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imported_DetailDan
06-15-2008, 02:33 AM
I was reading another thread about leather conditioners and there was some discussion about how they absorb, or don`t absorb into leather. It was suggested that they actually just evaporate. I wasn`t too sure I believed this, but as I was reading it I thought of a short experiment to test this. Heres what happened....




First, I grabbed a piece of glass and cleaned it with alcohol. Then applied a drop of Pinnacle Leather Conditioner

http://www.mustangmods.com/ims/u/1301/12666/242718.jpg



I put my finger in a plastic bag and rubbed the conditioner around for about 20 seconds. By the time I went to take the picture it had already started evaporating.

http://www.mustangmods.com/ims/u/1301/12666/242719.jpg



Here it is after sitting for only 1 min. Pretty big difference there.

http://www.mustangmods.com/ims/u/1301/12666/242720.jpg



After 2 min.

http://www.mustangmods.com/ims/u/1301/12666/242721.jpg



And after 3 min. As you can see its pretty much all gone, but left a VERY faint residue behind.

http://www.mustangmods.com/ims/u/1301/12666/242722.jpg



So I tried it again, but this time I used Leather Master`s Leather Vital. Again, I cleaned the glass with alcohol. And applied a drop of LM.

http://www.mustangmods.com/ims/u/1301/12666/242729.jpg



Spread it around for about 20 sec.

http://www.mustangmods.com/ims/u/1301/12666/242730.jpg



After 1 min.

http://www.mustangmods.com/ims/u/1301/12666/242731.jpg



After 2 min.

http://www.mustangmods.com/ims/u/1301/12666/242732.jpg



After 3 min.

http://www.mustangmods.com/ims/u/1301/12666/242733.jpg



After 4 min. As you can see, LM did not evaporate nearly as fast or as much as Pinnacle. I rubbed the remaining residue with my finger still inside the bag and the residue was very sticky.

http://www.mustangmods.com/ims/u/1301/12666/242734.jpg



As you can see, leather conditioners do evaporate rather quickly. I also think they evaporate MUCH faster when you`re using them on actual leather. So there isn`t much time for them to absorb into the leather either way. I still wonder why the leather feels softer and usually has a darker appearance after applying a conditioner? Id imagine some of it must get absorbed and the rest really does just evaporate.



Oh, and hopefully this was a good experiment and actually shows something worth while. If not, then dont be too harsh, its 4am. :faint:
DaGonz
06-15-2008, 07:18 AM
I just did a conditioning treatment of my baseball glove using Lexol leather conditioner. I have had this glove since 1978 (back in my softball league days). The conditioner soaked right in, and I applied a second coat of it, which also got absorbed. I do this every year.



Of course, there is a vast d difference between a baseball glove and a car interior seating surfaces! ;)



It depends if the leather is dyed right through or if it sprayed on and coated. Leather that is dyed right through would absorb a conditoner more readily than one that was sprayed and coated.





Posting at 4:00AM? Are you suffering from Detailer`s insomnia? ;) :grinno:
imported_DetailDan
06-15-2008, 08:21 AM
Oh, of course. But Im talking about coated leather, not aniline or nubuck.
wfedwar
06-15-2008, 08:55 AM
In both of those, it looks like there`s still a clear, greasy film left behind. Am I wrong? I`m sure there`s water and/or solvents in there that evaporate, but I don`t think it all evaporates.
imported_DetailDan
06-15-2008, 09:07 AM
In both of those, it looks like there`s still a clear, greasy film left behind. Am I wrong? I`m sure there`s water and/or solvents in there that evaporate, but I don`t think it all evaporates.



No, you`re not wrong, and I mentioned the residue left behind. However, Id say about 95% of it did evaporate. And as you can see in the pictures after simply spreading the conditioner around, there was a good amount for that small 4"x4" section of glass. When I condition leather, an amount like that covers more then a 4"x4" surface. That makes me believe it will evaporate even faster, and even less residue will be left behind.



Also, the residue that was still there after 4 min. from LM was very sticky. Something you would not want left behind from a conditioner. So again, it would be spread on a larger surface, thus evaporating faster and leaving less residue.
imported_Picus
06-15-2008, 09:11 AM
I`d love to see this test with some leatherique. Maybe I`ll do it - I`ve generally had "ok" experiences with what I consider maintenance leather conditioners (pinnacle, megs, zaino, lexol, etc...), but with leatherique the results are always quite noticeable. Of course the method is a lot more involved.
imported_gators241987
06-15-2008, 09:14 AM
+1 on the leatherique. I cant imagine any leather conditioner being better. Anyone done a half and half with vital or w.e. else is considered the top conditioner?
imported_DetailDan
06-15-2008, 09:16 AM
I`d love to see this test with some leatherique. Maybe I`ll do it - I`ve generally had "ok" experiences with what I consider maintenance leather conditioners (pinnacle, megs, zaino, lexol, etc...), but with leatherique the results are always quite noticeable. Of course the method is a lot more involved.



I encourage everyone to try it so they can see whats happening for themselves. My guess would be that leatherique does not evaporate nearly as quick as Pinnacle. Thus more time to absorb and better results. At least thats what happened with LM, which I believe is a higher quality conditioner compared to Pinnacle.



Unfortunately, I dont own any Leatherique.
wfedwar
06-15-2008, 09:34 AM
This is probably a good thing. It would be difficult to spread thin enough if there weren`t carriers.
judyb
06-15-2008, 10:26 AM
The problem is that the residues left behind on the surface aare what ttract more dirt and oils which break down the finish - hence the reason for not using a conditioner but protecting instead.
imported_DetailDan
06-15-2008, 11:10 AM
The problem is that the residues left behind on the surface aare what ttract more dirt and oils which break down the finish - hence the reason for not using a conditioner but protecting instead.



Right, same thing happens when you dont extract carpets after cleaning them with chemicals. They become more prone to soiling. However, I assume people will go over the leather again with a clean towel to wipe off any remaining residue.
wfedwar
06-15-2008, 11:31 AM
The problem is that the residues left behind on the surface aare what ttract more dirt and oils which break down the finish - hence the reason for not using a conditioner but protecting instead.



Well, virtually everything you can buy is a "conditioner". What product do you recommend instead?
imported_DetailDan
06-15-2008, 11:44 AM
LM makes a protectant.
imported_Dave1
06-15-2008, 01:46 PM
Right, same thing happens when you dont extract carpets after cleaning them with chemicals. They become more prone to soiling. However, I assume people will go over the leather again with a clean towel to wipe off any remaining residue.



That`s the beauty of Pristine Clean.....



The surface is cleaned after the Leatherique Rejuvenator is absorbed into the leather....
Mindflux
06-15-2008, 01:52 PM
That`s the beauty of Pristine Clean.....



The surface is cleaned after the Leatherique Rejuvenator is absorbed into the leather....



Along with the grime and muck on the surface? That doesn`t sound terribly logical.