kevincwelch
New member
I have tried a variety of leather and vinyl conditioners over the years. Griot`s. Meguiar`s. Swissvax. Gtechniq. 303. Wolfgang. CarPro PERL. Lexol. Pinnacle. They all perform pretty well.
After trying out Kenotek Showroom Shine, I was really impressed with the entire package. The sprayer. The smell. The ease of application. The final result. So, I decided to give Kenotek Vinyl & Leather Conditioner a try.
Product Description
The product description on Autopia
Here is an application video supplied by Kenotek
Price
$23.99 on Autopia
24 Rewards Points
There are 5L and 20L carboys available of the product, but not at Autopia. Perhaps directly from CID LINES.
The product has a chemical minty smell. Not offensive. Not overwhelming. (I don`t know; I`m not very good at identifying smells other than WGURW, which is clearly cherry ICEE.)
Background
The Kenotek line is interesting. Kenotek appears to be a product line of CID LINES, which is a Belgian company that was founded in 1988. A quick review of their website reveals that CID LINES appears to have their hands in several "innovative hygiene solutions," and this includes cleaning agents, biocides and veterinary medicines. Their tagline is "Believe in hygiene!" One of their main product lines falls under "Vehicle Care." Their products include Kenolon Protector (a concentrated high-gloss protector), Virocid (a disinfectant; this appears to be for food service vehicles, health care vehicles, etc.), glass cleaners, car wash soap, perfumes, polishes, insect removers, etc. - a full line of automotive car products it seems.
The Bottle
The bottle contains 1 liter (33.8 oz) of product. Normally I do not like to hold a full liter bottle as it feels a bit too heavy in my hands for use when detailing, so I usually break it down and put half of the solution in a Kwazar bottle for easy use, especially when sitting in a car. The Kenotek bottle, however, has a longer neck and the weight seems proportioned well throughout the bottle, so I didn`t feel restricted when wielding the bottle within my car. The sprayer is an absolute joy to use. The action of the sprayer is uniform and smooth, and with each actuation, there is the same consistency and delivery of product. As many of you know, there is a red locking tab that prevents the trigger from moving. After seeing this on the Kenotek Showroom Shine sprayer, I thought it was gimmicky (my first impression). But then after using the on-off dial of the Rupes P808 sprayer, I started thinking that a locking mechanism and a single uniform spray pattern was more useful to me than having to figure out the typical sprayer lock dial (Is it off? Is it stream? Is it wide pattern?) and more predictable out of the box than others that have a variable dial. There are good reasons for having a variable dial, but sometimes I forget where I left my dial or spend too much time (and product!) trying to "dial-in" the appropriate spray pattern. Regardless, I like the sprayer on the Kenotek bottles.
Locked:
Loaded:
Prep and Application
Normally with conditioners and protectants, I make sure to clean the surface with an appropriate cleaner (usually DP Total Interior Cleaner, Swissvax or Connolly are my go to products). However, Kenotek advertises its Vinyl & Leather Conditioner as an all-in-one solution: "A simple application of this unique formula will clean, condition, and protect ALL of your vehicle’s vinyl, rubber, and plastic surfaces!"
The instructions suggest spraying the solution directly on to the surface that is going to be conditioned and protected. I typically do this when it comes to seats, but I generally don`t like doing this for the dash since in my experience it`s very difficult to prevent overspray on the inner aspect of the windshield. Of course, when that happens -- especially on a performance sedan or sports car -- getting down where the dash meets the windshield is a PITA to clean! For dash applications, I typically spray liberally on a microfiber cloth and apply to the dash. Kenotek advises against applying the conditioner to the steering wheel and pedals, but I went ahead and applied it to the steering wheel.
Here is a shot with the sprayer. It`s nice and uniform, just like Showroom Shine. Hard to see the spray, but it is an acutely angled conal spray pattern.
Here`s a shot of Kenotek Showroom Shine being applied to the hood of my car some weeks ago. The spray pattern is the same.
The product spreads very evenly and doesn`t leave a streaky look to vinyl or coated leather surfaces. I find application to uneven surfaces such as the typical grainy patterns of most dashboards to be a challenge for some vinyl coating products. With Kenotek Vinyl and Leather Conditioner, I didn`t meet too much of a challenge applying it to the dash of my car. When finished, it left a very nice satin finish that felt smooth, somewhat slick and in no way greasy.
Here are shots of the dash after application. There was a light dusting on the dash prior to cleaning, and the dash was cleaned about 2 weeks ago with DP and protected with 303.
As you can see, it has a nice finish that reflects some light. In person, it looked very nice.
I also applied the product the vinyl panels near the jambs and the vinyl panels on the door, as well as the leather of each door. Nice, clean and protected.
