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Old 12-20-2005, 03:16 PM   #1
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Not cynical at all, simply pointing out the obvious. If you go to any leather care products website, they will cite why their product is best. That is what they do, ie visit the AMSOIL website to see how great their oil is.

This leather product may be great but I am more convinced by your experience with it than the company's website assertions.

Having said that, I like the Lexol and Leatherique products based on my experience. This is not to say that they are the best (how would I know that?) just that they are not "junk" as it appears this company is implying.

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Old 12-20-2005, 03:28 PM   #2
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As you can see, Lexol is pretty high on themselves also!





LEXOL LEATHER CONDITIONER AND PRESERVATIVE


THE PRODUCT:



LEXOL is a liquid conditioner and preservative intended for use in the care and conservation of leather. Its purpose is to maintain the strength, beauty, utility and flexibility of leather - old and new - and to restore resiliency to old or neglected leather that has become hardened and stiff.



PRODUCT RATIONALE


In the manufacture of leather, as a final and essential step, the tanned hide is subjected to a process called ”fat-liquoring” in which it is treated with a generous supply of special oils - emulsions prepared from the appropriate lubricants - which lubricate the leather to confer the desired qualities of softness, flexibility and strength. Thus, when the leather leaves the tannery, it is at the correct pH and is fully lubricated due to the unique capability of these emulsions to be readily absorbed into, and combined with, the leather’s fibers. However, these oils must still be replenished periodically to maintain proper lubrication and to avert any tendency to deteriorate. The type of preparation that is most effective in achieving both these goals is an emulsion similar to those employed in the original manufacture of the leather. LEXOL is an emulsion of this type.



WHY LEXOL IS SUPERIOR TO OTHER LEATHER CONDITIONERS AND PRESERVATIVES



The oils in LEXOL have been modified to facilitate effective distribution of microscopically fine oil droplets which can be more readily absorbed into the leather fibers than the comparatively large droplets typical of raw oils or less fine emulsions. LEXOL’s smaller oil droplets combine with the fibers, because of their affinity or adherence that is lacking with other oils. Thus the modified oils in LEXOL are kept under control and are retained in the area of application. In this way, LEXOL is able to nourish the leather and its fibers while protecting against migration, or seepage, into adjacent materials or surfaces.



Many leather dressings utilize chemical solvents in order to facilitate penetration of oils into the leather. Such solvents can lead to ”bleeding” or migrating onto adjacent materials, causing discoloration or other damage. In addition, such chemical solvents may be flammable, irritating or toxic.



LEXOL does not contain any chemical solvents. As an aqueous emulsion, it achieves several objectives: (1) fiber penetration and nourishment; (2) absorption and retention in the leather; (3) control of migration or seepage. Unlike most organic solvents, LEXOL is nonflammable, odorless, non-toxic and non-sensitizing to the skin. Also, LEXOL does not impart a greasy or tacky feel to the surface of the leather.



Although LEXOL is widely accepted as a treatment for the more common vegetable and chrome-tanned leather, there are certain leathers for which it is not suitable (e.g., napped leathers, such as suede or glove soft leather, which call for treatment with lighter lubricants). NOTE: Leather that has become cracked from inadequate or inappropriate care cannot be restored to its original state by any available method.



In summary, LEXOL is readily absorbed into the fibers and provides lasting and effective lubrication without migration while leaving leather feeling soft and smooth.
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Old 12-22-2005, 05:33 PM   #3
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I still stand by my original post. The lacquer sealers and pigment dyes used in automotive and upholstery leather do not allow these products to even come in contact with the leather. I say this with nearly 30 years experience working with leather; I'm not just pulling this info out my @$$, nor am I relying on what others say.

Keeping leather cleaned and worked will help maintain it even if the conditioners can't do their job. You'll notice that the back seats (in cars that have them) are the ones that get stiffest the quickest, and the driver's seat stays the most supple.


If the product cannot be absorbed by the leather, it doesn't do one bloody bit of good. And while that layer of lacquer is intact, the products CANNOT penetrate to the leather. You have to remove the "protective" sealer from the leather before these products will penetrate. I have done this on several sets of auto upholstery, from a 1965 Chrysler Imperial (with original leather), to a 1989 Maserati, to a 1995 Lincoln, to a 1993 VW Corrado.. Once you remove the sealer, the leather will absorb any of these products like a sponge. None of the sitting and waiting 24 hours BS...I'm talking the conditioners soak in within 30 SECONDS and don't leave anything behind to wipe up.

Most of these leather products are fine, providing they can be absorbed by the leather itself. They restore the natural oils that have been removed during the tanning process, and through use and time. The only one that I personally feel is a collossal waste of money is the Maguire's. In my experience, it didn't do anything.

Honestly, Pure Neatsfoot Oil is one of the best things for leather. (Not Neatsfoot COMPOUND) Why? "Neat" is an olde English word for "cow", and neatsfoot oil is basically oil from rendering of cow hooves, horns, skin, cartilege, and other leftover cow parts. So, using neatsfoot oil is restoring the same oil that was in the leather when it was a living, breathing animal.

Over the years, I have used Lexol, Lederbalsam, Leatherique, Hammanol, Hydrophane, Maguires (yuck), Connolly Hide Food/Hide Care, Carr Day & Martin Leather Balsam, Flexalan, Leather Therapy, Leather CPR...the list really goes on and on for the products I have tried. As long as they don't contain silicone or petroleum distillates, they are fine for your leather. Any products with either of those components should be avoided.

Last edited by creseida; 12-22-2005 at 05:41 PM.
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Old 05-08-2006, 06:07 AM   #4
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bick 4. if you want the best leather conditioner, bick 4 is it.
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