Recently Ive seem some discussion that leather "conditioners" might actually be bad for coated leathers. And that you're better off using a protectant such as 303 or Leather Masters protection cream. http://www.detailuniversity.com/forums/school-interior-detailing/709-leather-care-thoughts.html
That's interesting, I've been wondering the same. Actually I went to Lexus asking weather my leather is coated leather or not, still waiting for an answer. My guess would be that it's not coated, becuase when I cleaned it with Lexol product it sure absorbed the conditioner oh another thing I did recently was I used my 1000W lights and warmed up the leather first and then applied the conditioner, leather absorbed the conditioner like you wouldn't imagine. I could be wrong but I'm guessing my leather in my Lexus is not coated but that's just my guess.
Id be willing to bet that its coated. Did you drop water on it to see if it turned the leather darker, or just beaded?
hmmm...nope haven't done that but I should. You might be right, coated leather seems to be on all new vehicles. I'll drop some water on it and see if it gets darker.
I had posted at Detail University a comment I got back from Lexol. They said that Lexol works fine on top coated and regular leather. Lexol claims that coated leather is not the same as it was a few years back and it is not impermeable barrier that some say it is. Oils can migrate into the leather especially as it ages due to the barrier developing microcracks (lexol party line). Leather Master (the one touted for top coated leather) is a water based product with oil...so is Lexol. They all use synthetic oils not the real animal derived fats. I have used Meg's on top coated leather seats and it seemed to absorb it too so the purists are not correct.
I definitely believe the conditioners absorb even into coated leathers. But it seems like they are saying some conditioners arent good for the leather. On AG, someone was saying the guy from Lexol wrote something up about how the conditioners cant absorb into the leather. But I guess that was back when things were different.
I had asked Lexol directly about using Lexol on top coated leather. They said sure you can (but then they would). I do not use Lexol but it is an interesting topic. Lexol's web site says: WHY LEXOL IS SUPERIOR TO OTHER LEATHER CONDITIONERS AND PRESERVATIVES The oils in LEXOL have been modified to facilitate effective distribution of microscopically fine oil droplets which can be more readily absorbed into the leather fibers than the comparatively large droplets typical of raw oils or less fine emulsions. LEXOL’s smaller oil droplets combine with the fibers, because of their affinity or adherence that is lacking with other oils. Thus the modified oils in LEXOL are kept under control and are retained in the area of application. In this way, LEXOL is able to nourish the leather and its fibers while protecting against migration, or seepage, into adjacent materials or surfaces. Many leather dressings utilize chemical solvents in order to facilitate penetration of oils into the leather. Such solvents can lead to ”bleeding” or migrating onto adjacent materials, causing discoloration or other damage. In addition, such chemical solvents may be flammable, irritating or toxic. LEXOL does not contain any chemical solvents. As an aqueous emulsion, it achieves several objectives: (1) fiber penetration and nourishment; (2) absorption and retention in the leather; (3) control of migration or seepage. Unlike most organic solvents, LEXOL is nonflammable, odorless, non-toxic and non-sensitizing to the skin. Also, LEXOL does not impart a greasy or tacky feel to the surface of the leather. Although LEXOL is widely accepted as a treatment for the more common vegetable and chrome-tanned leather, there are certain leathers for which it is not suitable (e.g., napped leathers, such as suede or glove soft leather, which call for treatment with lighter lubricants). NOTE: Leather that has become cracked from inadequate or inappropriate care cannot be restored to its original state by any available method. In summary, LEXOL is readily absorbed into the fibers and provides lasting and effective lubrication without migration while leaving leather feeling soft and smooth. The point acknowledged was that the urethane coating (the top coat) is not a impermeable barrier and oils can migrate through and it seems to meet the test of "fine" oils. Now for the speculation and looking for info to prove.disprove -- my guess if the oils are synthetic they may be good. If they use traditional oils (perfectly good for uncoated leather) you have the issue.
Theres a lot of good info in this thread, http://www.detailuniversity.com/forums/school-interior-detailing/709-leather-care-thoughts.html I suggest you guys keep up- to- date with it.
Solvents will penetrate polyurathene and / or pigmented leather, my question would be why would you want to? Many of the newer vehicles do not use natural leather hides anymore Approximately 80% of vehicle manufacturers are using (thermoplastic) polyurethane covered pigmented leather for their interior upholstery. Pigmented leather simply means that the finished leather or polyurethane covering has been coloured (you’ve never seen grey cows have you?) Are we to take care of the leather or the protective covering? The answer is to take care of the protective topcoat and the leather will take care of itself. Compare automobile upholstery [finished pigmented leather] to a vehicles paint surface with a clear coat; 1. A base material (metal) with a colour coat of water-based polymer paint [Leather hide pigmented with a water-based polymer resin] 2. A water-based polymer clear coat to provide protection [Water-based polyethylene clear coating to provide protection] 3. Paint doesn’t need oils to feed it (whatever Zymol says); it’s not a living thing. [Leather was removed from a dead animal, it’s then fat-liquored to preserve its oils and then sealed, and it doesn’t need oils to feed or condition it, even if they could permeate the various coverings] Basic Leather care - Auto Geek Car Care, Car Wax and Auto Detailing Forum
They use an oil/ water emulsion, which will permeate the polyurethane covering as its molecules are much smaller (oil has larger molecules than water and are unable to penetrate so oil will just sit on the surface) "Conditioners are not good for covered leather" - this negative marketing was started by a leather care product vendor, they are just not necessary. Honest opinion or merely advertising? Commercialism brings with it concerns of honesty and true representation. In other words, it’s difficult to know what is true when someone is motivated by income, i.e. directly targeted at product sales, more so than an unbiased opinion
