Best Leather Cleaner/Conditioner?

[Dwight Walhood]

I've got leather punch seats in my '08 MCS and they're due for cleaning/conditioning. Some kind of stuff (Permaplate) came with the car, but it's for both leather and vinyl. I don't buy that idea. I've heard Lexol's product is pretty good, but could use some help. How about good old Kiwi Saddle Soap?

Thanks, Dwight

[MiniMaybee]

For cleaning I use Four Star and for conditioning I use Nourish. Both can be found at www.DetailersParadise.com

[rwwilsonjr]

Originally Posted by Dwight Walhood

I've got leather punch seats in my '08 MCS and they're due for cleaning/conditioning. Some kind of stuff (Permaplate) came with the car, but it's for both leather and vinyl. I don't buy that idea. I've heard Lexol's product is pretty good, but could use some help. How about good old Kiwi Saddle Soap?

Thanks, Dwight

The punch leather seats have perforations right? If so, I would recommend a leather cleaner/conditioner that doesn't clog the little holes....i.e. not a cream. Meguiars Leather Cleaning/conditioning wipes work well. I've also heard good things about Zaino leather cleaner/conditioner.

[OctaneGuy]

Meguiar's wipes leave streaks if you don't apply it evenly..not always easy to do unless you bring additional lighting on the interior as you work. Also when you get it on adjacent interior panels, it looks spotty. Also manufacturers love wipes because once you open the container, all the wipes dry out in a few weeks.

I agree about perforations though..cream type products aren't ideal unless you are very friendly with a toothbrush and toothpicks.

Originally Posted by rwwilsonjr

The punch leather seats have perforations right? If so, I would recommend a leather cleaner/conditioner that doesn't clog the little holes....i.e. not a cream. Meguiars Leather Cleaning/conditioning wipes work well. I've also heard good things about Zaino leather cleaner/conditioner.

[MiniMaybee]

I've used the Zaino cleaner and conditioner. They smell too leathery for my taste - way too strong. Good point about the perfs. You would need something more like a spray. Zaino is cream but I think Lexol is a spray.

[rwwilsonjr]

Lexol is good stuff...must be doing something right, it's been around forever. My problem with Lexol is that it seems to leave the leather kinda tacky/sticky...even after buffing. Eventually that stickiness goes away but it takes a while.

I'm sure Richard is correct, but I have not experienced the problem(s) with the Meguiar's wipes that he mentions. However, these wipes seem to clean reasonably well and leave a nice natural (non-sticky) sheen...and they will not clog the perforations...and that's a good thing.

[Prima Car Care]

I also saw your post over in MA, but I'll reply here too...

The Leatherique system (note you actually have to use both products for this system to work properly) is excellent for an annual or even every-other-year deep cleaning and conditioning. It is the only system which will physically purge your leather's pores of all the gunk that has built up within them. If you don't clean out the pore-deep gunk then all the conditioning in the world won't penetrate well enough to do you much good. Leatherique is definitely the way to go for this level of deep cleaning and conditioning. The results are amazing! Be prepared for some long wait times while the step 1 product works, as well as some elbow grease.

On a monthly basis (or thereabouts), I personally find that Leatherique is too time-consuming and expensive. And, you really should do at least a quick cleaning and light conditioning at regular intervals, lest your Leatherique process will be even more labor-intensive, not to mention you'd be potentially damaging you leather by letting it accumulate dirt and dry out, etc.

The Lexol/Nourish combo or the Four Star Leather Cleaner/Nourish combo are both a popular maintenance teams.
Prima Nourish was specifically designed with perforations in mind... it will not clog perforations. It is a very light cream base that, especially when used with a plush microfiber, will buff off your leather nicely. Also, Nourish does not contain silicone or petroleum.
The Lexol cleaner is pH-balanced and does not contain any harmful ingredients, yet is very effective. As you've found, there are so many products out there with ingredients that are harmful for leather.
Four Star's leather cleaner is also very effective and safe on all types of leather (except suede, of course).

Note that saddle soap is too harsh for automotive leather. It should only be used on, well, saddles. (I can elaborate why, if you would like, but I'm trying not to be too long-winded here )

Finally, I wanted to say bravo! for questioning a product that is for leather AND vinyl. Egads, eh? It might be fine for the vinyl but I doubt it's any good for the leather. Good call!

Here's a link to an article on MA about leather care that may be helpful. MINI Leather Care

Hope that helps!

-Heather

[Dwight Walhood]

Originally Posted by Detailers Paradise

I also saw your post over in MA, but I'll reply here too...

The Leatherique system (note you actually have to use both products for this system to work properly) is excellent for an annual or even every-other-year deep cleaning and conditioning. It is the only system which will physically purge your leather's pores of all the gunk that has built up within them. If you don't clean out the pore-deep gunk then all the conditioning in the world won't penetrate well enough to do you much good. Leatherique is definitely the way to go for this level of deep cleaning and conditioning. The results are amazing! Be prepared for some long wait times while the step 1 product works, as well as some elbow grease.

On a monthly basis (or thereabouts), I personally find that Leatherique is too time-consuming and expensive. And, you really should do at least a quick cleaning and light conditioning at regular intervals, lest your Leatherique process will be even more labor-intensive, not to mention you'd be potentially damaging you leather by letting it accumulate dirt and dry out, etc.

The Lexol/Nourish combo or the Four Star Leather Cleaner/Nourish combo are both a popular maintenance teams.
Prima Nourish was specifically designed with perforations in mind... it will not clog perforations. It is a very light cream base that, especially when used with a plush microfiber, will buff off your leather nicely. Also, Nourish does not contain silicone or petroleum.
The Lexol cleaner is pH-balanced and does not contain any harmful ingredients, yet is very effective. As you've found, there are so many products out there with ingredients that are harmful for leather.
Four Star's leather cleaner is also very effective and safe on all types of leather (except suede, of course).

Note that saddle soap is too harsh for automotive leather. It should only be used on, well, saddles. (I can elaborate why, if you would like, but I'm trying not to be too long-winded here )

Finally, I wanted to say bravo! for questioning a product that is for leather AND vinyl. Egads, eh? It might be fine for the vinyl but I doubt it's any good for the leather. Good call!

Here's a link to an article on MA about leather care that may be helpful. MINI Leather Care

Hope that helps!

-Heather

THANK YOU, HEATHER!! What a joy to get correct info from someone who obviously knows what they're talking about. It'll be Leatherique and Prima Nourish for me and Beelzebub. I'll save the Saddle Soap for my shoes/boots.

Dwight

[kenchan]

for newer leathers i use Griot's LeatherCare Spray. thing is fantastic. dries matte...smells good too.

[Prima Car Care]

Originally Posted by Dwight Walhood

THANK YOU, HEATHER!!
I'll save the Saddle Soap for my shoes/boots.

Dwight

My pleasure.

Yes, saddle soap has its place... just not in our MINIs.

-Heather