Restoring Seat Leather
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Racer
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 323
Likes: 14
From: Central KY
Restoring Seat Leather
Last weekend I used some leather cleaner & conditioner (same bottle/product) but I'm not impressed with the results. My black leather seats are almost looking greyish. What's the best way to get it looking new again? Any preferred automotive leather products/brands?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 5,278
Likes: 539
From: Kelowna BC
I bought and liked the results with Maguairs. Clean looking but not fake shiny either.
Intermediate
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 29
Likes: 2
From: California
Maguiars for me. I tried the Armorall leather wipes and was not impressed.
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From: In a parallel universe. Currently own 2014 Stingray Coupe.
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Meguires is a good product. Before applying it though, I would first take a rag dipped in a mild soap solution (Ivory/Dove) and wipe down the seats. Then use a dry, soft cloth to go back over the seats.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 5,278
Likes: 539
From: Kelowna BC
P.S. The product I use is the Meguiars Quik Interior Detail Cleaner, haven't used anything else yet for conditioning.
Last edited by grantv; Mar 12, 2016 at 11:26 PM.
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Heel & Toe
Joined: Mar 2016
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With a car this nice, I wouldn't use cheap stuff like armorall. Meguiars is least expensive I'd go. There's some really nice specialty products like zaino, but don't go cheap.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 934
Likes: 44
From: west bloomfield michigan
what I do is use a steam cleaner on the leather, than I bought leather shoe cream from a shoe store and applied it to the seats heavy, let it set over night for the leather to soak it in. the next day wipe it off. I have been doing this for the past 5yrs. and the seats look like new.
Heel & Toe
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 15
Likes: 2
what I do is use a steam cleaner on the leather, than I bought leather shoe cream from a shoe store and applied it to the seats heavy, let it set over night for the leather to soak it in. the next day wipe it off. I have been doing this for the past 5yrs. and the seats look like new.
Racer
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 352
Likes: 24
From: Bowman ND
My seats in the vette are the new synthetic leather type but on my 2000 gmc and my 2014 gmc I use Zymol. It is a very good cleaner and then after they sit for an hour I use the meguiars leather protectant. Nerdy pleased with the results and no greasy mess.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2011
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From: Holly Springs NC
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When I repaired my C5 seats, the auto interior shop recommended using Lexol pH after all cleaners were used so as to balance the pH of the leather treatment. It really made a difference softening the leather substantially.
Last edited by roadbike56; Mar 13, 2016 at 09:49 AM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2013
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From: Lehigh Valley PA
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2013
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From: Wisconsin
Saddle Soap is the preferred soap cleaner for leather. It's made specifically for cleaning leather. It's found in any leather or saddle shop. Used to be easy to find at auto stores, not so much any more.
When I repaired my C5 seats, the auto interior shop recommended using Lexol pH after all cleaners were used so as to balance the pH of the leather treatment. It really made a difference softening the leather substantially.
When I repaired my C5 seats, the auto interior shop recommended using Lexol pH after all cleaners were used so as to balance the pH of the leather treatment. It really made a difference softening the leather substantially.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2008
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From: Beavercreek Ohio Currently own: 1958 Silver Blue Corvette & 1969 Riverside Gold Corvette Coupe
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I had great results with "Leather Afterlife"
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 914
Likes: 182
From: Reidsville North Carolina
I talked to a detailer and he said he uses baby oil for seat leather and dash
A lot of products dry out the leather and dash material and that's when you get cracks
And leaves it soft as a babys behind
A lot of products dry out the leather and dash material and that's when you get cracks
And leaves it soft as a babys behind
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 8,900
Likes: 1,074
From: Wisconsin
Baby oil is a perfumed mineral oil. Most often, mineral oil is a liquid by-product of the distillation of petroleum.
Last edited by JR-01; Mar 13, 2016 at 11:10 AM.