After the dash and doors where complete, I moved on to the nappa leather seats. This is where I find products to get streaky. Maybe it`s the way I do it. Maybe it`s the coating on the leather seats. Maybe it`s a combination of those things.
Here`s a shot after half of the seat was wiped down with Kenotek Vinyl and Leather Conditioner. I worked it in and then buffed the residue.
During
After. The buffed out side is slightly deeper and richer in appearance.
The Test
Now, here`s where I wanted to see if Kenotek Vinyl and Leather Conditioner protected the leather at all. I deviated from the instructions to ensure that I had a clean seat that was devoid of any protection from the get go. So, on the driver`s side, I cleaned the seat with Swissvax leather cleaner and after drying and buffing, I placed some drops of water on the seat. Here is the result of the water drops on the clean, "unprotected" leather seat. One of the drops is starting to run and get absorbed into the leather. I think this might be a setup for staining, possibly. At the very least, the contact angles with the drops is very poor.
Next up, a thorough cleaning and conditioning with Kenotek Vinyl and Leather Conditioner. After this was performed, I placed 3 drops of water on the seat.
Time 0:00 (not the greatest of contact angles here)
Time 5:00 (beads still sitting in place without any significant change in cross-sectional area or running)
Time 30:00 (a little out of focus, but the beads are exactly the same)
I next lightly dabbed the water spots with a clean MF towel and lifted to see the residue left behind on the seats.
And, after a light amount of buffing with a clean towel, this is what the seat looks like:
No visible stain.
Conclusion
CID LINES offers Kenotek Vinyl and Leather Conditioner, which is a very nice all-in-one cleaner and conditioner for vinyl and leather surfaces. The spray bottle is comfortable in my hands and has a great no-mess sprayer that delivers consistent and uniform delivery of product on to whatever surface is being cleaned. The product spreads easily and if buffed with a clean towel after application leaves a streak-free satin finish that in my opinion leaves the perfect amount of shine with a mildly slick feeling and no obvious residue on my hands or fingers after running my hand across the surfaces.
Based on a quick 30 minute test of water, it appears to easily repel water drops and allow buffing without any signs of staining on the seat (YMMV with uncoated leather, etc.).
I think this will be a nice addition to my arsenal of leather and vinyl cleaners and conditioners. I don`t think it will replace my dedicated cleaners and dedicated conditioners, but I don`t think it really is intended to do that. I see this as a maintenance product that performs very well.
Thanks for reading!
After trying out Kenotek Showroom Shine, I was really impressed with the entire package. The sprayer. The smell. The ease of application. The final result. So, I decided to give Kenotek Vinyl & Leather Conditioner a try.
Product Description
The product description on Autopia
Here is an application video supplied by Kenotek
Price
$23.99 on Autopia
24 Rewards Points
There are 5L and 20L carboys available of the product, but not at Autopia. Perhaps directly from CID LINES.
The product has a chemical minty smell. Not offensive. Not overwhelming. (I don`t know; I`m not very good at identifying smells other than WGURW, which is clearly cherry ICEE.)
Background
The Kenotek line is interesting. Kenotek appears to be a product line of CID LINES, which is a Belgian company that was founded in 1988. A quick review of their website reveals that CID LINES appears to have their hands in several "innovative hygiene solutions," and this includes cleaning agents, biocides and veterinary medicines. Their tagline is "Believe in hygiene!" One of their main product lines falls under "Vehicle Care." Their products include Kenolon Protector (a concentrated high-gloss protector), Virocid (a disinfectant; this appears to be for food service vehicles, health care vehicles, etc.), glass cleaners, car wash soap, perfumes, polishes, insect removers, etc. - a full line of automotive car products it seems.
The Bottle
The bottle contains 1 liter (33.8 oz) of product. Normally I do not like to hold a full liter bottle as it feels a bit too heavy in my hands for use when detailing, so I usually break it down and put half of the solution in a Kwazar bottle for easy use, especially when sitting in a car. The Kenotek bottle, however, has a longer neck and the weight seems proportioned well throughout the bottle, so I didn`t feel restricted when wielding the bottle within my car. The sprayer is an absolute joy to use. The action of the sprayer is uniform and smooth, and with each actuation, there is the same consistency and delivery of product. As many of you know, there is a red locking tab that prevents the trigger from moving. After seeing this on the Kenotek Showroom Shine sprayer, I thought it was gimmicky (my first impression). But then after using the on-off dial of the Rupes P808 sprayer, I started thinking that a locking mechanism and a single uniform spray pattern was more useful to me than having to figure out the typical sprayer lock dial (Is it off? Is it stream? Is it wide pattern?) and more predictable out of the box than others that have a variable dial. There are good reasons for having a variable dial, but sometimes I forget where I left my dial or spend too much time (and product!) trying to "dial-in" the appropriate spray pattern. Regardless, I like the sprayer on the Kenotek bottles.
