View Poll Results: How often do you clean/condition your leather seats?
As Needed
75
16.09%
Weekly
50
10.73%
Monthly
114
24.46%
Every 3 Months
93
19.96%
Every 6 Months
59
12.66%
Once a Year
40
8.58%
Never
35
7.51%
Voters: 466. You may not vote on this poll
Cleaning & Conditioning Leather Seats
09-03-03, 09:22 PM
#61
Re: Waxy feeling and residue?
Originally posted by Lexterious
I've started using the Rolls Royce/Bently/Jaguar Hide Food on my 330's Ivory interior. ...and I'm starting to have second thoughts. I'm new to leather. And due to the fine quality, I'm prepared to invest some time a couple of times a year and put on the Hide Food.
However, unless I'm doing it wrong, I notice a greasy feeling afterwards that later becomes a waxy feeling. By waxy, I mean that a week or 2 after you put it on, when you touch the seats, you are left with a waxy feel on your skin. I'd hate see a waxy substance sticking to a fine wool suit.
My method is as follows (gleaned from some posts here):
1) bake the car under the hot sun with the windows up for a few hours to warm up the leather
2) put on the Hide Food fairly liberally.
3) continue baking for 2 or 3 hours
4) use a soft terry towel and rub hard to get as much of the Hide Foold off as possible.
Despite step 4, I still get the waxy feel.
Am I doing something wrong? Is there a better product that keeps the leather soft that does not leave behind a waxy residue?
I've started using the Rolls Royce/Bently/Jaguar Hide Food on my 330's Ivory interior. ...and I'm starting to have second thoughts. I'm new to leather. And due to the fine quality, I'm prepared to invest some time a couple of times a year and put on the Hide Food.
However, unless I'm doing it wrong, I notice a greasy feeling afterwards that later becomes a waxy feeling. By waxy, I mean that a week or 2 after you put it on, when you touch the seats, you are left with a waxy feel on your skin. I'd hate see a waxy substance sticking to a fine wool suit.
My method is as follows (gleaned from some posts here):
1) bake the car under the hot sun with the windows up for a few hours to warm up the leather
2) put on the Hide Food fairly liberally.
3) continue baking for 2 or 3 hours
4) use a soft terry towel and rub hard to get as much of the Hide Foold off as possible.
Despite step 4, I still get the waxy feel.
Am I doing something wrong? Is there a better product that keeps the leather soft that does not leave behind a waxy residue?
09-03-03, 09:49 PM
#62
Re: Re: Waxy feeling and residue?
Originally posted by Lexterious
Comments anyone?
Comments anyone?
I would highly recommend the Prestine cleaner as being the best I have tried so far. It leaves Lexol and Zymol in the dust!
I've been pretty impressed with the Rejuvinator as well, but I haven't yet tried the Griot's. I'll get some and do a comparison.
09-04-03, 04:56 PM
#63
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Re: Waxy feeling and residue?
Originally posted by Lexterious
I've started using the Rolls Royce/Bently/Jaguar Hide Food on my 330's Ivory interior. ...and I'm starting to have second thoughts. I'm new to leather. And due to the fine quality, I'm prepared to invest some time a couple of times a year and put on the Hide Food.
However, unless I'm doing it wrong, I notice a greasy feeling afterwards that later becomes a waxy feeling. By waxy, I mean that a week or 2 after you put it on, when you touch the seats, you are left with a waxy feel on your skin. I'd hate see a waxy substance sticking to a fine wool suit.
My method is as follows (gleaned from some posts here):
1) bake the car under the hot sun with the windows up for a few hours to warm up the leather
2) put on the Hide Food fairly liberally.
3) continue baking for 2 or 3 hours
4) use a soft terry towel and rub hard to get as much of the Hide Foold off as possible.
Despite step 4, I still get the waxy feel.
Am I doing something wrong? Is there a better product that keeps the leather soft that does not leave behind a waxy residue?
I've started using the Rolls Royce/Bently/Jaguar Hide Food on my 330's Ivory interior. ...and I'm starting to have second thoughts. I'm new to leather. And due to the fine quality, I'm prepared to invest some time a couple of times a year and put on the Hide Food.
However, unless I'm doing it wrong, I notice a greasy feeling afterwards that later becomes a waxy feeling. By waxy, I mean that a week or 2 after you put it on, when you touch the seats, you are left with a waxy feel on your skin. I'd hate see a waxy substance sticking to a fine wool suit.
My method is as follows (gleaned from some posts here):
1) bake the car under the hot sun with the windows up for a few hours to warm up the leather
2) put on the Hide Food fairly liberally.
3) continue baking for 2 or 3 hours
4) use a soft terry towel and rub hard to get as much of the Hide Foold off as possible.
Despite step 4, I still get the waxy feel.
Am I doing something wrong? Is there a better product that keeps the leather soft that does not leave behind a waxy residue?
