Originally Posted by
RickOKC
Blast from the past!
Hey KAT, are you still happy with the Mequiar's Gold Class leather treatment?
I finally replaced my beat-to-crap front seats with a pair in much better condition. This is my first vehicle with leather seats (how did that happen?), so I want to learn how to take care of them properly.
How often do you treats your seats?
(Lots of 100-105 degree summers; 20-0 degree winters around here)
Does anyone have advice on whether or not I should give my "new" seats a few treatments in a row? No telling how long they were sitting ignored at the salvage yard before I bought them.
While these seats look SO MUCH BETTER, there are still issues. One has a few small spots that look like paint splatter and there is something that looks like chewing gum in another place. Any recommendations for removal that would not harm the surface or dye? (I tried using a finger nail and the top surface of the leather said, "STOP NOW!") I expect I'd have to take them to a pro, but if there is a professional here, I'd love to hear your recommendations.
Great to hear you got some seats, know you've been wanting some since you got it, what a year ago? 
I like the Mequiar's, it definitely soaks in, I like it cuz it's a spray. I spray it on and leave it for a minute or so. Wipe it and it sucks it right up, but does give a bit of a shine, so you know it's done something there. And it has a pleasant smell...I'm SUPER sensitive to smells, and this one passes my sniffer test. It doesn't linger long. And the "shine" also tones down pretty quickly, maybe a day.
I was always told LEXOL was the best leather care stuff...but I haven't ever seen that tested or validated. Funny, I STILL have 2 bottles of it in my cabinet from like 20 yrs ago...(one cleaner, one conditioner)...um, don't think I'd use it now. 
Since "like dissolves like" pretty much, maybe leaving one of the leather care products on those paint spatter spots, may allow them to lift off?? Maybe even the chewing gum....but not sure...don't they say peanut butter gets gum out of hair? (At least where I grew up they said that ) Wonder if Goo-Gone would soak in and get that gum off? It's oily so it probably wouldn't be all that bad for the leather, especially in a small spot. (hmmm, wonder if that oily stuff would make it darker there??)
I did a little googling....found this info:
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http://www.autogeek.net/leather-car-care.html - even has a video.
Thought this was interesting:
WARNING! Often inexpensive brands of leather conditioners contain gloss agents and petroleum distillates, silicone or silicone oils, which cling to the surface and then are wiped onto clothing. They leave a greasy finish that can transfer to clothing. For the health of your leather, choose a water-based, pH-balanced leather conditioner.
Many popular conditioners, like Lexol Spray Leather Conditioner and the product recommended especially for the Bentley, Jaguar and Rolls lines, Connolly Hide Care Conditioner <- what Ganz said above, are pH balanced, have stain repellants, and waterproofing agents to protect your beautiful interior from accidents. The Wolfgang Leather Care Cockpit Kit contains all the tools you?*ll need, AND Wolfgang's leather products are pH balanced. If you only want the best for both leather and vinyl, there is simply no better comprehensive choice for îstate of the artî cleaners, conditioners and applicators than our specially packaged, Pinnacle Concours Interior Kit.
Leather Maintenance - A Step-by-Step Guide
The most common mistake people make when taking care of leather is using too much conditioner. Leather comes with surfactants (protection) from the tannery. BMW leathers are all very well protected when new. If you apply too much leather chemicals and/or too often, you will strip off the protection the tannery applied. Your leather will begin to crack and wear prematurely. The best analogy for this is like the enamel on your teeth. Once the enamel is gone, your teeth have no defense. The best thing you can do for leather, to keep it soft, supple and preserve the matte-finish, is to wipe it down with a damp cloth whenever you think to. Wiping the leather with a damp cloth will pick up any loose dirt particles on the surface. Loose dirt, between you on the seat and the leather, will begin to work it's way into the surface of the leather. This action will begin to buff or polish the leather, making it shiny and the leather will begin to become thinner.
I see AutoGeek.net sells a Meguiars Gold Class Rich Leather ALOE Combo. "Nourishes it with aloe".
I also see they recommend Lexol....so maybe it is good stuff, been around a long time.
http://www.autogeek.net/megoclrileal.html
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I also see "ZYMOL leatherTreat"...fantastic reviews....has coconut oil and beef collagen (OK, ick, I didn't need to know that!) .....and smells like banana/coconut which is fantastic (just like the wax product), then I'm going be a sucker for this one....good thing it shows such good reviews. Interesting, many of the 16 reviews at AutoAnything were users from Texas...i.e. there's your 100 degree criterion Rick!
http://www.autoanything.com/car-care/69A1534A0A0.aspx
I recall "RabidPony" said he used to be a professional detailer....maybe he'd have some tips on the leather care.
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