Leatherique -- Leather re-conditioning - W/ Pictures.

[Neofate]

Well I got my Leatherique Kit in today, cost about 60$ when all is said and done. Overpriced, but its the best supposedly.



It comes with a small scrub brush, wooden, semi tout brissles. A bottle of Leatherique Rejuvenator Oil (Stuff that does the work),.. and then some Leatherique Cleaner (Stuff that you use to get the nasty icky crap off after several hours/days). It also had 2 microfiber applicators and a Microfiber towel with it.



I don`t have the results yet, but am posting this as I go along..



First off, the stuff smells bad. It smells slightly like spoiled milk. But, it says it leaves your leather smelling fresh and new when your done. So we`ll see. After application I couldn`t smell anything bad, so no big deal.



It recommends applying with your bare hand, if your not so bold you can use a terry cloth or whatever you choose. Also it comes in a bottle that just pours out, I emptied a 4oz sprayer and filled it.



I used my hand to work it in. Once you spray and area and then start rubbing with your hand you`ll see why it says use your hand. It works very well and I can definitely tell the hand is the absolute best method for working it in. -- I worked it in for a few minutes on each section. I did bottom of seat, then top of seat, then sides. Then door leather. And so on.



Last I worked it in the steering wheel and shift knob. (Center console got some love too)



I`ve taken care of my leather, and kept it conditioned since I`ve had it, but I can tell this is miles beyond your typical leather protectant/conditioner. This stuff is semi thick, and definitely OIL.



It goes into the pores,.. you spread it on, and think its going to sit on the surface but you can see it moving through the leather,.. I applied a second coat because of this absorption.



Anyhow -- This is my leather before application:



























The leather about 15 minutes after application:















You can definitely tell its on there



Now, I have the car sitting in the garage with the garage heater on 90. I have the car idling, with its heat on maximum. (Yes, I have the garage door open hehe).



I just went and checked on it and it is very hot in there.. so I expect good results. The more heat you get the faster it is going to work, and the better it is going to work.



I intend on leaving it for 2-4hours in that kind of heat, and then removing.



Also of note, it said to use about 4oz per seat. That would use the entire bottle basically.. That is unnecessary for the LS, and I would imagine most `cars`.



I used probably 6oz.. I had to refill the 4oz sprayer one time, and had some left over. I also used AMPLE amounts, copious amounts.



The leather wasn`t in bad condition to start with, so I`m interested in the results upon completion. I think the biggest thing it will do is restore the elasticity and texture/feel, movement of the leather. It has dozens of chemicals in it, collogens, and so forth that restore the leathers nutrients and so forth.



You know how your leather sort of starts to get `stiff` as it ages.. That is how my leather is getting,.. This will soften it up I hope.



So until then..

[gmblack3]

Don`t be afraid to add more in a hour or two after the initial application. It will usually get absorbed into the leather.



When removing, I apply the PC (pristine clean) to one section at a time: seat upper, seat lower, ect. I work it in by hand. I then take a bucket of warm water and a white cotton hand towel. Put the towel into the bucket of warm water and wring it out. Wipe the surface and turn the towel, repeat untill no more dirt comes off on the white towel.

[Neofate]

I see -- it is over an hour now -- Maybe I`ll go add more.. Just a quick layer on top. Putting that initial layer on wore me out lol. I couldn`t believe how hot I got. I guess stretching around not touching the seats standing outside the car is a pain.



Thanks for the tip on removal,.. I was wondering exactly what the easiest way to get this off would be, and if it would be a pain in the arse to remove.



I suspect it will be `gummy` .. They say its because of the dirt and what not coming to the surface, but I think the actual oil itself turns sticky regardless of dirt.



I don`t have any white cotton towels -- None that I can use anyway. I have microfibers, but don`t want to waste those on leather. Maybe I can find some old cotton t-shirts and use those. I suspect I`ll need 2-3 of them.





After you work in the Pristine Cleaner,.. do you wait a while before removing with water? Or do you just go straight to the water?



Also, what about that brush that comes with kit. Would it be a good idea to use with the Pristine? Or not?



Thanks

[tom p.]

Neo, can you say what kind of car it is? How old? So we have some point of reference...





thx.

[SpoiledMan]

It looks like an early 90`s Lexus LS400. Am I close?

[Neofate]

Sure -- Mentioned it was an LS. Which if anyone is familiar with the Lexus line, they could spot it a mile away. But yes, it is the latest year of the First Gen LS. 1994 Lexus LS 400.



That gives you a point of reference for the age of the leather... considering age is why I said it looks great as is. This conditioning should bring back some youth to the `feel` of it.. If it won`t nothing will. I`m not dissapointed by the leather, it is fine as is. But I just like to make things better if possible.



I just added another layer , and it has been sitting for ~2hours in 90 degree heat, and Max heat in the car on. It is soaking up very well. Even the second layer soaked in , in some particular spots.



I used another 6 oz on the second.



A bit over half the original bottle is gone now, So I can do the car twice with one bottle.. I don`t suspect this type of treatment is necessary but once a year or so.



