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Cleaning leather seats

8K views 17 replies 8 participants last post by  Mr_Caine 
#1 · (Edited)
Hi all,

I have looked through the forum for answers on this and i seem to get contradicting answers...

I have red leather seats in my car (2004 gt) and i want to restore to 'original matte' finish of the leather. I have tried several products (sonus / turtle wax / baby wipes etc).

Which product is the best for cleaning the leather?
Which is the best product that will restore a long lasting matte finish?

Also could you kindly advise me with what processes / tools you use to clean / condition your leather?

Best regards
 
#5 ·
Hi,

Ive tried loads of different leather cleaners for the red leather in my 147, and the only one that (for me) returned the leather to the original matte finish was the Gliptone Cleaner.

I also found that using the Gliptone Conditioner afterwards would make my seats go slightly shiny again, so now I just give them a clean with the cleaner and leave it at that.

The Gliptone Cleaner is hard'ish work to use properly, but if you take your time and follow the instructions on the bottle I'm sure it'll be worth the effort.

With leather being a natural product I guess the effects of different cleaners could differ from car to car, but this has worked for me.

All the best :)
 
#9 ·
I tried the AutoGlym (onlyone availabnle off the shelf at Halfords) cleaner and conditioner and it works a treat.

I applied the cleaner with a soft nail brush which left the leather a nice matte finish. I then applied some conditioner, which left a slight shine. The leather feels real soft and subtle without making the seats slippy to sit in.

I would prefer a pure matte finish but i suppose the condition of the leather has to come first :)

Thanks for all your advise
 
#10 ·
I have tried the autoglym stuff and I didnt like the smell and didnt think it really removed any dirt and left the seats a 'bit' shiny as they were before - didnt make things worse but didnt help either.

I got some zaino Z10 conditioner and it takes off more dirt than the autoglym cleaner, was quite impressed with it. Also smells better.

A few months after getting the GTV I took it to have the passenger bolster repaired at a local car upholstery specialist. I asked them about how to get the seats nice and matte, and they said best bet would be use white spirit to remove the build up of grease on the surface and then follow with a conditioner/creme.

I was dubious, but thought what the heck and gave it a go. The white spirit unsuprisingly takes dirt off much better and leaves the seats MATTE!

I've done it once again since and after wipe with a babywipe and then put a sparing amount of zaino Z10 on. The 1st time I did this was 6 months ago. My seats feel just as supple, in fact exactly the same but with no shine, so I'd have no problem doing it on any other car in the future.
 
#12 ·
I used white spirits and it really removes the shine from my leather (I have red leather), and leaves an almost unreal matte finish :) :) :).

I cleaned them a week ago now and my seats still have the matte finish. Well apart from a small area where my bum sits.

I will not be using it everytime i clean my seats, but i imagine once or twice a year will be enough and wont harm?!?

I think next time i will use a small amount of conditioner. Firstly to keep the leather subtle and secondly to get rid of the terrible smell of white spirits lol.

Can anyone advise on any better way to get rid of the shine or any better products to use?????
 
#13 ·
WHITE SPIRIT?!!!
I strongly suggest you try something else. Solvents may do a good job of cleaning the leather but will also cause it to dry out and crack.
I used saddle soap on mine (girlfriend rides horses, nothing kinky) and it left the seats looking matt as new :)
 
#16 ·
ok, well I'd agree don't do it very often but haven't had any probs and the upholsterers advised it and said it'd be fine. Also I think the Gliptone leather fixing stuff I have (to fix a few bolster scratches by prev owners) says to use the Gliptone cleaner or white spirits to clean 1st before applying.
 
#17 ·
Just like to add... although it is not to do with cleaning and more to do with leather repair.

If your leather has stretched where your bum sits then there is a way of shrinking it. God knows what the previous owner did because it had really stretched and looked all saggy.

I spoke to a leather care specialist and she advised i had only 2 options 1) have the leather unstitched and then re stretched 2) use a hairdryer to shrink the leather.

I opted for number 2

I thought she was joking but it really does work :) Mine is back like new (well almost) again.
 
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