New leather, what to do ?

[sa-r32]

My new CC has the Black and Beige leather interior, should I be applying anything to the leather, what I'd like to achieve is;

1. Maintain new colour and cleanliness.
2. Soft and Subtle, the seat bolsters are high and will get a lot of work as you enter or leave the vehicle.
3. Product application to be no more than 2-3 times a year.

Thanks
Paul

[carcareproducts]

My new CC has the Black and Beige leather interior, should I be applying anything to the leather, what I'd like to achieve is;

1. Maintain new colour and cleanliness.
2. Soft and Subtle, the seat bolsters are high and will get a lot of work as you enter or leave the vehicle.
3. Product application to be no more than 2-3 times a year.

Thanks
Paul

Hey Paul,

I would recommend the Duragloss Leather Kit. This kit will retain the natural leather smell in the seat and i would recommend every 3-4 months to re-shampoo and condition the seats to make sure that you avoid any cracking as well as discolouration.

You have to take in mind, being a very light colour like Beige it may be advised to be doing this more often due to Cloth Dyes and Dirt being more visible into this colour than black (obviously).

[sa-r32]

Hey Paul,

I would recommend the Duragloss Leather Kit. This kit will retain the natural leather smell in the seat and i would recommend every 3-4 months to re-shampoo and condition the seats to make sure that you avoid any cracking as well as discolouration.

You have to take in mind, being a very light colour like Beige it may be advised to be doing this more often due to Cloth Dyes and Dirt being more visible into this colour than black (obviously).

Sounds like a good product, however I'm interested in one of the ingredients. It says it contains Mink Oil, does that come from a Mink (the animal) ?

I'm no animal rights nazi, just interested.

[carcareproducts]

To be honest i am doubtful that it would be 100% mink oil used. Its a possibility but i would be only speculating.

Alternatives can be used such as Sea Buckthorn Oil and Macadamia which apparently contain more % of fatty acid than natural Mink Oil. Whether they have used this and claim Mink Oil beats me. But this would be also said on every other Leather Conditioning Product on the market too. I think a Natural source would be much more cost effective!

So i have no definitive answer for you, sorry mate! But i do understand where your question is coming from.

[epilot]

yikes....

from Wisegeek

Traditionally, mink oil was collected after minks were slaughtered for their pelts. During the cleaning process, the thick layer of fat would be stripped away and rendered into mink oil. This method of extraction is still the most common, although some cosmetics companies harvest small amounts of oil from live minks. This is done by inserting a needle into the abdomen, an area with large amounts of fat, and extracting a small amount of fat. This technique is not necessarily more humane, however, as many mink farms have notoriously poor living conditions.

[carcareproducts]

yikes....

from Wisegeek

Traditionally, mink oil was collected after minks were slaughtered for their pelts. During the cleaning process, the thick layer of fat would be stripped away and rendered into mink oil. This method of extraction is still the most common, although some cosmetics companies harvest small amounts of oil from live minks. This is done by inserting a needle into the abdomen, an area with large amounts of fat, and extracting a small amount of fat. This technique is not necessarily more humane, however, as many mink farms have notoriously poor living conditions.

I read this as well, quite scary in fact to which is why i am extremely doubtful it would be genuine Mink as such as with legalities and animal rights i wouldn't doubt this would be even possible to ship to us let alone other states in America, or the rest of the world for that matter.

I dont think it would be great if they wrote.. "buckthorn oil and nuts in this!" would really appeal to many of us LOL!

[Corey_R]

Without wanting to start any indepth debate and/or offend anyone. But isn't it a bit hypocritical to be concerned about the method of extraction of mink oil in the conditioners you're using to moisturise and protect your dead cows?

I do have leather too... just saying...

[dave_r]

I would recommend the Duragloss Leather Kit. This kit will retain the natural leather smell in the seat and i would recommend every 3-4 months to re-shampoo and condition the seats to make sure that you avoid any cracking as well as discolouration.

