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



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      07-11-2013, 09:47 PM   #1
5soko
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When do leather seats need conditioner?

Hey guys, ive been reading more and more on leather care, and it seems most leather conditioners are for older leather.

I used leather masters strong cleaner on my M5 leather (merino leather) and it came out great, clean and matte look.

Then I used leather masters vital, let it dry for 2-3 hours and then whipped off any excess, but it still left a small greasy feel and small shine. Looks better before the application of vital.

Now that I was reading into it more, seems that leather master vital is overkill for good condition leather.

And a good cleaning using pristine clean or leather master cleaner is enough?

Any advice on leather cleaning would be great, as im just starting to get educated on it.
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      07-12-2013, 05:08 AM   #2
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New or fairly new seats should not need Vital but it is not a conditioner per se.

This may help-TOGWT® Autopia Detailing Wiki Article - “Proper Finished Leather Cleaning and Care” - http://www.autopia.org/forum/guide-d...ning-care.html
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      07-12-2013, 07:28 AM   #3
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A couple times a year should do, although that's not really answering your question of "when." You should condition them whenever you also clean them.

Most leather conditioners also refresh the leather smell, so that may inspire you to want to do it a bit more often.
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      07-12-2013, 07:31 AM   #4
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Quote:
Originally Posted by tony20009 View Post
A couple times a year should do.

Most leather conditioners also refresh the leather smell, so that may inspire you to want to do it a bit more often.
True, DO a thourogh clean 2x a year. That's good enough not matter how old your car is.

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      07-12-2013, 07:32 AM   #5
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I do mine every 3-4 months. Think of it as waxing a car. Wax protects and keeps the paint looking nice, leather cleaner and conditioner clean the leather and keep it soft and looking nice. I use zaino z-9 which is a leather cleaner and then z-10 which is a leather conditioner. The z-10 brings out a beautiful leather smell and leaves no greasy layering. Many people on this board use zaino products and love them.
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      07-12-2013, 07:37 AM   #6
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Our leather seats have a coating put over them at the factory as do many modern brands. This means that the conditioner is not absorbed rather just sits of the surface and wears off fast. A leather sealer is a more appropriate option and should last a few months and off UV protection and keep stains from getting into the leather. Look into Leather Master Protection Cream. It's really good stuff.
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      07-12-2013, 09:09 AM   #7
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NEVER. Just clean them with cleaner on soap basis.

No OIL
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      07-13-2013, 04:36 AM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Otruba_843 View Post
Our leather seats have a coating put over them at the factory as do many modern brands. This means that the conditioner is not absorbed rather just sits of the surface and wears off fast. A leather sealer is a more appropriate option and should last a few months and off UV protection and keep stains from getting into the leather. Look into Leather Master Protection Cream. It's really good stuff.
+1


TOGWT® Autopia Detailing Wiki Article - “Proper Finished Leather Cleaning and Care” - http://www.autopia.org/forum/guide-d...ning-care.html
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      07-13-2013, 07:24 AM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by RimasRS View Post
NEVER. Just clean them with cleaner on soap basis.

No OIL
Yep I never use oil based cleaners. They eat away your leather, make your seat slippery etc

The oil sticks like a bitch on wheels.

Also remember, leather seats need sun from time to time.

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      07-13-2013, 04:47 PM   #10
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From reading more and more into leather cleaning, protected leather or not, the most important thing to do is clean the leather.
Conditioning seems to be neglected and older leather, if its coated or non coated.
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      07-13-2013, 08:07 PM   #11
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BTW, also a heads up, leather master has made there own brand for automotive leather, its called auto leather master.

http://www.unitersnorthamerica.com/c...-cleaners.html
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      07-14-2013, 09:09 AM   #12
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I typically condition my leather every 3 weeks or sooner if needed. and clean them every 5-6 weeks unless needed sooner.

