Aside from the seats are there any other leather surfaces in a 2000 FRC? What are all of the other parts made from? Finally, for all of the non-leather parts, what is the best product to clean/shine the C5 interior? All I know is Armor-All. Thanks for the help!

 

mcguires gold class leather wipes

 

I believe that the circumference of the steering wheel is leather, as well as the shifter boot...

 

Also for vinyl/plastic, VinylX is top notch...

 

 

I dont know about the FRC but my vert had nearly everything wrapped in leather. When I re covered my parts in suede I had to stip off leather on the window pillars, lower door panels, all the pieces along the door sills and the side of the seats, The only piece I have founs so far that does not have leather on it is the radio bezel. Im sure ther is more but I have not pulled every piece yet.

 

I use Meguires Gold Class Leather cleaner/conditioner. I don't like the high gloss look at all.

 

I use Zaino leather cleaner and conditioner on all the leather (upgraded all the cheap vinyl on most of the interior parts). As for the dash and doors, I just use a damp cloth and keep em clean that way. I've heard of using Armor All low gloss on them but feel a quick wipedown is all I need

 

Aren't all parts a plastized leather, (I know thats not the right word for it.) and should be treated as a vinyl ?? If so wouldn't Leather cleaners and conditioners be the wrong products to use ?

I'm probably wrong here, but I thought all we needed was a wipe down with 303 (or similar product) for UV protection.

 

Thanks everyone for the info. let me see if I got this right:

Leather - seats, steering wheel, e-brake boot, shifter boot - Meguire's Cold Class Leather cond/cleaner

Plastic/Vinyl - Everything else - Vinyl X

About right? Anything pop out as better for either? Thanks again!

 

I use the Meguires interior wipes on my plastic pieces. It keeps the gloss down. Too glossy of an interior looks cheap to me.

As far as the plasticizers on the leather, I get confused by that sometimes too. From what I've read, this is pretty standard on all automotive leather since without the plasticizers it would dry out and crack in no time. I would assume that leather wipes designed for cars take this into consideration.

 

Thanks again! Just came back from Aid Auto store with my Meguire supplies. Now off to the garage to spend some quality time with my Vette!

 

(P-Protected / Coated) Iz einszett 'Plastik-Reiniger' is an intensive, non-corrosive, non-acidic two-phase deep cleaner, that removes grime build-up thoroughly and effortlessly, these chemicals restore your interiors original texture and resiliency; use to clean all coloured and clear water-based acrylic polyurethane covered automotive upholstery; this product is biodegradable, formalin-free and environmentally friendly. Maintain by cleaning surfaces with a 6:1 solution of Woolite™ and distilled water or a water diluted citrus-based cleaner to remove stains, then apply a water-based vinyl (303 Space Protectant) dressing that contains ultra violet protection

Using split leather produced from the lower cut or split of the hide is a relatively new development. It is normally produced in darker colours and when stretched, it lightens. It also scratches quite easily. This type of leather is now coming on to the furniture market, but has been used for automotive upholstery, handbags and belts for some time. As the top surface has a high polyurethane finish, normal leather creams provide absolutely no value (see conditioners).

Many people are unaware of the fact that since the late ‘80s early ‘90s, many of the newer domestic cars and some imports (US) do not use natural leather hides anymore. Approximately 90% of vehicle manufacturers have used (thermoplastic) polyurethane covered split hide leather for their interior upholstery.

Vehicle leather upholstery is made from natural hides, chrome tanned and uniquely treated with a light pigmented water-based polyurethane coating or a vinyl covering to make it more viable for automotive seating. It retains the softness of natural top-grain leather but resists fading in direct sunlight, which besides body oil / salt, is leathers worst enemy. While leather that is vinyl-coated is relatively easy to care for by virtue of its protective plastic surface, it is also inaccessible for purposes of maintenance. Meaning, of course, there is absolutely no point to using leather conditioners on plastic coated leather.

An extract from “Automotive Leather Upholstery Care” one of a series of in-depth © detailing articles by TOGWT ™



Borrowed this from the "Car Care" forum.

 

Whoa! That was thorough! Thanks Stan. Well, even though I probably didn't accomplish much except a thorough cleaning I still feel we bonded! Nothing like one on one time with your modern impervious plasticized faux leather vinyl plastic C5 interior!

 

Steering wheel, shifter boot, door pulls and the center (just the ribbed part you sit on not the side bolsters) on the seats.

Mothers leather conditioner and every once in a while their cleaner.

Dotn worry about which is which (the parts that are not leather wont suffer at all from the leather care products).

 

Zaino leather Z9 cleaner and Z10 conditioner for the seating surfaces, Zaino Z-14 Plastic Magic Cleaner & Polish for the other parts.

Your seats will smell new with a great smell of leather.

Zaino Bros

 

Vette Essentials sells a leather conditioner that is very good. Mequires is pretty decent too.

 

Yeah, Meguiars leather wipes for seats and steering wheel. For everything else in the cabin: door panels, dash, console etc.. I use Mothers interior protectant for plastic/vinyl. Gives the surfaces a rich new black look. No artificial shine, and a nice bubble gummy carnuba like smell.

 

I've always suspected that leather wipes (although I sill use them just incase I'm wrong) were just a way to sell another product. Similiar to how Armour All started selling both "cleaning" wipes and "protectant" wipes, when I know damn well regular Armour All does both.

Perhaps leather wipes are really for the plasticizer and not the leather underneath? This plasic would have to be much more plyable than the plastic on your dash pieces and therefore need another product. I have a feeling however, that plastic doesn't really "absorb" anything though, and that we are just putting sunscreen on it with leather wipes. Something that could also be done with any interior wipe.