Leatherette Discoloration - BMW 3-Series (E90 E92) Forum

Mauricio · 06-13-2005, 12:46 PM

I've had my e90 for 5 days now and I also get a sweaty back, but my leatherette turns white for a few minutes until it dries. Also, after it rained the other day, I place my wet umbrella on the seat and it turned white wherever there was water. I panicked at first because I thought my new black seats were ruined, but it dried after about an hour. I don't like this discoloration as it makes me feel my new car is equipped with some cheap material and I'm a little dissapointed.

Kao BMW · 06-13-2005, 01:06 PM

Have you tried cleaning and treating it with a leather conditioner?

RachelS · 06-13-2005, 01:13 PM

mY husband sweats alot and the seat turns white and then dries back to normal. I was told to use a UV vinyl dressing..still looking for one

BMRu4ia · 06-13-2005, 01:35 PM

Klasse makes one and it doesn't make it shiney or oily.

bookman2 · 06-25-2005, 08:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mauricio

I've had my e90 for 5 days now and I also get a sweaty back, but my leatherette turns white for a few minutes until it dries. Also, after it rained the other day, I place my wet umbrella on the seat and it turned white wherever there was water. I panicked at first because I thought my new black seats were ruined, but it dried after about an hour. I don't like this discoloration as it makes me feel my new car is equipped with some cheap material and I'm a little dissapointed.

That is exactly way I went with the leather. What made you choose the leatherette?

Armen52 · 06-26-2005, 04:04 AM

I had no idea about this leatherette discoloration thing before I made the choice to go with leather. But this just makes the leatherette feel and look much much cheaper than it did before. I am pretty shocked actually that they would equip the car with a material that behaves this way.

Oh well, hope the UV dressing helps.

06alpine325icm · 06-26-2005, 02:33 PM

i have had no problem with that, i use a armor all cleaner and conditioner on mine looks and smells great.

timlang · 06-11-2006, 07:39 PM

I am having the exact same problem. I have the black leatherette, and it I get tons of white discolored spots from various things including Elbow or Arm marks on side of door and centre console, hand marks on seats (especially the back seats). I have dozens of these small white marks all over the place including the center of the steering wheel and all over the dash. I have tried scrubbing them with soap and water (using damp towel) with limited success, but then as soon as even the most slightly sweaty hand touches anything I get new marks. Extremely Frustrating !!! :mad:

Does anyone have any new suggestions to a) prevent these marks, and b) remove them?

Thanks

scubajag · 06-11-2006, 07:48 PM

My leatherrette does not change color, and I live in a very warm climate and sweat on the material. I think you need to bring this to the attention of BMW. Possibly a defective run of material.

3whtbmw06 · 06-11-2006, 08:18 PM

ya i clean mine with regular leather cleaning solution for cars. no chaning of color though. although it does get dirty real fast since it is biege :mad:

BeeEmDubU · 06-22-2006, 01:55 AM

i also have black leatherette and i'm experiencing the same thing. any one have any experience with the uv coating thing?

Dukenole · 06-22-2006, 01:23 PM

No such problem with the beige 'ette...

Sorry to hear you black 'ette guys are having problems...

Socom · 06-22-2006, 01:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RachelS

mY husband sweats alot and the seat turns white and then dries back to normal. I was told to use a UV vinyl dressing..still looking for one

Lexol Vinyl Cleaner will work.

Socom · 06-22-2006, 02:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Armen52

I had no idea about this leatherette discoloration thing before I made the choice to go with leather. But this just makes the leatherette feel and look much much cheaper than it did before. I am pretty shocked actually that they would equip the car with a material that behaves this way.

Oh well, hope the UV dressing helps.

You wanna talk cheap? How about BMW selling the E90 with cloth seats in almost every country besides the US who gets only leatherette or leather.

Remember. Leatherette is VINYL (ie, plastic), so don't use leather products on them.

