Best Cleaner and Conditioner/Protectant for Beige Leather

[97LHS]

I have a 97 LHS, which I just purchased. The leather is beige and is in mint condition. I want to clean it to remove any dirt and then condition it to keep it soft and new looking. What product can you recommend? Also, what product will keep carpet smelling fresh? What product is good for door panels and the dash areas? I like these to have a new look, also. Thanks!

 

[Scottwax]

A mixture of water and Woolite (the liquid laundry soap version) mixed 6 parts water, 1 part Woolite will clean almost anything in the interior, including the leather. Just mix it up and put it in a spray bottle. Use a plastic bristle brush for any scrubbing, wipe up with a dry towel.



Easy to use and dirt cheap.

 

[chris0626]

I have a 97 LHS, which I just purchased. The leather is beige and is in mint condition. I want to clean it to remove any dirt and then condition it to keep it soft and new looking. What product can you recommend?

I've fallen in love twice in the past month -- first with Zaino, then with Leatherique.



First, I needed to give a deep cleaning/conditioning to the red leather in my '75 Jag, which is in [modesty] very good [/modesty] condition. Had tried some typical retail products which were so-so. Then, after doing some research on Autopia, I tried Zaino's leather cleaner (Z9) and Leather In A Bottle conditioner (Z10). WOWIE! One of the benefits of Zaino's LIAB is that it won't "clog" the perforated leather that I have. And the smell of LIAB is awesome, as you'll find if you read some of the other posts here.



Second time I fell in love with a leather treatment: Over the past couple of weeks, I've been working on the red '75 Jag, which has "biscuit" (a.k.a. beige) leather interior. This is a restoration job. I tried the Zaino. Pleased with the cleanliness. But it did not restore the soft, supple, "glove-leather feel." So I went to the Leatherique products, which I also have on hand. First, I applied their Rejuvenator Oil, massaging in with my bare hands. (OOOOOOoooooo ... what a feelin'!) You have to let this set for about 24 hours (or that's my recollection; if you use this stuff, be sure to follow their instructions to the letter). Wiped it down, according to their directions. Then followed with Prestine Clean, gently "scrubbed" (and that's too harsh a word) with a soft-bristle brush, and wiped off with a cotton terry cloth. My, oh, my! :bigups The softness was completely restored, without a trace of greasiness.



Downside of the Leatherique process is that it takes about 3 days altogether and cannot be rushed! So it won't work on a daily driver, unless you're willing to park it over the weekend.

What product is good for door panels and the dash areas? I like these to have a new look, also. Thanks!

Depends on how dirty they are? Are they at all chalky/white/grey? And are these vinyl?



My new love is the EINSZETT Plastik-Reiniger (Vinyl, Plastic & Rubber Cleaner) from Autopia. I've used several other products for interior vinyl trim over the past few months, but this one takes the cake. After cleaning some of the (unrestored/neglected) Jag trim with other products, I finally applied this one, and was amazed at how much more gunk it removed ... even after "cleaning" with those other products. Amazing thing is, it doesn't smell/feel at all harsh, but it sure does the job.



Then I followed with 303 Protectant, applied with a barely-damp foam applicator, waited a few minutes, then buffed off with a MF or cotton terry cloth. (I used both, and saw no discernable difference in the results.) Lovely, soft, matte finish.



More than you probably wanted to hear ....



And, of course, YMMV ....



BTW, when you have these basic detailing questions, you may want to post them in the Autopia University forum, since I have a hunch that more Autopia veterans/experts look at that forum than in these articles. But KUDOS to you for reading the articles. :bigups

 

[imported_jgv]

Downside of the Leatherique process is that it takes about 3 days altogether and cannot be rushed! So it won't work on a daily driver, unless you're willing to park it over the weekend.

Lynn



How did you took 3 days? They say to leave it 4 hours or so outside when it's hot and then clean it with the cleaner.

 

[chris0626]

Yes, they say that for step 1, the Rejuvenator oil. From http://www.leatherique.com/serv02.htm:

Park the car in the sun with the windows rolled up to create a "steam room" for as long as practical, several hours or a day.

That's based on the assumption that the seats are in the car and that the weather is warm. My seats were in the living room and the temp was mid-60s (ca. 16-17C).



But on another page -- http://www.leatherique.com/dyeinst.htm -- they say

Wait 48 hours before proceeding to next step to allow the Leatherique Leather Rejuvenator to fully penetrate.

And thus my confusion. I was using the printed instructions at home, which I had used this winter to redye one of our recliners Jaguar red.



Now I see I can use the cleaner/conditioner and get thru the whole process in a day.



Thanks for the good catch! :up

 

[rleven]

I would go with the leatherique or Spinneybeck from leatherz. I have used Spinneybeck on several cars and it rocks. No lexol goo.

Bob