Interior/Leather cleaner??

[08 GTI]

So what are the best options out there for leather??

Last week, I was here looking and some of the "Pro" before and after pics and I thought I saw some pics with a leather cleaner and conditioner...but I can`t seem to find it?? The seats looked great when the person was finished! Also, what is the best product for other interior(dash) that is non-greasy too?

I wish I would have spent to write the stuff down, but I thought I could go back and find it again.:hairpull



Any recomendations on higher end products would be great!

[FastEddysDetail]

Leatherique is amazing for restoring leather!!

[solekeeper]

I`ve always heard Lexol is good..Confirmation anyone?

[David Fermani]

Leathermasters is a great product for leather, but doesn`t clean wheels/tires/engines/paint/door jambs. Get some Optimum Power Clean and do it all to the absolute best of your abilites. Jack and Master of all trades!

[judyb]

Most auto leather is matt when it is new and looked after correctly. Leather with a shiny or glossy look is usually due to build up of dirt together with abrassion (constant sliding in and out). This is often exacerbated by the use of `conditioners` that contain waxes and/or oils which only sit on the surface and attract more dirt.



Leather does not require `conditioning` with anything other than water.



Keep your leather clean by protecting it with a leather protector and then regular cleaning.

Adding `conditioners` which generally contain oils and waxes will change the appearance of your leather over time as dirt will build up on the surface and cause a sheen.



Using the correct care methods and products will not alter the factory finish.



This type of leather is `coated` leather. This is essentially a `painted` leather with a clear coat finish over the top. The leather may or may not be dyed through with aniline dyes prior to the finish coating.



Essentially it is this top coating that needs looking after. Cleaning is vitally important as the top coat will wear away if allowed to become dirty. Dirt on the surface will aslo become ground into the finish by constant abrassion.



`Conditioners`, balms, feeds etc (traditionally oil and wax based) cannot penetrate this finish so are not worth applying - they can also leave behind residues on the finish which will only attract more dirt if allowed to remain.



A protector will make the finish easier to clean and also inhibit dye transfer etc on pale coloured leathers.



Leather however finished has to remain breathable and it will allow the movement of moisture back and forth (transpiration) so the use of water based cleaners and protectors will keep the leather correctly hydrated which is essentail to keeping it in good condition.



The routine for correct care should be

Protect from new

Maintain with a regular clean or maintenance product

Deep clean with a foam cleaner once or twice a year



This will prolong the life of the finish on the leather



Hope this helps

[Alfisti]

Thanks judyb...very informative post. :up



On unfinished leather (older vehicles) I use Leatherique, which doesn`t contain waxes and oils. It`s also water-based.



But on coated leather what you said makes sense.



I use Leatherique Prestine Clean to clean coated leather, but what do you recommend to provide protection? Most `protectants` contain silicone.

[trhland]

cant go wrong with pinnacle.... that all i use on my leather ...