What to use to soften leather???

B

Beach15

New member
Okay, I just got a call on Friday night from a lady who had been very highly recommended to me by someone who has had me do her Toyota twice and her husband's black Ram once. Anyway, she has a '99 Buick LeSabre, beige over beige, with 30k miles that they just bought a month ago from someone who kept it in a garage 100% of the time, and rarely drove the car. It is supposed to be in "excellent" (but we all know how that goes!) condition on every inch, but just needs a fresh detail.



Of mention, she just said it didn't bead up well when washed, so it needs polished and waxed, and the leather felt dry and stiff. She said it probably needed conditioned, but doesn't have the time or ability to detail a car anymore. As far as leather goes, I only have the new Pinnacle Cleaner & Conditioner, as I too am short on time and wanted something quality to use on the seats of our Buick and Cadillac seats. However, I don't think it's all that effective at doing anything other than a light re-freshening.



Anything recommended that I can get to help soften leather, preferably at the store? I realize different cars have different leather (case in point, our Buick Roadmaster has much "drier" and stiffer leather than the soft, supple stuff in our Caddy Fleetwood), but she's making it a specific point that I help the seats out.



What should I get or do??
 
I've been using Lexol on my 89 Deville for 9 years, although my leather has never been dried out as you describe, maybe applying it several times would help? You could get Lexol at a Pep Boys or similar store. ( I would go with the Meguiar's equivalent if no Lexol is availible) Maybe there are tips on the Lexol website.



http://www.lexol.com
 
I agree. Meguiar's gold class conditioner, or Lexol should work as well as any. I've heard some good things about the conditioner made by turtle wax as well, just as a third alternative in case you can't easily find the other two. Almost any automobile leather conditioner should be able to soften the seats a bit, as long as she isn't expecting magic.



Sean
 
You may have a tough time making much improvement. The Buick probably has GM's clearcoat leather that is not known to be "soft and supple". Since you are exposed to both the Buick and the Cadillac leather, you unfortunately can see the difference.

If you do find something that makes much difference, by all means, please post it.:)



Charles
 
To soften leather, the best way is still Leatherique.



It is a proven way to restore leather that is like cardboard back to the way it should be.



Here is a link on how it works: Leatherique



If you have poor quality leather, this is the best way to restore it, then maintenance is much easier.



Regards,

Deanski
 
Deanski,



I have been using Lexol for years and have been very happy with it. I am one to experiment though but, have not found anything else I felt comfortable trying on my leather. Can you compare Leatherique to Lexol? Have you used Lexol?



Thanks



Bob
 
Yes I've used and still have Lexol, but it's too damn glossy!



The cleaner is fair at getting all the dirt out. Trust me, I have a white Ecru interior, so I know when it's clean. Just never could get it as clean as it should be. I switched to both Zaino and 1Z for monthly work and Leatherique for all the tuff stuff and any time I need to strip the leather of all the previous treatments.



Lexol does work for some, and provided that gloss that some like. I do not care for the look it gives off.



I however, have been using the 1Z product and Zaino as well as Leatherique. The Leatherique is used for really deteriorated leather. The Zaino is the monthly treatment or the 1Z product.



Zaino smells like leather for one thing. The 1Z has a slight leather odor.



There have been many posts on Lexol and Leatherique and all have their uses and dedicated users.



Regards,

Deanski
 
Lexol makes a leather softner called Neetsfoot,I picked it up at autogeek.net in one of there kits, works great.
 
Careful with that stuff.. It can just sit ontop of leather for a very long time before it tries to migrate in. Remember, a lot of todays vehicle leathers are coated, so some treatments do not work their way into the leather. Some oils will do harm than do good.



The only one that does seem to migrate beyond treated leather is Leatherique. Look at the instructions and warnings as to oils.



Here are some simple instructions: Leatherique Instructions



Wonderful stuff for bad leather or maintaining the leather.



Between this product along with 1Z Lederpflege and Zaino's Z9/Z10 you have combined the best way to treat and maintain leather.



These products are designed for auto leather interiors and have a proven track record of success.



Leave the Lexol for the house stuff, you're better off using a product more geared toward automotive leather cleaning/maintaining.



Regards,

Deanski
 
To eliminate the gloss Lexol leaves behind, you can buff it with a terry pad or towel when it dries. Works for me. However, I'm sure I'll be trying Leatherique some time
 
Pecards makes some of the best leather care products

at any price. Check out their site: http://www.pecard.com/



For softening leather I'd recommend their Jell dressing.



It's made to absorb easily even on the toughest leathers.

I use it to make my goatskin jacket soft and flexible.

The only downside is you can't get it in stores that I've

seen, you'll have to order it.
 
indy,



Thanks for that link, Pecard looks very interesting at very good prices. Sure its ok for automotive leather? There's no mention of it on the site.
 
Thanks for that link, Pecard looks very interesting at very good prices. Sure its ok for automotive leather? There's no mention of it on the site. [/B]
Click to expand...



Stay away from the oils which are for shoes/boots only and you'll

be fine.



Pecards is used on jackets, bags, horse whips, saddles, anything

leather. If you're still a little nervous try it in an inconspicuous

place first, but I've used it on all kinds of leather with very good

results (jackets, belts, shoes, bags).

I don't have leather in my cars so I can't say I've used

it there. I use their Jell dressing almost exclusively since it

absorbs quickly (overnight and it's absorbed completely).
 
I use Lexol on my $130+ dollar soccer cleats. It makes the kangaroo leather VERY soft. If I run out of that I just get some Chelsea Leather food. I use these products on EVERYTHING that is leather.
 
Deanski said:
The only one that does seem to migrate beyond treated leather is Leatherique. Look at the instructions and warnings as to oils.
Click to expand...

Well ... maybe "not so fast there." I've successfully and happily used Leatherique in many applications, both on leather seats in the house and in car interiors. But this summer I tried it on a gunky '93 Benz leather steering wheel, and Leatherique made a SERIOUS mess of it. After a very careful application of the cleaner and conditioner (meticulously following product instructions), the leather was "dead" -- white, sticky, and yukky. I have a hunch that -- unbeknownst to me -- the leather wheel was (as DavidB has often noted) covered with a thin vinyl layer. It has taken me several weeks to restore its genuine "leather" feel. So .. I think that when we recommend Leatherique, we need to note that it works well on some leathers better than others. Lots of you may be qualified to observe whether it's coated or uncoated; but perhaps newbies (like me) should err on the side of caution.
 
Hide Food is used by the Bentley dealer in St. Louis if im not mistaken, and a friend of mine swears by it and uses it on his Benz all the time. Really rejuvenates the leather. I am a griots garage fan, but have only used the conditioner. It makes the leather very soft and supple when ive used it on my 03 Vette. They do sell a rejuvenator as well.



-Zach
 
Leatherique hands down.



I've used Lexol, Zaino, Hide Food and Glycern (sold at cowboy stores) and nothing works as good as Leatherique.



I have Connley in my car and many 355's have a problem called dash shrinkage. The sun will dry out the leather and items like the airbag will warp at the corners as the leather shrinks.



I put leatherique on it and let it sit overnight. In the morning the leather "stretched" back to its original condition and the air bag laid flush....



One of the few products that delivers more than it claims....
 
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