car seat leather cleaners

How do I keep new car leather seats in best condition for years to come.?

I’ve spent about an hour researching online ways I may keep the black leather in my new car in great condition (6,000 miles on it). There’s an overwhelming number of different answers and methods, and of course answers provided by companies who shill to sell their leather products, so there is of course a bias.

Some people recommended simply wiping the seats with water every so often as cleaners and conditions have varying chemicals which may interact badly with the factory finish already on the leather.

Next, I read that a water based cleaner is best based on smilair reasons mentioned above; the more diluted the better.

Thank you for honest, experience based answers.

Most auto leather is matt when it is new and looked after correctly. Leather with a shiny or glossy look is usually due to build up of dirt together with abrassion (constant sliding in and out). This is often exacerbated by the use of ‘conditioners’ that contain waxes and/or oils which only sit on the surface and attract more dirt.

Leather does not require ‘conditioning’ with anything other than water.

Keep your leather clean by protecting it with a leather protector and then regular cleaning.
Adding ‘conditioners’ which generally contain oils and waxes will change the appearance of your leather over time as dirt will build up on the surface and cause a sheen.

Using the correct care methods and products will not alter the factory finish.

This type of leather is ‘coated’ leather. This is essentially a ‘painted’ leather with a clear coat finish over the top. The leather may or may not be dyed through with aniline dyes prior to the finish coating.

Essentially it is this top coating that needs looking after. Cleaning is vitally important as the top coat will wear away if allowed to become dirty. Dirt on the surface will aslo become ground into the finish by constant abrassion.

‘Conditioners’, balms, feeds etc (traditionally oil and wax based) cannot penetrate this finish so are not worth applying – they can also leave behind residues on the finish which will only attract more dirt if allowed to remain.

A protector will make the finish easier to clean and also inhibit dye transfer etc on pale coloured leathers.

Leather however finished has to remain breathable and it will allow the movement of moisture back and forth (transpiration) so the use of water based cleaners and protectors will keep the leather correctly hydrated which is essentail to keeping it in good condition.

The routine for correct care should be
Protect from new (Auto Ultra Protect)
Maintain with a regular clean or maintenance product (Auto Ultra Maintain)
Deep clean with a foam cleaner once or twice a year (Auto Ultra Foam)

This will prolong the life of the finish on the leather

You can download a free care leaflet here
http://www.lttleathercare.co.uk/freecarcareleaflet.asp
Hope this helps
__________________
http://www.LTTsolutions.net
LTT are recognised worldwide as the most experienced leather care consultants for both auto and furniture leather. Their products are recommended by detailers all over the world

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