LS - 4th Gen (2007-2017) Discussion topics related to the current flagship models LS460, LS460L and LS600H

How is your leather holding up - Q&A

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 01-22-17, 09:23 PM
  #46  
mckellyb
Lexus Test Driver
 
mckellyb's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Texas
Posts: 1,002
Received 147 Likes on 109 Posts
Default

For cleaning and preserving, I use Lexol to clean and Leather Honey to treat/preserve.

I'll add to this, tomorrow, as I've had a 16 hour day, at work, so I'm a little goofier than usual, but it's not something you can do in less than a full day or if you lack arm strength.

Here's my Amazon review:

This review is from: Leather Honey Leather Conditioner, the Best Leather Conditioner Since 1968, 8 Oz Bottle. For Use on Leather Apparel, Furniture, Auto Interiors, Shoes, Bags and Accessories. Non-Toxic and Made in the USA! (Automotive)
I know the seats in my wife and I's cars have likely been ignored since day 1. They're not abused and we don't have children, but the Mercedes is 16 years old, the Lexus 9. We plan on keeping both until we cannot stand looking at them any longer, and interior condition is a HUGE part of making it feel 'right'. I know for a fact, the second owner of the Mercedes, I'm owner #3, was both a slob AND lazy about upkeep. I've wiped the Lexus's interior down a couple of times with leather 'wipes', but I've never treated them properly.

If you have a car with leather, you know leather vehicle interiors are not at all inexpensive to repair/replace, so it's in your best interest to keep them in good shape from the start rather than trying to save them as they deteriorate. Additionally, the fix is never invisible. It may look the same, but does it FEEL the same? I'd put money on 'no'.

Before diving in, first was a test on my wallet, which I've carried for 4+ years in a back pocket. I have done positively nothing to as it pertains to leather care, other than I do my best to not let it get wet, i.e. drop it in the sink.

Cleaning and Leather Honey...wow! Just...WOW!

After a thorough cleaning with Lexol, to get the dirt out of the leather, I brushed on some Leather Honey. It has an odd feel to it...almost beeswaxy. It's not at all oily or slippery, like it appears. The next day, with my wallet feeling as if it were new...looks are another thing, but I don't care about look as much as feel...the cars were next.

I read about people expecting Leather Honey to 'heal' cracks and restore color. That's not what this is for, and it's not touted as such a product (which would be magic if it could, 'cause cracks are physical damage). Now, had it changed my wallet's leather from the color black to say, fuschia, I'd have an issue. This will not restore color to worn spots nor will it fix existing cracks. That's what dyes and repair guys are for. Additionally, after reading some of the negative reviews, I can't help but wonder what these folks expected. Restoration of worn/weathered anything isn't easy, and it won't turn out identical to the original. Items are new and original one time, and one time only.

Conditioning the cars' seats took some time and plenty of effort, and I wish it were warmer so the Honey may be better absorbed into the leather, but I'll tell you what, the difference in feel is amazing! The seats in my wife's 9 year old Lexus weren't this soft when the car was two years old! They didn't 'moo', but it was close.

Now, be aware, this is NOT a simple brush-on, wipe-off kinda thing. You've *gotta* follow directions, and I think it's better to apply too little rather than too much, as you can't really recover excess, and removal of any excess isn't easy. If using a foam sponge as an applicator, you can squeeze excess out, however. Having done it both ways, light and heavy, I'd MUCH rather go over it a second time than have to remove too much.

Tips: USE A LINT-FREE CLOTH! Heed the advice on the bottle! I thought the rag I was using wouldn't leave lint, but I'll be picking fuzz off the passenger's seat in my car for the next week. Applying with a foam sponge is perfect. Foam paintbrushes aren't sturdy enough, but the material is just right. I think removing with heavy-duty paper towels may be the way to go, too.

Get the 16 ounce bottle. It has no expiration date, and after you use it on a couple of items, you'll be surprised how many leather goods you have which you want to bring back to feeling new. I'm eyeballing our large L-shaped sofa, and while it'll be quite a bit of work, it'll be worth it. If you don't like it, I'd wager you could make the loss very minimal by eBaying the remainder.

