[wookieecantina]

Hi All!
I'm researching leather cleaner and conditioner and was wondering what any of you may have experienced good luck with.
Some seem to have petroleum, some have a kerosene odor, it's hard to choose which will be the best.
Thanks for your help!

 

[guyslp]

The two products I constantly hear people swearing by are Connolly Hide Care and Leatherique. In both instances it's important to choose a sunny day where you can park the car outdoors and let the treatment "bake" its way into the hides.

For those who use CHC, they say that heating it up before applying it helps quite a bit.

Leatherique products can be found here:

http://leatherique.com/

I've used Leatherique and like it.

Neither of these products contains petroleum byproducts, and you are wise to avoid these, since they will cause issues over time.

 

[wookieecantina]

Thanks Brian!

As always, you're the man for the correct answer! Thank you very much Brian, I'll contact them today and order the cleaner. I used a Lexus leather product but it really dulled the leather and I was a bit depressed with outcome. I think these will do a much better job, thanks!

 

[wookieecantina]

Picked it up today!

Hi Brian,
I located some Leatherique today, looks as though I've got a fun project for the weekend!
Thanks Brian

 

[billm]

Dale
How did your leather project turn out?

 

[wookieecantina]

Thanks!

Thank you for writing, it's nice to hear from you
Well, to be honest, I actually wasn't pleased with the leatherique as I had hoped. I found that the cleaner actually started to remove some of the original dye and after I cleaned the leather and re-dyed it using the leatherique dye, the dye was not strong and could be easily removed by simply cleaning the leather or just wiping it down.
It the leatherique cleaner actually ended up causing me a great deal more work than I had ever imagined.
Next time I do any dye work, I'll probably stick to the actual Connelly leather products.
I'm sure leatherique has it's place and is probably a decent product, but it didn't work too well for this application.

 

[mattjdduncan]

I find that Gliptone do a very good cleaner and conditioner.

Visit www.Introcar.co.uk

or contact me at [email protected]

 

[mattjdduncan]

I find that Gliptone do a very good cleaner and conditioner.

Visit www.Introcar.co.uk

or contact me at [email protected]

 

[wookieecantina]

Thanks Matt!

Hi Matt,
Thank you so much, I'll have to try that.
Who know, it was probably my fault that the leatherique cleaner removed the dye from some of our leather, perhaps I scrubbed too hard or left it on too long. Anyways, I did use their brown dye to clean everything up and it looks original, however, I'm very gentle when cleaning it.
Thanks again for your help!

 

[koenig]

For cleaning and conditioning, not a fan of leatherique products. For dye jobs they work well, its prep surface needs to be keyed (sanding) or paint will not adhere. Re-color you also should remove the leather seats and trim bits for the job.

Cleaning and conditioning, will use multiple products and mixtures. Cleaner and conditioning mostly Auto Glym's line. Used Lexol Ph cleaner, but switch to Zymol leather treat conditioner. You can warm the leather with a hair dryer and also prewarm the conditioner slightly in micro wave. I'll usely move the product into a container safe for those ovens! Wish my newer current house had a sauna like my old one. You can remove seats, trim bits, in sauna and treat them while enjoying the sauna.

 

[wookieecantina]

Thanks!

Very good advise, thank you so much. I've tried Lexol previously for leather clothing my wife's vehicle, and I've seen Zymol at dealerships and leather shops, I'll have to try that next!
Thanks again!

 

[koenig]

I usually have a bottle of Lex around, cleans well on other cars with leather (Porsche). Test though on some colors it might be wrong. Find for cleaning most products don't clean, rub dirts into leather, etcetera. For condition part; Auto Glym, Gliptone to Zymol all have simular natural based products. Zymol can be pricey, but they have the best quality product range. Exterior as well.

 

[bentleyman22]

Well I have been using Gliptone from the 90’s on my xjs convertible and the seats are like new when I got my turbo it was cheep because the crème leather was black I spent the weekend cleaning it and the car was totally different
When I got the RT it didn’t need cleaning but I wanted to keep it as new I contacted Connelly and spent ½ hour on the phone to them but still cudent decide on what to use
I decided to use Gliptone as I had used it before but was very nervous at what Connelly told me
But I must admit I am glad I stayed with what I have been using as it turned out as expected like new
All I would say is time consuming but no messing around
I will get some photos of my Jag and RT for you to look at

 

[koenig]

Gliptone might be better in the UK. We have a Gliptone out of the U.S sold in Canada. Good cleaner, but the condition part find Zymol closer to the original CHF before they went under.

 

[B'smooth]

Just joined the forum. Great new information about Leather cleaners and conditioners. Lexol and Auto Glym have been my choice, however willing to try something new.

 

[jacko]

Hello. I have only just joined, but I can offer a little advise.
what hide food you choose is dependent on the type of hide you have in your car. Up to about 1978 the Connolly hide was Vaumol, which was basically a cellulose based product. After that it was Autolux, water based. As you can imagine the properties of the finish have differing charecteristics and any food should be tested on a small area first. There is still a supply of the old Connolly hide food from Bentley, approx 7.00 a tub.
the new generation of cars however, are a different story, do not use the Connolly hide food on RR or Bentley cars after 2001 or you will be needing a retrim. Cheers Col.

 

[bobo]

Has anyone used Leatherique Dye to fresh up the color of their leather?

my seats are in good condition overall (no rips tears, or seams coming apart), but has dark viens where the original dye in the natural folds of the leather has worn away, giving a marbled look to the leather.

I don't want to change the color, just regain a uniform color.

also how can I determine the color of dye i need, my interior is a very light tan.. is that saddle? is there a place on the car where it states the color? ('62 SC II)

 

[Leho]

The original 'standard' leather colours were: Beige, Blue, Brown, Green, Grey, Red, Tan. A non-clourblind person should not have difficulty discerning a particular sample.
Usually one does not do a touchup on elderly dyed leather. The redyed areas will not match the original portions.
However if you are planning to do it anyway, leather CLEANLINESS is more that next to godliness. Warm temperatures are also essential. This is not something one does out in garage in winter.
I seem to recall that the Leatherique website have some usefull information on redyeing.
Leho

 

[bobo]

I planned on waiting til the heat of summer.. I've read the instuctions on leathique

I'd like to renew the color and get rid of the "roadmaps" in the seats.. if leatherique won't work, I won't attempt it

 

[barba]

Now I know what to use next time, its sad that my leather seat cover already torn out due to exposure on the heat of the sun.