Does anyone know if the Lapis leather, and I guess the MINI leather in general, is painted (finished) or dyed? I'm buying cleaner/conditioner, but the guidelines say not to use it on dyed leather. Thanks for any input.

 

I am not sure . I use HIDE FOOD. It works very well and smells good too. Interesting effect on your hands as well.

 

If it were painted, you'd be able to rub it off....

It is dyed.

 

It's my understanding that most leather seats are painted, just not sure about the MINI's.

 

I do not know where you get that info.

the leather is dyed prior to cutting and stitching...

you can purchase bolts of pre-dyed leather.

It would be a bad idea to install painted leather seats... the paint would wear off within a year of use if not sooner.

*I know my leather and paint/dye options... I have painted leather items such as the daredevil costume, shoes and boots, pants and jackets, Batman and Robin Leather costume parts.... and the paint wears off. Mind you, I used only the strongest paint materials considered to be above industry standard, and the strongest was the Daredevil paintwork, yet it STILL wore off, in high traffic areas, after a day of use.*

Hope this Helps!

 

there may also be a communication error here ... some leather is dyed and other leathers are color treated, which many people confuse for dying. Black leather is dyed, after it has been tanned and cured. natural leather is never black.

Paint seals the leather and therefore does not allow it to breath.

Try not to use it too often or too much, it will cause your leather to soften and stretch then dry out too fast.

 

Thanks for that info mightyMIniz. I suppose the reason I'm confused is that I've heard great things about the product Einszett Lederpflege (translates to 1Z leather cleaner, I think). Among others, the autopia moderator is apparently a big fan of this particular conditioner. The problem is that the indications state that it is for coated leather interiors and not for use on dyed leathers. If most, or all, leather seats are dyed, I couldn't imagine this product being of much use to anyone. However, if in doubt, I will stay away. There are so many leather treatments out there, no sense in fixating on this particular one and risking damage. Maybe I'll try that Hide Food.

 

is that an automotive product?

They may be speaking about POST dyed Leather..Dyed AFTER it has been processed and/or Traditional Leather like Saddle Leather.

 

I believe the entire line of 1Z products are for *automotive cleaning, however the leather cleaner can also be used on luggage and such.

Interesting point about the post-dyed leather. I really have no idea, but will try to find out before I buy (not much time though as I think my seats are starting to get thirsty).

*Wow! Scrolling through old posts is scary! Have long since realized how broad and impressive the 1Z lineup is for everything from polishing to protecting--NOT just cleaning!

 

>>If it were painted, you'd be able to rub it off....
>>
>>It is dyed.

100% INCORRECT. This is my response to a post a couple days ago...

Leather is my life. I operate a very high-end leather furniture business. The average sofa I sell retails anywhere from $4,000 to $8000. (some as low as $2k, some as high as $10k).
I am obviously spoiled when it comes to fine leathers. Unless you order a handbuilt super exotic/luxury car, your leathers are painted surfaces. When paint is applied, breathability is diminished or gone entirely. Automobile leathers (technical leathers) are coated with generally 50-450 coats of product, including laquer (paint), UV inhibitors, fragrance, etc. Yes, fragrance. The "smell" is artificial 99% of the time. The modern tanning chemicals do not produce that "leather smell", so it is added in the finishing process. Natural vegitable tanning decades ago produced this odor. Very little leather today (none automobile) are vegi-tanned.

I hope this helps...

 

another post of mine from IS300.net

It's the paint on the leather cracking, not the leather. The leather used in the automotive industry is heavily processed. It is sanded smooth of all markings(natural or scars), usually resin coated, embossed and coated with many, many coats of paint(laquer). Much of the wrinkling that occurs is from the natural wrinkles of the skin that shows through the embossing after time. Remember, the leather on the seats is a natural material that man has altered and gussied-up to make it marketable. If your seats came wrinkled and scarred from the showroom, you would probably not like it's appearance.

and one more...



Unfortunatly, there is really nothing you can do to prevent the wrinkle or smoothing situation. The original texture of the leather when you bought the car was stamped into the leather mechanically and artificially. Leather will stretch.
It is important to condition leather several times a year. For auto leather, Lexol is very good. NEVER use Lexol or other auto leather cleaners/conditioners for leather in your home. Not the same. Remember, auto leather is heavily painted. Auto leather conditioners are basically treating the paint with blends of waxes, polymers, and various petroleum based mixtures. These treatments help keep the paint from drying out and cracking/peeling. Again, the paint provides the UV protection, and water/spill protection.
Clean/condition 3-4 times per year. More if you don't garage it or park in the shade every day. Remember, it's the UV that kills the paint.

