use this on modern vinyl coated leather car seats?
I've used Lexol leather conditioner (and cleaner) on my '02 Accord. The driver's seat is cracked pretty bad but the other seats look good especially the back seats since for the longest time no one used them. The seat with the most use has cracked first.
All automotive leathers are tanned specifically for the harsh conditions they endure in a car interior....heat, cold, humidity. If they can stand up to that, 1) There's not much benefit in using anything, and 2) Whatever you use certainly isn't as harsh as those conditions. Anyone who says otherwise, doesn't know what they're talking about..and any cracking or fading etc., experienced over time is just the leather..it;s dead skin, after all...just degrading.
That said, leather needs periodic cleaning, and the best stuff for that is good 'ol saddle soap. It's safe, gentle, cheap. If you want to "Protect" or "Preserve", use "Leather Honey" once a year and you're good.
Lexol as a one step is fine, too. It won't "Damage" anything.
That said, leather needs periodic cleaning, and the best stuff for that is good 'ol saddle soap. It's safe, gentle, cheap. If you want to "Protect" or "Preserve", use "Leather Honey" once a year and you're good.
Lexol as a one step is fine, too. It won't "Damage" anything.
JHZR2
Staff member
This sort of stuff is so seldomly used that even five years isn't a sufficient timeframe.
I'm generally a believer in bowden's claims, but the product cannot be found in the USA. I think that as long as alcohols and silicones are avoided, you're ok..
I'm generally a believer in bowden's claims, but the product cannot be found in the USA. I think that as long as alcohols and silicones are avoided, you're ok..
Originally Posted By: gregk24
Originally Posted By: FastEddie
I use leather masters protection cream for modern coated leather. The last time i used any "conditioners" was when my brother worked for La-Z-Boy and bought me a high end non coated leather recliner.
I don't recommend any conditioner for any of my customers that have modern coated leather. Clean and protect is the word of the game.
Hmmm...looked this up, seems to have good reviews. So you use this on modern vinyl coated leather car seats?
Yup, I learned about this stuff a long, long time ago from a fellow professional detailer. I don't use any harsh soaps and/or nasty greasy conditions on modern leather. Light cleaners and some form of protectant is all that is needed.
Originally Posted By: FastEddie
I use leather masters protection cream for modern coated leather. The last time i used any "conditioners" was when my brother worked for La-Z-Boy and bought me a high end non coated leather recliner.
I don't recommend any conditioner for any of my customers that have modern coated leather. Clean and protect is the word of the game.
Hmmm...looked this up, seems to have good reviews. So you use this on modern vinyl coated leather car seats?
Yup, I learned about this stuff a long, long time ago from a fellow professional detailer. I don't use any harsh soaps and/or nasty greasy conditions on modern leather. Light cleaners and some form of protectant is all that is needed.
I have used quite a few leather cleaners, the shelf brands Megs, Mothers, Turtle Wax. Mercedes Benz own product, all three Lexols, Tanners. All the products are very thick and do not seem to penetrate and nourish beyond the surface. Some even have coloring in them and dry white. Have fun getting that out of your perforated leather seats (happened to a friend of mine, imagine a tooth pick and about 4 hours of your time)
This is by the far the best penetrating conditioner/cleaner kit I've used. I bought two big bottles and I am coming up on needing to replace them but they have served me very very well. Leather soaks it up like a sponge. I'm not 100% sure what it is made of but it is smells pleasant and if you spill or get some on your seat inserts (if you have them) there is no staining.
http://www.leatherique.com/products.html
I even used it on a classic red leather couch that I inherited.
This is by the far the best penetrating conditioner/cleaner kit I've used. I bought two big bottles and I am coming up on needing to replace them but they have served me very very well. Leather soaks it up like a sponge. I'm not 100% sure what it is made of but it is smells pleasant and if you spill or get some on your seat inserts (if you have them) there is no staining.
http://www.leatherique.com/products.html
I even used it on a classic red leather couch that I inherited.
My vote goes to Collinite vinyl and leather wax. Been using it for quite some time now with good results.
Originally Posted By: Gasbuggy
This is by the far the best penetrating conditioner/cleaner kit known to man. I bought two big bottles and I am coming up on needing to replace them but they have served me very very well.
http://www.leatherique.com/products.html
I even used it on a classic red leather couch that I inherited.
Just got done using the leatherique duo on a 1968 Ferrari that has original leather, I've used this stuff a lot before but on this car it was amazing at what it did for the old, dried out crusty original leather.
