Your favorite leather cleaner?

Discussion in 'Interior Car Care' started by Ch40t1c, Jun 11, 2009.

  1. JackalS4

    JackalS4 Virgin Detailer

    What about Lexol?

    I used their cleaner (and conditioner) recently and they seemed pretty good, although hard to tell because my seats were already pretty clean..
     
  2. krshultz

    krshultz Nuba Guru

    I found Lexol cleaner to be nearly useless on dirty leather - I actually threw mine away. For well cared for leather, I suppose it's probably fine, but for leather that needs serious cleaning, my suggestion is to look elsewhere.

    Like JL, I use Majestic Solutions' Leather and Plastic Cleaner, and am thrilled with it. There are a number of people on here who have also recently tried it, with good results. I use it on everything in a vehicle interior except for glass and carpeting. I cut mine 1:1 for cleaning really bad stuff; you can probably get away with weaker mixes for well maintained cars.

    The one downside to this stuff is the smell, which most folks don't like. The fix is to put in about an ounce of one of their fragrances to a quart of cleaner. I cleared this procedure with one of the owners of MS, and he told me it's fine. If you're working on a smoker's car, this has the added benefit of helping rid the car of the smoky odor; their fragrances are odor neutralizing, so applying this "improved" mixture to a whole interior really, really helps.
     
  3. Berscht

    Berscht Jedi Nuba

    I agree with you. Leather that has light to medium dirt responds well to lexol cleaner. The one thing that I found which makes lexol cleaner work much better is a applicator with a scrubber part on it and hot water. However when really dirty comes around I use AM leather and vinyl cleaner which works really well. Hopfully all I will be using is steam in 2 weeks!
     
  4. badmatt

    badmatt Birth of a Detailer

    Zaino Z9 to clean and Z10 to condition! and just a light brushing for nubuck :)
    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]

    Cars a bit dirty sorry guys just vacuuming it out and just cleanign the interior up a bit nothing major!
     
  5. GDAL

    GDAL Guest

    I agree with JuneBug about Leatherique ... I bought some for my 11 year old GM car to restore the leather. My leather was in great shape, but I wanted to soften it some more. I ended up removing a lot of dye and ruining my interior. I followed the instructions correctly and I contacted Leatherique about the issue. Well, they were like ... maybe someone dye your interior before? wtf ...

    I'm planning on dyeing the interior soon, but i really don't know what to use to maintain it. Before this whole ordeal I used to use Lexol with great results.
     
  6. agpatel

    agpatel OD On Detailing

    I just got a few foaming bottles in, like the foaming soap bottles, and put some Zymol Leather Cleaner in there, best few bucks I ever spent. It makes a nice thick foam to help clean easier!

    [​IMG]
     
  7. rogue

    rogue Virgin Detailer

  8. togwt

    togwt Nuba Guru

    Are you sure that the upholstery is Nubuk?

    Nubuk (Nubuck) is a top grain leather that has been aniline dyed for colour and then polished to create a nap, producing a velvet-like surface.

    Just don't want other's to be confused and use the wrong type of cleaner
     
  9. togwt

    togwt Nuba Guru


    Leather Master Products are water-based and won't remove dye or cause the colour to lighten.

    If you need to soften the upholstery try Leather Soft (ex Vital) (not a conditioner per se) (A-Aniline/Non-Coated) (P-Protected/Coated) Revitalizes Old Leather- Softens Stiff Leather -Eliminates Leather Squeaking. This product will truly revitalize older leather and soften stiff leather. Leather Vital penetrates the leather to soften and nourish. It is a formula unlike any we've encountered.

    It isn't thick or full of oils like conditioners. It permaetes the upholstery, which is essential for suppleness recovery, it is also used to soften the area during repairs and to dilute pigments. Leather Soft is excellent for eliminating the "squeaking" noise caused by two sections rubbing together
     
  10. togwt

    togwt Nuba Guru

    Lexol was originally formulated for riding tack / saddles, as an oil-based conditioner. It has be re-marketed (not re-formulated) for the automotive upholstery market
     
  11. togwt

    togwt Nuba Guru

    [The one thing that I found which makes lexol cleaner work much better is a applicator with a scrubber part on it and hot water. ]

    Try a 3M delicate duty scuff pad (White)



    PS: I really must start using the Mult-Quote feature ;)
     
  12. togwt

    togwt Nuba Guru

    [Now - like I stated before, ya'll can put all the faith you want on these forum experts, me? I trust what I have seen and the experience of a Pro, not just a part-timer like myself.]

