Best off the shelf leather cleaner....?

[Sandy]

The protective clear layer of film, Ranger speaks of is definately true! Likewise, it **IS** that layer that actually gets dirty!! In most areas (spots) it's that layer that you are cleaning with the Dove Soap & Water combo.
Regarding the Pledge, again, that is what the Pledge is falling down on as you spray. You are protecting that clear layer from getting dirty, again, by putting a layer above it, in the way of a non permanent coating, to dispell dirt, similiar to waxing a floor.

[behind-bars]

Not sure if anyone knows the answer to this for sure, but I would assume the protective layer could wear off over time. I figure that film couldn't hold up over 13 years of Texas sun and 95k miles of people sitting in it.

My leather is in excellent condition for the most part, with the exception of the drivers seat which has lost dye and small cut in the back seat. It is the vinyl sides that are showing their age, maybe this is only a problem on early 90s models, I heard the newer ones use different leather.

Its funny to look at the actual leather on the seats and seat backs and see them perfect for the most part,but have cracks and creases in the vinyl bolsters.

I will say the pledge is a excellent barrier though, still see 1 spec of white dove from cleaning 5 months back And it repelled the syrup that was sprayed on my seats nicely. I am certain this works good on leather, just wish I could say the same for the vinyl surrounding the leather.

[Sandy]

I've heard that spilling syrup on leather will prolong the life of the leathers pores, by simply clogging them, thereby preventing aging!

{Sorry
Jut
Kidding} PS/ Nothing you can do to stop vinyl from aging, other than to replce it.

[behind-bars]

Originally Posted by Sandy

I've heard that spilling syrup on leather will prolong the life of the leathers pores, by simply clogging them, thereby preventing aging!

{Sorry
Jut
Kidding} PS/ Nothing you can do to stop vinyl from aging, other than to replce it.

Hehe, Believe me the syrup wasnt my fault , but that will be the last time I leave the windows down overnight

I sort of figured that the vinyl couldnt be slowed, I dont think reupolustering is that much money anyway, if I ever wanted to restore it

[Sandy]

Someone is very jealous of you or your car or both. That's a nasty thing to do. Some people are so mean.....

[Superior Detailing]

Originally Posted by Sandy

PS/ Nothing you can do to stop vinyl from aging, other than to replce it.

Yes, actually there are many products that will do this. 303 water based dressing is used in the space shuttle to protect it's interior plastics from damaging uv rays. Who do you think did more research on this subject? Nasa with a $2,000,000,000 budget, or Mr. Sandy?

I'm sorry, but I feel I must correct you before you harm one more persons vehicle on the boards. Pledge and Dawn have no place in the cleaning, and protecting of ones auto interior. If you are planning on taking this fellows advice in the soon future, please do not. This "owed skoo" fellow has no right in commenting on what products are going to be a "quick fix, miracle, "IN" product that promises the world, and delivers nothing, that "everybody" uses. You obviously are not a proffessional in the auto detailing and reconditioning industry, why are you acting like one; causing others to potentially ruin their cars interior surfaces? You will not find any true proffessional using either of these products. I have however, in the beginning of my career, worked for the nastiest wholesale, price-cutting type of shop that did use pledge. But that was the lowest quality of detailing work I have ever seen to this day.


Also, as for "There is no "spray on ~ wipe off" 10-second miracle leather cleaner, that will astound you with miraclous results."

I don't think anybody was looking for a miracle product here. If you want something that will give you consistent results, time after time, any Meguiars products should be sure to please you. Whether it is their gold class line, proffessional line, or just their consumer line, whether it is a creme or a wipe, Meguiars will not let you down.

PLEASE DO NOT TAKE THIS MAN'S ADVICE.

Shaun

[gdwriter]

Shaun, you are obviously not aware of the high esteem Sandy is held on these boards. Have you seen a picture of his car? The seats in his Sixty Special are so white it's blinding:



If you bothered to look through this thread, you'd know that several members who have tried his method are extremely pleased with the results. And for the record, it's not Dawn, it's Dove soap. Sheesh, if you're going to diss somebody's method, at least get your facts straight.

I'm sure Meguiars leather cleaner works very well. But it's also overpriced for what it does.

Sandy knows his stuff.

