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BMW 3-Series (E90 E92) Forum > E90 / E92 / E93 3-series Technical Forums > Wash, Wax, Detailing and Cosmetic protection/repairs > conditioning BMW leather seats



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      11-04-2012, 05:24 PM   #1
dpilat8588
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conditioning BMW leather seats

I'm just trying to get some people's opinions on conditioning BMW leather seats. How often do you clean/condition your BMW leather seats and which products do you use to do so? I drive my car about 300 miles per week. How often should I condition my driver seat?

Last edited by dpilat8588; 11-04-2012 at 06:43 PM..
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      11-04-2012, 06:30 PM   #2
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I clean and condition mine every three months using Lexol cleaner and conditioner. In between, I just wipe down as needed.
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      11-04-2012, 08:34 PM   #3
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What brush do you use ? I have slacked and it is quite grim now. I tried using lexol with microfiber towels but its a lot of elbow work and does not really come clean.
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      11-04-2012, 08:51 PM   #4
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Detailed Image sells a really good leather brush for cheap that could possibly help. If the seats are pretty dirty you'll need to use a combination of the brush and microfiber towels with the Lexol to get them clean. If you have light colored leather it could take some time to get them back to clean.
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      11-04-2012, 09:22 PM   #5
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I've used Zaino leather conditioner (Z-10) about every 3 months and it works great. I wipe down the seats with a damp towel more frequently. I occasionally clean the leather with Zaino leather cleaner (Z-9).
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      11-06-2012, 04:52 PM   #6
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I just did the two step Leatherique system a few months ago. Will probably do it again in the spring when it gets hot enough out to work properly.
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      06-14-2013, 01:53 AM   #7
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I have used Lexol cleaner with a nail cleaning brush for though spots. I thought the brush would be too tough initially, but it made no damages. Lexol conditioner after that, it looks like new, very happy.
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      06-14-2013, 02:06 AM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by driverman View Post
I've used Zaino leather conditioner (Z-10) about every 3 months and it works great. I wipe down the seats with a damp towel more frequently. I occasionally clean the leather with Zaino leather cleaner (Z-9).
Been using the same stuff since about 2007. Leather has held up great, looks good. The Z9 cleaner is gentle and the Z10 smells amazing.

Curious about the Leatherique or whatever, haven't tried it. How does it go on, how does it clean? How does it smell?
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      06-14-2013, 02:08 AM   #9
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I heard mention of a brush up above. I'll bet that the shoe shine brush "a new one" would work well on the seats, they are pretty soft, but firm enough. Although all I've used the last 10 years or so has been microfiber.
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      06-14-2013, 09:20 AM   #10
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Our leather seats are coated as are most modern leather seats today. This means that the leather conditioner you are applying is going to be gone within about 3 days because it just sits on top of the surface. You need a leather sealer and protectant like Leathermaster protection cream. It's really good stuff.
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      06-14-2013, 09:27 AM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Otruba_843 View Post
Our leather seats are coated as are most modern leather seats today. This means that the leather conditioner you are applying is going to be gone within about 3 days because it just sits on top of the surface. .
+1

Was waiting for someone to say this. Unless you have an M3 with Novillo or Extended Novillo, all the Dakota leathers in the 3er are Aniline Coated Leather. You just need a cleaner to clean it, I use Autoglym leather cleaner and then wipe off with plain water. Brings back the seats to their matte look. Conditioning is a waste of money.
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      06-14-2013, 11:15 AM   #12
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I have nothing to contradict you, that seems a plausible scenario.

Yet, I did the conditioning. First it cost close to nothing (I used 1/10th of a bottle of Lexol, that's like $0.60, whatever). Second, the leather that was feeling hard and stiff is now supple and bends nicely again, like new. So whatever it did, it did something, because I can feel it, and it is well beyond the threshold of what can be self convinced by "placebo" effect.
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      06-14-2013, 11:18 AM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by driverman View Post
I've used Zaino leather conditioner (Z-10) about every 3 months and it works great. I wipe down the seats with a damp towel more frequently. I occasionally clean the leather with Zaino leather cleaner (Z-9).
I am very pleased with the z9 and z10 zaino leather cleaner and conditioner.
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      06-14-2013, 02:20 PM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by JustinGTP View Post
+1

Was waiting for someone to say this. Unless you have an M3 with Novillo or Extended Novillo, all the Dakota leathers in the 3er are Aniline Coated Leather. You just need a cleaner to clean it, I use Autoglym leather cleaner and then wipe off with plain water. Brings back the seats to their matte look. Conditioning is a waste of money.
Interesting.

