DEET stain on black leather from Off! bug repellent spray

[starkraven]

I just got a 2011 M3 with black leather. I take my daughter to school every morning, right after my wife spritzes her with OFF! insect repellent. I noticed today that there were stains all over the back seat from where my daughter climbs in to her car seat. The only thing I've tried so far is a little Palmolive and water. It may have made a dent in the stains. I'm a little angry at the situation right now, so it is hard for me to tell.

A google search tells me that DEET can stain leather, but that is the extent of what I see out there. Any ideas?

 

[Beemerboy]

WOW...your on a mission and welcome to the site from Sonoma County


I just answered you on the Fest site (dboy11) is the nic I use there


Leatherique is one of the solutions..Lets hope that there are some here that can also make other suggestions

 

[starkraven]

Yes, I'm on a mission! I've called Off and BMW for their input too. Off (SC Johnson) says that DEET is a plasticizer and can damage automotive leather. Apparently, it is on the label somewhere. Fantastic. It may be that BMW coats their leather with some protective layer that the Off etched.

 

[Beemerboy]

Yes, I'm on a mission! I've called Off and BMW for their input too. Off (SC Johnson) says that DEET is a plasticizer and can damage automotive leather. Apparently, it is on the label somewhere. Fantastic. It may be that BMW coats their leather with some protective layer that the Off etched.

Leather today is top coated with a clear and that's what might have got etched

Any chances you can get some pics of this?


That might help in getting a solution.

I Googled Deet and there is not a lot of info other than its not leather and lots of other fabrics friendly.


The pics will help if you can get them

 

[Mr. Clean]

Welcome to Detail City starkraven! Sorry for the circumstances which brought you into the fold. Unfortunately I have no experience with your specific problem, that is DEET staining. As Beemerboy mentioned, Leatherique has a nice cleaning component to it. I don't know if the two-step process would yield better results or not. You might check in your area with a store which deals leather furniture, we have several in this area that sells only leather furniture, they will often have leather cleaning kits. Good luck and keep us posted on what you learn.

 

[starkraven]

Welcome to Detail City starkraven! Sorry for the circumstances which brought you into the fold. Unfortunately I have no experience with your specific problem, that is DEET staining. As Beemerboy mentioned, Leatherique has a nice cleaning component to it. I don't know if the two-step process would yield better results or not. You might check in your area with a store which deals leather furniture, we have several in this area that sells only leather furniture, they will often have leather cleaning kits. Good luck and keep us posted on what you learn.

Will do. I'm take some pictures as Beemerboy suggested, but I suspect the damage will be hard to document photgraphically. The black leather in the car has a very matte finish, and the "stain" is a lighter, gray color. Almost as if it has been bleached. If is it chemical etching of a clear coat on the leather, the appearance makes sense.