Recommend a decent leather restorer/cleaner.

[Goner]

Does anyone have any experience when it comes to restoring/cleaning leather seats?

My seats are in good nick with very few marks but i wouldn't mind having a bash @ trying to get them clean and looking brand new again..

Also my car has paddle shift on the steering wheel, on the right part of the wheel it showing a slight sign of wear, cars covered 75K.. The dimples on the steering wheel seem a bit flat compared to the rest of the wheel, it's because of the use of the + paddle, - is paddle is fine, as is the gear lever.

Please can you recommend some decent gear with some links if possible?

:icon_thumright:

 

[AuldReekie]

Mate why not post in the detailing section? Just a thought as leather care is not only A3 specific.

 

[Goner]

Yeah, probably should of done mate but it that part of the site doesn't seem too busy..

The 8P section is always pretty busy so that's why i posted it in here.

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[AuldReekie]

And round the cycle goes. I had a look for you and polished bliss recommend Raceglaze products. I am on the phone so cant post the linky unfortunately mate.

 

[Goner]

Good man, cheers AuldReekie.

I'll have a Google.

I have just been looking in a thread which was created by 'Jimmeh', he detailed a Range Rover.. looked good, my interior is not in that state though lol. :icon_thumright:

 

[Goner]

Anyone else have any experience with other cleaners/restorers?

On UK-MKIV's a few people use Gliptone? Anyone used this?

I'm after more restoration than cleaning.

Cheers :icon_thumright:

 

[Goner]

Is this anyone good?

http://www.cleanyourcar.co.uk/index.php?act=viewProd&productId=39

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[VWAddict]

I use Lexon cleaner and Lexol conditioner... about every 7,000 miles or so.

I like it, though I don't know if it's available where you are?

Keith

 

[VWAddict]

...it's because of the use of the + paddle, - is paddle is fine, as is the gear lever.
:icon_thumright:

Wow... you must be in gear 47,026,824 by now!!!

Can't do much for "shiny", I don't think. That's surface wear.

Keith

 

[Goner]

Wow... you must be in gear 47,026,824 by now!!!

Can't do much for "shiny", I don't think. That's surface wear.

Keith

LOL, 47,026,825 actually.

****** i was hoping that wouldn't be the case..

Hmmm.. new steering wheel time?:icon_thumright:

 

[Goner]

I use Lexon cleaner and Lexol conditioner... about every 7,000 miles or so.

I like it, though I don't know if it's available where you are?

Keith

I see your in Florida, good move!

I'll have a Google and see what's what, thanks for the reply.

:icon_thumright:

 

[PaulAr]

Anyone else have any experience with other cleaners/restorers?

On UK-MKIV's a few people use Gliptone? Anyone used this?

I'm after more restoration than cleaning.

Cheers :icon_thumright:

I used Gliptone just last week.
Used the cleaner first then the cream.

Seats have nice clean, matt look and have a proper `new leather` smell.

(I actually borrowed it from my neighbour, think he paid £20 for both of ebay.)

The leather was in good order anyway but I had used some stuff I had from random `car care` gift pack from last Xmas, and it made the car smell like a warm horse.
Not nice.
(just as well I had standard S3 chairs and not really expensive retro fit buckets...)

Anyway, that gliptone sorted it out. And now they are lovely.

cheers
Paul

 

[Goner]

Cheers for the reply.. hard a few recommendations now about the Gliptone stuff, looks like I'll be buying some of that..

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[AR-CoolC]

A friend of mine swears by the Gliptone stuff. Not used it myself as I don't have leather, but he will use nothing else now.

 

[Goner]

That'll do for me, i'll get some bought now!

Thanks all.

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[Blueie]

Another good one Liquid Leather!! Ace stuff

 

[Lee_R]

An old second hand car dealers trick is to use shoe polish! I few coatings of that and you would be suprised how well it repairs old leather seats!

 

[Goner]

An old second hand car dealers trick is to use shoe polish! I few coatings of that and you would be suprised how well it repairs old leather seats!

Won't that rub off onto my clothes?

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[Lee_R]

Won't that rub off onto my clothes?

:icon_thumright:

No its fine as long as you polish it off well!

 

[Jimmeh]

Hi Aiden,

The RangeRover was a mamoth task! Some 5 hours if I remember correctly to sort out the inside.. crazy!

But anyway.. Since then, I've learned quite a bit about the leather care systems and what you should/shouldn't do. One of which, that, is often very overlooked, is the use of oily/waxey conditioners that do the leather no long term good..

"'Conditioners', balms, feeds etc (traditionally oil and wax based) cannot penetrate this finish so are not worth applying - they can also leave behind residues on the finish which will only attract more dirt if allowed to remain."

Leather does not require 'conditioning' with anything other than water.

All of this info comes from LTT Leather Solutions.. download yourself a free car care leaflet from - HERE

I speak without first-hand experience in using the LTT kit (yet..), but, after a courtesy call from Judy B @ LTT, it definately opened my eyes and earnt my respects for the company. Anybody that can demonstrate the level of knowledge which they can, obviously understands what makes a good safe cleaner.

I have a Z4 to work on shortly that has a fair amount of dye transfer on the cream leather, so, will be putting the LTT kit to the test. Watch this space (Or, rather watch this space.)

HTH?

 

[mhill]

Ive used a general cleaner from Halfords (Turtle Wax) but use saddle soap to condition, its very cheep last a seriously long time and smells amazing

 

[Goner]

Thanks to all who replied.

Jimmeh, I have downloaded that free leaflet thing, I'll have a read!

I decided to for the Gliptone cleaner.

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[Purple Princess]

x2 for the Gliptone

 

[S3RYE]

does gliptone leave a matt finish? cant decide this one or raceglaze?

 

[Boydie]

I have used:

Autoglym leather cleaner - great
Poor boys natural dressing - awesome
Autosmart leather cleaner - great

 

[S3RYE]

I have used:

Autoglym leather cleaner - great
Poor boys natural dressing - awesome
Autosmart leather cleaner - great

boydie... does the poorboys leave a oem matt finish.. u have the same seats as me.. mine are 10,500miles and the bum area and bolster are starting to shine.. i need that matt look again

 

[Jimmeh]

I worked with the LTT Ultra Foam, Protect and Dye Transfer removal kit today. Loved it! Would reccomend the Foam cleaner to anyone..

More details to be found later in the Detailing section..