This is by the far the best penetrating conditioner/cleaner kit known to man. I bought two big bottles and I am coming up on needing to replace them but they have served me very very well.
http://www.leatherique.com/products.html
I even used it on a classic red leather couch that I inherited.
Just got done using the leatherique duo on a 1968 Ferrari that has original leather, I've used this stuff a lot before but on this car it was amazing at what it did for the old, dried out crusty original leather.
Originally Posted By: FastEddie
Originally Posted By: Gasbuggy
This is by the far the best penetrating conditioner/cleaner kit known to man. I bought two big bottles and I am coming up on needing to replace them but they have served me very very well.
http://www.leatherique.com/products.html
I even used it on a classic red leather couch that I inherited.
Just got done using the leatherique duo on a 1968 Ferrari that has original leather, I've used this stuff a lot before but on this car it was amazing at what it did for the old, dried out crusty original leather.
If you took any pics please send me one [email removed]
One hang up for people may be price but I probably spent as much buying products I didn't like. If your car has real leather it is well worth it. My CTS-V does. When it was in for recall work I had a 2015 CTS for 2 weeks, that car had cheap synthetic leather. I'm not sure what you would treat that with, seemed like a good application for Lexol.
Here is a kit link, http://www.autogeek.net/le16ozkit.html
I bought the 32 and it has lasted me years.
Originally Posted By: Gasbuggy
This is by the far the best penetrating conditioner/cleaner kit known to man. I bought two big bottles and I am coming up on needing to replace them but they have served me very very well.
http://www.leatherique.com/products.html
I even used it on a classic red leather couch that I inherited.
Just got done using the leatherique duo on a 1968 Ferrari that has original leather, I've used this stuff a lot before but on this car it was amazing at what it did for the old, dried out crusty original leather.
If you took any pics please send me one [email removed]
One hang up for people may be price but I probably spent as much buying products I didn't like. If your car has real leather it is well worth it. My CTS-V does. When it was in for recall work I had a 2015 CTS for 2 weeks, that car had cheap synthetic leather. I'm not sure what you would treat that with, seemed like a good application for Lexol.
Here is a kit link, http://www.autogeek.net/le16ozkit.html
I bought the 32 and it has lasted me years.
Last edited by a moderator:
These discussions always end up going in two tangents.
Are we talking about plastic coated leather or uncoated leather? Noey, even in your first post you recommend saddle soap (can contain oils and wax) without identifying its use on "real" uncoated leather.
It seems that vinyl cleaner is most appropriate for most car seats. Correct?
Are we talking about plastic coated leather or uncoated leather? Noey, even in your first post you recommend saddle soap (can contain oils and wax) without identifying its use on "real" uncoated leather.
It seems that vinyl cleaner is most appropriate for most car seats. Correct?
Do not rely on leather treatments to extend it's longevity. Rely on keeping it away from direct sunlight within reason. EG park in structured parking at work or next to the side of the building when it is in the shadow and use a windshield sunshade. Also if you can tinted windows help alot.
I'm not saying treatments are bad, but as soon coated leather is damaged, then it's permanent. You should still vacuum the threads and seams in cracks and wipe it down with water regularly. I do so whenever I wash the car and is it a quick swipe wipedown mainly to pick up dust/dirt. Once you get damaged leather it's not the end of the world. I recently had mine re upholstered. Cost less than $160 for all damaged torn areas. Yes, they didn't want to touch portions of the leather seats that have the airbags stitched near but I'm still beyond happy.
I'm not saying treatments are bad, but as soon coated leather is damaged, then it's permanent. You should still vacuum the threads and seams in cracks and wipe it down with water regularly. I do so whenever I wash the car and is it a quick swipe wipedown mainly to pick up dust/dirt. Once you get damaged leather it's not the end of the world. I recently had mine re upholstered. Cost less than $160 for all damaged torn areas. Yes, they didn't want to touch portions of the leather seats that have the airbags stitched near but I'm still beyond happy.
Last edited:
Originally Posted By: doitmyself
It seems that vinyl cleaner is most appropriate for most car seats. Correct?
I would take almost any vinyl cleaner over saddle soap on coated leather FWIW. I will generally use a very mild cleaner on coated leather as you can and will jack the coating up in a hurry if you use a harsh cleaner and or tools. Been there done that and seen the result from people attempting to clean their leather that went way too wrong.
It seems that vinyl cleaner is most appropriate for most car seats. Correct?
I would take almost any vinyl cleaner over saddle soap on coated leather FWIW. I will generally use a very mild cleaner on coated leather as you can and will jack the coating up in a hurry if you use a harsh cleaner and or tools. Been there done that and seen the result from people attempting to clean their leather that went way too wrong.
