Leather Protectant

[knoteynada]

Ok leather? leatherette? Which is it?

What do you guys use to care for the beautiful, sexy seats in your mini?

I heard armorall? but i'm not too sure. i want something that will keep them looking great for a long time.

[SimpsonGI]

I purchased the Zaino Complete Showroom package, it includes their Z-9 Leather Soft Spray Cleaner and their Z-10 Leather in a Bottle.

I would not recommend using Armor-all.

[cadfael_tex]

First off - DO NOT USE ARMORALL - sorry to yell but wanted to stop you before you seats became a shiny, cracked mess.

If they are leatherette, then Detailer's Paradise (a vendor that is very popular on this site and from which I have recently drunk the cool-aid (or is that Hydro)) has a product called Nero which is very good (can be cut with distilled water to do the seats nicely) 303 aerospace (though I haven't used it) is also mentioned a lot on here but I'll let some one who uses it sing its virtues.

If they are leather, there are several good leather conditioner/cleaner products out there.

The first thing to do is determine for sure which you have (probably leatherette) because the care products do some'at different things for each.

[MINIFVR]

Originally Posted by cadfael_tex

First off - DO NOT USE ARMORALL - sorry to yell but wanted to stop you before you seats became a shiny, cracked mess.

If they are leatherette, then Detailer's Paradise (a vendor that is very popular on this site and from which I have recently drunk the cool-aid (or is that Hydro)) has a product called Nero which is very good (can be cut with distilled water to do the seats nicely) 303 aerospace (though I haven't used it) is also mentioned a lot on here but I'll let some one who uses it sing its virtues.

If they are leather, there are several good leather conditioner/cleaner products out there.

The first thing to do is determine for sure which you have (probably leatherette) because the care products do some'at different things for each.

what do you mean by 'cut' it with distilled water? Like dilute it with water, or spray water on the seats with Nero???

[LynnEl]

Detailer's Paradise is also in the process of marketing a leather care product, which we are desperately trying to name for them, without their request for the same. I was gonna suggest Manure.

[ScottRiqui]

Originally Posted by cadfael_tex

First off - DO NOT USE ARMORALL - sorry to yell but wanted to stop you before you seats became a shiny, cracked mess.

Just to clarify - I agree that the traditional ArmorAll vinyl protectant would be a bad choice for leather seats, but I've used the ArmorAll leather cleaner/conditioner in an emergency, and it actually works quite well and leaves a nice finish.

[LynnEl]

Originally Posted by ScottRiqui

Just to clarify - I agree that the traditional ArmorAll vinyl protectant would be a bad choice for leather seats, but I've used the ArmorAll leather cleaner/conditioner in an emergency, and it actually works quite well and leaves a nice finish.

And when you need to stop quickly, it's not THAT hard to get back out from under the dash.

[ScottRiqui]

Originally Posted by LynnEl

And when you need to stop quickly, it's not THAT hard to get back out from under the dash.

But that's the point I was trying to make - the Armorall leather cleaner/conditioner *doesn't* leave the same super-shiny, slippery finish on leather that their vinyl protectant does on plastic/vinyl parts. In fact, the look is about the same as with the other leather treatments that I have at the house (Lexol, Griot's, Leatherique, Vanson leather care, and Connolly "Hide Food").

I was away from the house on a road trip when I had a particularly-nasty spill on the leather, which is why I got the Armorall leather conditioner/cleaner at the nearest auto parts store. I like it well enough that I'm keeping it in the boot in case of future emergencies. For routine cleaning when I'm at home, I still use one of the other products.

[LynnEl]

Originally Posted by ScottRiqui

But that's the point I was trying to make - the Armorall leather cleaner/conditioner *doesn't* leave the same super-shiny, slippery finish on leather that their vinyl protectant does on plastic/vinyl parts. In fact, the look is about the same as with the other leather treatments that I have at the house (Lexol, Griot's, Leatherique, Vanson leather care, and Connolly "Hide Food").

I was away from the house on a road trip when I had a particularly-nasty spill on the leather, which is why I got the Armorall leather conditioner/cleaner at the nearest auto parts store. I like it well enough that I'm keeping it in the boot in case of future emergencies. For routine cleaning when I'm at home, I still use one of the other products.

They must have changed the formula. I got some several years ago and, true it wasn't as slippery as the regular stuff, but it was still very slick. Glad to hear they fixed it.

[kenchan]

leatherette - Prima nero (50/50 with water)
leather - Griot's leather care spray

[knoteynada]

Dumb question: how do i know if it's leather or leatherette?

i have a 2003 mcs.

[S Curvz]

Originally Posted by kenchan

leatherette - Prima nero (50/50 with water)
leather - Griot's leather care spray

What he said

[LynnEl]

Originally Posted by S Curvz

What he said

Hey! He didn't say Hydro! Actually, I tried Griot's leather care wipes. Very quick and handy, though not great for a full-blown detail.

[kenchan]

Originally Posted by LynnEl

Hey! He didn't say Hydro! Actually, I tried Griot's leather care wipes. Very quick and handy, though not great for a full-blown detail.

to make it more confusing, ive actually tried Griot's SpeedShine with
good results. (no joke).

you can use SpeedShine to clean the panels, etc. too.

[Alpha Motoring]

Dumb question: how do i know if it's leather or leatherette?

Do you have the lumbar support adjustment knob on the driver seat?

[Alpha Motoring]

Forgot to add, if so it's leather, if not it shoudl be leatherette

[bluesmini]

I detail cars on the side for fun money. I've been using lexol products for a looooong time. I had a customer a few weeks ago that asked i use a product he provided. I could not believe the results. awesome. If you're a fan of the lexol this stuff kind of works backwards to it. With lexol you clean then condition. with "leathereique" you oil it up and let it sit overnight or outside in the sun for a few hours. that brings up all the dirt and salts out of the leather then you use the cleaner to get the crud and extra oil off. Really really nice feel to it afterwards. On a side note it leaves your hands baby soft too.

http://www.leatherique.com/

[MINIFVR]

I don't know if you guys are talking about the Armorall wipes, but I think they suck IMO.

[ScottRiqui]

The stuff I was using came in a trigger-type spray bottle. I'll look at the exact name the next time I'm out at my car.

I just sprayed it on and wiped it around with a "utility" microfiber towel.

I've never really liked "wipes" of *any* product - glass cleaner, vinyl protectant, quick detailer, etcetera, because unless you have a clean dry cloth to follow them up with, they always seem to leave too much product behind.

[MINIFVR]

Yeah. They dry out after a few swipes, soaking everything.

I've mentioned the product called "Leather CPR" before once or twice around here. Its a great leather cleaner/conditioner in one. It makes your leather look clean and new, but not shiny. It also smells great too! You can get it at walmart, Bed Bath& Beyond (only reason I'll go there), and online too.

[LynnEl]

Originally Posted by MINIFVR

Yeah. They dry out after a few swipes, soaking everything.

I've mentioned the product called "Leather CPR" before once or twice around here. Its a great leather cleaner/conditioner in one. It makes your leather look clean and new, but not shiny. It also smells great too! You can get it at walmart, Bed Bath& Beyond (only reason I'll go there), and online too.

I haven't had the soaking problem, but I agree they don't last long. But still good when you need something quick.

[MINIFVR]

Yeah, they are good for on-the-go.