Leather: Untreated vs Lexol vs Leatherique (LONG-TERM TEST)
04-23-12, 09:55 PM
#18
Racer
Thread Starter
What model Ferrari do you have?
Judging by your signature, I am assuming that you have a 355? I am pretty certain the leather is coated, although at the time, Conolly was using a semi-aniline finish as opposed to either a true aniline (uncoated) or pigmented (top-coated) leather. The hide was dyed, and a coating was applied on top of that.
To test the leather simply put a drop of water on the seat. If the water beads up it is coated. If the water absorbs into the seat, like it would a paper towel, it is uncoated (true aniline). I would say that 90-95 percent of my cliental is Ferrari's and that I have not seen one with uncoated leather since an original interior 400.
Judging by your signature, I am assuming that you have a 355? I am pretty certain the leather is coated, although at the time, Conolly was using a semi-aniline finish as opposed to either a true aniline (uncoated) or pigmented (top-coated) leather. The hide was dyed, and a coating was applied on top of that.
To test the leather simply put a drop of water on the seat. If the water beads up it is coated. If the water absorbs into the seat, like it would a paper towel, it is uncoated (true aniline). I would say that 90-95 percent of my cliental is Ferrari's and that I have not seen one with uncoated leather since an original interior 400.
It IS in fact a semi-aniline leather, but still very different feeling than ANY Semi-aniline leather I have ever seen in any car.
04-23-12, 09:59 PM
#19
Racer
Thread Starter
First results!!!
I will upload pic first thing tomorrow morning.
(Left to right)
1. Untreated side looks normal, but does feel slightly rougher than BOTH treated sections.
2. So it appears that the Lexol DOES leave a slight bit of a shiny sheen....It doesn't necessarily look bad or unnatural....but it is slightly noticeable. It is also about as soft as the Leatherique'd section to the right...
3. The Leatherique has actually made the leather feel a tad softer while retaining the natural sheen of the leather.
I'm not sure how much a piece of unused leather can dry out over a 20-month period...but the Leatherique made the untreated section feel a tad more dried out....
Not enough here for a long-term result....but the preliminary first treatments are a little foretelling, perhaps.....?
(Left to right)
1. Untreated side looks normal, but does feel slightly rougher than BOTH treated sections.
2. So it appears that the Lexol DOES leave a slight bit of a shiny sheen....It doesn't necessarily look bad or unnatural....but it is slightly noticeable. It is also about as soft as the Leatherique'd section to the right...
3. The Leatherique has actually made the leather feel a tad softer while retaining the natural sheen of the leather.
I'm not sure how much a piece of unused leather can dry out over a 20-month period...but the Leatherique made the untreated section feel a tad more dried out....
Not enough here for a long-term result....but the preliminary first treatments are a little foretelling, perhaps.....?
04-24-12, 08:23 AM
#20
Racer
Thread Starter
Pic was on my computer so I have it now!
06-11-12, 03:13 AM
#23
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I use Leatherique religiously on my Ferrari, but that is because it has OEM Connolly UNTREATED leather.
With the Lexus, there are countless arguments about whether or not conditioners even penetrate the leather due to it being treated.
I hope this test over the next few years will shed some truth as to what is and isn't good for treated leather.
With the Lexus, there are countless arguments about whether or not conditioners even penetrate the leather due to it being treated.
I hope this test over the next few years will shed some truth as to what is and isn't good for treated leather.
Unless a Premium Leather option was purchased the type of leather upholstery used by ~ 95% of OEM is a multi stratum covering over the leather hide; the top strata is the surface pigmentation (colour) and an abrasion resistant urethane. Real leather has a recognizable fragrance that is missing from polyurethane and plastic. Simple cleaning, hydration and protection are the steps that will prolong the life of finished leather.
Google "Proper Leather Care" by TOGWT
06-11-12, 05:00 PM
#24
Just brought lexol today and used it on the rx and the gs. Should've taken pics on the before. The rx is a family car so the stains, milk, juice, soda, gummies, and etc wiped clean! I actually left the stains in the car for 4 months and it wiped off without a problem. Including scuff marks! The GS however, is my baby and sad to say, no passenger allowed on this ride. So no stains or scuff marks but i wiped the whole leather interior down. I park my car in the hot scorching texas sun most of the day at work so imma put Lexol to the test! I'll "TRY" to update this in a month to see if there's a difference as far as feel and shine. I bookmarked the page so see y'all in a month!!!
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