leather cleaning question

[SoCal]

I have a bottle of Meltonian Leather Lotion and also a bottle of 1Z (Einszett) Leather Care from the Porsche dealer.

Any pros and cons, or is either fine for cleaning seats, dash and doors?

Any tips re do's or don't do's?

[pk2]

A strange thing, and I wouldn’t take it as gospel but, a friend of mine in the auto upholstery biz tells me that most leather is painted so thick, it’s almost like vinyl, and thus has little porosity. Nothing really gets past the outer finish coating.

Point being, all the stuff about “reinvigorating your leather to soft and supple” could be so much hooey. I’ll keep treating my leather because it does inhibit UV damage and doesn’t hurt the seats. But I’m not going to pay for or expect anything else.

Regards, PK

BTW Where in so Cal do you live?

[rdancd816]

I'll probably catch a raft for this, but I agree that the leather is so coated it's hard to get to with "conditioners". I use good ole Armorall on my '97 seats and wipe off thoroughly. I get the UV protection and my 11 year old seats look like new. My dealer can't believe they are original and always asks what I use for treatment. I have tried a ton of "high-end" leather conditioners and I just stick to the stuff that seems to work.

[SoCal]

Thanks for the feedback. Sounds like the leather cleaning choices may not matter as long as I'm careful.

I'm in Newport Beach.

2006 gray Boxster, black top, with license plate that starts with RENN . . . .

P.S. I like your Black Sheep Bistro in Tustin.

[rdancd816]

Small world - I used to work out of the Ricoh Region Office in Tustin on Warner Road! Right next to the old blimp hangers!

[Lil bastard]

Often true about automotive kleathers, but not always.

I use leatherique on several cars. On the Boxster, it definitely gets absorbed and the 10 yr. old seats are soft and pliable - like new. I am sold on the stuff, their cleaner works great too, probably the best I've ever used, even got ink stains out of the savannah beige leather - completely, no trace.

[jmatta]

Originally Posted by rdancd816

". I use good ole Armorall on my '97 seats and wipe off thoroughly.

Armorall is full of silicone and shouldn't be used on anything, let alone leather. It also destroys rubber and vinyl and is very difficult to remove once used.

[Perfectlap]

That 1Z is without question the best leather product I have used.
I keep my seats pretty darn clean most of the time. Yet when I take out the 1Z leather and a white terry towel I'm shocked about the dirt that comes up.
I guess an open cockpit car gets an extra pounding from the air.
The thing I like about 1Z is that it does the job without making it look like you just cleaned the seats, no shiny stuff.
Special mention to the Porsche brand leather conditioner. Good stuff.

p.s.
I know I've said this a million times but the FK1 425 is excellent on glass and dash.
my kit: A durable acrylic wax (Pink Wax), claybar, 1Z leather, Raggtop and FK1 425.
I've also been using Hyp'd Tire Dressing from Strauss Auto. Good stuff dark finish without the bling bling shine.