I use Z9/Z10 and the leather just feels soft for weeks. Smells awesome too.
I apply the conditioner to the dash area too, since it protects against the sun.
So far havent seen any degradation.
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      06-14-2013, 03:42 PM   #15
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I've been debating between Zaino Z9/Z10 and Chemical Guys Cleaner/Conditioner combo. Does anyone have any experience or feedback regarding the Chemical Guys product? It seems like one of their bigger selling points is the fact that their products are "pH balanced" and won't cause any discoloration.

I'll have to look into that leather sealant also. All I know is that when I got the car, the seats were dull and leather was stiff. After cleaning and conditioning with Meguiars (because that's what I had at the time) I noticed the leather had a cleaner matte look and was starting to soften up a little bit.

Not to hi-jack the thread, but has anyone used a blowdryer/heatgun on their seats to remove any sags in the leather around the buttox/lumbar area?
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      06-14-2013, 04:52 PM   #16
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Quote:
Originally Posted by JustinGTP View Post
+1

Was waiting for someone to say this. Unless you have an M3 with Novillo or Extended Novillo, all the Dakota leathers in the 3er are Aniline Coated Leather. You just need a cleaner to clean it, I use Autoglym leather cleaner and then wipe off with plain water. Brings back the seats to their matte look. Conditioning is a waste of money.
This. Leathermaster's leather care kit from Amazon and a couple microfibers is really all you need to keep the Dakota leather looking great for years.

Here's a good guide on automotive leather types and appropriate care: http://www.autopia.org/forum/autopia...ning-care.html
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      06-14-2013, 05:39 PM   #17
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Leather Master Strong cleaner.

Mother in law's Lexus. Pump the foam on, use a leather brush to lightly work it in and wipe off with micro fiber cloth...

Driver's seat 50/50:



Rear seat 50/50:
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      06-17-2013, 01:12 PM   #18
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jbnery6465 View Post
I've been debating between Zaino Z9/Z10 and Chemical Guys Cleaner/Conditioner combo. Does anyone have any experience or feedback regarding the Chemical Guys product? It seems like one of their bigger selling points is the fact that their products are "pH balanced" and won't cause any discoloration.

I'll have to look into that leather sealant also. All I know is that when I got the car, the seats were dull and leather was stiff. After cleaning and conditioning with Meguiars (because that's what I had at the time) I noticed the leather had a cleaner matte look and was starting to soften up a little bit.

Not to hi-jack the thread, but has anyone used a blowdryer/heatgun on their seats to remove any sags in the leather around the buttox/lumbar area?
I had not heard of this. Does anyone have any experience with it?
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      06-17-2013, 04:36 PM   #19
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jmftexas View Post
I had not heard of this. Does anyone have any experience with it?
I just find that parking in the sun will do the same thing. My leather seats look the nicest on a hot day.
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      06-20-2013, 12:44 AM   #20
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Leatherique or however u spell it is some of the best stuff I've ever used off detailed image. Ones a cleaner and ones a conditioner.
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      06-20-2013, 01:03 AM   #21
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Quote:
Originally Posted by JustinGTP View Post
+1

Was waiting for someone to say this. Unless you have an M3 with Novillo or Extended Novillo, all the Dakota leathers in the 3er are Aniline Coated Leather. You just need a cleaner to clean it, I use Autoglym leather cleaner and then wipe off with plain water. Brings back the seats to their matte look. Conditioning is a waste of money.
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      06-21-2013, 01:19 AM   #22
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jbnery6465
I've been debating between Zaino Z9/Z10 and Chemical Guys Cleaner/Conditioner combo. Does anyone have any experience or feedback regarding the Chemical Guys product? It seems like one of their bigger selling points is the fact that their products are "pH balanced" and won't cause any discoloration.

I'll have to look into that leather sealant also. All I know is that when I got the car, the seats were dull and leather was stiff. After cleaning and conditioning with Meguiars (because that's what I had at the time) I noticed the leather had a cleaner matte look and was starting to soften up a little bit.

Not to hi-jack the thread, but has anyone used a blowdryer/heatgun on their seats to remove any sags in the leather around the buttox/lumbar area?
My car that I just bought has 12k miles on it and the car was owned by a small older woman. The seats looked like new. I drove the car 300 miles to get home yesterday and have driven it a couple times today.

The bottom of the seat has a ripple kind of. How do I prevent this? I'm not obese or anything just drives me crazy.
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