Understanding the different types of leather.

rzatch said:
On cheaper leather if your not carfull you can actually wipe the color coating right off the leather with the wrong cleaners.
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I agree. I used a strong cleaner with a cheap microfiber towel on the back seat of my 2010 Mustang and it did remove some color in one very small spot. It's the rear seat and nobody sits backs there and it really didn't need to be cleaned but I did it anyway. I was bored that day. If you're going to use a leather cleaner you might want to dilute it and then use a plush microfiber towel.
 
Paul Mitchell said:
I agree. I used a strong cleaner with a cheap microfiber towel on the back seat of my 2010 Mustang and it did remove some color in one very small spot. It's the rear seat and nobody sits backs there and it really didn't need to be cleaned but I did it anyway. I was bored that day. If you're going to use a leather cleaner you might want to dilute it and then use a plush microfiber towel.
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Its always a good idea (with anything really) to test a small inconspicuous spot first.
 
Todd Helme said:
Use a protectant or conditioner that features protectants (to reduce abrasion and increase sun fade resistance). Over time the leather coating will crack microscopically or stretch in the seams and folds. Conditioners can penetrate the coating through these cracks and openings, keeping the leather underneath soft and supple.
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Thanks for the post! To me, coated leather care is one of the most "mysterious" parts of detailing. There is a lot of misinformation out there, some of it coming direct from other product vendors, and it's tough to figure out.

I see a lot of reputable vendors marketing leather products which don't claim to have any conditioning/moisturizing value. For example, a lot of folks use 303 on leather, is just the water based component of something like 303 enough to moisturize/condition the leather underneath?

I've also read elsewhere that wiping down seats with a damp rag is enough to "moisturize" the seats, and that the primary focus of a leather "lsp" product should be abrasion resistance. (like LM Protection cream) I'd be interested in your thoughts on that.

Thanks!
 
I see a lot of reputable vendors marketing leather products which don't claim to have any conditioning/moisturizing value. For example, a lot of folks use 303 on leather, is just the water based component of something like 303 enough to moisturize/condition the leather underneath?

I've also read elsewhere that wiping down seats with a damp rag is enough to "moisturize" the seats, and that the primary focus of a leather "lsp" product should be abrasion resistance. (like LM Protection cream) I'd be interested in your thoughts on that.

Thanks!
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I have had the pleasure of speaking with several well known chemists, leather workers, and leather product manufacturers, and it can be confusing. Each has a different view on what works or what doesn't, but here is what I have gathered.

The biggest factor in keeping leather from wearing is to keep it clean. Abrasion can remove/ruin the coating fast.

Avoid strong cleaners.

Most conditioners are also protectants, with perhaps the benefit of conditioning the leather underneath.

Leather coatings are permeable, that is (particularly as the leather ages/coating wears) you can get some products to the leather underneath.
 
Todd...great post, thanks. I was told by a local vender to use GoJo hand cleaner to clean and condition leather seats & consoles...your opinion? Guy said he's been using this trick for years with good results.( he services the local used cars lots). I own a F350 Lariat, and a 370Z, both with leather and am always looking for something to help keep my interiors looking new..Thanks. Ro
 
RSAV said:
Todd...great post, thanks. I was told by a local vender to use GoJo hand cleaner to clean and condition leather seats & consoles...your opinion? Guy said he's been using this trick for years with good results.( he services the local used cars lots). I own a F350 Lariat, and a 370Z, both with leather and am always looking for something to help keep my interiors looking new..Thanks. Ro
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I have no idea (honestly) if this is a good idea or not. I have never used GoJo hand cleaner to clean anything but my hands, which it was designed for. So my opinion below is a general opinion, not aimed at any specific product, person, or situation.

Sometimes we have to be really careful who take advice from. It is possible that using a certain product to wash leather, clean tires, dress an engine may produce the desired results for an individual (whose standards may be lower or higher than our own). Using a hand soap to clean (and "condition") the leather may work for somebody who works at a used car lot, because their goal is to clean the leather as fast as possible, and never have to do it again. Usually the last thing on their mind is how is this going to affect the leather long-term.

Damage to leather (or any surface) may not be instantaneous. Take polishing paint for example. If you polish your paint once a year, you will be fine. But lets say you polish your paint every week with an aggressive compound. At first you will not notice any damage, but after a year your going to start going through the clear coat (maybe less time than that). The damage didn't occur right away, but over time. Another analogy would be like smoking cigarettes. One cigarette in your life time will have no effect on your health, what-so-ever. The damage isn't done right there. But some 2 packs a day for 40 years and.....

So I would be more concerned about the long-term effect of using something that is designed to remove oil and grease from living skin continuously on my own leather.
 
EDIT:
I use gojo for my hands and not on leather, lol...

I use gojo too but i think it has some low petroleum ingredients to remove grease from your skin, im not 100% on that though but ifever you use that it has some gasoline-like smell off it. And i think any petroleum-based products doesnt do any good with uv rays *that could affect any interior material in the long run*
 
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ponzy said:
I use gojo too but i think it has some low petroleum ingredients to remove grease from your skin, im not 100% on that though but ifever you use that it has some gasoline-like smell off it. And i think any petroleum-based products doesnt do any good with uv rays.
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For me, with so many great leather car products, designed by really intelligent (to a scary level) leather experts, it seems to be a safer bet to stick with something designed for leather.

It's the long term damage that repeated exposure to harsh chemicals could cause that worries me the most.
 
every time there's a writeup/review/knowledge passed by Mr Helme, I find myself printing the whole thing and sticking it in my detailing binder for future reference LOL always great information !!
 
viOlaziOne said:
every time there's a writeup/review/knowledge passed by Mr Helme, I find myself printing the whole thing and sticking it in my detailing binder for future reference LOL always great information !!
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Thanks, that is seriously flattering. I am really lucky to love what I do!
 
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