I went with this stuff based on the CCP advise and have done it once. Good product and can confirm it left the leather in its natural state. You wouldn't know it was done which is the point IMO. Nothing worse that having some nasty greasy **** put on your leather etc.

Would probably work even better if it was made from baby seals

[sa-r32]

I went with this stuff based on the CCP advise and have done it once. Good product and can confirm it left the leather in its natural state. You wouldn't know it was done which is the point IMO. Nothing worse that having some nasty greasy **** put on your leather etc.

Would probably work even better if it was made from baby seals

Good to hear, exactly what I hoped would be achieved. I have bought the products and intend to apply them this weekend.

Is anything softer than a baby seal ?

[carcareproducts]

Without wanting to start any indepth debate and/or offend anyone. But isn't it a bit hypocritical to be concerned about the method of extraction of mink oil in the conditioners you're using to moisturise and protect your dead cows?

I do have leather too... just saying...

Thats true lol.

[Flipper Dog]

Is anything softer than a baby seal ?

Sperm whale oil......makes your leather softer than baby rabbits.

[maxim]

I hate cutting and pasting, but be interested in your thoughts about these claims:

"However, for the vast majority of vehicles, in this day and age of “better” designed leather, this is not the case. Neatsfoot, Lanolin, Mink Oil, Beeswax (or any natural wax), Tea Tree Oil, oil based conditioners, even the falsely named Banana Oil (as it is impossible to get any oil derived from a banana, no matter how hard their marketing departments have their hand working away at it… just be wary of any company who list this ingredient), are all damaging to PU coated leather, regardless of what they say on the products label.

The reason why oils do not work is pretty simple chemistry; Pigmented PU coated leather is stillafter all its processes and protective coverings, hygroscopic, meaning it can absorb moisture. The cross-linked polymer coating is damaged by oils which cannot penetrate into the coated leather surface and bring the much needed moisture to the leather hide (even parking the car out in the sun to expand the surface “pores” with heat does not work). In fact they do the opposite to what you need, sealing the surface so no moisture can get in at all. This in effect is bringing on the opposite of what you’re after, leather dehydration. They also attract dust and grime, trapping it in the surface, helping further damage the top coat. To their benefit, they can leave the Leather looking nice and supple, but it is all skin deep. They cannot do the job required and in our experience, should not be used."

There's so many opinions out there, but I can't believe that today it is so hard to find what works and what doesn't. As I'll be starting from new, I need something that will protect, so as it gets used and abused, it will stand up to it.

[carcareproducts]

Nanolex Textile & Leather Sealant is a Nanotechnology based Sealant which would work effectively to protect your leather and seal it if thats what you are after.

Leather Conditioners do definitely work for natural leathers, and i am sure any car that has been well cared for over its time of ownership you would really see the difference to one that has not especially newer cars with high bolstered sport seating.

The problem being now is that leather is not always leather in newer cars. Some branded cars are having options such as 'natural leather, 'half natural leather' 'leatherette' where the leather is obviously as stated not completely natural and is in fact artificial sometimes vinyl!

Have a look here about artificial leather.

We always ask to what car you are using the product on prior to purchase to make certain you are purchasing something that is in fact useful at all to what you own.

[Flipper Dog]

CCP,
quick recommendation for nappa leather, have been using Durogloss products on cricket leather for the pass couple of years and very happy there but nappa being softer may need additional loving care

[maxim]

Nanolex Textile & Leather Sealant is a Nanotechnology based Sealant which would work effectively to protect your leather and seal it if thats what you are after.

Leather Conditioners do definitely work for natural leathers, and i am sure any car that has been well cared for over its time of ownership you would really see the difference to one that has not especially newer cars with high bolstered sport seating.

So CCP, should I use a conditioner after/with / between applying the Nanolex? I'm going to order the Nanolex premium paint sealer - would like to order the whole lot at once (car should be here soon ). thanks