Probably the reason I will stick with the Surflex and Griot is because they tend to soak in very quickly. Having tried several treatments in quick succession, the most supple feel I get is after the Griot's so I think I am out of the experimentation stage right now. My GS4 leather really has developed a very supple feel to it while my wife's GS3 is still softening up. I am not sure how many applications I have made to the GS4 over two years but the GS3 just has three treatments and I think it will take several more. The area I really watch is the "pillowy" leather puff on the doors on the GS. Seems like this is an area that wants to dry out quickly and feel like cardboard.
By the way, heat and sun are the leather's worst enemy. I wouldn't worry too much about having the car heat up before the treatment. Just apply your treatment and then let it sit in the sun to help the stuff soak in. Doesn't need to be direct sun (probably better if not) just a hot day. Then get it out of the sun.
09-05-03, 03:59 PM
#64
Even though the Lexus window glass has a rather high UV protection level, maybe IR too as they get really hot in the sun, I use a towel over the seat leather for the front seats if I have to leave her out in the sun all day! 
09-07-03, 02:17 PM
#65
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I've used the Leatherique also, and have noticed good results, although the top of the rear seat's headrest still feels like a snare-drum.. 95 Sc300, black interior, bought 4 months ago. It was a Lease car, so I guarantee nobody tried to keep it up, although the interior is in quite nice condition, but dry.
Anyways, I removed the rear seats from the car, and had them in my shop for about a week. During that week, I would apply copious amounts of the Leatherique to the entire seat, then used a black plastic trashbag, cut into a huge square, and laid over the entire leather surface. Let sit for a day..
Next day, remove plastic, use Prestine Clean, and clean it all off.. Re-apply Leatherique, and plastic bags, and repeat the next day.
The results were good, but not perfect, as the seat tops are still cardboard hard, but I may have messed up by not sitting them out in the sun.. I have an infrared heat-lamp, and maby I'll pull the seats back out and help them with some heating action during the day while I'm working...
Ron430.. Did you do the prestine clean after appying the Leatherique, and it still left them glossy? I noticed my black leather was glossy after the Leathereque, but once I cleaned them well with the Prestine Clean, they had that nice dull-lustre that new leather should have.
Anyways, I removed the rear seats from the car, and had them in my shop for about a week. During that week, I would apply copious amounts of the Leatherique to the entire seat, then used a black plastic trashbag, cut into a huge square, and laid over the entire leather surface. Let sit for a day..
Next day, remove plastic, use Prestine Clean, and clean it all off.. Re-apply Leatherique, and plastic bags, and repeat the next day.
The results were good, but not perfect, as the seat tops are still cardboard hard, but I may have messed up by not sitting them out in the sun.. I have an infrared heat-lamp, and maby I'll pull the seats back out and help them with some heating action during the day while I'm working...
Ron430.. Did you do the prestine clean after appying the Leatherique, and it still left them glossy? I noticed my black leather was glossy after the Leathereque, but once I cleaned them well with the Prestine Clean, they had that nice dull-lustre that new leather should have.
09-08-03, 11:10 AM
#66
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Join Date: Jul 2001
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Everything I ever tried that left a gloss came off when I buffed. What concerned me is that for some reason I have stuck in my head that I really want a conditioner that soaks in as much as possible. The gloss finish had me feeling that it was mainly sitting on top. But to tell you the truth, I think all of these better treatments can keep the leather in good shape but it takes a lot of treatments, definitely not once or twice a year.
09-13-03, 03:29 AM
#67
Well we've got a heat spell in NorCal all this week, so I guess I'll re-condition my leather this weekend so it will be all prepped for next weeks Big Meet.
I seldom go to this forum, but after reading how much effort you guys put into taking care of your interior, I'll try to step up my cleaning / conditioning intervals to see what I've been missing.
I seldom go to this forum, but after reading how much effort you guys put into taking care of your interior, I'll try to step up my cleaning / conditioning intervals to see what I've been missing.
Last edited by RMMGS4; 09-13-03 at 04:22 AM.
09-13-03, 07:18 AM
#68
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Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: Connecticut
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Hide Food
Hide Food is loaded with solvents to penetrate the leather, that's why it also has a somewhat kerosene odor.
As for Lederpflege, it has worked well for conditioning and slight protection due to the wax in it as well.
Prior to ANY leather conditioning, you HAVE to clean the leather just as you do to your finish. Failure to do this simple step results in a conditioner that will make leather somewhat stiffer or not as supple.
The Leatherique products works very well in cleaning as well as some others as well, but as with any product, it takes time. Rush through it, and you get poor results.
Since I have the Ecru, with top down, I get flyback of a light dust in the rear area, so this needs more attention. Periodic cleaninig with Lexol cleaner is OK, but now and then I need to step to a more penetrating cleaner such as Leatherique.
For dash and door area I use the 303 Protectant, but you need to apply and wipe, or it gets glossy. Once wiped, it looks nice and matte, and is UV protected a requirement for the SC430!
The Autoglym is a nice leather treatment as well.
Try some of the products, then stick to what works for you!
Nothing worse than all the hard work to have seats that have that "butt-shine" look
Always check the Autopia.org site for more info on detailing!
Regards,
Deanski
As for Lederpflege, it has worked well for conditioning and slight protection due to the wax in it as well.
