Best leather cleanr/conditioner for weekly E46 BMW M3 nappa leather?

[Dairyman]

i am trying to decide on a product to use for my weekly washes to keep my leather completely matte and new looking. i hate any type of shine on leather.



so far have been using leatherique and pristine clean but the process takes a long time and i dont think it should be used more than once every few months.



at first i was leaning towards z9/10 because of all the great smell reviews it gets.



then i was thinking leathermasters....



i dont feel that a simple wet rag wipe down cleans the leather thoroughly enough :smile1:



my leather is cinnamon(brown) in case that matters

[togwt]

http://www.autopia.org/forum/epic-threads/121352-leather-cleaner-recommend.html



Everything you’ll ever want to know about automotive leather upholstery –

but were too afraid to ask.





TOGWT® Autopia Detailing Wiki – http://www.autopia.org/forum/autopia-detailing-wiki/141973-leather-articles-hyperlinks.html If you have any questions about automotive leather, its care or renovation techniques, please let me know or feel free to send me an email

[C. Charles Hahn]

i am trying to decide on a product to use for my weekly washes to keep my leather completely matte and new looking. i hate any type of shine on leather.



so far have been using leatherique and pristine clean but the process takes a long time and i dont think it should be used more than once every few months.



at first i was leaning towards z9/10 because of all the great smell reviews it gets.



then i was thinking leathermasters....



i dont feel that a simple wet rag wipe down cleans the leather thoroughly enough :smile1:



my leather is cinnamon(brown) in case that matters



If you`re keeping up with it weekly you probably won`t need more than something like Meguiar`s Quik Interior Detailer, or Infinite Use Detail Juice to keep it clean. For more intensive stuff, something like Optimum Power Clean is perfectly safe.



My personal pick for a leather conditioner would be Z10 (but get it cheaper by buying Duragloss 221).



Cleaned with OPC:



http://www.cchautoappearance.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/SEAT_5050.jpg



Conditioned with Z10/DG221:



http://www.cchautoappearance.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/INTERIOR_AFTER4.jpg

[Scottwax]

Not sure why wiping with a damp MF towel each week isn`t enough? Agree with using Meguairs interior QD if simple water isn`t enough.

[P-nut]

You can`t see the leather; all you can see is the colored coating. And that`s all your "conditioner" is going to see too :) An occasional wipe down with a damp cloth is all the coated leather needs. Now, if you want to slather some sticky goop all over your seats that does nothing but make the car smell good and attract dirt, causing the factory finish and stitching to wear out prematurely, the marketplace is chock full of products for that. Take your pick. Z-10 and Sonus smell good.

[Shane.belzers]

Wow that OPC did good work on those seats. What did you dilute at and does anyone know the pH of OPC ?



Thanks

[togwt]

Wow that OPC did good work on those seats. What did you dilute at and does anyone know the pH of OPC ?



Thanks



Optimum Power Clean â„¢- (pH ~ 11.0) dilute > 3:1 to safely clean leather



Leather pH - the pH value of leather is purely academic and of little, if any value with regard to its care. Leather is very different from fabric and its cleaning and care is very different, specific water-based products have been formulated, which have the correct pH values for the job they are designed for. If for some reason you consider using a non-specific leather care product ensure that its pH value is neither too acidic nor too alkaline

[C. Charles Hahn]

Optimum Power Clean â„¢- (pH ~ 11.0) dilute > 3:1 to safely clean leather



If I recall, the mix I used for this was right at 3:1, but those pics are from over a year ago. Note that it did take 2-3 passes to cut through the heaviest of that ground in dirt, and the APC was agitated with a toothbrush to help break up the layer of crud. I have taken care of this vehicle on about a monthly basis since the initial detail and have seen no evidence of ill effects; the interior still looks just as clean as it did in the above "after" shot.

[Shane.belzers]

Interesting stuff. So using an APC is fine then... I wont use ours as its pretty high alkaline, i think around 13 pH according to the MSDS...

[RaskyR1]

I`ve tried lots of cleaners and the only thing I`d use to maintain nice leather seats like yours are these products. There is no need for strong APC`s if your seats are already clean and you just want to keep them that way.



Leather Masters Soft Cleaner (http://www.leatherworldtech.com/Products/Leather-Master-Soft-Cleaner__LMSOC.aspx) or LTT Ultra Maintain (http://www.lttsolutions.co.uk/auto/auto-ultra-maintain.html)

[C. Charles Hahn]

Interesting stuff. So using an APC is fine then... I wont use ours as its pretty high alkaline, i think around 13 pH according to the MSDS...



Definitely not all APCs are created equal, nor are they all safe for leather. OPC is one of the exceptions that is safe for intensive cleaning when necessary and warranted.




There is no need for strong APC`s if your seats are already clean and you just want to keep them that way.



:werd:

[Ron Ketcham]

Exactly, Charlie!

The one`s with a lot of sodium hydroxide and butyl cellosolves in them may damage the seats coating.

I use the VG Omni, no butyl`s, etc and then mist the leather and vinyl with Fast Finish and wipe dry.

Use this on the Sebring`s and Ranchero`s interiors, have since I got them, the Sebring for going on 8 years, the Ranchero for going on 4 years.

[Shane.belzers]

Well the lexol and leather masters products seem nice for cleaning barely dirty leather, maybe leather master strong for grimy un maintained leather but we dont see a lot of properly cared for leather in our shop so we need a strong and SAFE leather cleaner which seems to be OPC or leather masters strong cleaner... I did pick up a bottle of lexol which did a good job on some pretty soiled seats but it did struggle in some areas and needed a few passes or good scrubbing with a brush...



Thanks guys sorry for the OT OP

[Ron Ketcham]

Have Beth send you a sample of the Omni, one 4 oz sample makes a quart of cleaner.

Think you will be pleased with it.

[Shane.belzers]

Whats omni. Apc or leather cleaner ?



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