Comprehensive Leather Care Thread

Tuscarora Dave said:
What do you all think about using Woolite for cleaning leather seats? I have seen it recommended on a few threads. How effectively does it clean and how does it leave the seats feeling? I would think it would be very mild and question it's effectiveness on dirty leather. I haven't used it yet on leather as I have used PB APC only with great results. All out of PB APC though.
Click to expand...

The danger with that stuff is it's really hard to rinse out. i still swear by steam. With a mf wrapped around the end, the disgusting crap that it removes is horrifying. You can use a ph balanced cleaner too if needed with some agitation. Steam is your friend when it comes to interiors!!
 
On uncoated leathers I swear by leatherique, for coated leathers I like leather masters. Leatherique was used on my cardboard leather couch, and and it revived the leather to a supple nature, like no other.

I've been experimenting with a new player, leather doctor and so far this stuff is awesome for trashed leathers. The down side is you need to have the leather treatments dwell for some time. I was able to remove a lot of red dye (crocking) in white leather with this product, I needed more dwell time to remove the rest, and I didn't have it.

It all depends upon what you are working with.

I have used steam, but its easy to damage the leather coating with steam.

Deep cleaning of leather is just a slow process and clients need to know that its not simple.

Cheers,
GREG
 
Leathermasters on coated leathers just seems to penetrate better than Leatherique.

Protection cream leaves a nice clean even coating, and seems to do a great job repelling body oils, mild spills, dirt.

Cheers,
GREG
 
Leathermasters on coated leathers just seems to penetrate better than Leatherique.

Protection cream leaves a nice clean even coating, and seems to do a great job repelling body oils, mild spills, dirt.

Cheers,
GREG
 
I am with Richy on using Steam.
It is very fast, no chemicals are needed, and its just water.

Before I started using the Steam, I studied it, looked at what other pro's were doing with it, and finally - I had to ask myself - how many cows have I seen with damaged hides from getting wet ??? :)
Now to qualify that question, I was born and raised in Texas, and boy howdy, are there alot of cattle there or what ?? :)

I have found in my experience with steam that it totally releases all the crap in leather that rubbing and brushing cannot seem to get out as easily.

And since its just water, the PH is not messed with much so a good conditioner after everything is dry ( and there is hardly any drying time needed) really makes the leather look, feel, and smell great.

I think it might be the best way to get the leather itself to release it own smell, if it has any..

So, put me down for using Steam, it seems to be way faster than anything else I have tried, and there is no rinsing, etc., of chemicals to deal with..

You do have to be careful using it, I guess it can harm leather if placed too long on it, but again, its steam, and leather seems to be able to handle heat in convertibles pretty good, if treated with conditioners that contain UV protection..

Have already posted in that other thread my products I use, so not going to repeat myself again..
Dan F
 
Tuscarora Dave said:
What do you all think about using Woolite for cleaning leather seats? I have seen it recommended on a few threads. How effectively does it clean and how does it leave the seats feeling? I would think it would be very mild and question it's effectiveness on dirty leather. I haven't used it yet on leather as I have used PB APC only with great results. All out of PB APC though.
Click to expand...

FWIW (regarding Woolite), I have contacted Woolite and spoken to them regarding use on automotive leather.

A) They had NO idea that some car manufacturers recommended their product for leather care.

B) They absolutely do not recommend it because Woolite is designed to be removed by dilution. That is you would have to literally pull the leather skin off the seat, put it in a bucket with a lot of water, and agitate it, in under to remove all trace residue.

David F also forwarded Woolite's MSDS sheets to several leather care experts who were adament that several of the chemicals listed on the sheet were bad for leather types.

So the manufacturer doesn't recommend it and leather car experts believe that it will damage leather overtime.

I know people use it and get great results AND haven't caused any long term damage, but the manufacturer and leather experts make for rather powerful devil's advocates IMO.

 
th0001 said:

FWIW (regarding Woolite), I have contacted Woolite and spoken to them regarding use on automotive leather.

A) They had NO idea that some car manufacturers recommended their product for leather care.

B) They absolutely do not recommend it because Woolite is designed to be removed by dilution. That is you would have to literally pull the leather skin off the seat, put it in a bucket with a lot of water, and agitate it, in under to remove all trace residue.

David F also forwarded Woolite's MSDS sheets to several leather care experts who were adament that several of the chemicals listed on the sheet were bad for leather types.

So the manufacturer doesn't recommend it and leather car experts believe that it will damage leather overtime.

I know people use it and get great results AND haven't caused any long term damage, but the manufacturer and leather experts make for rather powerful devil's advocates IMO.

Click to expand...

Thanks for the info Todd! :judge:
 
th0001 said:

FWIW (regarding Woolite), I have contacted Woolite and spoken to them regarding use on automotive leather.

A) They had NO idea that some car manufacturers recommended their product for leather care.

B) They absolutely do not recommend it because Woolite is designed to be removed by dilution. That is you would have to literally pull the leather skin off the seat, put it in a bucket with a lot of water, and agitate it, in under to remove all trace residue.

David F also forwarded Woolite's MSDS sheets to several leather care experts who were adament that several of the chemicals listed on the sheet were bad for leather types.

So the manufacturer doesn't recommend it and leather car experts believe that it will damage leather overtime.

I know people use it and get great results AND haven't caused any long term damage, but the manufacturer and leather experts make for rather powerful devil's advocates IMO.

Click to expand...

I disagree :judge:

Many manufactures won't endorse using there products in a certain fashion. Take Dawn for instance. They DO NOT recommend using there product to wash cars. But anyone with half a brain does, and never suffers any ill effects

Another that comes to mind is Meguiars. I may be wrong, but I have never seen them actually endorse the KBM. Reason being is they don't want every idiot with a DA that puts 250lbs of pressure on there units to come back and sue them for damaged paint when the spindle snaps. On the other hand, I have never seen them come out and say not to use the KBM. This is simply because they know it works

As for the manufactures and so called leather experts..... There all idiots. Listen to me. I am the real expert here :D
 
"As for the manufactures and so called leather experts..... There all idiots. Listen to me."

Just came in for lunch and read your post, Flash !

When I stopped laughing, I had a stroke of inspiration - You, my amigo, among many other aliases you have, are also the Presidente of the LTUOA, right ?? Come on, buddy, fess up !

I just know now, that there is no one else your equal to hold the most prestigious title of President of the Lacquer Thinner Users of America

I am so honored to know you and grateful that all the usage of this most miracle product has not ever caused you any Drain Bamage ! :):):)

All kidding aside, we love ya, Dude; and life would be so boring without you!

Dan F
 
I mostly use lexol soap when cleaning leather . It seems anytime ive resorted to anything stronger on really dirty leather it changes the way the leather feels in a bad way .

lexol soap may not be the best but it at least does no harm . Anyone have a good leather cleaner that will NOT harm the leather for really dirty leather?:smile:

Or how about steam ? Does it change the feel of the leather?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top