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Best Leather Seat Cleaner/Preserver

Discussion in 'Detailing' started by sfhunter, Jan 4, 2012.

  1. Jan 4, 2012 at 6:40 AM
    #1
    sfhunter

    sfhunter [OP] Active Member

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    Hey Everyone, I wanted to know what everyone has had the best luck using to clean/preserve their leather seats. I was told that Armoral sucks and will eventually crack.

    I am in the process of looking for some good seat covers (without spending $500 on them), so until I do I need to keep them looking sharp and protected. By the way, I do some swamp hunting so they do get wet and dirty from time to time.

    Thanks for all suggestions!
     
  2. Jan 4, 2012 at 6:41 AM
    #2
    macgyver

    macgyver Well-Known Member

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    Lexol.

    I use their leather cleaner (orange bottle), the conditioner (brown bottle), and Vinylex, Their vinyl protectant for my dash (blue bottle)
     
  3. Jan 5, 2012 at 7:04 AM
    #3
    sfhunter

    sfhunter [OP] Active Member

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    Thanks for the response! I'll have to try those products.

    Thanks!
     
  4. Jan 5, 2012 at 10:03 AM
    #4
    Chris(NJ)

    Chris(NJ) Well-Known Member

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    Mods are currently being changed .....
    Leatherique or Leather Master. Those are the best available assuming you have real leather seats and not coated (where the cleaner/protectant wont penetrate).
     
  5. Jan 5, 2012 at 10:08 AM
    #5
    fishntaco

    fishntaco Well-Known Member

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    Clean with Woolite 10:1 first. Then another vote for Leather Masters. Most important thing is to keep them clean.
     
  6. Jan 5, 2012 at 10:11 AM
    #6
    TexasTacoma37

    TexasTacoma37 Well-Known Member

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    I use this on both our vehicles

    [​IMG]
     
  7. Jan 7, 2012 at 8:20 PM
    #7
    alwaysat8k

    alwaysat8k My truck is slow

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    Fat Bobs 2.75" spacer, 1.5" Long AAL in rear
    meguairs gold class is crap, and so is lexol. ive used both and have had the same issue -both very greasy and leave your leather extremely shiny. they both will clog the living hell out of your pours. leatherique is where its at. its expensive, but it works like a champ. will leave your leather clean and soft, and dull.
     
  8. Jan 8, 2012 at 7:44 AM
    #8
    TexasTacoma37

    TexasTacoma37 Well-Known Member

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  9. Jan 8, 2012 at 6:58 PM
    #9
    alwaysat8k

    alwaysat8k My truck is slow

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    Fat Bobs 2.75" spacer, 1.5" Long AAL in rear
  10. Jan 9, 2012 at 7:17 AM
    #10
    macgyver

    macgyver Well-Known Member

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    First time I've heard that lexol is crap. Everyone I have spoken to and the reviews I've read all highly recommend it. BMW recommends it and includes a bottle when you buy a new BMW, Toyota also recommends lexol and sells it at my local dealership.

    I will agree that the gold class stuff is junk and does leave a greasy residue. I have used it before and didn't like it very much.

    You must be using too much and/or not following the directions. I have never had a greasy issue with lexol and the shiny look goes away within a few minutes after wiping off any residual. The shiny look also depends on the leather. Some leathers are naturally shinier than others.

    I spray a little bit on a terry cloth, rub it in to the seats. Then once I'm done I flip the towel over to a clean side and wipe all the seats down again to remove any residual that didn't get worked in.

    I'm only about halfway through a bottle of Lexol conditioner I bought 2 years ago and I condition the seats in my double cab about once a month to every other month.
     
  11. Jan 9, 2012 at 3:17 PM
    #11
    alwaysat8k

    alwaysat8k My truck is slow

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    Dealerships may recommend treatments - but they are not always right. I just bought my new 2012 Tacoma and the paint had more swirl marks than a peppermint.

    Leather should NOT be shiny. Pleather/Vinyl - yes. I dont care what type of leather it is, shinyness is clogged pours which is dryness which = cracking.

    I detail on the side, Ive tried numerous leather cleaners. I'm very tedious to following the directions. I want the best results for my customers.

    Its not always the initial results of lexol, its the latter results. My friend has a 09 challenger and upon initial use, his leather looked wonderful. 1 month down the road=shiny plastic like leather. The durability is just not to my par.

    I cant say Ive tried it on all leather types, but i did not have successful results with BMW leather, Dodge leather, nor Toyota.

    To each is their own, and its just my opinion upon my uses as followed by directions. If it works for you, great! I hate it lol. Leatherique kit is 60$, comes with a cleaner, brush, wash mitts, and conditioner. It has worked outstanding on every vehicle I have used it on since. I heat the seats, work the cleaner in. Cover the seats with plastic wrap, let them sit for a few hours. Clean the seats with the brush and microfiber rag. Apply the conditioner. And buff with water. Works amazing.
     
  12. Jan 23, 2014 at 9:05 AM
    #12
    dde0485

    dde0485 Well-Known Member

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    Just bought my truck from a Toyota dealership and the seats are gleaming, and now cracking :( will the leatherique clean out the stuff they used? Hope so since I just bought the kit upon your recommendation! also, how is it on repairing the cracks? they aren't major yet but I'm hoping they will smooth out and "heal" somewhat.
     
  13. Jan 23, 2014 at 9:40 AM
    #13
    JeanClaude

    JeanClaude Well-Known Member

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    Some pretty good advice here.

    Leatherique and Leather Masters are great companies with great products for leather cleaning and conditioning. 1Z Einszett makes a great all in one product if you are wanting convenience.

    Using a water/mix solution of Optimum Power Clean or Woolite can make for some good cleaning solutions as well. If you do heavy cleaning on leather, be sure not to saturate the leather. The coatings are not great at withstanding saturation without degradation.
     
  14. Jan 24, 2014 at 6:41 AM
    #14
    alwaysat8k

    alwaysat8k My truck is slow

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    Fat Bobs 2.75" spacer, 1.5" Long AAL in rear
    You will be surprised. That cleaning agent will pull all the sediment and leather crap that is in the seats. If the cracks have penatrated completely through the leather I suggest taking them to a professional for repair. If not, the leatherique should lighten the crease/cracks quite well. I've had great results, especially when I had my M3.

    Now i have no leather and quit detailing on the side. It's a lot of work and doesn't pay. So, my leatherique kit sits :(.

    I heard woo lite works. Never used it. As for einszett, I used their chemical prewash for the vehicle exterior and it was nothing shy of excellent. They are expensive from what I can remember. Best of luck to you DDE, if you need any more help shoot me a PM.
     
  15. Jan 24, 2014 at 6:53 AM
    #15
    madtrucker

    madtrucker Active Member

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    I use saddle soap & water to clean leather. Then treat with Lexol.
     
  16. Jan 24, 2014 at 7:06 AM
    #16
    Detective_Dan

    Detective_Dan "Place original and witty user title here"

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  17. Jan 24, 2014 at 3:16 PM
    #17
    dde0485

    dde0485 Well-Known Member

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    I dunno if I can trust an AGE guy... haha just kidding, I'll check it out. Do they sell the adams polishes at auto zone or just online?
     
  18. Jan 24, 2014 at 3:31 PM
    #18
    Detective_Dan

    Detective_Dan "Place original and witty user title here"

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    Age is he only flight line people you should trust lmao.

    No it's online only. It is the higher quality, best bang for your buck stuff out there
     

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