I've tried several products and really like these brands
Wolfgang Leather Care Cleaner
Wolfgang Leather Care Conditioner

Pinnacle Leather & Vinyl Cleaner
Pinnacle Leather Conditioner

Either brand will do your leather good !
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      07-15-2013, 08:47 AM   #13
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In my professional opinion - Applying leather conditioner more than twice a year is an overkill unless you're dealing with a hard, dried leather. One of the best products out there to maintain new leather is Leatherique Prestine Clean. why? Because is a ph balanced leather cleaner that leaves behind a LIGHT conditioner. This product won't harm your leather, rubber or plastic surfaces.
Rule of thumb - If the vehicle being care for is a daily driver or a convertible you should do a deep leather conditioning treatment every six months. Otherwise have this service done once a year.
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      07-15-2013, 09:26 AM   #14
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Fipad, what would you recommend for the convertible seats that see a lot of sun and have a uv protector on them?
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      07-15-2013, 09:39 AM   #15
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You should not condition aniline coated leather. If you have Dakota, it's a coated leather and you only need to clean it, NOT condition it. The conditioner will just sit on top.

I use Autoglym Leather Cleaner and then finish by wiping down with water. Seats look matte and brand new.
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      07-15-2013, 09:47 AM   #16
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Ml3456 View Post
Fipad, what would you recommend for the convertible seats that see a lot of sun and have a uv protector on them?
Leatherique Prestine Clean its all you need..you can do a quick wipe down every time you wash the car.

Last edited by FI PETE; 07-15-2013 at 09:53 AM..
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      07-15-2013, 10:41 AM   #17
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Quote:
Originally Posted by FIPAD View Post
Leatherique Prestine Clean its all you need..you can do a quick wipe down every time you wash the car.
Agreed! Leatherique is some good stuff. Not cheap that's for sure
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      07-15-2013, 11:06 AM   #18
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 5soko
Hey guys, ive been reading more and more on leather care, and it seems most leather conditioners are for older leather.

I used leather masters strong cleaner on my M5 leather (merino leather) and it came out great, clean and matte look.

Then I used leather masters vital, let it dry for 2-3 hours and then whipped off any excess, but it still left a small greasy feel and small shine. Looks better before the application of vital.

Now that I was reading into it more, seems that leather master vital is overkill for good condition leather.

And a good cleaning using pristine clean or leather master cleaner is enough?

Any advice on leather cleaning would be great, as im just starting to get educated on it.
I use lexol cleaner and condition every 6mo or Zymol cleaner conditioner. I usually get both from pepboys used them on my old audi up to 7rys and no joke my car leather looked better then some of those cars you see at 2 and 4yrs
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      07-15-2013, 03:44 PM   #19
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Quote:
Originally Posted by FIPAD View Post
In my professional opinion - Applying leather conditioner more than twice a year is an overkill unless you're dealing with a hard, dried leather. One of the best products out there to maintain new leather is Leatherique Prestine Clean. why? Because is a ph balanced leather cleaner that leaves behind a LIGHT conditioner. This product won't harm your leather, rubber or plastic surfaces.
Rule of thumb - If the vehicle being care for is a daily driver or a convertible you should do a deep leather conditioning treatment every six months. Otherwise have this service done once a year.
Interesting! Good info!

I am working with aniline leather, which seems to not be coated.
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      07-15-2013, 07:19 PM   #20
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Otruba_843 View Post
Our leather seats have a coating put over them at the factory as do many modern brands. This means that the conditioner is not absorbed rather just sits of the surface and wears off fast. A leather sealer is a more appropriate option and should last a few months and off UV protection and keep stains from getting into the leather. Look into Leather Master Protection Cream. It's really good stuff.
+1 on leather master's protection cream. it has a water base and works on coated leathers, has a decent scent, and leaves a matt soft finish. i use leather master's cleaner followed by protection cream 2x a year. for maintenance detailing I just wipe the seats down with a soft microfiber misted with distilled water and my leather always looks and feels as good as new.
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      07-15-2013, 07:36 PM   #21
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 5soko View Post
Interesting! Good info!

I am working with aniline leather, which seems to not be coated.
Aniline leather in many sedans and SUVs are not coated, factories add the coating to most convertibles due to their added exposure to the elements. This surfaces get a LIGHT coating to enhance its appearance and offer a SLIGHT protection against staining and spillages. Many new car owners interprete this as "I don't really need to protect my leather interior anymore, just clean it". This coating wears off fairly quick and a new coating should be applied. GTechniq L1 is a great leather coating that works very well at reducing wear and tear and blocking dye transfer from your jeans to the leather seats (as noticed on light color leathers). This coating is to be applied every 4-6 months. Car-Pro also sells a similar coating.
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