Do not use Lexol on the escaine part of the seat!! The escaine is actually a micro fiber and the Lexol is intended for true leather.

Okay, escaine is not leather. It is a man-made micro-fiber fabric, somewhat like ultrasuede. Wear and fade resistant, and easy to clean.

Clean escaine with a mild solution of water and a non-detergent soap, such as Ivory. This should remove most food stains. For oil based stains, lightly rub/blot out stain with denatured alcohol. Do not soak. Do not get alcohol on the leather. Always try the Ivory and water solution first, it usually takes care of it. If the nap of the material becomes compressed, lightly brush with a medium bristle brush (a firm toothbrush works well). No condition is currently available. I am working with a company to produce a stain protective agent for micro-fibers like this. It should be available in a couple weeks. If interested, let me know. More than likely, it will be in a kit form with a cleaner included. Should be between $30-$40.

(Auto makers use heavy laquered leathers to withstand use/abuse through the warranty period of the car. Pure dyed leathers would not.)
As for leather apparel, the vast majority of leather used is called "splits". This means that it is actually a lower slice of the skin, beneath the outer layer that we call "top grain". This layer is fuzzy or sueded on both sides. The tannery sands one side smooth, embosses, dyes, waxes or color coats. 95% of all shoes, belts, handbags etc. are made from "splits". If you want anything of quality, make sure that it says "top-grain leather". If it doesn't say "top grain", than it most likely is not, and they don't want you to know that. Most people that shop for leather, think leather is leather. Not true.)

If you have questions, I'll gladly help
:smile:

_________________
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I have a hard time with

"As for leather apparel, the vast majority of leather used is called "splits". This means that it is actually a lower slice of the skin, beneath the outer layer that we call "top grain". This layer is fuzzy or sueded on both sides. The tannery sands one side smooth, embosses, dyes, waxes or color coats. 95% of all shoes, belts, handbags etc. are made from "splits". If you want anything of quality, make sure that it says "top-grain leather". If it doesn't say "top grain", than it most likely is not, and they don't want you to know that. Most people that shop for leather, think leather is leather. Not true.) "

Louis Vitton, Burberry,Coach and most shoe/boot makers use the top grade hide, not a Split.
I have seen these being made, from Custom Made Boots and jackets for Tom Cruise and Ben Affleck to Louis Vitton Handbags and Luggage. It's the lesser Leathers that are made from Splits. A true quality leather is "fuzzy" on one side. I have bought Reams of leather, probably nearly one ton of leather, from Italy, for various projects.
Some of the softer leather is skinned off Lambs, the tougher leather is off the backs and bellies of bovines. I've even used FISH leather, YES Fish Leather... it has a great texture.
Of course Ostrich leather and Calf hide.

Any company that uses a Split is not only cutting flesh, they are cutting their costs and increasing their profits.

I agree, SEVERAL auto leathers are "painted" which = post dying and or coating. BMW was guilty of this when they had their Ugly Tan Interiors in their late 80's models. That Leather was treated with bad materials and that is why most late 80's Bimmer Seats are trash.

Hope this further helps.

 

>>I have a hard time with
>>
>>"As for leather apparel, the vast majority of leather used is called "splits". This means that it is actually a lower slice of the skin, beneath the outer layer that we call "top grain". This layer is fuzzy or sueded on both sides. The tannery sands one side smooth, embosses, dyes, waxes or color coats. 95% of all shoes, belts, handbags etc. are made from "splits". If you want anything of quality, make sure that it says "top-grain leather". If it doesn't say "top grain", than it most likely is not, and they don't want you to know that. Most people that shop for leather, think leather is leather. Not true.) "
>>
>>Louis Vitton, Burberry,Coach

~~~~These are not the "vast majority" as stated earlier

and most shoe/boot makers use the top grade hide, not a Split.

~~~Nike is the number one consumer of leather splits in the world.

>>I have seen these being made, from Custom Made Boots and jackets for Tom Cruise and Ben Affleck to Louis Vitton Handbags and Luggage.

~~~~again, not the vast majority.

>>Any company that uses a Split is not only cutting flesh, they are cutting their costs and increasing their profits.

~~~~Splits are still part of the skins cellular structure, just not as strong as the top grain cut. Yes, it is very cheap and profitable.
>>
>>I agree, SEVERAL auto leathers are "painted"

~~~~Chevy, Ford, Mazda, BMW, Saab, Volvo, Dodge, Jaguar, Volkswagen, Toyota, Lexus, Infiniti, Jeep, Honda,Buick, Chrysler, Nissan, Mercury, Subaru, Isuzu---all american built use vinyl on the sides and backs of seats