Benz Interior

[CBlakeNS]

I just traded in my grand cherokee and I have always had cloth seats. Anyways I picked up a Mercedes Benz c350. What products would you recommend to use on the leather/dash etc?

[gocanes]

Congrats on the new car. Twice a year, I use either leather masters (cleaner, vital, protection) or leatherique (cleaner, oil) on leather. Whenever I wash the car, I use Meguiar`s Quick Interior Detailer to wipe down all interior surfaces. Leaves a nice matte oem finish.

[CBlakeNS]

Congrats on the new car. Twice a year, I use either leather masters (cleaner, vital, protection) or leatherique (cleaner, oil) on leather. Whenever I wash the car, I use Meguiar`s Quick Interior Detailer to wipe down all interior surfaces. Leaves a nice matte oem finish.



Thanks man!

[togwt]

Everything you’ll ever want to know about automotive leather upholstery care – but were too afraid to ask.



TOGWT® Autopia Detailing Wiki – “Leather Upholstery Type Surface Identificationâ€� - http://www.autopia.org/forum/autopia-detailing-wiki/136895-leather-upholstery;-surface-identification.html#



TOGWT® Autopia Detailing Wiki – “Leather Articles Hyperlinksâ€� - http://www.autopia.org/forum/autopia-detailing-wiki/141973-leather-articles-hyperlinks.html

[David Fermani]

Check out HD TOTAL. My all time favorite leather cleaner. Soon to be (re-released)



http://www.autopia.org/forum/detailing-made-simple/123175-how-clean-protect-interior-dirty-ferrari-w-high-definition-products.html



http://www.autopia.org/forum/detailing-made-simple/143690-how-clean-interior-1963-aston-martin-db4-hd-total.html

[Bill D]

Never thought to use it for that. I guess the kind that was out a year to year and a half ago is good for it. I have a gallon so gives me more to use it for.

[shortspark]

The E class is a sharp automobile, I am sure you`ll love it. Last May I bought a new ML350. I was debating on whether to get the leather seats or the MB-Tex. There were many articles and opinions, both from car experts and reviews, as well as owner comments on this subject. Although I had leather seats before I always found they gave up quite a bit of comfort and appearance over the span of several years, no matter how well I took care of them. Leather is a product that will deteriorate in time, especially if you are a bit rough like I am!



I selected MB-Tex and I am glad I did. The seats are not only very comfortable but indestructible and will outlast the car itself. As a bonus they require very little care - just warm water and a sponge and a periodic spray of Protectant 303 for UV protection. That brings me around to my question: are you sure you ordered the leather option? I ask because MB-Tex is the standard material for these cars (unless you have an AMG model) and leather is only available as a special option. It is almost a given that if you bought the car off the dealer`s showroom the seats will not be leather for an E class.



The next question is if indeed you have leather, is it the European "designo" leather option or the vinyl coated leather? This is important because if it is the vinyl coated leather you will waste leather conditioning products such as Lexol or Leatherique, which are balms used to treat and soften a natural leather. They have to "feed" the leather to maintain it and this is done by the leather absorbing the product. If it is vinyl coated leather, these balms are almost useless because they will not penetrate the coating which is placed on the leather for exactly that reason - which is to keep things from getting to the leather itself and damaging or soiling it. Plus, balms have almost no UV protection which is vital, at least here in Texas where I live. Protectant 303, however, is one of the most highly UV rated products you can buy.



Virtually all US car makers use this "coated" or vinyl treated leather. American cars will not absorb leather balms properly. However, certain Benz cars do have the European style natural leather seats, depending where it was made and the specific model. The proper care of Mercedes interiors is dependent entirely on what material really is in that particular model and the specific products that should be used to care for that interior will vary considerably. Even the dash of a Mercedes Benz is made from different materials, depending on your order build and option package. Let us know for sure what you really have in there because that is the only way we can point you in the right direction. Incidentally, every Mercedes` manual has a section on the care of the interior. If it tells you to use water and a sponge you do not have leather of any type.



Sorry, I have to edit this because I was mistaken about your car. I thought it was E class but I see now you have the C class. I am familiar with the E but I`m afraid I do not know what interiors they have available for the C class cars. However, what I said may still apply, I don`t know, so check what you have anyway and get back to us.

[togwt]

[The next question is if indeed you have leather, is it the European "designo" leather option or the vinyl coated leather? This is important because if it is the vinyl coated leather you will waste leather conditioning products such as Lexol or Leatherique, which are balms used to treat and soften a natural leather]



Leather Master Car Interior Clean & Care Mousse - is formulated to deep clean vinyl, rubber, and plastics and restore the colour and like-new appearance. It works well on the dashboard, door panels, console, and interior trim. It leaves an anti-static, non-sticky surface that looks like new.



As it cleans, it also conditions synthetic materials to enhance the colour and restore a new, supple look. Convenient foam that drips less on vertical door panels and seat backs, use a microfiber applicator or towel to apply the mousse to your vehicle.

[togwt]

As you can see from the different products recommended given the correct identification of finished lather is imperative. The Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC) is a reference Guide for Professional Upholstery Cleaning (IICRC S300) it’s a five day leather training course, which devotes two days of the course to the corrects identification of leather finishes.



So it is very important to be able to recognise the various finishes and materials used by OEM’s as they all require different methodologies and products for proper care and maintenance.

[CBlakeNS]

http://img844.imageshack.us/img844/7302/seatq.th.jpg (http://img844.imageshack.us/i/seatq.jpg/)

http://img826.imageshack.us/img826/4572/interiorxp.th.jpg (http://img826.imageshack.us/i/interiorxp.jpg/)





There are the seats and interior of my car.