BeeEmDubU · 06-22-2006, 06:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Socom

Lexol Vinyl Cleaner will work.

where can i get this? can i pick this up at a pepboys or something?

ages944 · 06-23-2006, 08:51 PM

in my personal opinion, vinyl (even if made to look like leather) is the cheaper alternative to cloth. Gets hot in the summer, and cold in the winter too just like leather (though maybe not to the same extent as the real deal though).

Maybe I'm weird, but I'd rather have cloth seats than either leather or leatherette.

Asiann · 06-23-2006, 09:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ages944

in my personal opinion, vinyl (even if made to look like leather) is the cheaper alternative to cloth. Gets hot in the summer, and cold in the winter too just like leather (though maybe not to the same extent as the real deal though).

Maybe I'm weird, but I'd rather have cloth seats than either leather or leatherette.

Got any kids? Leather makes my life so much easier!

ages944 · 06-23-2006, 11:30 PM

lol, no I don't!

curious then, did you mean leather's better than cloth (I could easily see why), or that it's better than the leatherette as well?

KL2DC · 06-23-2006, 11:37 PM

I use 303 aerospace protectant...so far no discoloration.

Socom · 06-25-2006, 11:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BeeEmDubU

where can i get this? can i pick this up at a pepboys or something?

Yes..sold at any auto store.

Sedan_Clan · 06-25-2006, 11:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Socom

You wanna talk cheap? How about BMW selling the E90 with cloth seats in almost every country besides the US who gets only leatherette or leather.

Remember. Leatherette is VINYL (ie, plastic), so don't use leather products on them.

BMW isn't the only luxury brand that sells cars w/ cloth seats. As a matter of fact, many people in other countries don't like leather, so cloth is the option that they prefer. As a matter of fact, I have M-cloth/leather in my E46 ///M3, and I prefer it over Nappa leather (..in this particular ///M3; my previous ///M3 had Imola Red leather). The cloth isn't cheap at all. As a matter of fact, I receive many compliments on the interior of my ///M.

BMW E90 · 06-25-2006, 04:02 PM

It makes Leatherette feel cheaper eh?? THat's because it IS cheaper than leather. lol We all know rette is fake leather so it's no surprise there. Sorry just had to chime in.

06-13-2005, 12:46 PM	#1
Mauricio Second Lieutenant Drives: 2006 330i, MT, SP Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Miami, FL Posts: 109 iTrader: (0) Garage List 2006 330i [0.00]	Leatherette Discoloration I've had my e90 for 5 days now and I also get a sweaty back, but my leatherette turns white for a few minutes until it dries. Also, after it rained the other day, I place my wet umbrella on the seat and it turned white wherever there was water. I panicked at first because I thought my new black seats were ruined, but it dried after about an hour. I don't like this discoloration as it makes me feel my new car is equipped with some cheap material and I'm a little dissapointed.
	Tweet

06-13-2005, 01:35 PM	#4
BMRu4ia Second Lieutenant Drives: E90 Jet Black 325i Join Date: May 2005 Location: S.F. Posts: 137 iTrader: (0)	KLASSE Klasse makes one and it doesn't make it shiney or oily.

06-26-2005, 04:04 AM	#6
Armen52 Captain Drives: 2006 330i Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 674 iTrader: (0) Garage List 2006 330i [0.00]	I had no idea about this leatherette discoloration thing before I made the choice to go with leather. But this just makes the leatherette feel and look much much cheaper than it did before. I am pretty shocked actually that they would equip the car with a material that behaves this way. Oh well, hope the UV dressing helps. __________________ E90 330i delivered 6/29/2005, ZSP/ZPP/ZCW/Step, Arctic/Gray/Walnut

06-11-2006, 07:39 PM	#8
timlang Private First Class Drives: 2011 328i Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Vancouver, BC Posts: 112 iTrader: (0)	I am having the exact same problem. I have the black leatherette, and it I get tons of white discolored spots from various things including Elbow or Arm marks on side of door and centre console, hand marks on seats (especially the back seats). I have dozens of these small white marks all over the place including the center of the steering wheel and all over the dash. I have tried scrubbing them with soap and water (using damp towel) with limited success, but then as soon as even the most slightly sweaty hand touches anything I get new marks. Extremely Frustrating !!! :mad: Does anyone have any new suggestions to a) prevent these marks, and b) remove them? Thanks __________________ 11' 328i xDrive - Space Gray/Black/Burl, Steptronic, PP, Nav (Canadian Model 'eh!) 08' 328i - Sparkling Graphite/Black/Burl, Steptronic, PP (Canadian) 06' 325i - Sparkling Graphite/Black/Burl, Steptronic, PP (Canadian)

