Detailing

[allanjenkins]

Just finished cleaning and polishing the exterior of my car, now I want to turn my attention to the interior. Can anyone recommend a product for the leather that they have used and been pleased with.
Thanks in advance.

[Martin & Kim 6853]

I have been using the Autoglym Leather Care Balm. I think its doing a good job in keeping the leather supple and does not leave any sticky or greasy residue not only that but its reasonably priced...

[EDDIE]

a good clean and then a good quality protector .
Try LTT in Harrogate , the best products available.
I buy all my products from them
You will get professional products as used by leather technicians.

Nick
http://www.leatherupholsterycare.co.uk

[Geordieexile]

This question can only be answered properly when knowing the type of leather. The vast majority of modern leather is coated and traditional 'feeding', whilst it smells nice, can be counter productive.

All the shiny stuff in the leather is ingrained dirt and that's what causes the wear when agitated by jeans/trousers etc.

I personally use Dr Leather liquid and wipes, but on some cars the dirt is so ingrained you'd be there all day. On those occasions I use a weak mix of APC (such as G101) with a quality leather brush and multiple microfibres. It takes a bit of elbow grease but you can visually use the return to a matt finish and absence of any shiny (dirty) areas as a guide.

If you have a quick search on DW I'm sure you'll find some good examples. I love the smell of autoglym leather conditioner but it doesn't really do anything to modern leather other than attract dirt. (Doesn't stop me using a bit on trim for the smell.)

Try the first few pages of this thread:

http://www.detailingworld.co.uk/forum/s ... p?t=260197

Edited to add the above link.

[EDDIE]

be very careful you do not remove the finish on the leather by using microfibre clothes APC etc. A matt finish doesn't nessecarily mean it is clean it can mean the finish/seal on the leather has been removed and the leather will wear very quickly.
LTT cleaning products are a foaming cleaner which lifts the dirt etc out of the laether.Their protector is the very best you can get and numerous tests have shown it to be.after the protector dries it can be buffed with a soft cloth to give a semi shiney finish if so desired.
clothing dye is very bad for leather even if you can't see it because the leaher is a dark colour because once the leather finish starts to wear the dyes combine into the colour pigment and start to break it down. always use a protector on leather even on a new car as it stops this and the dye can be cleaned of with normal products.

Nick
www.leatherupholsterycare.co.uk

[Geordieexile]

be very careful you do not remove the finish on the leather by using microfibre clothes APC etc. A matt finish doesn't nessecarily mean it is clean it can mean the finish/seal on the leather has been removed and the leather will wear very quickly.
LTT cleaning products are a foaming cleaner which lifts the dirt etc out of the laether.Their protector is the very best you can get and numerous tests have shown it to be.after the protector dries it can be buffed with a soft cloth to give a semi shiney finish if so desired.
clothing dye is very bad for leather even if you can't see it because the leaher is a dark colour because once the leather finish starts to wear the dyes combine into the colour pigment and start to break it down. always use a protector on leather even on a new car as it stops this and the dye can be cleaned of with normal products.

Nick
http://www.leatherupholsterycare.co.uk

I am always careful with leather and I always use a protector rather than a conditioner. I've used the LTT stuff and it's very good but won't clean the dirtiest (shiny) stuff without agitation. The secret for me normally is to switch to a dedicated leather cleaner as the shine starts to disappear.

For what it's worth I don't let my own leather get dirty enough to use much more than leather wipes and Dr Leather but I did use some very weak APC on the steering wheel when I first got it. I think I should reiterate that my APC approach is only for the really dirty stuff and it's with good quality microfibres and a swissvax brush.

You'll notice that Judy from LTT actually comments in the thread I linked above ,so I hope I was balanced between LTT and Dr Leather. I must say that having used both my preference is the Dr Leather (only just and others swear by LTT) but I've heard good things about Gliptone too.

[Geordieexile]

I'm guessing that you may also be a leather care specialist from the signature so I'll crawl back into my box too ...

[EDDIE]

You are absolutely right sometimes a brush agitation is needed especially if the leather has a grain effect.
Steering wheels can be a nightmare because of the oils from hands and hand creams people use.I often end up stripping and re-dyeing.
Iso propyl alcohol is a good degreaser but can strip colour and finish so use with care.
Glad you keep your leather clean and protected

Nick
www.leatherupholsterycare.co.uk

[Geordieexile]

I have IPA at various dilutions with water. What sort of strength do you normally use?