    Most of the 'Expert's" own or work for a product vendor. 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.

    I know what works for me from both a pratical viewpoint and what IMO is chemically sound.

    But always keep an open mind and I would also strongly suggest that you verify any information that anyone else shares with you. I’m certainly not a subject-matter expert, much less a guru; if you find a mistake or know of a better method to solve the problem please share it as I’m always willing to learn. Because the more I learn, the more I realize what I don’t know. Then at some point, I hope to have learned enough to realize, that I know nothing at all
     
  13. junebug

    junebug Jedi Nuba

    Agreed - and checking the Owner's Manual for my 2008 Toyota Highlander Limited - page 401
    Keep it clean, vac,
    Wipe any excess dirt and dust away with a soft cloth dampened with a diluted detergent. Use a diluted water solution of approximately 5% neutral wool detergent
    Wring out any excess water from the cloth and thoroughly wipe off all remaining traces of dteregent
    Wipe the surface with a dry, soft cloth to remove any remaining moister. Allow to dry in a shaded ventilated area.
     
  14. E-Money

    E-Money Birth of a Detailer

    what type of leather material is used on most steering wheels? and what cleaner should i be using? Ive been using lexols cleaner and protecting it with optimum protection.
     
  15. togwt

    togwt Nuba Guru

    Leather steering wheel

    On most leather conditioners the containers label warns against its use on steering wheels as it will make them slippery and unsafe. Oil / cream cannot permeate the leather and therefore remain on the surface; the same thing will apply to seating surfaces

    1.Clean the wheel’s leather surface with a leather cleaner (Leather Master Strong Effect Cleaner) (A-Aniline / Non-Coated) (P-Protected / Coated) or a degreaser (P21S Total Auto Wash) diluted 5:1 with warm distilled water in a spray bottle; dependent upon type and extent of soil or stain

    2.Using a Medium / hard horse hair brush, or a soft sponge, spray and work the cleaner into foam, lightly scrub surface and immediately wipe with a terry towel to remove excess moisture, especially around stitching (you may need to repeat this process)

    3.Then use a micro fibre waffle weave towel or compressed air nozzle to dry

    4.Once wheel is thoroughly dry apply a leather protection (Leather Master’s Leather Protection) (A-Aniline / Non-Coated) (P-Protected / Coated)
    Leather Master Leather Degreaser (A-Aniline / Non-Coated) (P-Protected / Coated) (check for colour fastness) this aerosol product is ideal for cleaning oily stains; it dissolves and removes oil and grease from leather surface. This cleaner can be applied for cleaning all types of leather
    .


    An extract from one of a series of 110 in-depth, unbiased detailing articles © TOGWT ™ Ltd Copyright 2002-2009, all rights reserved.
     
  16. Dream Machines

    Dream Machines Jedi Nuba

    That's why I lacquer steering wheels

    The best leather cleaner I've used is a mix of
    Driven To Perfection Multi (worlds best degreaser. solvent free and safe on any surface) and Green Aussie cleaner organic plant based soap product that can be used for personal beauty, laundry, windows, dishwashing, washing/softening MF towels and foam pads and more

    it took out blue jean stains on a coated leather seat in a Ford territory (aussie vehicle) in moments with just a microfibre towel.
     
  17. scheerspeed

    scheerspeed DB Forum Supporter

    have any of you guys tried Chemical Guy's leather cleaner? i use it a lot and it cleans VERY well...
     
  18. scheerspeed

    scheerspeed DB Forum Supporter

    i ust LM a lot as well.
     
  19. flash gordon

    flash gordon Banned


    Woolite 10:1^^^ And NO I'm not Sponsered by Woolite :hmph:
     
  20. kaiten408

    kaiten408 Jedi Nuba

    I love my Leatherique twins!

    You can use it as an intensive cleaner by using both the Rejuvenator oil and Pristine clean, then just use the pristine clean for regular touch ups. I even use the clean on the steering wheel and it cleaned it better than ANYTHING else I've thrown at it, including soaps & APCs.
     

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