Originally Posted By: Noey
All automotive leathers are tanned specifically for the harsh conditions they endure in a car interior....heat, cold, humidity. If they can stand up to that, 1) There's not much benefit in using anything, and 2) Whatever you use certainly isn't as harsh as those conditions. Anyone who says otherwise, doesn't know what they're talking about..and any cracking or fading etc., experienced over time is just the leather..it;s dead skin, after all...just degrading.
That said, leather needs periodic cleaning, and the best stuff for that is good 'ol saddle soap. It's safe, gentle, cheap. If you want to "Protect" or "Preserve", use "Leather Honey" once a year and you're good.
https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/201409030...eather-cleaning
Richard Hutchins Richard Hutchins
at Leather Repair Company
Follow
Saddle Soap and Its dangers for leather cleaning
Sep 3, 201417,786 views2 Likes4 CommentsShare on LinkedInShare on FacebookShare on Twitter
Can I use saddle soap ?
We get asked a great deal can I use saddle soap on my leather jacket, car interior, leather furniture and handbags – simply put NO – here’s why.
Saddle soap is made in many different ways depending on the manufacturer, but the important factor with saddle soap is the Lye content, Lye is highly soluble in water producing caustic solutions.
Lye has many meanings and names, sodium hydroxide is one of them, caustic soda is another, its main characteristics is a solid white compound and it’s highly caustic. Just the words highly caustic should be enough to put you off using this on your beautiful leather jackets, furniture, car interior or handbags, these items require more specialist products to clean and care for leather.
Sodium hydroxide is used in many industries, mostly as a strong chemical base in the manufacture of pulp and paper, textiles, drinking water, soaps and detergents and as a drain cleaner. This alkali is deliquescent and readily absorbs moisture, moisture is what is needed in your leather items to keep them nice soft and supple. Without this they will dry up, crack, split and deteriorate much faster than using products produced for these applications.
Saddle soap and similar soft soaps are strong alkaline base with a pH of 10 or above. When treated regularly with saddle soap, leather will gradually change from its normally state to alkaline. This pH change will cause the leather to harden, darken, and weaken its structure.
The thick, fatty lather of saddle soap is difficult to rinse completely from crevices and folds, causing all types of problems and issues, turning to a horrible crusty white base and difficult to remove from such fine leather as found on leather jackets and handbags.
An accumulation of dried saddle soap in grain structure areas will cause the leather to deteriorate even faster, due to the growth of mould / mold, the accumulation of gritty dirt, and the changes in the pH.
Prior to the commercial product of today’s saddles soaps, when all saddle soaps were handmade some added pumpkin to create an orange coloured substance; others used dyes for different colours of leathers. These old remedies often included items such as beeswax, soap shavings, water and a corrosive substance called lye or caustic soda. The latter is still used as a cleaning agent today and as an ingredient in soap making Neatsfoot oil, which we can still buy today, is often a component of saddle soap and interestingly, it was originally derived from the legs and feet of cattle. Nowadays it is usually made from lard and often has soya oil or rapeseed oil added. Mink oil was another rather unsavoury component of saddle soap, derived from the oil stored beneath the skin of the mink.
Leather furniture is also manufactured in a different process to saddle leathers and again, you can’t use saddle soap on leather furniture.
The reason for this difference is saddle leather or belt leathers as some will call it, are a veg tanned process, this process allows them to be tougher and withstand the harsh conditions of outside use. Furniture leathers are manufactured using a chromium chemistry method, the difference is this provides the leather with a soft supple texture and is not as tough as any form of veg tanned leathers. Saddle leathers are normally extremely thick producing a very tough hard leather in any event.
Due to saddle soaps caustic natures this just causes the leather to dry out, imagine using harsh chemicals on your own skin for long periods of time, your skin will dry, crack, split and become infected, this is exactly what will happen to your fine leathers found in today’s cars, on leather furniture, handbags and clothing.
For the correct professional advice contact us for further details, help and guidance on leather care or email us directly [email protected]
All automotive leathers are tanned specifically for the harsh conditions they endure in a car interior....heat, cold, humidity. If they can stand up to that, 1) There's not much benefit in using anything, and 2) Whatever you use certainly isn't as harsh as those conditions. Anyone who says otherwise, doesn't know what they're talking about..and any cracking or fading etc., experienced over time is just the leather..it;s dead skin, after all...just degrading.