Make certain you remove the excess a couple of times. I was tired and in a rush when I wiped down the 16 year old seats in my car, and I can see/feel I didn't remove all of the excess. It takes some arm strength, 'cause this stuff is quite viscous. The seats have a little bit of residue, but it's not oily, like I stated above, it's almost like wax. This is 100% my error. I should have taken more time. The good, no GREAT, thing is, a light leftover residue doesn't appear to stain clothes.

I parked my car in the sun, today, thinking maybe heat may help a bit of the excess soak into the leather. We'll see. In fact, I'll go check, now...

Nope, sunlight/heat (at least a nice late-February day in north Texas (mid-70's) doesn't help.

Let it soak in overnight, if possible. Do NOT rush it. Even with 16 year old car seats which have been in Texas their entire lives, a second coat is unnecessary. I might put a second on my wallet's exterior, just to see if there's a noticeable difference.

One other VERY important thing to remember. If you like 'slippery' leather, DO NOT USE THIS. It makes leather almost a bit 'tacky'. At least initially. After a few days of contact with clothes/skin, it feels pretty normal, but not dried-out and polished like it may have been before proper conditioning. The leather is back to the somewhat "grippy" properties it had, originally.

Update: while this was a review for the 16 oz. bottle, the 8 oz item is identical. After a couple of weeks, my wallet *still* feels great, which is a VERY pleasant surprise. Another thing, no odor with this stuff and no fumes. While I can't claim it's magic, they're close. My wife spilled a little bit of water on her car's seat when getting out, and she was amazed at how well the water beaded up and ran right off. It's like Rejex (used on automotive paint/windows, and much better than Rain-X), but for leather.

Any leather item, besides coats/jackets, is getting this treatment from now on. Fight deterioration from minute one.
Old 01-23-17, 06:28 AM
  #47  
sktn77a
Lead Lap
iTrader: (2)
 
sktn77a's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: Chapel Hill, NC
Posts: 4,655
Received 322 Likes on 280 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by mckellyb
Let it soak in overnight, if possible.
Not sure how to interpret this. The leather in all modern cars is coated with a polyurethane coat for durability and stain resistance. This coating may have microscopic pores (too small for anything viscous to soak into) but I think it is a surface coating of Leather Honey, Leatherique, etc, that give the impression of actually soaking into the leather and making it more supple (the "tacky" quality).
Old 01-23-17, 06:10 PM
  #48  
mckellyb
Lexus Test Driver
 
mckellyb's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Texas
Posts: 1,002
Received 147 Likes on 109 Posts
Default

Well, I can say it felt softer for months, long after the tackiness disappeared.
Old 01-23-17, 06:20 PM
  #49  
SW17LS
Lexus Fanatic
 
SW17LS's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Maryland
Posts: 57,608
Received 2,751 Likes on 1,968 Posts
Default

I wouldn't use that product above on a coated leather interior...
Old 01-23-17, 06:22 PM
  #50  
sktn77a
Lead Lap
iTrader: (2)
 
sktn77a's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: Chapel Hill, NC
Posts: 4,655
Received 322 Likes on 280 Posts
Default

Hopefully, it won't do any harm, but I think a lot of these leather treatment companies don't know or don't want to know the limitations of their products on polyurethane coated leather.
Old 01-23-17, 08:42 PM
  #51  
mckellyb
Lexus Test Driver
 
mckellyb's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Texas
Posts: 1,002
Received 147 Likes on 109 Posts
Default

Well, I did that back in 2011, and said Mercedes was in the family until late last year, still had effectively perfect condition leather.

The leather in my wife's RX300 was unharmed as well.
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
stingrae16
RX - 4th Gen (2016-2022)
10
09-28-20 01:57 PM
AJT123
LS - 3rd Gen (2001-2006)
2
08-29-12 08:05 PM
GiGAS
Automotive Care & Detailing
6
07-07-12 02:15 AM
Lexwang07
Car Chat
17
12-21-08 09:27 PM
stvincent
Automotive Care & Detailing
6
01-28-04 01:54 PM



Quick Reply: How is your leather holding up - Q&A



All times are GMT -7. The time now is 01:45 AM.