Caring for leather upholstery

[Paulc1964au]

Just wondering when I receive my R what should i do to protect the leather upholstery? Anything I need to do or should I just leave it?

[Wolfgang]

You can seal the upholstery with Nanolex Textile and Leather Sealant if you want to keep cleaning to a minimum and you have the added bonus of it preventing any stains if anything is spilt as it will just run off.

Alternatively if you don't mind cleaning something like Duagloss Leather Cleaner works really well. Depending on how much use the car will get and how clean you want to keep the upholstery you can clean as often as every three months to once a year. You don't really need leather conditioner with moredern leather seats (waits for debate to rage).

Car Care Products will be able to supply you with either product.

[Stuwey]

You don't really need leather conditioner with moredern leather seats (waits for debate to rage)

Errr.... What? Don't think so. I work at a trim shop, and I see busted out, dry, neglected leather every day. New leather isn't tanned like it used to be, and it won't last as long, either.

It's leather - ie; dead skin. It needs to be looked after. Keep it out of the heat as much as you can. Keep the conditioner up to it too.

[dasrattles]

i'll admit i dont use my car that much, just under 9k km after a yaer of ownership. what i do is to get a bottle of cleaner/conditioner (nothing fancy for me) and clean the leather bits once every month/2 months. doesnt take THAT long, 30 mins to an hour would suffice.

seats still look pretty brand new and i have the beige leather.

my mum's 3 year old 90k km Subaru gets the seats clean + conditioned once in 8 months or so and despite the regular wear, it still looks and feel good. again, no fancy conditioner/ cleaner.

i think we both use Megs Gold Class leather cleaner

[Wolfgang]

Errr.... What? Don't think so. I work at a trim shop, and I see busted out, dry, neglected leather every day. New leather isn't tanned like it used to be, and it won't last as long, either.

It's leather - ie; dead skin. It needs to be looked after. Keep it out of the heat as much as you can. Keep the conditioner up to it too.

It's a debate that is on at the moment. The argument is modern leather is painted and therefore doesn't soak up leather conditioners like old school leather does. Any leather conditioner I've tried on my upholstery leaves a greasy mess no matter how well I wipe it down.

As you said, heat is the killer.

[FSI 220]

What about differing types of leather? My old Subaru would eventually soak up the conolly leather conditioner, Our Toyota just doesnt seem to soak it up at all , that has a shiny leather that almost seems plasticised...

Having just picked up a Passat with Nappa leather, that feels silky and sheer, is that a candidate for conditioning? and since the topic is "caring for leather", is there away to minimise damage from baby seats on the leather?

Cheers

John

[Stuwey]

is there away to minimise damage from baby seats on the leather?

Folded-up towel under the seat is as good as any.

CORRECT LEATHER CARE, SHOW SOME LOVE! | BOWDEN'S OWN

[Paulc1964au]

ok guess i need to get some leather products

[carcareproducts]

Every leather is NOT leather that is the problem.

Some is not genuine leather at all.

Mentioned above by Wolfgang is spot on to be honest!

[PDU]

I've been told (by a detailing specialist in the UK) that de-ionized water is as good as anything but I like my Megs stuff so haven't tried it yet.

[FSI 220]

Every leather is NOT leather that is the problem.

Having ascertained that not all leathers are equal... Trying to rephrase the question for PaulC and myself (if I can do so on your behalf Paul, feel free to fire me the bird if I am off the mark... )

What would be the optimal product/maintenance regime specifically for leather made from VW branded Nappa cows?

[Wolfgang]

As I said before, me personally I use the Duragloss Leather Cleaner.

Dosen't leave the seats greasy and cleans really well with minimal effort.

I clean mine every 3-4 months, I am a Garden Maintenance manager so the seats tend to get dirty quickly even though I only do 15000km a year.

[Stuwey]

Okay, so you've got the cleaning sussed, but what about conditioning it?

[carcareproducts]

Okay, so you've got the cleaning sussed, but what about conditioning it?

Duragloss Leather Pack - easier.

[FSI 220]

Thanks Gents

I guess this is my point, an article that i clicked on (up the thread) which was effertively some sort of product placement, says to keep natural oils away from the leather because they just block the pores, yet the CCP link is for a product containing mink oil.

I am pretty sure our Toyota has a plastic coated leather as nothing soaks in... useful, as that is the baby puke truck... But the nappa leather feels like it isn't sealed and may soak it up... with the mat flat look and ultra soft feel. I am comfortable with using a mild cleaner, but getting conflicting signals about using a conditioner... and if the connoly leather cream stuff is (which I think I have seen on CCP) is good for this leather, or is that best suited to 30 year old Jags...

i think it is a positive debate, I like to get as many cues as I can as we are keeping this car for eight years