Do Black Leather Interiors Require Cleaning?

[andrewcbho]

I was planning on purchasing both lexol's cleaner and conditioner for leather interiors, but does black leather need cleaning? Since it is black and all :nixweiss

 

[nw_mr2]

Yes! It's still leather

 

[audipower]

What the heck! Do you want it to dry out and crack and rip?!

Meg's Medallion Leather Cleaner and Conditioner.

 

[Alfisti]

Andrew, all leather needs to be cleaned and conditioned. It's not simply for cosmetic reasons.



To prevent leather from splitting and cracking, you need to regularly clean the contaminants off the surface (and sometimes deep in the fibres). Hence, leather cleaner.



For leather to remain soft and pliable you need to replenish the oils lost due to evapouration...hence, leather conditioner.



You need to use the products that suit the type of leather you have - whether its finished (coated) or unfinished leather.

 

[Accumulator]

Yeah, even though black leather doesn't show dirt as much, the dirt will still cause problems. It'll cause abrasion as it gets rubbed into the leather and can make your dressings/conditioners absorb unevenly.

 

[benpocock]

I have black leather in all my cars simply because it shows the dirt less, but I'm still amazed at the colour the water goes in the bucket after I've used a leather cleaner. Most noticeable is the amount of blue dye that comes off from continual jean wearing!



Ben

 

[les017]

yes - dirty is dirty, no matter how much it "shows"

 

[paco]

Note: Most seats today are not fully leather. Most have leatherette which is clearcoted on the sides of the seats. Typically, only the actual middle section is leather, even then, it may or may not be.



I don't want to start another on the issue of how to treat leatherette.



However, the key note is that irregardless of it's true leather or not, you should clean it periodically to keep it from premature wear due to dirt and keep it conditioned with whatever product you feel works best.



Paco