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It's my understanding that leather car or truck seats have a polyurethane ‘top coat’ specifically designed for automotive applications. If I'm correct, how does "leather conditioning" work? Do some products actually penetrate the factory coating?
It is resolene. Resolene is designed as a final coat to seal the leather and doesn't allow much absorption but it is still semi-permeable. The whole point of the final coat is to prevent the leather from sponging oils and dirt from your skin and clothes. A lot of people will clean and condition leather and then apply resolene after the seats have dried for a while.
The biggest part is just keeping leather clean since dirt can scratch and wear the coating and allow the underlying leather to be exposed and dried out. At this point, a good quality conditioner can easily penetrate and nourish the leather where it is needed while providing some resistance to the abuse it takes getting in and out of the car. The conditioner can actually help out the coating because it serves as a barrier. There is no need to slather on creams because they won't penetrate the coating and will just sit on top of it to soak into your clothes.
Thanks very much, Steve. My takeaway is the description "semi-permeable," which would allow some degree of conditioning. The original owner of my AP1 used 303 protectant liberally on all interior surfaces, and the seats are in great shape but for some usual wear on the driver's bolster which I've effectively corrected with a leather repair kit.
Thanks very much, Steve. My takeaway is the description "semi-permeable," which would allow some degree of conditioning. The original owner of my AP1 used 303 protectant liberally on all interior surfaces, and the seats are in great shape but for some usual wear on the driver's bolster which I've effectively corrected with a leather repair kit.
303 is good stuff. Some of the product will get through and will definitely penetrate areas that are cracked and dried out because the top coat is compromised. The most wear occurs during entry and egress of the car and any protectant will help cut down on this type of abrasive wear. Sounds weird but you are lubricating the surface.
I had very good results using leatherique pristine clean and the rejuvenator oil. The rejuvenator oil should be let to soak into the leather for a day or two in a hot environment. The pristine clean is also very good at cleaning vinyl and rubber surfaces. Todd Cooperider at Esoteric Detail made a very informative YouTube video explaining the process. I had very nice results lifting embedded stains, dirt and grime from my seats making them look and feel as good as new. I am sold on Leatherique products after using them last summer.
I had very good results using leatherique pristine clean and the rejuvenator oil. The rejuvenator oil should be let to soak into the leather for a day or two in a hot environment. The pristine clean is also very good at cleaning vinyl and rubber surfaces. Todd Cooperider at Esoteric Detail made a very informative YouTube video explaining the process. I had very nice results lifting embedded stains, dirt and grime from my seats making them look and feel as good as new. I am sold on Leatherique products after using them last summer.
What were the details steps you took?
First wipe clean with damp cloth?
What type of cloth did you use?
How long did you leave in the sun?
05-24-2019, 07:24 AM