That said, leather needs periodic cleaning, and the best stuff for that is good 'ol saddle soap. It's safe, gentle, cheap. If you want to "Protect" or "Preserve", use "Leather Honey" once a year and you're good.
https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/201409030...eather-cleaning
Richard Hutchins Richard Hutchins
at Leather Repair Company
Follow
Saddle Soap and Its dangers for leather cleaning
Sep 3, 201417,786 views2 Likes4 CommentsShare on LinkedInShare on FacebookShare on Twitter
Can I use saddle soap ?
We get asked a great deal can I use saddle soap on my leather jacket, car interior, leather furniture and handbags – simply put NO – here’s why.
Saddle soap is made in many different ways depending on the manufacturer, but the important factor with saddle soap is the Lye content, Lye is highly soluble in water producing caustic solutions.
Lye has many meanings and names, sodium hydroxide is one of them, caustic soda is another, its main characteristics is a solid white compound and it’s highly caustic. Just the words highly caustic should be enough to put you off using this on your beautiful leather jackets, furniture, car interior or handbags, these items require more specialist products to clean and care for leather.
Sodium hydroxide is used in many industries, mostly as a strong chemical base in the manufacture of pulp and paper, textiles, drinking water, soaps and detergents and as a drain cleaner. This alkali is deliquescent and readily absorbs moisture, moisture is what is needed in your leather items to keep them nice soft and supple. Without this they will dry up, crack, split and deteriorate much faster than using products produced for these applications.
Saddle soap and similar soft soaps are strong alkaline base with a pH of 10 or above. When treated regularly with saddle soap, leather will gradually change from its normally state to alkaline. This pH change will cause the leather to harden, darken, and weaken its structure.
The thick, fatty lather of saddle soap is difficult to rinse completely from crevices and folds, causing all types of problems and issues, turning to a horrible crusty white base and difficult to remove from such fine leather as found on leather jackets and handbags.
An accumulation of dried saddle soap in grain structure areas will cause the leather to deteriorate even faster, due to the growth of mould / mold, the accumulation of gritty dirt, and the changes in the pH.
Prior to the commercial product of today’s saddles soaps, when all saddle soaps were handmade some added pumpkin to create an orange coloured substance; others used dyes for different colours of leathers. These old remedies often included items such as beeswax, soap shavings, water and a corrosive substance called lye or caustic soda. The latter is still used as a cleaning agent today and as an ingredient in soap making Neatsfoot oil, which we can still buy today, is often a component of saddle soap and interestingly, it was originally derived from the legs and feet of cattle. Nowadays it is usually made from lard and often has soya oil or rapeseed oil added. Mink oil was another rather unsavoury component of saddle soap, derived from the oil stored beneath the skin of the mink.
Leather furniture is also manufactured in a different process to saddle leathers and again, you can’t use saddle soap on leather furniture.
The reason for this difference is saddle leather or belt leathers as some will call it, are a veg tanned process, this process allows them to be tougher and withstand the harsh conditions of outside use. Furniture leathers are manufactured using a chromium chemistry method, the difference is this provides the leather with a soft supple texture and is not as tough as any form of veg tanned leathers. Saddle leathers are normally extremely thick producing a very tough hard leather in any event.
Due to saddle soaps caustic natures this just causes the leather to dry out, imagine using harsh chemicals on your own skin for long periods of time, your skin will dry, crack, split and become infected, this is exactly what will happen to your fine leathers found in today’s cars, on leather furniture, handbags and clothing.
For the correct professional advice contact us for further details, help and guidance on leather care or email us directly [email protected]
hmmm, the Standard Cadillac CTS Sport Wagon was listed as having Leatherette (synthetic leather - vinyl) seats and the Luxury upped the ante to real Leather...
I have seen some Mercedes and BMW cars with "leatherette" (they may have changed the name to some proprietary name like MBTex)...it is vinyl albeit nicer than I remember on GM cars in the 1970's...
I also know that many cars started years ago calling their interiors, leather seating areas as the surrounds may be vinyl...
I think that's what Fast Eddie was getting at...using leather cleaner or preservative on vinyl will be messy...using those same cleaners and preservatives on leather from cheap to nice will net you better results...
Bill
I have seen some Mercedes and BMW cars with "leatherette" (they may have changed the name to some proprietary name like MBTex)...it is vinyl albeit nicer than I remember on GM cars in the 1970's...
I also know that many cars started years ago calling their interiors, leather seating areas as the surrounds may be vinyl...
I think that's what Fast Eddie was getting at...using leather cleaner or preservative on vinyl will be messy...using those same cleaners and preservatives on leather from cheap to nice will net you better results...
Bill
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