Maintaining leather seats - what products?

[750hp]

I love the patina of the 30 year old leather seats in my Contemporary. They're gently creased, but still soft and supple. I would like to keep them that way and I'm interested to know what you use to maintain your leather seats.

I've heard of Neatsfoot oil, lexol, hydrophane, olive oil, leather honey, flexalan and even people using crushed animal brains (sorry vegetarians, but we are talking about leather products anyway!), and now I'm getting confused.

Considering the seats are sitting out in 90+ degree summer sunshine, I want is something that will protect the leather without leaving an oily residue to stain my clothes. Thanks for all opinions.

[patrickt]

I have used Zaino's Leather in a Bottle for almost ten years now and my seats are as nice as the day they were covered. I apply it about every three months or so. In addition to replenishing the natural oils, it also has UV protection. Great stuff.

[Mark IV]

Originally Posted by patrickt

I have used Zaino's Leather in a Bottle for almost ten years now and my seats are as nice as the day they were covered. I apply it about every three months or so. In addition to replenishing the natural oils, it also has UV protection. Great stuff.

The only unfortunate side effect is it turns your car beige....................I still have a tub of Connolly's "Hide food" I use.

[patrickt]

Originally Posted by Mark IV

The only unfortunate side effect is it turns your car beige....................

That just tells me that you're jealous over the beauty of my Cobra's finish. Here's a link to Leather in a Bottle: Zaino Store : Z-10 Leather in a Bottle

[Randy Rosenberg]

+1 on Zaino! I've been using their entire line of products for 10+ years, except the tire dressing.

[Tim7139]

The Lexol products work well also. Most products that feed the leather and have a lanolin element are effective. Just don't let it dry out.

[Mongoose930]

Jeff (1985 CCX) turned me one to this stuff and it is amazing. Gliptone leather cleaner and conditioner. Works great and smells great. This is all I will ever use on my leather products.

[Lou1119]

I have used Leatherique for the past 20 years on all of my cars. It removes embedded soil that the eye cannot see. It is a two part system that leaves the leather soft and supple. Take a look at their web site(www.leatherique.com)and you will see examples of how unreal this stuff is.

Lou1119

[hawk 325]

Another vote for the zaino products, I have been using them all for years, nothing compares.

[mdross1]

Like so many things we talk about there is no lack of products to treat leather. My leather food comes from Griot's Garage and has for near 20 yrs.

[Tim7139]

For those that might have seats a little past pristeen, cracks, etc., the quality repair dye kits will allow you to redo seat surfaces with OEM products that restore near new appearance with a sponge in about 1/2 hour.

[streetrod1927]

Meguiars also makes a good leather product (1 cleaner and 1 leather treatment). I also have a Contemporary and the seats really come out well with any of the products mentioned. The key is cleaning and treating the leather even when not in use especially on older cars like mine. I have used lexol, Griots and a host of others on my 65 Vette and streetrods I have owned using a soft brush to clean out grain and then soft cotton rag (old tee-shirt) to apply the product. Then let it sit and soak in....

[YerDugliness]

I just had my brown vinyl interior redone in black leather...everything except the dash cover and the bulkhead, which are matching vinyl. I asked the upholsterer what he recommended and he brought out a box of LDC (Larry Dennis Company) Leather Cleaner and Conditioner.

Can't say I like it, but the seats were just redone and I'll give it a try. I think I'll use mink oil on my leather if the LDC stuff continues to provide less than I want. For me the biggest issue is sudden rainstorms, so I want to try to waterproof my leather. Neatsfoot oil is one of the products I have used in the past on baseball gloves, that sort of thing, but nothing waterproofs my leather work boots like mink oil.

Cheers!

Dugly

[Bernica]

Griot's Garage claims to have some good stuff. They seem to do their homework. I have used Lexol for years with no complaints.

[Rjw289]

Plus one for Lexol. Carecareonline.com is a good source to look at many varied products that have been tested independently.

[mdross1]

The wife and I have ridden Harleys for 45 yrs. our newest leathers near 15 yrs. old are taking on that patina we love so much. Worn in and very comfortable the leather is soft and supple just like our cars. The secret is maintenance clean the surface before treating with any leather food I like to apply the leather food by hand work it in good then let it soak then wipe/polish.
Leather will never be waterproof only water resistant after it has been wet let it dry then retreat it. It should last many years.

[trularin]

I like saddle soap for cleaning and catcher's mit oil. Let it sit and wipe down completely.

[mdross1]

Originally Posted by Bernica

Griot's Garage claims to have some good stuff. They seem to do their homework. I have used Lexol for years with no complaints.

They do have the best products for me at least their catalog has everything one could possibly need to care for their pride and joys. They are always eager to give advise. We buy their products by the gallon. All our leather products look healthy and smell like leather is supposed to. Always getting compliments on how our vehicles smell brand new, we enjoy taking care of them.
Again not taking anything away from other leather care products.