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So no real difference between "Napa" and "Mulan" leather in our cars?
Its all coated so the difference is marginal. Comp. seats are Mulan; GT seats Napa. Just how tough the covering is?
That's a long explanation, but a needed one. I may not see real leather very much in cars, but I do know what "alcantara," "microsuede," and "bonded leather" are. And the last one is a bit tricky because it actually has some real leather pieces thrown into a slurry and then "produced." The first two do not, and most people know that, I hope.
I do believe, coated, vinyl-ized, painted or whatever else is done to leather and vinyl, there are products out now that help to prolong their lifespan especially from UV, drying hot sun, etc. And I think 303 Aerospace is one of them.
Hi Bill,
Glad to hear you're still out there with your usual good advice.
I, too, have only ever used a damp cloth to clean the seats after a good vacuuming and have often been flamed for it.
Ironically, a couple months after I bought my C7, I was washing it and had neglected to get the driver side window all the way up, leaving about a 1/4 inch gap. Of course I was surprised when I looked in after rinsing it and seeing a "puddle" of water in the driver's seat. It never soaked in and after much grumbling about how stupid I was, I took a large dry towel and soaked up the puddle and let the car dry in the open air and sun. Never had a problem with anything after that. That seat is still very soft.
I, too, have only ever used a damp cloth to clean the seats after a good vacuuming and have often been flamed for it.
Ironically, a couple months after I bought my C7, I was washing it and had neglected to get the driver side window all the way up, leaving about a 1/4 inch gap. Of course I was surprised when I looked in after rinsing it and seeing a "puddle" of water in the driver's seat. It never soaked in and after much grumbling about how stupid I was, I took a large dry towel and soaked up the puddle and let the car dry in the open air and sun. Never had a problem with anything after that. That seat is still very soft.
Hi Norm, long time! Glad you didn't sit in a puddle. So, can you tell if you have the "super Mulan" or the "super leather"? Oh heck, it doesn't matter. It's a CORVETTE STINGRAY! Happy driving!
Wow- this was very interesting.
Thank you to the OP.
My 2005 Cadillac XLR seats didn't wear very well at all. Shale is a NIGHTMARE to maintain- shows every flaw since it's such a light color.
I had to replace the lower driver's side bolster at 49k, and the upper driver side bolster at 79k.
Wondering if the excessive wear was due to using too much leather conditioner? And as stated- this caused a sandpaper effect.
So what is the best way to stop wrinkles from forming?
Just wiping down with a wet cloth doesn't seem like it will be enough?
Nope, have no knowledge or have I researched the subject! However I do use Zaino cleaner and conditioner! On the wife's white leather seats in her X5 BMW SUV it cleaned the blue jean stain off her seat where the household product she tried did not! Guess I like the smell of the conditioner as I use in on the Kalahari 3LT Napa leather on the C7!
Admit I do like to write, apparently a few folks read and posting on the the Forum takes my mind off my real business, welding! 2nd welding book just published by CarTech Books!
You can put a drop of water on a car panel, dash, trim, wheels, tires, glass, etc., and it will not penetrate/absorb, however, all benefit from some type of protectant, particularly with some type of UV formula. So why wouldn't the same work on the coated or faux leather?
I agree that a conditioner would probably be useless, but a certain type of protectant "might" be beneficial... or not.
BTW, a 1LT with cloth seats would be a good idea, more comfortable hot or cold without the add-ons of seat heat and ventilation.
Originally Posted by MikeyTX
Actually, GM could go back to a cloth insert period on all trim levels and a bunch of us would be happy.
Absolutely! You and I have talked about that one before, Mikey. But then, that would be one more option/configuration that would fill the list of options.
I agree a protectant makes your tires, dash, trim, etc., look better and seem to make them last longer. However, the reason they don't seem to wear like the seats is simple....you are not sliding across them. Whatever you put on your dash, trim, etc., is not subject to the sandpaper effect. Think about it. I'd continue to "condition" or protect your dash, trim, tires, etc., as it makes them look better. Just don't do the seats.
All that is needed on the seats is a damp cloth with clean water. That is it!
Regarding the jeans transfer, you will not get nearly the amount of transfer if your seats have not been "conditioned." The oil in the conditioner or protectant acts as a transfer agent which allows the color ro transfer onto the seat. If you get this transfer, use your conditioner to remove it but....be absolutely certain to remove all of the conditioner before you sit in the seat again.
