Conditioning leather
Safety Car
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There are liquid conditioners made for vented seats. No paste conditioners should be used or you will be very busy using a toothpick.
Le Mans Master
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No question. 
Amusingly, in this context, after addressing cleaning for COVID, the first thing the Service Bulletin states is:
"General Motors recommends cleaning as directed in the Owner’s Manual with mild soap and water, for most all interior surfaces."
The Bulletin then goes on to address the use of its specialty cleaning products to remove ~ 35 called out specific stains such as lipstick, shoe polish, ink, etc.
And the Great Debate will live on . . .
Amusingly, in this context, after addressing cleaning for COVID, the first thing the Service Bulletin states is:
"General Motors recommends cleaning as directed in the Owner’s Manual with mild soap and water, for most all interior surfaces."
The Bulletin then goes on to address the use of its specialty cleaning products to remove ~ 35 called out specific stains such as lipstick, shoe polish, ink, etc.
And the Great Debate will live on . . .
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 4,754
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I read the bulletin and there is no conflict. The first paragrah discusses disinfecting surfaces. Then in "Notes" it says to "clean" with mild soap. Your reference to stains pertains to cleaning carpet stains. Also the C7 Owner's manual indicates a mild soap can be used on all leather surfaces. They caution not to oversaturate the leather surface and wipe off excess. In addition leather cleaner products and conditioners are sold by Chevrolet to clean and condition all leather surface. Seem very consistent to me. No debate if you follow GM's advice.
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Le Mans Master
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This is one of the things which makes it amusing. GM has sold its cleaning products for years. Yet the manual makes no reference to them and does not recommend their use, instead stating:
"Use a soft microfiber cloth
dampened with water to remove
dust and loose dirt. For a more
thorough cleaning, use a soft
microfiber cloth dampened with a
mild soap solution."
GM's directives are often a hoot.
As always, read what you like and use whatever makes sense to you. The debate will continue no matter what any of us individually conclude.
"Use a soft microfiber cloth
dampened with water to remove
dust and loose dirt. For a more
thorough cleaning, use a soft
microfiber cloth dampened with a
mild soap solution."
GM's directives are often a hoot.
As always, read what you like and use whatever makes sense to you. The debate will continue no matter what any of us individually conclude.
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Good information in the thread. Nice to know that Gm has a leather conditioner/restorer available.
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I read somewhere on this forum that they put a thin plastic preservative on the C7 leather so it does not do any good to try and apply conditioner and that is why they suggest mild soap. 
Last edited by Vette Jockey; Jan 17, 2021 at 01:31 AM.
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 4,754
Likes: 1,650
This is one of the things which makes it amusing. GM has sold its cleaning products for years. Yet the manual makes no reference to them and does not recommend their use, instead stating:
"Use a soft microfiber cloth
dampened with water to remove
dust and loose dirt. For a more
thorough cleaning, use a soft
microfiber cloth dampened with a
mild soap solution."
GM's directives are often a hoot.
As always, read what you like and use whatever makes sense to you. The debate will continue no matter what any of us individually conclude.
"Use a soft microfiber cloth
dampened with water to remove
dust and loose dirt. For a more
thorough cleaning, use a soft
microfiber cloth dampened with a
mild soap solution."
GM's directives are often a hoot.
As always, read what you like and use whatever makes sense to you. The debate will continue no matter what any of us individually conclude.
Last edited by MMD; Jan 17, 2021 at 01:40 AM.
Pro
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 647
Likes: 135
From: Big Canoe Georgia
So the question I have always had, regarding the 'stuff' that is applied over leather at the factory, does this wear thin or out over time? If so you are all correct, water and mild soap (if necessary) when new and leather cleaner / conditioner after the coatings have faded away.
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 4,754
Likes: 1,650
So the question I have always had, regarding the 'stuff' that is applied over leather at the factory, does this wear thin or out over time? If so you are all correct, water and mild soap (if necessary) when new and leather cleaner / conditioner after the coatings have faded away.
This is a question for Mary Barra for sure. Send your inquiry to Mary by sending her an email --> marybarra@gm.com
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2000
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You are arguing with yourself. This is not what I wrote, especially the double negative.
I stated "Yet the manual makes no reference to them and does not recommend their use." Expressed another way, there is nothing in the owners' manual which recommends using GM's products.
Instead the manual directs us to "[u]se a soft microfiber cloth dampened with water" or "[a soft microfiber cloth dampened with a mild soap solution." <-- N.B. no mention of a GM product.
Again, read what you like and use whatever you are drawn to. The debate will continue no matter what, which is probably healthy.
I stated "Yet the manual makes no reference to them and does not recommend their use." Expressed another way, there is nothing in the owners' manual which recommends using GM's products.
Instead the manual directs us to "[u]se a soft microfiber cloth dampened with water" or "[a soft microfiber cloth dampened with a mild soap solution." <-- N.B. no mention of a GM product.
Again, read what you like and use whatever you are drawn to. The debate will continue no matter what, which is probably healthy.
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 4,754
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You still don't get it. Your belief is flawed. GM not explicitly stating to use a product can NOT be interrupted as "not recommending" their products be used.
The leather debate has been over ever since GM put in writing (2018) what they actually recommend for all GM passenger vehicles.