Your leather care technique....

[jumpthewire]

i've noticed my driver seat leather tends to get "loose" and "shiny".
where as my passenger seat still has the "tight" and "matte" look.

i think initially it was due to over treating with zaino conditioner.
(and obviously daily use)

i've since clean with cleaner and a MF, but heard that MF doesnt do a good jobon leather (as opposed to a sponge or something slightly more rough)

just placed an order of lexol ph leather cleaner with applicator.

i've read up on alot of forums about taking care of the leather, but
wanted to get some responses from this board.

what product/applicator do you use?
how often?
how "aggressive" do you get when cleaning your leather?

thanks!

[spurto]

i use the BMW branded leather conditioner available at the dealership and use the included sponge. I also clean the leather using leather wipes i got from the local auto parts store. I tend to clean the leather every couple weeks with the rest of the interior and condition it every other month.

[ManoSpeed]

I vaccum my car every day. Every Sunday I'll use a damp cloth to wipe everything down (leather included) and every 2 weeks I just apply armor all leather conditioner to a cloth and rub all the leather down. The most important thing about leather care is to avoid the leather being in constant direct sunlight as this dries the leather out. Unless you're driving the car, try to have it in a garaged, dry, and cool space.

[thekurgan]

3x / year, leatherique, bag on the seats in sun for 8 hours, clean off residue with pristine clean, 2x/week, wipe with a damp microfiber towel.

[MinneapolisJeff]

Originally Posted by ManoSpeed

I vaccum my car every day.

Are you serious?

[jumpthewire]

kurgan,
you dont use any cleaners or conditioners other than your 3x year leatherique treatment?

[ManoSpeed]

Originally Posted by jman1975

Are you serious?

Yes

[jumpthewire]

i thought I was compulsive cleanly weekly!!
: )

[dekaliber]

It's bad to use chemical cleaners on your leather too often. I've heard 2-3x a year max.

Personally, I wipe down the seats and leather surfaces with a soft damp towel when I remember, which is probably once a month or so. The steering wheel and drivers seats get wiped down more often. I do a full clean and condition twice a year with Connolly products on the M's nappa leather. I've heard mixed reviews about Lexol.

Your leather seats will definitely loosen up a bit with use -- that's not entirely avoidable. If you have the M seats, you'll want to practice your entry and egress technique to minimize wearing on the side bolsters.

[Blind32]

Originally Posted by thekurgan

3x / year, leatherique, bag on the seats in sun for 8 hours, clean off residue with pristine clean, 2x/week, wipe with a damp microfiber towel.

I've been wanting to do leatherique but haven't pulled the trigger. Most people swear it is amazing. A few say it changes the color of the seats. What is your opinion and what color interior do you have?

Can you explain what you mean by Bag the seat?

Thanks!

[thekurgan]

Originally Posted by Blind32

I've been wanting to do leatherique but haven't pulled the trigger. Most people swear it is amazing. A few say it changes the color of the seats. What is your opinion and what color interior do you have?

Can you explain what you mean by Bag the seat?

Thanks!

I've got black, non-extended. The stuff is simply amazing, I won't use anything else. It only works on nappa type leathers, that are dyed all the way through. I use a large trash bag on the seats, to create more of a steam room effect, mostly because I don't want the car in direct sunlight. Pull the bag off in a few hours, the seats and wheel are sticky, clean them and they literally look brand new. No shiny spots. The only color I see on my fiber towels is blue, from denim. Def worth the investment for the kit. We have only 2 seats and a wheel, so I only use one kit per year.

[thekurgan]

Originally Posted by jumpthewire

kurgan,
you dont use any cleaners or conditioners other than your 3x year leatherique treatment?

Nope, just water on a damp rag a few times per week depending on the dust I see in the car. Seat looks brand new, even after two years of daily use. The key to keeping leather is keeping it clean without chemicals, leather has its own natural protectant, water removes the dust and shit that can become ground in, causing cracks, and shiny spots. Even the driver's side bolster is in good shape.

[johanness]

I think my fat ass is causing the leather to ripple a bit on the bottom next to the right side bolster. My ingress/egress technique is proper, but what should i do there? Stretch it out? Leave it? Wear track pants to work? What? I've only got 3100 miles on the car and it stinks of new. My 34" waist can't be the only issue

[Serious]

leatherique. it is the only product I have ever found that actually works.

[Dieter]

I use that Leather Care ( lotion ) from walmart, works good

[lstratos]

Leatherique also.. use it not only on the seats, the lv & burberry bags that the gf has, home leather sofa.. the stuff is like the greatest. There are other leather cleaner/conditioner but this is the one I found that most people used with success and i just bought the big 32oz size. I even help friends do their car..

[boydgti]

I use 303 Aerospace Protectant, it has a SPF of 40, the most UV protection offered by any surface protectant. It is safe on vinyl, rubber, plastic, acrylic, finished leather, and fiberglass, works great

[thekurgan]

Originally Posted by boydgti

I use 303 Aerospace Protectant, it has a SPF of 40, the most UV protection offered by any surface protectant. It is safe on vinyl, rubber, plastic, acrylic, finished leather, and fiberglass, works great

Leather in the M coupe isn't finished, it is dyed through. Dakota is an example of a finished leather. I would not use 303 on nappa.

[boydgti]

ok good to know thaxs so whats the best to use

[epbrown]

Originally Posted by Serious

leatherique. it is the only product I have ever found that actually works.

Ditto. I use their stuff on mine twice/year - the rest of the time, just a damp microfiber during my weekly car wash. I'm pleased that I'm not getting wear on the side bolsters, but the seat bottom is loosening after only 2 years/18k miles. I'm considering having the leather re-tightened there.

[MinneapolisJeff]

Originally Posted by jman1975

Are you serious?

a little too anal for me, but to each his own as I've learned on this forum

drivers seat was worn when I bought the Z, was thinking about reupholstering the seats as a result

[XMetal]

Originally Posted by thekurgan

Leather in the M coupe isn't finished, it is dyed through. Dakota is an example of a finished leather. I would not use 303 on nappa.

Could you please elaborate on "finished" vs "unfinished" leather? Thanks.