Personally, I use Woolite at 10:1 ratio to clean my seats. It has no lanolin or other chemical that will remain on the seat after washing but still does a great job at cleaning the seats.
Originally Posted by STStingray
Nice write-up, but nothing new IMO.
You can put a drop of water on a car panel, dash, trim, wheels, tires, glass, etc., and it will not penetrate/absorb, however, all benefit from some type of protectant, particularly with some type of UV formula. So why wouldn't the same work on the coated or faux leather?
I agree that a conditioner would probably be useless, but a certain type of protectant "might" be beneficial... or not.
Agree 100%! In fact, both my Hummer and Expedition have cloth seats. It is all I ever want as they last much longer, take little to no effort to care for and are comfortable whether it is hot or cold outside.
Originally Posted by MikeyTX
Actually, GM could go back to a cloth insert period on all trim levels and a bunch of us would be happy.
EXACTLY! I'll bet you "conditioned" your seats...right? I'll even bet you conditioned them more and more as the wear began showing...right? This is exactly why they wear out.....conditioning them!
As far as the wrinkles are concerned....not much you can do about it. It is the vinyl stretching when you get in and out of the seat. Conditioning or not conditioning them has no effect on the wrinkles.
Originally Posted by 05XLRtoC7_San Diego
Wow- this was very interesting.
Thank you to the OP.
My 2005 Cadillac XLR seats didn't wear very well at all. Shale is a NIGHTMARE to maintain- shows every flaw since it's such a light color.
I had to replace the lower driver's side bolster at 49k, and the upper driver side bolster at 79k.
Wondering if the excessive wear was due to using too much leather conditioner? And as stated- this caused a sandpaper effect.
So what is the best way to stop wrinkles from forming?
Just wiping down with a wet cloth doesn't seem like it will be enough?
Naugahyde is a composite of a knit fabric backing and expanded polyvinyl chloride (PVC) plastic coating. It was developed by Byron A. Hunter, senior chemist at the United States Rubber Company. Its name, was first trademarked in 1936.
The primary use for Naugahyde is as a substitute for leather in upholstery. In this application it is very durable and can be easily maintained by wiping with a damp sponge or cloth. Being a synthetic product, it is supplied in long rolls, allowing large sections of furniture to be covered seamlessly, unlike animal hides.
A marketing campaign of the 1960s and 1970s asserted humorously that Naugahyde was obtained from the skin of an animal called a "Nauga". The claim became an urban myth.
EXACTLY! I'll bet you "conditioned" your seats...right? I'll even bet you conditioned them more and more as the wear began showing...right? This is exactly why they wear out.....conditioning them!
As far as the wrinkles are concerned....not much you can do about it. It is the vinyl stretching when you get in and out of the seat. Conditioning or not conditioning them has no effect on the wrinkles.
Yes, I did condition them more and more (thinking this would be beneficial)- usually once every 2 months- and the problem just kept getting worse and worse.
Over 5 years of owning the car, I tried basically everything on the market:
*Leatherique prestine clean and Leatherique rejuvenator oil
*Mequiar's One Step Leather Care
*Zaino leather spray cleaner
*Zaino leather in a bottle
*Zymol leather cleaner
*Lexol leather cleaner and conditioner
*BooYah Clean Leather cleaner and conditioner
But the condition of the leather just kept getting worse and worse.
But I wonder if this just eroded the protective urethane coating away....which allowed more premature wear??
Safe to assume we should NOT use a leather brush?
I like your idea of using Woolite- very safe on the leather, and can lightly remove the dirt and oils.
Funny, have to remind two of my vegetarian, PETA supporter grandchildren that live outside of LA that my Street Rod interior, which is made from what is called "Ultra Leather" is made from Naugas but it's done humanely! Actually it is about the same price as leather and is very soft, like the best glove leather. In fact to make the matching flames to the exterior for the arm rests and headliner and some other parts the fellows that did the interior were going to have to split several hides.
Originally Posted by Mike Mercury
naugahyde;
Took quite a few Naugas to make the interior, but I understand it's done humanely!
10-19-2015, 09:09 AM
I thought it was JerryU at first.
Happy driving! 
