Cleaning leather interior

ossie

Gloomendoom wrote: »

As far as I am aware, for the last few years, the leather used in automotive applications has been coated in polyurethane. The only 'treatment' it benefits from is a regular wipe over with a damp cloth.

So why does using cleaners remove the "shine" that builds up?

judyb

Baby wipes need to neutralise the acid in the urine so need to be fairly strong to do this. Anything either side of neutral on leather is detrimental to the finish and we have seen the evidence on 100's of occasions where baby wipes have been used. You were lucky if no damage was done to your Jaguar seats (I have one myself).
Hope this helps
Judyb

judyb

Auto leather is nw usually coated leather but this coating needs to be loked after otherwise it will crack and need replacing. Dirt does the damage together with abrasion which is why cleaning and protecting is recommended. Wiping over with a damp cloth is certainly better than doing nothing but will not clean the surface enough to prevent wear.
Hope this helps
Judyb

steve-L

Gliptone Leather Cleaner
When I bought my car seats 2nd hand from a specialist dealer he recommended this (after I paid and he'd help me pack them in the OH;s estate).

They make a cleaner AND conditioner.

I have to say it works really well and leaves a nice leather smell in the car. Doesn't leave the seats all slippery either.

richard734

I have always used Saddle soap and conditioners type products from the horse tack shops. cheeper and has always given me good results.
I would be interested in Judyb's opinion on those??

colino

While I used saddle soap in the past, I suspect as the manufacturers (Bridge of Weir Leather for example) specifically warn against saddle soap I'm guessing it leaves a residue behind.

judyb

Saddle soaps are extremely strong products and designed for saddles which is where they should stay. Saddles are finished in a very different way to modern leather and Saddle Soap is far too strong to use on finished leather which now represents most of the leather we see particularly in auto leather. Modern finished leather as explained cannot be 'conditioned' as it is only the finish we are dealing with and products can be counter productive if used.
A lot of products have been transported across from the saddle industry but with no real understanding of modern leather and how it is produced.
Hope this helps
Judyb

epninety

Judyb, to echo what others have asked, with your obvious knowledge of the materials and techniques...

Can you suggest a specific product that contains what you think it should, and not what you think it shouldn't?

Not asking for a recommendation as such, just a name of a suitable product?

I'm unlikely to drive round several places, studying and comparing the ingredients of all the various products - I'll probably just end up buying a 'name' make.

On the other hand, if I was armed with the name of a product I know to be 'proper', I could probably buy some online and have the right stuff ready when the urge to clean the car strikes (typically, once every dozen years or so ).

moohound

I have used baby wipes on the soft leather of my sofa and it has altered the finish.
I use a furniture product called House of Worcester, which you wipe on then leave for 30 mins then buff off now, and it seems OK on both my husband's carseats and the sofa.

richard734

Thanks JudyB, and can I just say, its a pleasure to have someone who knows as much about such a relativly rare subject on the boards.