Leather maintenance?
Pro
Joined: Jul 2021
Posts: 615
Likes: 310
From: CA
Previous owner left some cracks on the driver seat on the side closer to entrance.. i just clean jt with leather cleaner and conditioner and the condition has stayed the same… i Will reupholster it one day tho.
Moderator
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 15,280
Likes: 4,211
From: Northern Illinois
2023 Corvette of the Year Winner - Modified
2022 C7 of the Year Winner - Modified
St. Jude Donor '18 thru '25
Heaven for leather and just a warm damp cloth to clean.. there is a ton of coating on most of the leather...some more will chime in I am sure
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 1,075
Likes: 570
From: Bowmanville, Ontario, Canada
I've used Armour All for many years on my C3, C5 and now C7 leather ... and it's always kept it looking & feeling like new.
Also great for the plastic, vinyl & rubber parts...from the dash to door panels, weatherstripping, etc.
Also great for the plastic, vinyl & rubber parts...from the dash to door panels, weatherstripping, etc.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 6,094
Likes: 3,468
From: Oswego IL
Gixxerman is correct. Today's leather has a synthetic coating on it for better resistance against wear and UV degradation. Using a traditional "leather conditioner" means it will just stay on the surface and not penetrate the synthetic coating. That means it will just end up on your pants.
Personally, I use P&S Xpress Interior Cleaner for cleaning. For protection, I most often use "Rejuvenation Nation" from Patterson Car Care. It smells like leather and it conditions synthetic leather coatings and interior vinyl surfaces like dashboards. It also has a nice leather smell. In a pinch, any vinyl protectant will work. I have used 303 Aerospace Protectant and even Meguiar's D156 synthetic spray wax with good success. Keeps the synthetic leather coating pliable and protected from UV rays.
Personally, I use P&S Xpress Interior Cleaner for cleaning. For protection, I most often use "Rejuvenation Nation" from Patterson Car Care. It smells like leather and it conditions synthetic leather coatings and interior vinyl surfaces like dashboards. It also has a nice leather smell. In a pinch, any vinyl protectant will work. I have used 303 Aerospace Protectant and even Meguiar's D156 synthetic spray wax with good success. Keeps the synthetic leather coating pliable and protected from UV rays.
Last edited by FYRARMS; Nov 4, 2022 at 09:03 PM.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: May 2022
Posts: 39
Likes: 11
From: Florida
Gixxerman is correct. Today's leather has a synthetic coating on it for better resistance against wear and UV degradation. Using a traditional "leather conditioner" means it will just stay on the surface and not penetrate the synthetic coating. That means it will just end up on your pants.
Personally, I use P&S Xpress Interior Cleaner for cleaning. For protection, I most often use "Rejuvenation Nation" from Patterson Car Care. It smells like leather and it conditions synthetic leather coatings and interior vinyl surfaces like dashboards. It also has a nice leather smell. In a pinch, any vinyl protectant will work. I have used 3030 Aerospace Protectant and even Meguiar's D156 synthetic spray wax with good success. Keeps the synthetic leather coating pliable and protected from UV rays.
Personally, I use P&S Xpress Interior Cleaner for cleaning. For protection, I most often use "Rejuvenation Nation" from Patterson Car Care. It smells like leather and it conditions synthetic leather coatings and interior vinyl surfaces like dashboards. It also has a nice leather smell. In a pinch, any vinyl protectant will work. I have used 3030 Aerospace Protectant and even Meguiar's D156 synthetic spray wax with good success. Keeps the synthetic leather coating pliable and protected from UV rays.
Its new news to me about the synthetic aspect. I’ve used 3030 Aerospace Protectant on the boat. Good stuff and I think I still have it.
👍
Racer
Joined: Aug 2018
Posts: 369
Likes: 185
From: Live Free or Die
I must say I was not aware of the coating aspect either. Now that I hear that it seems very obvious, though.
I decided to try a couple Ammo NYC products a while back, including the "Lather" interior cleaner (which is awesome) and the "Mousse" interior conditioner.
The description on the Mousse kind of implies it's for leather, but it suggests it could be used for dash, etc. Meanwhile, Ammo NYC doesn't seem to offer a 303-like product.
Now it makes sense. One product makes sense for both given the coating.
Leatherique was really the gold standard for leather but, given the coating information, it's probably not really necessary or the best choice.
I decided to try a couple Ammo NYC products a while back, including the "Lather" interior cleaner (which is awesome) and the "Mousse" interior conditioner.
The description on the Mousse kind of implies it's for leather, but it suggests it could be used for dash, etc. Meanwhile, Ammo NYC doesn't seem to offer a 303-like product.
Now it makes sense. One product makes sense for both given the coating.
Leatherique was really the gold standard for leather but, given the coating information, it's probably not really necessary or the best choice.
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 9,599
Likes: 962
From: Palm Harbor not far from Sebring Florida
St. Jude Donor '11
Oldtimer
I read that where it was advisable tonot use Armor All or Leather Conditioner anywhere inside your Corvette. Tadge Juechter, Corvette Chief Engineer, answered: "Corvette, like all GM products uses interior materials that are extensively engineered to meet some very tough requirements. I have a 3LT and I have been trying to find a good product to clean the leather, but not a conditioner. I have always used Adams, but I just picked up this 2015 after owning a 2007 for a little over 10 years. I have used simply w microfiber clothe and warm water.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: May 2022
Posts: 39
Likes: 11
From: Florida
I read that where it was advisable tonot use Armor All or Leather Conditioner anywhere inside your Corvette. Tadge Juechter, Corvette Chief Engineer, answered: "Corvette, like all GM products uses interior materials that are extensively engineered to meet some very tough requirements. I have a 3LT and I have been trying to find a good product to clean the leather, but not a conditioner. I have always used Adams, but I just picked up this 2015 after owning a 2007 for a little over 10 years. I have used simply w microfiber clothe and warm water.
Can’t imagine warm water doing the trick. Besides, dirt isn’t the issue, it’s the drying out and cracking I’m worried about.
Now if the Corvette is using a protective plastic coating not used by Infinity or Jaguar it’s new news to me.
That’s why we tap into these Forums
Thanks🤙
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 6,094
Likes: 3,468
From: Oswego IL
The easy test is with water. Pour a little water on your seat. Did it absorb it and darken the area? Then it isn't coated. If it beads up well and doesn't darken the area when you wipe it dry, then it is coated. 
This guy is reeeeally long-winded, but the first part of the video is the most important: Yes, your leather is coated.
This guy is reeeeally long-winded, but the first part of the video is the most important: Yes, your leather is coated.