Should leather seats age? Or stay pritine?
Discussion
The leather seats in my car are getting a few creases and other marks. They are starting to show the signs of the 160,000 miles. Don't get me wrong, the black coating is intact and the stiching is perfect. They just look like a comfortable used leather armchairs, and no longer factory fresh.
Is this better, or worse, than leather looking brand new for its entire life?
Artificial leather will stay 'box fresh' for almost for ever. And artificial leather does seem very popular today, such as Artico in a Merc E class.
Am I alone in actually liking the aging and patina that decent leather gains over the years and miles?
Is this better, or worse, than leather looking brand new for its entire life?
Artificial leather will stay 'box fresh' for almost for ever. And artificial leather does seem very popular today, such as Artico in a Merc E class.
Am I alone in actually liking the aging and patina that decent leather gains over the years and miles?
Would be worth you feeding the leather a good quality conditioner such as gliptones, It will keep it subtle and so won't crack at the creases which will eventually happen with age. If the leather is very shiny (dirty) then worth giving it clean as a first step.... ,Dr leather spray cleaner is very good.
These steps will improve the look and and bring back the smell of the leather as well as stopping any cracks appearing. You'll have matt leather again whilst keeping the patina.
Google drive clean on YouTube, some great video tutorials on there.
These steps will improve the look and and bring back the smell of the leather as well as stopping any cracks appearing. You'll have matt leather again whilst keeping the patina.
Google drive clean on YouTube, some great video tutorials on there.
Would be worth you feeding the leather a good quality conditioner such as gliptones, It will keep it subtle and so won't crack at the creases which will eventually happen with age. If the leather is very shiny (dirty) then worth giving it clean as a first step.... ,Dr leather spray cleaner is very good.
These steps will improve the look and and bring back the smell of the leather as well as stopping any cracks appearing. You'll have matt leather again whilst keeping the patina.
Google drive clean on YouTube, some great video tutorials on there.
These steps will improve the look and and bring back the smell of the leather as well as stopping any cracks appearing. You'll have matt leather again whilst keeping the patina.
Google drive clean on YouTube, some great video tutorials on there.
george123 said:
Would be worth you feeding the leather a good quality conditioner such as gliptones, It will keep it subtle and so won't crack at the creases which will eventually happen with age. If the leather is very shiny (dirty) then worth giving it clean as a first step.... ,Dr leather spray cleaner is very good.
These steps will improve the look and and bring back the smell of the leather as well as stopping any cracks appearing. You'll have matt leather again whilst keeping the patina.
Google drive clean on YouTube, some great video tutorials on there.
Good point, thanks. These steps will improve the look and and bring back the smell of the leather as well as stopping any cracks appearing. You'll have matt leather again whilst keeping the patina.
Google drive clean on YouTube, some great video tutorials on there.
My question is, am I along in _liking_ the marks and creases?
^ 'conditioning' leather in modern cars is counter productive as the conditioner just sits on the surface and actually attracts dirt.
Due to the processes modern leathers go through to gain colour you are much better off using a leather protector from the likes of LTT, Gtechniq etc.
In answer to the OP's original question I like my leather to be matt just as it left the factory, the slight creases you get on the bolsters aren't an issue in my eyes
Due to the processes modern leathers go through to gain colour you are much better off using a leather protector from the likes of LTT, Gtechniq etc.
In answer to the OP's original question I like my leather to be matt just as it left the factory, the slight creases you get on the bolsters aren't an issue in my eyes
Chris_VRS said:
^ 'conditioning' leather in modern cars is counter productive as the conditioner just sits on the surface and actually attracts dirt.
Due to the processes modern leathers go through to gain colour you are much better off using a leather protector from the likes of LTT, Gtechniq etc.
In answer to the OP's original question I like my leather to be matt just as it left the factory, the slight creases you get on the bolsters aren't an issue in my eyes
auto leathers are highly pigmented chrome leather & not comparable to something you would find in a 1960s Jag for example which would have most likely have been a veg tan. However to say a conditioner would just sit on the surface attracting dirt isn't necessarily true. If it was then the products you quote from LTT & Gtechniq would also do the same .Due to the processes modern leathers go through to gain colour you are much better off using a leather protector from the likes of LTT, Gtechniq etc.
In answer to the OP's original question I like my leather to be matt just as it left the factory, the slight creases you get on the bolsters aren't an issue in my eyes
george123 said:
auto leathers are highly pigmented chrome leather & not comparable to something you would find in a 1960s Jag for example which would have most likely have been a veg tan. However to say a conditioner would just sit on the surface attracting dirt isn't necessarily true. If it was then the products you quote from LTT & Gtechniq would also do the same .
A conditioner on older leather acts like a Nivea moisturiser for your skin, being absorbed by the hide.The leather protection products mentioned form an invisible barrier on the surface, and require little maintenance.
Also these will help to inhibit things like dye transfer from jeans (more noticeable on light colour leathers) as any transfer will sit on the protector not on the underlying leather surface, making cleaning that much easier.
The leather protection products mentioned form an invisible barrier on the surface, and require little maintenance.
Also these will help to inhibit things like dye transfer from jeans (more noticeable on light colour leathers) as any transfer will sit on the protector not on the underlying leather surface, making cleaning that much easier.
[/quote]
thats what the marketing says!
You misunderstand, the products Chris mentions are not conditioners, they do not do the same job.
Modern car leather is coated, conditioning it does nothing, because the product can't soak in, all it does is it on the surface and attract dirt, which makes it shiny.
By using a protector it helps stop the leather get dirty.
Look for posts on detailingworld by judyb from LTT or Dr Leather, from, err, Dr Leather. Both have studied and hold professional qualifications in the subject.
OP I'd use a cleaner from one of the above and see if you can just reduce the shiny look a little. I wouldn't worry about the folds and creases, they add character.
Modern car leather is coated, conditioning it does nothing, because the product can't soak in, all it does is it on the surface and attract dirt, which makes it shiny.
By using a protector it helps stop the leather get dirty.
Look for posts on detailingworld by judyb from LTT or Dr Leather, from, err, Dr Leather. Both have studied and hold professional qualifications in the subject.
OP I'd use a cleaner from one of the above and see if you can just reduce the shiny look a little. I wouldn't worry about the folds and creases, they add character.
Crafty_ said:
You misunderstand, the products Chris mentions are not conditioners, they do not do the same job.
Modern car leather is coated, conditioning it does nothing, because the product can't soak in, all it does is it on the surface and attract dirt, which makes it shiny.
By using a protector it helps stop the leather get dirty.
Look for posts on detailingworld by judyb from LTT or Dr Leather, from, err, Dr Leather. Both have studied and hold professional qualifications in the subject.
OP I'd use a cleaner from one of the above and see if you can just reduce the shiny look a little. I wouldn't worry about the folds and creases, they add character.
I understand the difference thanks, my point is that to say 'conditioners' such as Gliptone for example don't soak into modern car leather is untrue, they're not impermeable. Agree with you that a cleaner will get rid of the shine which is essentially dirt & grease. Giving it a steam first will also help open up the leather and make cleaning easier.Modern car leather is coated, conditioning it does nothing, because the product can't soak in, all it does is it on the surface and attract dirt, which makes it shiny.
By using a protector it helps stop the leather get dirty.
Look for posts on detailingworld by judyb from LTT or Dr Leather, from, err, Dr Leather. Both have studied and hold professional qualifications in the subject.
OP I'd use a cleaner from one of the above and see if you can just reduce the shiny look a little. I wouldn't worry about the folds and creases, they add character.
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