Prior to ANY leather conditioning, you HAVE to clean the leather just as you do to your finish. Failure to do this simple step results in a conditioner that will make leather somewhat stiffer or not as supple.
The Leatherique products works very well in cleaning as well as some others as well, but as with any product, it takes time. Rush through it, and you get poor results.
Since I have the Ecru, with top down, I get flyback of a light dust in the rear area, so this needs more attention. Periodic cleaninig with Lexol cleaner is OK, but now and then I need to step to a more penetrating cleaner such as Leatherique.
For dash and door area I use the 303 Protectant, but you need to apply and wipe, or it gets glossy. Once wiped, it looks nice and matte, and is UV protected a requirement for the SC430!
The Autoglym is a nice leather treatment as well.
Try some of the products, then stick to what works for you!
Nothing worse than all the hard work to have seats that have that "butt-shine" look
Always check the Autopia.org site for more info on detailing!
Regards,
Deanski
09-13-03, 07:36 AM
#69
Driver
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: Connecticut
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Leatherique Application
OK, for those of you that want to see Leatherique being applied and the proper technique, please see this link:
Leatherique application
Enjoy
Regards,
Deanski
Leatherique application
Enjoy
Regards,
Deanski
09-13-03, 10:14 AM
#70
Lexus Test Driver
I'm definitely sold on Leatherique. Did you guys order directly from Leatherique, or is there another distributor? Which size would you recommend? I want to do this treatment 2-3 weekends in a row, weather permitting.
09-13-03, 06:16 PM
#71
Lexus Test Driver
I've been following this thread and tried the Lexol cleaner and conditioner to replace the Meguiars Gold Class cleaner/conditioner I had been using since my prior car (BMW 328i w/ light gray leather). I am very impressed with the conditioner, but the cleaner is worthless. Can't even clean the easiest of dirt from the ivory leather in my RX300 that even Meguiars got out.
The biggest problem I need to fix is the marks the tires made on the back of the rear seats when driving them to the tire shop to be installed. Anyone have any ideas of what could take this out? I'm afraid to use the citrus cleaners or softscrub, but may try it as a last resort. Gotta get rid of the black marks! HELP!!!!!!
JP
The biggest problem I need to fix is the marks the tires made on the back of the rear seats when driving them to the tire shop to be installed. Anyone have any ideas of what could take this out? I'm afraid to use the citrus cleaners or softscrub, but may try it as a last resort. Gotta get rid of the black marks! HELP!!!!!!
JP
09-13-03, 09:05 PM
#72
Go with the SoftScrub, especially on Ivory.
Look at it this way, you put TIRES on your leather, there's not much that could be worse...
I know, it was hard for me to bring myself to do it the first time too, but it really is amazing
Look at it this way, you put TIRES on your leather, there's not much that could be worse...
I know, it was hard for me to bring myself to do it the first time too, but it really is amazing
Last edited by wmulli; 09-13-03 at 09:07 PM.
09-14-03, 03:53 AM
#73
Lexus Test Driver
Originally posted by wmulli
Go with the SoftScrub, especially on Ivory.
Look at it this way, you put TIRES on your leather, there's not much that could be worse...
I know, it was hard for me to bring myself to do it the first time too, but it really is amazing
Go with the SoftScrub, especially on Ivory.
Look at it this way, you put TIRES on your leather, there's not much that could be worse...
I know, it was hard for me to bring myself to do it the first time too, but it really is amazing
I know, I know......I'm a dumba$$ for letting the tires touch the leather on the back of the rear seats. Hind sight is 20/20 and I didn't think it would cause these ugly marks that I can't seam to get out. The more and more I think about it I realize I'm going to have to suck it up and do it. Did you follow up the softscrub cleaning with a really good conditioning? Did you notice the leather being drier after using the softscrub?
Thanks,
JP
09-14-03, 11:17 AM
#74
Will the leather be drier after SoftScrup? Well, yes and no... Most American and Japanese (and some European) leather is "painted" rather than dyed (for quality control issues) with a lacquer type dye. This doean't really "sink in" and leaves a hard "skin" on the leather. This is why sometimes conditioners just "sit" on top and don't penetrate. Using the SoftScrub (gently), you can not only remove the stain, but you open up this "skin" and allow the conditioners to penetrate.
After seeing this effect from spot cleaning my seats, I went ahead and did the SoftScrub on all my seat surfaces. Follow up with a good leather conditioner (I really like the Leatherique "Rejuvinator") and cleaner (again, I really like Leatherique's "Prestine"), and you end up with leather that's not only spotless, but *much* softer than when it came from the showroom
After seeing this effect from spot cleaning my seats, I went ahead and did the SoftScrub on all my seat surfaces. Follow up with a good leather conditioner (I really like the Leatherique "Rejuvinator") and cleaner (again, I really like Leatherique's "Prestine"), and you end up with leather that's not only spotless, but *much* softer than when it came from the showroom
09-14-03, 05:13 PM
#75
Lexol'd mine today after 6600 miles, I plan to maintain this one right. Did a light cleaning then the conditioner and it looks great.
No real dirt to remove with the towel covers I use in the summer.
No real dirt to remove with the towel covers I use in the summer.