Leather Cleaner/Conditioner

Which leather cleaner/conditioner works best?

  • 1Z Einszett Leather Care

    Votes: 0 0.0%

  • Leatherique

    Votes: 0 0.0%
  • Total voters
    0
yakky said:
It is indeed safe, one thing to note, there a few "leather pros" pitching their own products here and on other forums. 1z is a very respectable company that makes some very fine products. They do indeed state that their product is MEANT, not safe for, MEANT for coated leather. I think I'll take their claims over a few "experts" pushing their agendas.



I use it monthly. It is non greasy and leaves the seats very matte but at the same time seems to leave a coating of something (it is carnauba based) that seems to do a great job of protecting the leather from oil absorption.
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:werd:



I can't remember what detailing forum I saw this on but in one thread I was reading two leather "experts" started arguing. Each kept telling the other that they were wrong.



Personally, I've stopped reading what "experts" write on the forums and just let experience be my guide. It's just too hard to tell who to believe and who not to.
 
DitchTehFish said:
Thanks for the response. :)



Can Wolfgang leather cleaner be sprayed directly onto the leather, then agitated with a leather scrub brush, then wiped with a damp towel?



Also, I have optimum protectant plus to follow after I clean the leather(coated).
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Yes, no need for a damp cloth to remove the excess, let a dry one obsorb the dirt and cleaner. I have used it with a nail type brush to aggitate and works itself in a low level foam which helps get in the grooves and increases its functionality.



I dont have experince of the Optimum product, i think they do a dedicated leather cleaner.
 
steelwind101 said:
I dont have experince of the Optimum product, i think they do a dedicated leather cleaner.
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OLC is their only leather product and its a cleaner/protectant 2 in 1 and the cleaner is VERY weak, I'd say you'd do just about as well with water.
 
steelwind101 said:
Yes, no need for a damp cloth to remove the excess, let a dry one obsorb the dirt and cleaner. I have used it with a nail type brush to aggitate and works itself in a low level foam which helps get in the grooves and increases its functionality.



I dont have experince of the Optimum product, i think they do a dedicated leather cleaner.
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What's your favorite conditioner/protectant for coated leather?
 
So far I'm happy w/Leather Masters but I'm no pro. I just use it on my personal car, it did out perform Pinnacles conditioner.
 
Most auto leather is matt when it is new and looked after correctly. Leather with a shiny or glossy look is usually due to build up of dirt together with abrassion (constant sliding in and out). This is often exacerbated by the use of 'conditioners' that contain waxes and/or oils which only sit on the surface and attract more dirt.



Leather does not require 'conditioning' with anything other than water.



Keep your leather clean by protecting it with a leather protector and then regular cleaning.

Adding 'conditioners' which generally contain oils and waxes will change the appearance of your leather over time as dirt will build up on the surface and cause a sheen.



Using the correct care methods and products will not alter the factory finish.



This type of leather is 'coated' leather. This is essentially a 'painted' leather with a clear coat finish over the top. The leather may or may not be dyed through with aniline dyes prior to the finish coating.



Essentially it is this top coating that needs looking after. Cleaning is vitally important as the top coat will wear away if allowed to become dirty. Dirt on the surface will aslo become ground into the finish by constant abrassion.



'Conditioners', balms, feeds etc (traditionally oil and wax based) cannot penetrate this finish so are not worth applying - they can also leave behind residues on the finish which will only attract more dirt if allowed to remain.



A protector will make the finish easier to clean and also inhibit dye transfer etc on pale coloured leathers.



Leather however finished has to remain breathable and it will allow the movement of moisture back and forth (transpiration) so the use of water based cleaners and protectors will keep the leather correctly hydrated which is essentail to keeping it in good condition.



The routine for correct care should be

Protect from new

Maintain with a regular clean or maintenance product

Deep clean with a foam cleaner once or twice a year



This will prolong the life of the finish on the leather



Hope this helps
 
I just have one more thing to add, it seems like lots of people might be a bit mis-informed. When a vendor tells you to buy someone else's product to treat unfinished leather, I'd say their product is meant for treated/coated leather.



This article is a great read for people that are unsure about various leather surfaces and their care.



How to clean leather - einszett Car Care Products
 
judyb said:
Most auto leather is matt when it is new and looked after correctly. Leather with a shiny or glossy look is usually due to build up of dirt together with abrassion (constant sliding in and out). This is often exacerbated by the use of 'conditioners' that contain waxes and/or oils which only sit on the surface and attract more dirt.



Leather does not require 'conditioning' with anything other than water.



Keep your leather clean by protecting it with a leather protector and then regular cleaning.

Adding 'conditioners' which generally contain oils and waxes will change the appearance of your leather over time as dirt will build up on the surface and cause a sheen.



Using the correct care methods and products will not alter the factory finish.



This type of leather is 'coated' leather. This is essentially a 'painted' leather with a clear coat finish over the top. The leather may or may not be dyed through with aniline dyes prior to the finish coating.



Essentially it is this top coating that needs looking after. Cleaning is vitally important as the top coat will wear away if allowed to become dirty. Dirt on the surface will aslo become ground into the finish by constant abrassion.



'Conditioners', balms, feeds etc (traditionally oil and wax based) cannot penetrate this finish so are not worth applying - they can also leave behind residues on the finish which will only attract more dirt if allowed to remain.



A protector will make the finish easier to clean and also inhibit dye transfer etc on pale coloured leathers.



Leather however finished has to remain breathable and it will allow the movement of moisture back and forth (transpiration) so the use of water based cleaners and protectors will keep the leather correctly hydrated which is essentail to keeping it in good condition.



The routine for correct care should be

Protect from new

Maintain with a regular clean or maintenance product

Deep clean with a foam cleaner once or twice a year



This will prolong the life of the finish on the leather



Hope this helps
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Thanks.



I've decided to go with leather masters strong cleaner and leather masters protection cream. Seems to get excellent reviews and I can use it safely on finished and unfinished leather. :D
 
steelwind101 said:
CG's leather cleaner is very strong and dries quickly. This can lead to what looks a stain or over clean on sections so just make sure you move fast or work in sections and watch for drips that run down the leather incase you dont see them.
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Is leather masters strong cleaner as strong as chemical guys? Does LM strong cleaner dry quickly and lead to what looks like a stain or over clean?
 
Legacy99 said:
Any thoughts on Zaino leather?
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The cleaner seems exactly the same as DG 441. The conditioner is similar to DG 221, but smells a little different. The DG stuff smells like a leather store, while the Zaino might be a cross of that with something else. I really don't like either DG 221 or Zaino Z10, except for the cool smells. Neither seems to be much of a protectant.
 
Well, ditch the Lexol and you're better off. I'm convinced that water (I'm using distilled now) and woolite (10:1) cleans as good as anything and poses no harm. Now, I'm at a loss what a suitable protector would be, obviously not 303, or any of the waxy, oily, greasy kid stuff or the leather cleaner/protector/conditioners.
 
JuneBug- I'd try the LeatherMasters stuff. I've *VERY* happy with it, and I'm one particular SOB when it comes to my cars' leather surfaces.
 
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