[kaishang]

I've seen a few older BMWs eg about a 10yo 5-series with leather seats which were looking a bit old. Leather looked worn smooth and had what looked like surface cracks.

How long does the Dakota leather in an E90 stay relatively new looking? Car is parked under cover, so no sun damage when parked.

[doughboy]

My last E90 was good as new (i mean perfect) after 3 years parked outside.

It's pretty hardwearing compared to softer nappa type leathers, but the trade off is it's not as soft I suppose.

A good wipe over with baby wipes now and then, easy.

I'm always careful to not drag my jeans over the side bolsters when you get out - these always take the worst wear.

[davyk31]

Treatment with Gliptone now and again is the answer, replenishes the leather and also brings back the leather smell, its great.

[briers]

Believe it or not i got some turtle wax platinum leather cleaner from halfords.

Apparently gets good reviews and it leaves a nice, clean finish.

I'm not a fan of liquids that leave a shiny, smelly finish.

[kaishang]

Originally Posted by briers

I'm not a fan of liquids that leave a shiny, smelly finish.

Esp not all over the back seat :groan:

[doughboy]

Originally Posted by briers

Believe it or not i got some turtle wax platinum leather cleaner from halfords.

Apparently gets good reviews and it leaves a nice, clean finish.

I'm not a fan of liquids that leave a shiny, smelly finish.

Baby wipes man!

They're the dogs, removes all the grease that leaves your seats 'shiny' and leaves them lovely and matt looking like new. Dirt and grime lifts easy too and the blue marks you get from some denim.

£1 for 80 - worth a go Just use the unscented ones, otherwise you'll smell like babies, which might be odd if you don't have kids.

[creepy coupe]

From the title of this thread, I though it was about a Cowboy outfit.

[Em135eye]

I use Autoglym Leather Conditioner every six months or so - smells lush (like saddle leather cream - oooh eerr) and keeps the leather nice and supple.

Highly recommended - my leather looks just like new even where the baby seat is strapped in.

[script]

I had an X5 from new it looked awful,only 35k miles,heavy wear marks and I'm quite careful!

[creepy coupe]

Originally Posted by 335diesel

I use Autoglym Leather Conditioner every six months or so - smells lush (like saddle leather cream - oooh eerr) and keeps the leather nice and supple.

Highly recommended - my leather looks just like new even where the baby seat is strapped in.

Gliptone's the stuff, the smell is to die for, oh and it makes the leather look and feel nice.

[NickP]

Zaino Z9 & Z10 are excellent, having tried both these and Gliptone, I prefer them

[DavS1]

I use Gliptone on mine, brings it back to the clean matt finish and replenishes the 'leather' smell, somehow..

[toxicnerve]

Guys,

Using baby wipes might not be a good idea. They are slightly alkaline (to counter the acidity of poo and wee), this will over time degrade the leather.

Personally, I use the Gliptone stuff...as said already, it restores the smell which is great.

EDIT:

My drivers side gets badly scuffed and I can't work out why...jeans rubbing against the bolster?

[doughboy]

Originally Posted by toxicnerve

Guys,

Using baby wipes might not be a good idea. They are slightly alkaline (to counter the acidity of poo and wee), this will over time degrade the leather.

Personally, I use the Gliptone stuff...as said already, it restores the smell which is great.

EDIT:

My drivers side gets badly scuffed and I can't work out why...jeans rubbing against the bolster?

Thanks for dissing my baby wipes idea!! It worked ok for 3 years on the last car, but of course it's at each 'owners risk'.

I would only recommend the PH neutral, unfragranced Simple wipes.

Re the jeans scuff, I've taken to using you left hand round the A pillar to get out (like a pensioner) it keeps you clear of the bolsters..

[toxicnerve]

Sorry mate! It was just something I read over at Detailing World...I suppose if you guys are only keeping your motors for short periods then it won't be an issue!

I will have to try the A pillar trick...either that or lose some weight, I've gotten a little porky recently!

[creepy coupe]

The trouble with baby wipes, is their smell, it reminds me of an Amsterdam knocking shop

[doughboy]

Originally Posted by toxicnerve

Sorry mate! It was just something I read over at Detailing World...I suppose if you guys are only keeping your motors for short periods!

PH neutral 'delicate skin' ones (neither acid or alkaline) won't cause any issues i'm sure and they won't strip any natural oils from plastics or the leather coating. I use them on all the plastics and dash too, followed by a wipe over with a lint free cloth. good as new.

Although I have started using the autoglym leather treatment AFTER cleaning the dirt off with baby wipes as this leaves it softer with a nice smell.

IMO you need two stages, cleaning first to lift and remove grease and dirt then covering/protecting the clean surface afterwards. Any product which claims to do both at once is plainly lying. In order to get the dirt OFF you need to get rid of all the dirty cleaning agent, but if the cleaning agent is also a sealant that sticks and coats then this is impossible.

If the product cleans and coats then what you're actually doing is mixing the dirt with the product and leaving it coated evenly all over your seats along with the new coating layer. Yumm. You might have a grubby looking cloth, but this is just showing you what is now covering your seats.

Its the same as dry washing yourself all over with shower gel, patting dry with a towel and thinking you're clean..

Originally Posted by creepy coupe

The trouble with baby wipes, is their smell, it reminds me of an Amsterdam knocking shop

Yep, avoid scented ones for obvious reasons!

[simont]

Originally Posted by davyk31

Treatment with Gliptone now and again is the answer, replenishes the leather and also brings back the leather smell, its great.

+1, I found it also helps to eliminate some of the rattles because it makes the leather more supple.

[JaySTee]

I used gliptone cleaner and feed on my old TVR Chimaera seats, was good but I overdid it a bit and when I got out of the car all my clothes stank of leather aswell

[toxicnerve]

The Gliptone stuff is a 2 bottle system.

Cleaner & Conditioner:

http://www.cleanyourcar.co.uk/interi.../prod_211.html

http://www.cleanyourcar.co.uk/interi.../prod_210.html

[doughboy]

Originally Posted by toxicnerve

The Gliptone stuff is a 2 bottle system.

Cleaner & Conditioner:

http://www.cleanyourcar.co.uk/interi.../prod_211.html

http://www.cleanyourcar.co.uk/interi.../prod_210.html

Nuff said

[Em135eye]

I am alone in my appreciation for Autoglym's stuff. Now there's a common occurence...