Best off the shelf leather cleaner....? - Page 4

youbetcha77 · #46 (**permalink**) 10-06-05, 02:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cadillac_Rancher

I did do this, I noticed on my pledge natural beauty can it said also works great on leather, vinyl and plastic, so I said what the heck, I hate the armorall look/feel, but i need something on my dash, wow! its looks so nice, has a natural glow to it, but no greasy and shinny like armorall.

-The Cadillac Rancher

Natural Beauty is the name of the particular Pledge you used.

Hmmmm, I m going to have to try it.

Blaze

Sandy · #47 (**permalink**) 10-06-05, 03:10 PM

Blaze, ease up on the soda and carbs. You're hyper today ! Chill out, friend.
Cadillac Rancher & CandyLac both have had great results and are smiling

youbetcha77 · #48 (**permalink**) 10-06-05, 03:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sandy

Blaze, ease up on the soda and carbs. You're hyper today ! Chill out, friend.
Cadillac Rancher & CandyLac both have had great results and are smiling

Sorry, too much coffee.

Coupe deBill · #49 (**permalink**) 10-07-05, 01:58 PM

Keep in mind just about all modern leather upholstery is clear coated. You want to treat and preserve that clear coat.For cleaning, you want something mild but not so much so that it is ineffective. For conditioning,don't use anything with harsh solvents or oily components that are just going to sit on the surface.

If someone were to twist my arm insisting I had to use only OTC products, I'd have to choose, interestingly enough, a simple 6:1 solution of water:Woolite ( yep the laundry detergent) and for conditioning, well, since the clear coat is synthetic, a product made to treat and preserve those sort of surfaces: 303 Aerospace Protectant-supposed to be one of "best" protectants out there and can be found in the smaller auto parts stores and good boat supply stores.

With water:Woolite solution, agitate with a terry towel or upholstery brush( if particularly dirty) and wipe off thoroughly. Repeat as needed. You'll be surprised about the kind of discoloring that might appear on the towel.

For the 303, apply sparingly using a terry or microfiber applicator. Afterward, if you chose, "buff" with a terry or microfiber towel. This is an OEM look, low gloss products. It's also ideal for all interior vinyl, rubber and plastic surfaces not to mention under the hood and tires.

jamesbond007sa · #50 (**permalink**) 10-08-05, 04:17 AM

New here but I have been cleaning my seats with dove as well but just a little on a washcloth at a time. But the best thing I have found was suggested by long time detailer- Lubriderm. If its good for your skin -why not your leather and boy does it make it soft.
Jim

Parrothead · #51 (**permalink**) 10-08-05, 05:47 AM

I like and will try the Dove soap thing but I wanted to post anyway. I have tried both Lexol and Zymol leather cleaner/conditioner I really diddn't like either.
The Lexol was just yucky it never really absorbed and was a bit tacky event after i wiped it down (but yucky better describes it).

The Zymol leather / conditioner was better but it never really made much of a difference.

Then I tried the Zaino Leather in a Bottle. It had a nice leather smell and went on about the same as the others. The biggest difference was about a week later when the leather absorbed it all. The seats are noticeably softer and smooth and if just feels very moist, smooth and a rich feel.

I also found that using a horsehair boot brush works very well to buff out the seats prior to cleaning. It gets all the Mcsalt and other fine abrasive particles out of the seams.

youbetcha77 · #52 (**permalink**) 10-11-05, 12:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Parrothead

I like and will try the Dove soap thing but I wanted to post anyway. I have tried both Lexol and Zymol leather cleaner/conditioner I really diddn't like either.
The Lexol was just yucky it never really absorbed and was a bit tacky event after i wiped it down (but yucky better describes it).

The Zymol leather / conditioner was better but it never really made much of a difference.

Then I tried the Zaino Leather in a Bottle. It had a nice leather smell and went on about the same as the others. The biggest difference was about a week later when the leather absorbed it all. The seats are noticeably softer and smooth and if just feels very moist, smooth and a rich feel.

I also found that using a horsehair boot brush works very well to buff out the seats prior to cleaning. It gets all the Mcsalt and other fine abrasive particles out of the seams.

Mc Salt? Thats good, I thought I was the only one that had that in my seams, along with the occasional french fry under the seat. I have always used Mequire's Leather conditioner from walmart. It makes the seats very soft. I put it on real thick and then let it sit over night. I go out and buff the excess off with a towel. I have always used simple green to clean mine or mean green and Mr. Clean does the same stuff. One wipe and the dirt comes off. I dont leave it on long though and then wipe it down with a clean rag and water. Then it will look dried out and then I Mequire's it. My grandmother used this stuff and before they had that she used Tannery, which was basically the same stuff. Their leather seats always looked new when they traded it in.

Blaze

sonnycrack · #53 (**permalink**) 10-11-05, 11:18 PM

Sandy.. Why not just put the Dove soap in the microwave?

Sandy · #54 (**permalink**) 10-11-05, 11:57 PM

....along with the cat ??

youbetcha77 · #55 (**permalink**) 10-12-05, 01:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sonnycrack

Sandy.. Why not just put the Dove soap in the microwave?

Sandy is using the wrong term. Instead of putting the dove bar in water to melt it, you are suppose to put it in water to dissolve it.

Blaze

Sandy · #56 (**permalink**) 10-12-05, 01:38 AM

Thank You! Blaze, get that license plate ?

youbetcha77 · #57 (**permalink**) 10-12-05, 01:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sandy

Thank You! Blaze, get that license plate ?

Yes I did, and I got the Vin number and already run a carfax on it. I mean, its not like I have anything else to do or anything.

youbetcha77 · #58 (**permalink**) 10-12-05, 03:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by youbetcha77

Yes I did, and I got the Vin number and already run a carfax on it. I mean, its not like I have anything else to do or anything.

Did I mention I was joking? My buddy doesnt work again until Friday evening Sandy. I will get your VIN number then.

Blaze

95Concours · #59 (**permalink**) 10-12-05, 03:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ralph

Best "off the shelf" I don't know, but I have excellent results with "Meguiar's Gold Class" No crease marks, discoloration or anything.....and I've used it every few months or so for almost 3 years. It's a cleaner and conditioner, and it is very mild.

The real question is, who's the woman with the great @## in the picture? Dont mean to be rude, just a compliment.

crimson tide · #60 (**permalink**) 10-12-05, 09:27 PM

Did the zaino thing since I got the car,but this dove thing really made a difference! It really cleans the leather to its original clean. I would put the zaino directly on the seats and wipe and you could see the mark where I put the zaino down like a water mark. I knew it could be cleaner.With the dove and the pledge it was great. I wish I had the capability to show some pics!!!!!!!!!!!