I have good leather conditioners otherwise, but I consider this a more `major` type of treatment, considering the quality of what is used, and the duration required.



Some people seal it with plastic and let it sit for days on end. I can`t afford to do that, but many hours in 90+ heat is doable.

[Slik560]

I`ve got 20 yr old leather Benz seats that never saw so much as a wet rag until I bought the car. I used the Leatherique last summer right after getting the car, and mercy the stuff that the rejuv. oil brought up! It was work. When I put the car away when the weather got bad, I put more on and let it soak. Now that spring is here, out comes the Pristine Clean and I start up again. It will take some doing to get these old seats back into shape, but it`ll be worth it. No other product that I`ve tried cleans so deep. Another guy in our local M Benz club did his seats last winter, and they are now butter-soft. Nothing good comes easy, I guess. Love the Leatherique.



PS: After all of this, I am about 1/3 into a 32oz bottle of Rejuv Oil.

[tom p.]

Sure -- Mentioned it was an LS. Which if anyone is familiar with the Lexus line, they could spot it a mile away. But yes, it is the latest year of the First Gen LS. 1994 Lexus LS 400.

OK, thanks for clarifying which "LS" it was, and the vintage. I knew it was Japanese. Just trying to establish how much of a "test" this is and I`d say you`re on the right track with your plan. I`m a big fan of the Leatherique products. I suspect you`re going to be really pleased with the result. I don`t think I`ve heard many complaints - - only from those who don`t know how to use it.



Also, I`m having a heck of a time reading the microscopic font created by the new software. It`s quite the challenge to read more than a sentence or two

[Neofate]

I`m going to let them sit longer than anticipated.. why not right?



Though here in about 30 minutes I am going to turn the car off.. So no internal heat. I will close the garage and roll down the windows and sunroof and keep the garage heater on 90 though.



I`ll clean them up tonight, which will give them a good 8 hours in 90 degree heat.. I think that should make a significant difference.



This is my daily, so I can`t leave it on for more than a day.



Plus I have alot of projects this weekend with it, lots of stuff came in and some experimental products from a different company that wants me to try. So some before and after polishing, glazing, new waxes.. and I`ve got aero 303 for my interior, optimum tire shine for the tires -- And a window rejuvenator kit for the water etching on my windows (designed for a PC/UDM type machine). So the work is cut out for me, its all detail work.



Oh I almost forgot, also have DWG that arrived , going to see how that stuff works finally. It smells fantastic , lol.

[Neofate]

Oh , and you`ve only gone through a 1/3`rd of the bottle. Interesting you must have been very conservative with it, unless you have no backseats. I`ve used half the bottle, but it is a large car. I did do two layers, and it keeps getting soaked in, so I think none of it is a waste, the more the better results. -- Considering the car never had any conditioner on it with the previous owners,.. But was garage kept which is why it is in the condition it is in. Looks like it has 50k on it, when it has 229k.

*The LS 400 is the most reliable car ever made. By fact not opinion. Quite amazing imo*

[Neofate]

I suspect you`re going to be really pleased with the result. I don`t think I`ve heard many complaints - - only from those who don`t know how to use it.

I hope so.



I haven`t heard any complaints, which is why I bought it. Again, expensive stuff, but it is prooven. Now those who don`t know how to use it.. hrmm. This is my first time with the product -- Am I using it properly?



It isn`t rocket science.. but I suppose I can see people putting it on with a foam applicator, wiping it off immediately, or after 10 minutes.. etc. Then complaining because there seats are not supple soft like it said, and they wasted all that money.



Have to use logic, use your head,.. This isn`t Lexol,.. or Meg`s interior detailor -- The only way your seats are going to drastically change is with time, and lots of the product doing its work. It is active all the time, but heat speeds the results -- Aids in spreading, evap effect, and so forth. Leather is like our skin,.. this is similiar to a dermatologist applying a serious moisturizer and letting it sit .. (I guess.. lol)

[SuperBee364]

Can`t wait to see how this turns out. I have a couch/love seat that really need some help.

[tom p.]

That`s right -> time & heat = the Leatherique Magic

[Neofate]

Can`t wait to see how this turns out. I have a couch/love seat that really need some help.

I will post pictures -- But I really don`t think they will do it justice. I think the major advantage of this product is how it changes the leathers feel. In my case taking a hardening leather and making it supple soft again.



With the pristine cleaner, and the fact that there is alot of product and dirt coming to the surface that is considerably thick. You invariably end up cleaning the leather very , very well -- So it should alter the color to some degree, and take out minor discoloration.



Is your couch stiffening ? Or does it just need cleaning?



If just cleaning, leatherique is too much to spend on that, there are good cleaning solutions for cheap.



If it needs to become soft like it was when you bought it (or much better than it is now).. then this would be the best solution for it. It works on anything leather,.. cars, couches, desk chairs, purses, certain shoes, wallets, etc.

[Neofate]

That`s right -> time & heat = the Leatherique Magic

Should be their slogan --



Time and Heat equals Leatherique. (Say it out loud)



Or Time and Heat equals Leatherique Magique.



(c) 2008 Neofate