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Old Jun 25, 2012 | 10:11 AM
  #21  
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Zaino leather conditioner, cleaner if necessary only on leather surfaces, Aerospace 303 everywhere else including weatherstipping, under hood etc. As mentioned you could probably use 303 on the leather as well, great UV protection but no conditioners specific to leather.
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Old Jun 25, 2012 | 11:45 AM
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I have tried a bunch of products over the years. I was never impressed until I tried Zaino Leather in a Bottle. This stuff makes your seats smell just like new leather. I get so many compliments from people at shows just walking by my car and they smell it... Easy to put on and leaves the seats nice and moist (not slippery)

http://www.zainostore.com/Merchant2/...duct_Code=Z-10

Toque

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Old Jun 25, 2012 | 06:21 PM
  #23  
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I recently tried Tantex leather conditioner . It left my car smelling and feeling great. It really keeps the seats soft, so they don't crack.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B007XG6MYM
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Old Jun 25, 2012 | 06:36 PM
  #24  
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Originally Posted by Virtual Geezer
Yep -- read your owner's manual. Lexol and others are hoping that you don't.
I called Lexol direct to see if I could use their products on my coated leather and they could not help me they said use whatever you would use on vinyl.
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Old Jun 25, 2012 | 07:40 PM
  #25  
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Originally Posted by Virtual Geezer
Yep -- read your owner's manual. Lexol and others are hoping that you don't.
Originally Posted by 6speedsteve
I called Lexol direct to see if I could use their products on my coated leather and they could not help me they said use whatever you would use on vinyl.
Good for you and good for Lexol for being honest. Over my long lifetime, I've (mis)used a whole bunch of leather-care elixirs, and then I found out that almost all automotive leather has a clear coating. And usually, only the 'seating surfaces' are leather (butt and back) -- the rest is vinyl. So the leather creams and conditioners really just sit on top of the clear coating -- until they're polished off by your clothing. IMHO, many vendors are being dishonest when they pimp products that offer no real benefit for coated leather.

Read your owner's manual. As others have mentioned here, 303 Aerospace is an excellent vinyl protectant -- the best I've used.

Last edited by Virtual Geezer; Jun 25, 2012 at 07:42 PM.
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Old Jun 25, 2012 | 07:44 PM
  #26  
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Originally Posted by AEC5
Just a quick inquiry about a good product for protecting (conditioning/cleaning) the car's leather seating surfaces. What would be the best product to utilize? I have an AE C5 with about 7K which makes it almost new but it is a 'vert so it goes topless thus exposing the interior to the harsh Texas sun.

Thanks.......................
The leather used in automotive settings is considered finished (coated) and is treated as such. Consider products like LeatherMasters or 1Z Einszett Leathercare which are designed for just this type of leather.

http://www.autogeek.net/leathercare.html
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Old Jun 25, 2012 | 08:05 PM
  #27  
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Default Who answered the question at Lexol?

Originally Posted by Virtual Geezer
Good for you and good for Lexol for being honest. Over my long lifetime, I've (mis)used a whole bunch of leather-care elixirs, and then I found out that almost all automotive leather has a clear coating. And usually, only the 'seating surfaces' are leather (butt and back) -- the rest is vinyl. So the leather creams and conditioners really just sit on top of the clear coating -- until they're polished off by your clothing. IMHO, many vendors are being dishonest when they pimp products that offer no real benefit for coated leather.

Read your owner's manual. As others have mentioned here, 303 Aerospace is an excellent vinyl protectant -- the best I've used.
No disrespect intended to anyone who inquired with Lexol, but the answers you get from any manufacturer are only as good as the employee at the other end of the phone. I've been using Lexol for many years on my leather seats, but only recently on my Vette since I just bought it. I have a hard time believing Corvette leather is coated from the factory much differently from other car manufacturers, unless we are talking super high end like a Rolls Royce. My point is that it has worked well for me on many different cars that I owned for long periods of time, so why wouldn't it do well on Corvettes (and it has so far in my limited experience). Moreover, it's sold for automotive use in just about every major auto store. So, just what cars would they intend it for if not cars like ours? Come on... If it works on the leather on Caddys, Camaros, Lexus and God knows what, it will work on our cars. Yes, it's meant for Corvettes..... At least in my peabrain it is.

To the point of what the Vette seats are made of.... great topic. Actually I took a really close look. Depending on seat bottom or seat back and exactly which side panel, some are leather and some are vinyl. So, whatever you put on it, if you do the entire seat, the product does need to work with both vinyl and leather.

Also, I was only recently turned on to 303. What a great product. I bought a bottle and thought I would try it on my F150 just to prove it out before putting it on the Vette. Only problem was that I used it all up and had to buy more before I got to the Vette.

OJ
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Old Oct 23, 2012 | 07:18 PM
  #28  
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I use Adams leather conditioner. I don't care for the shiny look that some other brands have. Adams has a sheen that keeps them looking like they did when new. 303 protectant on all vinyl.
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Old Oct 23, 2012 | 07:54 PM
  #29  
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I am with Toque...

Originally Posted by Toque
I have tried a bunch of products over the years. I was never impressed until I tried Zaino Leather in a Bottle. This stuff makes your seats smell just like new leather. I get so many compliments from people at shows just walking by my car and they smell it... Easy to put on and leaves the seats nice and moist (not slippery)

http://www.zainostore.com/Merchant2/...duct_Code=Z-10

Toque

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Old Oct 23, 2012 | 08:36 PM
  #30  
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Default 303 Protectant

Originally Posted by jimb100
IIRC, isn't Corvette leather plasticized? Leather cleaning and conditioning products don't work on plasticized leather any more than they would work on plastic door panels, etc.

I use 303 protectant on mine and they look fine.
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Old Oct 23, 2012 | 09:45 PM
  #31  
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I use 303 and lexol. My seat had cracks in the leather from the previous owners.
I use the Lexol conditioner applied heavily, it gets soaked up and "plumps up" the leather. A few coats made the seats look amazing. 303 is great for general use etc.

On my Range Rover I use Leatherique products, the uncoated natural leather on the RR's is magnificent. Leatherique is a fantastic product. I have used it on the vette seat trying it, worked OK. The Lexol did everything the leatherique did and at a far lower cost.

Have also used C-Magic leather conditioner, also excellent. I love C-Magic wax and detail spray wax (it is all synthetic's) absolutly awesome products also.

Also had great luck with Duragloss products as well...

Many different products many good products.

Good luck on your choices
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