New Car Leather Seats

Discussion in 'Interior Car Care' started by pacificwoods, Feb 23, 2010.

  1. richy

    richy Guest

    Read Jon's article HERE. Basically, you want to stay away from an oil based protectant and use a water based one. The best thing you can do for you leather is to keep it clean. I use the DG one, it is water based.
     
  2. Bunky

    Bunky Guest

    Do you use this DG 221? The description is:
    #221, Duragloss LC (Leather Conditioner)

    [​IMG]
    Contains a blend of mink oil and lanolin that penetrates and softens leather. Gives a natural, non-greasy treatment to both new and older leather. A special fragrance enhances the aroma of leather.

    I do think DG considers this a water based product.
     
  3. richy

    richy Guest

    Funny...I never read the description on the bottle. I will get some clarification on it next week. It sure feels like a water based product though...that's why I said it. Hopefully I wasn't talking out of my ass.
     
  4. Bunky

    Bunky Guest

    I think they will say it is water based but let us know what they say. DG usually responds very quickly to questions.

    A water based product can contain oils and still be a water based product.
     
  5. judyb

    judyb Any Rag Vehicle Washer

    A lot of products are water based but still contain oils or waxes in an emulsion. Oils/waxes etc cannot penetrate the finishes that are put on auto leather and stay on the surface where they collect more dirt to deteriorate the finish. The reason for using water based products is to keep the leather rehydrated. All leather has to transpire (breathe) which allows the movement of moisture particles back and forth through the leather so all surface coatings have to allow this to happen otherwise it is sealed and is not leather. Mositure particles from water based products are very fine (much finer than oils and waxes) and so can penetrate the finishes and rehydrate the leather.

    True water based products do not contain oils and/or waxes so if the label says they do then don't use them.

    There are many water based cleaners around some good and some not so good. Foaming cleaners are the best as they can be given dwell time unlike liquids. Cream cleaners are not good as they need to be 'cleaned' off after use!! making them a pointless porduct.

    'Conditioners' are the products that cause the most confursion. Again they should not contain oils or waxes as this does no good for your leather finish. 'Conditioning' leather as far as a tanner is concerned is the moisture balance so using a true water based product will condition your leather in the correct way.
    LM, Fenice and LTT all produce true water based products.

    Mink oil and Lanolin should not be used on todays modern finishes as they will attract more dirt to the surface of the leather which will then cause problems over a period of time.
    New leather should be protected from damage by dirt and using products that contain these should be avoided.

    Hope this helps
     
  6. Bunky

    Bunky Guest

    Thanks for the post. My curiosity is about why do users of so these water based conditioners that contain some oils and other ingredients that you and others reference, claim it works -- makes leather softer. I have used them in the past with no obvious effects (did not seem to attract dirt, etc) except regarding sheen and surface slickness but then it was in new like condition.

    I respect the science (engineer myself) but always like to see how it translates to what people really experience. There are many products that are not the best products for any given task but in the real world many of them work fine with minimal issues. There may be other variables that come into play to make some activities insignificant.
     
  7. togwt

    togwt Nuba Guru

    Myth buster - many leather products market themselves on how they feed or condition leather. In fact your car's leather seats are first coated with a very fine emulsion (pigmentation) to give them the desired colour and then a clear urethane coating. So for best longevity you should be keeping that coating clean, hydrated and as well protected as possible.

    These same companies would also have you believe you should feed your car's urethane leather finish with olive, cantaloupe, sunflower and coconut oils, lanolin or coat it with wax. These products even if they were necessary, cannot permeate the urethane coating. Unless you brought a specific premium natural leather upholstery package - you are dealing with the finished protective coating and not with the leather hide itself.
     
  8. froboy272

    froboy272 Obsessive Detailer

    ok so besides leather masters protectant...... what products are water based and can protect leather without the added oils? The duragloss has added oils as already shown above,

    "Optimum Protectant Plus has a balance of cleaners, penetrating oils, and UV inhibitors that restores the original color of these surfaces, protects against and hides any scratches, and protects against sun damage."

    Even optimum says it has oils in it.


    Sonus Leather Conditioner also mentions having these apparently unwanted oils:

    "Sonus Leather Conditioner Boosted by PolychargerTM is a protective polymer coating for all leather and imitation leather upholstery. The rich emulsion contains natural oils that are readily absorbed by leather to keep it hydrated, supple and in like-new condition.

    100% satisfaction guarantee! We believe this is the finest leather care product available for automotive leather interiors, period. If this product does not make your leather softer and richer looking, return the unused product for a full refund. "
     
  9. froboy272

    froboy272 Obsessive Detailer

    only one i found so far that says its water based with no mention of any oils is Chemical guys: Leather Conditioner And Cleaner W Vitamin E

    the goods:

    * pH balance pleasure for your leather.
    * conditions, protects & restores in one application
    * natural leather shine
    *100% dry to the touch and non-greasy.
    *contains our patent pending UV protection system to help block damaging UV rays .
    *professional high-quality leather conditioner cream lotion.
    *formulated with Stain-guard to bind with leather fibers reducing the ability of oils and grease to attach to the leather surface.
    * keeps leather in optimal health.
    *after a single application, surface is left clean and refreshed.
    *formulated with nourishing conditioners and enhanced by Chemical guys unmatched blend of rich emulsions in a water -based Ph balanced serum for leather
    * protects as it restores the original supple nature to the leather.
    *cleans and protects fine leathers without leaving surfaces greasy or slippery.
    *preserves leather by returning lost moisturizers that keep leather soft and supple.
    *works like a protective shield repelling dirt and stains.
    * engineered to restore pleasant natural leather scent to leather
    * protects interior leather
     
  10. Bunky

    Bunky Guest

    Dr G. (a chemist who make detailing products and the man behind Optimum) will answer usually any question at the Optimum web site or Detail City web site. He has been straight forward to me when I ask him to clarify expert opinions on various detailing chemistry related questions.
     
  11. 06GOAT

    06GOAT Virgin Detailer

    I like CG leather care products. Cleaner works well and the conditioner is not greasy.
     
  12. GDAL

    GDAL Guest

    I tried their leather cleaner yesterday and I was really surprised. Awesome cleaning power, no chemical smell, and it leaves the surface clean with a matte finish. I protected the leather with Leatherique's Pristine Clean and a really light coat of SCG's Voodoo Leather. I have never seen my interior look so good ... clean with a matte finish.
     
  13. togwt

    togwt Nuba Guru

    The hardest answer to obtain is a truly unbiased one.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.
     

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