What is the SAFEST (most reversible) product to use for Leather and plastic interior trim?

[Jacobpockros]

What`s the SAFEST (most reversible) product to use for Leather seats and plastic interior trim? To rephrase, what products are the easiest to take back off if one wanted to? It`s odd I know, but I`ve seen too many seats with spots on them that`ll never come off from products that splashed on them years back. I don`t want to have my interior covered in products that will ruin the original integrity of the natural finish.

[Detailology Oz]

anything water based at a guess. something thats not a coating or loaded with petroleum solvents and oils to make it shiny
but I`m not a leather master so not sure

[Bunky]

I think it would be hard to find a automotive leather care product that is not water based although many water based products contain oils such Leather Masters Protection Cream. Leather Masters is nice product.

[Accumulator]

My vote is for an Interior Quick Detailer like Meguiar`s stuff or 1Z Cockpit Premium. No, they don`t really do much..but they`re safe as can be and won`t be a problem if you want to try something else afterwards.

And I agree with Bunky that the LeatherMasters stuff is a good option. I haven`t used my Leather Masters stuff for a while (I hardly ever do anything to my leather), but IIRC its light scent dissipates quickly. Heh heh, I`m sure I`d remember if it *didn`t* because I`m quite the fanatic with regard to keeping my interiors smelling "merelyclean". I want my vehicles to smell like they did when they were new, not like detailing products or a luggage shop. The above-mentioned stuff works fine for that (note I`m not restoring really [crappy] interiors that need drastic measures).

The Interior QDs are basically all I use on interior plastics. Period. Their light scents fade very quickly and aren`t nasty anyhow. Can`t remember the last time I used a "dressing"/slime-product on interior plastics, though some like the AutoGlym stuff are nice and "clean". I hear the new Mother`s product is great but I`ve never tried it.

FWIW, to do leather *right*, which I hardly ever find necessary, I use the stuff from Leather Doctor. Big PIA to order from Roger, and it`s a multi-step process even if you skip the "fat-liquoring" as I do, but his stuff *is* my #1 choice and I was astounded by how well I liked it. The Protection Creams are available in unscented too. That Leather Doctor stuff keeps the interior of my `01 S8 literally showroom in looks, feel, and scent. Can`t tell it`s ever been detailed; it doesn`t look "detailed" or "dressed" but rather like it just rolled off the assembly line.

But really, 99% of the time, I just use Interior QDs and leave it at that. Our older Audis (let alone the dog-hauler Tahoe!) get used daily, and awfully hard, yet their interiors just don`t need much real attention, I just keep them clean. I doubt I`ve done anything more than the IQD for at least a few years.

[Stokdgs]

Thanks for reviving the memories of the Leather Doctor..
Yeah, Fat Liquoring, one of the favorites, right ?
He has been around for what 10 years that I know of ? Perhaps much longer...

The closest thing to this process is the Leatherique brand with that slather oil all over your seats, let them sit a day in the sun, and then clean it off with Prestine Clean, if i recall..
Very few if any Detailers have time to do this unless the Client is letting them keep the car for a week, etc., and is paying for the extra time involved..

I would just rather stick to Spinneybeck that has no discernable odor, and leaves the seats nice and smooth, not shiny or oily, greasy, etc...

Also Love Einszett 1Z Cockpit Premium - this German stuff rocks the entire dash and has never hurt, damaged, any navigation screens, etc...
Love the nice matte finish, and the clean scent which is only great for a few hours...
Dan F

[Accumulator]

Stokdgs- That whole fat-liqouring thing I`m never gonna do, any more than I`ll Leatherique (sold that to another Autopian after it just sat on my shelf). But the other Leather Doctor stuff is great.

[Jesse@Autopia]

For leather I like the Blackfire Leather Conditioner and Interior Cleaner. They really are outstanding products, very easy to use, no streaking/spots, and leaves a nice matte finish. The Blackfire Interior Protectant would work on every other interior surface and also leave a nice matte finish.

[4u2nvinmtl]

The only thing that messed up the interior for me was APC/Degreaser overspray that I missed on the plastic film on the interior side of the windshield (used M101 to fix the film). With that said my go to interior spray everything product is Meg`s D149. People always compliment me on my interior jobs and I know that`s the part drivers notice most.

Meguiar`s : D149 Detailer Quik Interior Detailer

[The Guz]

Meguiar`s D149 Quik Interior Detailer can be used on all surfaces. Definitely recommend it. I also like Meguiar`s D180 and D181. These are on;y available in gallon sizes.

My review on D180 and D181.

http://www.autopia.org/forums/detail...r-cleaner.html

For leather I like the Blackfire Leather Conditioner and Interior Cleaner. They really are outstanding products, very easy to use, no streaking/spots, and leaves a nice matte finish. The Blackfire Interior Protectant would work on every other interior surface and also leave a nice matte finish.

I agree with this. Here`s my review on it.

Review - Blackfire Interior Products (Interior Cleaner, Interior Protectant, Leather Conditioner)

[XxBoostinxX]

Love Megs Quik Interior Detailer. I really want to try D180 and D181.

[Jacobpockros]

Thanks for the replies and keep them coming! Additionally, what product would be safest to use for wiping everything clean first? Does Leather Doctor include a prepping stage in their multi-step process?

[RDKC]

Thanks for the replies and keep them coming! Additionally, what product would be safest to use for wiping everything clean first? Does Leather Doctor include a prepping stage in their multi-step process?

Meguiar`s QID has light cleaning abilities. It`s what I use to clean plastics and do the normal wipe-downs on leather. Any tougher spots on the trim I use Meguiar`s APC (many APC`s that, from what I`ve seen here, are great). I also use APC for light carpet stains, marks on the headliner, rubber floor mats, and any interior plastics that have been severely neglected. Not like I do this for a living but it definitely cuts through the crud a lot better than QID.

[jtford95]

Do you have access to a steam cleaner

[pwaug]

Optimum Leather Protectant was designed for both today`s coated leather and vinyl. Leaves a nice matte finish and is easy to use since you can do both your leather and vinyl. The interior of my 07 Passat looks almost as good as the day I picked it up from the dealers with nothing more than this 2 or 3 times a year and keeping it clean in between applications.

Optimum Protectant Plus, Optimum Leather Protectant

[The Driver]

Being very familiar with early Jap sports cars interiors, I`d say it`s worth the time an effort to do leatherique rej oil an then prestine clean as a follow up. Then after wipe ALL plastics down with 1z cockpit and the shifter knob and steering wheel with 1z deep plastic cleaner. This is what I always use an you cannot go wrong. You will fave a flawless finished OEM look with no cheesy shine or over powering odor.