[GEORGEC]

Originally Posted by JimD

Excellent cleaning - conditioning instructions.

I plan to try the Dove - Pledge treatment on one seat and compare the long term results with my normal Woolite - Mink Oil treatment on another seat.

The rule I use is; If you would not put a product on your skin, why would you put it on leather?

The reason that this "rule" is incorrect is that you can put a lot of material on your skin that would ruin leather. Your skin has much more tolerance to soaps and your body will replace the oils in the skin of your face.

Leather has oils in it that must not be removed, or at least they must be replaced if removed. You should not use any of the "soaps" on leather because they will tend to take out the natural oils and not replace any.

As has been noted, Saddle Soap is not a soap.

If you want to learn about leather care products get your knowledge from people who deal in fine leather for a living. Go to sites that specialize in horse tack. There you will find out how people who have multi-thousand dollar saddles treat their leather.

Automotive sites and such are not the place to learn about leather care.
G

[Superior Detailing]

Originally Posted by gdwriter

Shaun, you are obviously not aware of the high esteem Sandy is held on these boards. Have you seen a picture of his car? The seats in his Sixty Special are so white it's blinding:



If you bothered to look through this thread, you'd know that several members who have tried his method are extremely pleased with the results. And for the record, it's not Dawn, it's Dove soap. Sheesh, if you're going to diss somebody's method, at least get your facts straight.

I'm sure Meguiars leather cleaner works very well. But it's also overpriced for what it does.

Sandy knows his stuff.

Big WOOP! Do you remember your car at 9,000 miles? And so I said DAWN instead of DOVE, I knew what he was talking about. If you are happy with this method, go ahead and keep using it. Take the advice of an old timer using OLD "TECHNOLOGY" over the advice of somebody who is in the industry, researches his trade, and didn't learn everything from some dealership porter 60 years ago! Just remember that I told you that you would cause premature aging of your interior surfaces. I'm sure Gary will be chiming in with his 2 cents soon enough. He knows more than me, he has his own line of products through either a private label, or his own chemist so he'll be able to give the REAL science details on what damage you are causing. Somebody mentioned that pledge has silicone in it. Somebody tell me, what does silicone do for vinyl?

Also, if Meguiars leather cleaner is overpriced I think you should have bought a Hyundai instead of a Cadillac.

What's next? Pam butter spray to clean your windows? Bacon fat to lube your motor?

[gdwriter]

I'll gladly take the advice of a knowledgable old timer (not that 60 is old, Sandy) than some arrogant snot with an ax to grind.

Hey, maybe I should try Valvoline for making french fries!

[Superior Detailing]

Yup, I'm just an arrogant snot (you sound like my grandma!) And I have a HUGE axe to grind; cause I just love giving out misinformation, just to confuse people and start fights.

I don't understand people who aren't willing to embrace new advances in technology; I'm suprised your even on a computer. Go ahead, take this fellows advice, over NASA, an administration that put the first man on the moon, just because he seems to be a "knowlegable" old timer and has a higher post count then I. I have people with $500,000 cars that trust me with their supercars, but yup, I'm just some arrogant snot.

Have fun replacing your dash in 5 years!

Oh yeah, I will be posting a thread about this on the detailing boards to see what REAL PROFFESSIONALS think of pledge and dawn. OOPS I MEAN DOVE.

[krimson_cardnal]

Respect and consideration is needed.

Maybe it's the time of year or the weird weather running across our nation, but come on guys - agree to disagree. Boasting ain't part of it - no way to make a point. JEEESSS! K_C

[gdwriter]

K_C, you're right. I agree to disagree.

As for you, Superior Detailing, I think you've proven my point.

[I_Finally_Have_A_Cad]

Originally Posted by gdwriter

K_C, you're right. I agree to disagree.

As for you, Superior Detailing, I think you've proven my point.

I'm sorry, but if you are going to act like you are the one taking the high road by saying that you are willing to agree to disagree, then why did you fit in that last snide remark? What should have been over now continues because you had to have the last word. Now I am coninuing to perpetuate it by bringing someone twice my age down a notch.

Act your age.

[Ranger]

OK guys. We have a disagreement here and both sides seem to have merit. There is something to be learned here, but if it is not kept civil, no one will learn anything when the threads gets locked.