Locked:
Loaded:
Prep and Application
Normally with conditioners and protectants, I make sure to clean the surface with an appropriate cleaner (usually DP Total Interior Cleaner, Swissvax or Connolly are my go to products). However, Kenotek advertises its Vinyl & Leather Conditioner as an all-in-one solution: "A simple application of this unique formula will clean, condition, and protect ALL of your vehicle’s vinyl, rubber, and plastic surfaces!"
The instructions suggest spraying the solution directly on to the surface that is going to be conditioned and protected. I typically do this when it comes to seats, but I generally don`t like doing this for the dash since in my experience it`s very difficult to prevent overspray on the inner aspect of the windshield. Of course, when that happens -- especially on a performance sedan or sports car -- getting down where the dash meets the windshield is a PITA to clean! For dash applications, I typically spray liberally on a microfiber cloth and apply to the dash. Kenotek advises against applying the conditioner to the steering wheel and pedals, but I went ahead and applied it to the steering wheel.
Here is a shot with the sprayer. It`s nice and uniform, just like Showroom Shine. Hard to see the spray, but it is an acutely angled conal spray pattern.
Here`s a shot of Kenotek Showroom Shine being applied to the hood of my car some weeks ago. The spray pattern is the same.
The product spreads very evenly and doesn`t leave a streaky look to vinyl or coated leather surfaces. I find application to uneven surfaces such as the typical grainy patterns of most dashboards to be a challenge for some vinyl coating products. With Kenotek Vinyl and Leather Conditioner, I didn`t meet too much of a challenge applying it to the dash of my car. When finished, it left a very nice satin finish that felt smooth, somewhat slick and in no way greasy.
Here are shots of the dash after application. There was a light dusting on the dash prior to cleaning, and the dash was cleaned about 2 weeks ago with DP and protected with 303.
As you can see, it has a nice finish that reflects some light. In person, it looked very nice.
I also applied the product the vinyl panels near the jambs and the vinyl panels on the door, as well as the leather of each door. Nice, clean and protected.
After the dash and doors where complete, I moved on to the nappa leather seats. This is where I find products to get streaky. Maybe it`s the way I do it. Maybe it`s the coating on the leather seats. Maybe it`s a combination of those things.
Here`s a shot after half of the seat was wiped down with Kenotek Vinyl and Leather Conditioner. I worked it in and then buffed the residue.
During
After. The buffed out side is slightly deeper and richer in appearance.
The Test
Now, here`s where I wanted to see if Kenotek Vinyl and Leather Conditioner protected the leather at all. I deviated from the instructions to ensure that I had a clean seat that was devoid of any protection from the get go. So, on the driver`s side, I cleaned the seat with Swissvax leather cleaner and after drying and buffing, I placed some drops of water on the seat. Here is the result of the water drops on the clean, "unprotected" leather seat. One of the drops is starting to run and get absorbed into the leather. I think this might be a setup for staining, possibly. At the very least, the contact angles with the drops is very poor.
Next up, a thorough cleaning and conditioning with Kenotek Vinyl and Leather Conditioner. After this was performed, I placed 3 drops of water on the seat.
Time 0:00 (not the greatest of contact angles here)
Time 5:00 (beads still sitting in place without any significant change in cross-sectional area or running)
Time 30:00 (a little out of focus, but the beads are exactly the same)
I next lightly dabbed the water spots with a clean MF towel and lifted to see the residue left behind on the seats.
And, after a light amount of buffing with a clean towel, this is what the seat looks like:
No visible stain.
Conclusion
CID LINES offers Kenotek Vinyl and Leather Conditioner, which is a very nice all-in-one cleaner and conditioner for vinyl and leather surfaces. The spray bottle is comfortable in my hands and has a great no-mess sprayer that delivers consistent and uniform delivery of product on to whatever surface is being cleaned. The product spreads easily and if buffed with a clean towel after application leaves a streak-free satin finish that in my opinion leaves the perfect amount of shine with a mildly slick feeling and no obvious residue on my hands or fingers after running my hand across the surfaces.
Based on a quick 30 minute test of water, it appears to easily repel water drops and allow buffing without any signs of staining on the seat (YMMV with uncoated leather, etc.).
I think this will be a nice addition to my arsenal of leather and vinyl cleaners and conditioners. I don`t think it will replace my dedicated cleaners and dedicated conditioners, but I don`t think it really is intended to do that. I see this as a maintenance product that performs very well.
Thanks for reading!
