Research
Information regarding the care of leather is scarce, often contradictory, misleading, or simply wrong. Misinformation can lead to inadvertent damage to your vehicles leather upholstery; my goal is to present clear, concise, accurate information.
There is a great deal of conflicting information on leather care being put out by leather experts themselves who use baffling pseudo scientific techno speak as another marketing ploy, which makes it difficult to find a definitive, unbiased answer. It had always confounded me that such a simple subject has been made into something so complicated.
After various meetings and discussions with leather tanners, their chemists and fat liquoring formulators and many leather care product manufacturers I’ve gained an understanding of this versatile material on both a practical and scientific level.
I have always thought that the more facts and information you have at hand the easier it is to judge what information you are being given. After all, how can you fully understand and properly use any product unless you have all the facts? In the final analysis; it’s your vehicle, your hard earned money and your choice
Within these articles you’ll discover the ‘How’ and ‘Why’ and find pretty much everything you need to know about the detailing, care, maintenance, repair and / or renovation of automotive leather; if you do your research correctly.The information in these articles will enable you to restore your leather back to an original finish. Whether it has has faded, has surface damage, stains, scratches or rips or you simply need it cleaned or rejuvenated, the methodologies and product recommendations will help to solve any leather problem you may have
The most fundamental question to be answered before you clean or care for leather is to establish the type of leather finish used in the vehicle as the methodologies are very specific for each type; using the wrong product can do irreversible damage to your automobiles leather upholstery.
I would strongly recommend that you establish the finish used before you proceed: “Leather Upholstery Type Surface Identification” - http://www.autopia.org/forum/autopia...fication.html#
Automotive leather is typically finished with a coating that both provide protection from ultra violet radiation (degradation or fading) as well making it resistant to both abrasion and soiling. The finishes used in automotive upholstery leather are unique are are their descriptions as they vary form standards used in the leather industry; thay are also very different to what is used for furniture, garment or shoe leathers. Finished leather is extremely resilient and easy to clean and maintain.
Recommended Products
In the interest of full disclosure, I am in no way affiliated with, employed by, have any vested interest, or in any way receive compensation from the sale or distribution of any of the product lines reviewed or the company that manufactures or markets it. No endorsement of companies or their products mentioned is intended, nor is criticism implied of similar companies or their products if they are omitted.
I purchase all the products I use, so the endorsement is entirely personal and commercially unbiased, the product recommendation is based on “Does exactly what it says on the box” and it suits my detailing goals. I have tested the products mentioned and have found that they will perform the task more than adequately using the methodology and tools cited, which may or may not be the same as those recommended by the manufacturer.
http://www.autopia.org/forum/autopia...worksheet.html
http://www.autopia.org/forum/autopia...pholstery.html
“Alcantara Cleaning and Care” - http://www.autopia.org/forum/guide-d...ml#post1455020
http://www.autopia.org/forum/autopia...4527“Aniline Leather (Micro pigment) Cleaning and Care” http://<br /> <br /> <br /> <br />...ml#post1455011
“Automotive (Finished) Leather Upholstery” - http://www.autopia.org/forum/autopia...ml#post1504256
“Artificial leather (MB-Tex and interior Vinyl)” - http://www.autopia.org/forum/autopia...ior-vinyl.html"Basic Three-Step Leather Cleaning and Care"
http://www.autopia.org/forum/autopia...s-leather.html
“Definition of Leather Finishes” - http://www.autopia.org/forum/autopia...finishes.html#
“Cleaning and Care of Alcantara and Fibrous Leather” - http://www.autopia.org/forum/autopia...ml#post1485513
“Connolly Leather Cleaning and Care” -
“Leather Pigmentation (Colour) Renovation” - http://www.autopia.org/forum/autopia...ml#post1479003
“Hydration of Finished Leather” - http://www.autopia.org/forum/autopia...d-leather.html
“Leather care Products” - http://www.autopia.org/forum/autopia...-products.html
“Leather Conditioning” - http://www.autopia.org/forum/guide-d...ml#post1454835
“Leather covered steering wheel” - http://www.autopia.org/forum/autopia...ing-wheel.html
“Leather Fat liquoring and Conditioning” - http://www.autopia.org/forum/autopia...ditioning.html
“Leather pigment (Dye) restoration” - http://www.autopia.org/forum/autopia...ml#post1488560
“Leather Restoration” - http://www.autopia.org/forum/autopia...ml#post1479003
“Leather Steering Wheel Renovation” - http://www.autopia.org/forum/autopia...enovation.html
“Leather Fat liquoring and Conditioning” - http://www.autopia.org/forum/autopia...ditioning.html
“Leather pigment (Dye) restoration” - http://www.autopia.org/forum/autopia...ml#post1488560
“Leather Restoration” - http://www.autopia.org/forum/autopia...ml#post1479003
“Leather Steering Wheel Renovation” - http://www.autopia.org/forum/autopia...enovation.html
“Leather Tanning Process” -
“Leather Upholstery Abrasion Resistance” - http://www.autopia.org/forum/autopia...e-testing.html
“Proper Finished Leather Cleaning and Care” - http://www.autopia.org/forum/guide-d...ning-care.html
“Reference sources and bibliography used for leather articles “- http://www.autopia.org/forum/autopia...-articles.html
“Removing Scratches from Leather Surfaces” - http://www.autopia.org/forum/autopia...s-leather.html
“Removing Stains from Leather” - http://www.autopia.org/forum/autopia...s-leather.html
“The History of Leather” - http://www.autopia.org/forum/autopia...y-leather.html
“Types of Leather used in Automobiles” - http://www.autopia.org/forum/autopia...tomobiles.html
“Using Oil-based Leather Care Products” - http://www.autopia.org/forum/guide-d...ml#post1450942
“Using Woolite to clean finished leather” -http://www.autopia.org/forum/autopia...d-leather.html
“Various Leather Surface Conditions and Correction” - http://www.autopia.org/forum/autopia...orrection.html
http://www.autopia.org/forum/autopia...eather%92.html
http://www.autopia.org/forum/autopia-detailing-wiki/145381-unfinished-leather.html#post1543547
