Leather care for cloth/leather seats?

[Modnar]

I got the Rooster Red/black cloth/leather seats in my MINI because they look awesome, and I'd like to keep them that way. I've seen what kinds of nasty things can happen to neglected leather (beige interior on a seven year old BMW that had obviously never been cared for at all), so I'd like to keep the small amount of leather that I do have looking nice. No cracking, or color fading please!

I do have some Meguiar's Leather Cleaner and Leather Conditioner, but based on results from the aforementioned BMW they don't really do a whole lot. (That could very well have something to do with the fact that they sat unused in an unheated garage for three years, and so froze, unfroze and separated all to heck and back.)

I still have my DP coupon code to use this month, and I see they've got a rather full spectrum of products from the Prima Nourish to the ($$$) Leatherique. I'm not afraid to spend money if it's worth it, but I'm not really sure what I need since the majority of my seats are cloth. The leather is mostly just an accent. I definitely want something that's not going to negatively affect the color in any way.

Oh great Detailing Masters, I am in need of your learnings badly!

[Modnar]

Come on people, no one's got any crazy OCDetailer opinions on leather care?

I am the saddest Modnar in the world right now.

[kenchan]

for leather, ive had EXCELLENT experience with Griot's LeatherCare spray.
it is the Hydro of leather care quick detailing.

also their leather care creme is nice too. just get their small 8oz bottles.
will last a long time.

[Yo'sDad]

And it smells to gooooood. Griots leather care is very good.

[Got_Burble]

Make sure you Scotchgard the cloth parts as well. Sunscreen is horror on them. And mask everything in sight when you do, saves on clean up.

[MiniMaybee]

I was using Zaino cleaner and their conditioner on the Expedition. Smelled good (perhaps too good or too strong or both). I've moved to Nourish and really like it. It has a good consistency, and nice smell but not too over powering. It really makes the leather supple and in the Expedition there is a lot of leather.
I use 303 Fabric Guard on the MINI's cloth seats and carpet. Last time I did it was July and it was still beading when I did it again last weekend.

[OctaneGuy]

Leatherique. It's a lot of effort to use, but well worth it. If you like waxing or polishing by hand, Leatherique is for you! LOL. Ok even if you don't the results are fantastic. Applying the oil isn't hard--it's actually kinda fun. Letting it ooze from the pores isn't hard either, just the cleaning up portion with Prestine Cleaner takes effort.

I've got the same seats now. I just spent the last day cleaning them up--they were stained pretty badly from the previous owner.

I used a variety of cleaners--from Turtle Wax Oxy Power Upholstery Cleaner to Bissells Tough Stain precleaner. Followed by using a brush attachment on my PC for extra scrubbing power, followed by deep cleaning with a little Bissell Hot Water extractor (Little Green Turbobrush). Repeated this about 3 times until the stains were gone. Once they are fully dry I will treat with a fabric guard. All I have right now is Raggtopp, which I think will work fine.

For the leather, I used Leatherique, and after a day, it looked a little dry, so I used Meguiar's leather conditioner. I've used Nourish before as well but didn't have my bottle accessible, lol, so I used what I'm used to.

Hmm just checked my work--still got stains. Going to try Meguiar's Quick Out--smells just like the Bissell Precleaner though--don't know if it will work any better.

Richard

[MiniMaybee]

For tough stains I've used 303 Fabric Cleaner (same stuff that I use on my ragtop) with good success.

[kenchan]

i think minimaybee is The Ken of 303 Fabric Cleaner with his
persistence. i think i'll get some next time
for my cloth seated cars.

[Modnar]

I've got some 303 Fabric Guard for the cloth portions of the show. I've been waiting for a warm/sunny day to apply it since the bottle claims it works better the faster it dries. In the meantime all open containers have been banned from the MINI.

And of course you guys would recommend the Griot's. I'm trying to use my DP code here, people!

[whiteyanderson]

i also recommend the griots leather creme conditioner/ cleaner. sorry but, it is great stuff. i use it every couple of weeks. in the interim i use some off the shelf leather wipes.

[rippymcs]

I've been using Griot's Leather Care (8 oz) for the past nine years on my Z3, and there's still half a bottle left. Granted the leather in Z3 is heavily treated so it doesn't require a lot of care, but I like to believe Griot's leather care at least kept it soft. I put that stuff on my MINI the second day I took ownership and it immediately make the color (Pacific Blue) richer and more vibrant. I'm still figuring out how to clean the cloth portion of the seats.

[Marwan]

[quote=MiniMaybee;2119200]I was using Zaino cleaner and their conditioner on the Expedition. Smelled good (perhaps too good or too strong or both). quote]

+1 for Zymol. They are the best in everything!!!