Let’s talk about leather.

[Zephyr]

So, here are my seats. From what my vin says they are Chameleon or Chamelon ? Black.
Bought the Autoglym combo (cleaner and balm) and spent two full hours (one hour per seat) to clean and nourish them.
First of all I had a good vacuum cleaning, then I used the cleaner and rubbed with clean soft cloths (used at least three per seat).
Had to go over them many times until there was no dirt left on the seat and the cloth to be seen and then with a soft sponge applied balm.
After some hour the seats looked thirsty again so I gave them some more balm and then some more the day after.
Now they feel soft to the touch, are shiny (and I hate this) and have no moist on them, not even the slightest feel of “oiliness“ and look as if they can absorb more balm
so…. the car has been kept stored for the last 11 years and probably needs more balm, but the more I pour, the shinier they become….
is this my destiny? To seat on shiny seats? Or it will become dull as time goes by?
I really hate them now. I was never into shiny leather.
Is there another product that treats them without adding so much “bling”?

@andyglym any input?

 

[andyglym]

So, here are my seats. From what my vin says they are Chameleon or Chamelon ? Black.
Bought the Autoglym combo (cleaner and balm) and spent two full hours (one hour per seat) to clean and nourish them.
First of all I had a good vacuum cleaning, then I used the cleaner and rubbed with clean soft cloths (used at least three per seat).
Had to go over them many times until there was no dirt left on the seat and the cloth to be seen and then with a soft sponge applied balm.
After some hour the seats looked thirsty again so I gave them some more balm and then some more the day after.
Now they feel soft to the touch, are shiny (and I hate this) and have no moist on them, not even the slightest feel of “oiliness“ and look as if they can absorb more balm
so…. the car has been kept stored for the last 11 years and probably needs more balm, but the more I pour, the shinier they become….
is this my destiny? To seat on shiny seats? Or it will become dull as time goes by?
I really hate them now. I was never into shiny leather.
Is there another product that treats them without adding so much “bling”?

@andyglym any input?

Try this mate

 

[andyglym]

 

[Zephyr]

So I have to clean them again and use a brush and sponge.
great news…. More time away from the wife….
i will regret this… but will do it….

 

[andyglym]

So I have to clean them again and use a brush and sponge.
great news…. More time away from the wife….
i will regret this… but will do it….

It could be deep seated dirt from years, a course sponge and possibly a steamer may help to open up the pours to loosen the dirt.

 

[SV8Predator]

Modern automotive leather is very effectively sealed, so with you putting more product on, the more it builds up on the surface. You really want to clean all that stuff off, because it will just attract dirt and grit and damage the surface over time.

From the experts at Furniture Clinic:
"Most leather produced for upholstery in cars and furniture is finished and has been for over 50 years. What this means is the leather is coloured and then sealed with a lacquer to help it wear. This lacquer prevents liquids from being absorbed by the leather and so will also prevent any leather food or hide food from being absorbed too. Do a test – put a small drop of water on the leather, if it soaks in, so will leather food."

 

[andyglym]

Modern automotive leather is very effectively sealed, so with you putting more product on, the more it builds up on the surface. You really want to clean all that stuff off, because it will just attract dirt and grit and damage the surface over time.

From the experts at Furniture Clinic:
"Most leather produced for upholstery in cars and furniture is finished and has been for over 50 years. What this means is the leather is coloured and then sealed with a lacquer to help it wear. This lacquer prevents liquids from being absorbed by the leather and so will also prevent any leather food or hide food from being absorbed too. Do a test – put a small drop of water on the leather, if it soaks in, so will leather food."

Agreed. This lacquer can be removed after cleaning then using a fine sandpaper prior to a deep clean, balm and lacquer topcoat as required. That's the process I used when I redyed mine with Furniture Clinic products (their instructions).

 

[Zephyr]

Thank you Gentlemen…
Much appreciated!

 

[Zephyr]

Steamed, brushed, sponged, towelled, nourished… three full hours on the car.
back in the day I preferred sex, it seems the older I become, the wiser I get…

 

[Althulas]

Only problem with that mantra when it does happen the other half is an animal and your left feeling battered the next day.