06-11-2006, 08:18 PM	#10
3whtbmw06 oreo cookie Drives: 325i Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: orange county Posts: 21 iTrader: (0) Garage List 2006 325i [0.00]	ya i clean mine with regular leather cleaning solution for cars. no chaning of color though. although it does get dirty real fast since it is biege :mad: __________________ izzz niceeeeee

06-13-2005, 01:06 PM	#2
Kao BMW iLOVE90 Drives: 2006 BMW 330i Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: CALIFORNIA Posts: 251 iTrader: (0)	Have you tried cleaning and treating it with a leather conditioner?

06-13-2005, 01:13 PM	#3
RachelS Second Lieutenant Drives: 2006 325i Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Toledo, Ohio Posts: 191 iTrader: (0)	mY husband sweats alot and the seat turns white and then dries back to normal. I was told to use a UV vinyl dressing..still looking for one

06-26-2005, 02:33 PM	#7
06alpine325icm First Lieutenant Drives: 2006 alpine white Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: nyc Posts: 213 iTrader: (0)	i have had no problem with that, i use a armor all cleaner and conditioner on mine looks and smells great.

06-11-2006, 07:48 PM	#9
scubajag Scuba-JAG Drives: Jet Black 2006&07 B.R. E-92 Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: St. Petersburg, Fl Posts: 529 iTrader: (0)	My leatherrette does not change color, and I live in a very warm climate and sweat on the material. I think you need to bring this to the attention of BMW. Possibly a defective run of material.

06-22-2006, 01:55 AM	#11
BeeEmDubU Captain Drives: AW 325i Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: So Cal Posts: 723 iTrader: (2)	i also have black leatherette and i'm experiencing the same thing. any one have any experience with the uv coating thing?

06-22-2006, 01:23 PM	#12
Dukenole Private First Class Drives: '06 330i Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Chapel Hill, NC, USA Posts: 104 iTrader: (0)	No such problem with the beige 'ette... Sorry to hear you black 'ette guys are having problems...

06-23-2006, 08:51 PM	#16
ages944 Captain Drives: E90 325i Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Chicago 'burbs Posts: 992 iTrader: (0)	in my personal opinion, vinyl (even if made to look like leather) is the cheaper alternative to cloth. Gets hot in the summer, and cold in the winter too just like leather (though maybe not to the same extent as the real deal though). Maybe I'm weird, but I'd rather have cloth seats than either leather or leatherette.

06-23-2006, 11:30 PM	#18
ages944 Captain Drives: E90 325i Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Chicago 'burbs Posts: 992 iTrader: (0)	lol, no I don't! curious then, did you mean leather's better than cloth (I could easily see why), or that it's better than the leatherette as well?

06-23-2006, 11:37 PM	#19
KL2DC Your Moderately Moderate Moderator Drives: E90 325i, W211 E350, W210 E55 Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: DC Metro Posts: 17,743 iTrader: (22) Garage List 2007 E350 Sport 4-M ... [0.00] 2006 BMW 325i (E90 ... [0.00] 1999 Honda Civic (E ... [0.00]	I use 303 aerospace protectant...so far no discoloration. __________________ Official DC Metro Registry - Current, New & Prospective Area Members Roll Call! BMW CCA Member # 364222 Join the club...

06-25-2006, 04:02 PM	#22
BMW E90 Major General Drives: E90 335i Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Around the Bay Posts: 7,928 iTrader: (8)	It makes Leatherette feel cheaper eh?? THat's because it IS cheaper than leather. lol We all know rette is fake leather so it's no surprise there. Sorry just had to chime in.