Leather Cleaning With Steel Wool?

Beemerboy

Beemerboy

Just One More Coat
Yesterday I was at my local detail supplier buying a few gallons of product....I'm really lucky I have a real good one in my area...anywho I'm looking at a quart of leather shampoo and ask the guy...is this stuff any good? I said that I am currently using Woolite and water mixed and tough stuff I use a APC diluted.....He say the best way to clean leather is with APC and some 0000 steel wool...you go in the same direction that the strings are sewen and go down and back up only once, and that will clean the leather....I've heard of allot of ways to clean leather but this was this first for me...Anyone else heard about this?

I don't plan on trying it just so you know
 
Yikes!! I know many who use the 0000 Steel Wool to clean aluminum rims but i would never let that stuff touch my leather. And although the steel wool is pretty non abrasive on aluminum I cannot imagine using it a soft product such as leather.


And it appears as though you are NOT to Stupid to care after all. :lol:

Richard
 
i dont know about that idea ..when i went to training in hayward they taught us to use a white 3m scuff pad on interiors and it works great ... havent had any probs scrubbing leather with the scuff pads
 
Dave, didn't you pick up some product earlier where they recomended going over the leather with sandpaper for cleaning and reconditioning?

Maybe there is some truth to what sounds like rather harsh treatment to leather

"J"
 
Let me frist state THAT i DON'T DO THIS ANYMORE!!!!!
About 10 years ago working for a detail shop, where I first learned to detail cars professionally, I used to use steel wool to clean leather. With a bucket of APC and by dipping the steel wool in the bucket you can clean leather very affectively. It cleans very quickly, BUT it also takes the dyes out pretty quickly too!!!! Thats the process I was taught and what they liked. After leaving there and now detailing for myself I don't do use this method anymore. I've found a soft brush works just fine without being so harsh on the leather. After learning proper methods and learning about the different types of leather and the different dyes I won't use steel wool on leather anymore.

On another note, I like your method Bigron. I'm going to have to try the white scuff pads in a interior next time.

Hope this helps,

Chubs
 
Has anyone tried the Magic Erasers on leather?

I've been using them pretty exclusively recently, but now I'm worried that I might be taking out some of the leather dye. Anyone try it?

-Mark
 
mrecktid said:
Has anyone tried the Magic Erasers on leather?

I've been using them pretty exclusively recently, but now I'm worried that I might be taking out some of the leather dye. Anyone try it?

-Mark
Click to expand...

The dye is on the surface and anything that you do that is aggressive will remove some of it...I once removed a fair amount on a MB that I was working on thank god I have a friend that dose leather repair


As for steel wool on leather I'll stick to my current process!
 
I will stick to the majic eraser myself. anything to harsh would not be good but once a year a deep scrub I feel is fine and the M.E. works great. :yes:
 
i find an apc or leather cleaner works wonders with a terry cloth. just dip half the clith in apc rud the leather then with the dry hlf wipe clean. i have never had ne problems and it alwayts looks good
 
I've used steel wool as part of leather restoration. Step one, remove old dye. Steel wool works great for this.

I'm sure that one or two easy swipes on leather with a lubricating liquid wont remove much dye, but how many times is too many?

You never know what's been done before. If you are working on an older car and your the one that causes the once too many you get to have the leather re-dyed.
 
Dave-
Tim at P&S told me the same deal, use steel wool or a scotch-brite pad. When I'm cleaning leather, I'll usually use some Shine-All for fairly clean seats, and 50/50 APC/Shine-All for dirtier ones. I have yet to damage any leather, vynil or any interior piece for that matter :)
 
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