Interior leather protection
 

Feel free to flame if this isn't quite the right forum, and for me not searching, and for this not being about an RX-8, but this is where I hang out and I know there are a lot of knowledgable folks.

My wife just got a new car. Infiniti G37X. Leather interior. The dealer tried to sell us "ResistAll EnviroGuard NG." Exterior paint protectant (Polyglycoat clone, I presume) and some kind of interior leather protectant.

Is anyone familiar with the interior part of that stuff? Or familiar with a leather protectant that makes sense? If we had cloth, I'd think about Scotchguard. For the exterior, I just believe in waxing.

Any help/suggestions would be appreciated. I'm also going to browse Mcguier's site, maybe Griot's Garage, etc., to see what products they have. But I figured I'd ask folks I trust.

Thanks

Ken

I've used Lexol leather cleaner and their protectant. I notice there's a bit of stuff on the towel after wiping, so I'm guessing that it does a good job of cleaning. The leather looks pretty nice after applying both the cleaner and protectant. It smells good too.

Go to autogeek.net They have pretty much anything you can ever want for cleaning/protecting your car.

Yeah, I've never been a big fan of whatever protectant stuff dealers sell. Way too overpriced for what it is.

I also believe waxing regularly is the way to go.

As for the leather, I've been using Meguiers leather protectant for a while - not the spray but the one that looks like body lotion, LOL.

Spray products for leather are worthless IMHO anyway. Gotta do it the old school way; rub the lotion in, buff it out. The stuff I'm using smells pretty good too.

Good results so far.

BTW, I think there's a folder about car detailing:p:

can't believe u ask this Ken.

just wipe/clean the seats urself every month or 2, that's all, and it's 100 times cheaper than anything dealer's "special offer"

Thanks, guys. I knew the dealer stuff was overpriced and probably crap...but it made me wonder what I should be doing to take care of the leather. First car we've had with leather. The closest I ever had to this was Naugahyde in a BMW 2002. The only care that needed was one time when I had to scrape up a spilled pizza.

Pretty exciting day. Wife's put up with me for almost 40 years, and it was about time she had a car that was a fashion statement as well as transportation.

Ken

im a big fan of mcguire's leather wipes n spray. doesnt smell bad like some of them too. Has to be applied when its warm tho and works much better ifu put it on with ur hands not a cloth

works better when applied directly with our hands? You gotta be kidding:eek:

As I mentioned above, I've never been a big fan of any leather product that comes in a spray version. Same thing with car waxes that come in a spray version they are worthless. Spray products end up being like cleaners more than anything else.

The other version - 'lotion type' - is a hell of a lot of work to apply, but the results are substantially different.

The dealer is trying to sell you overpriced crap. I've tried almost every leather product that you can get over the counter - Lexol, Meguiars, Mothers, etc. I finally broke down years ago based on the unanimous recommendations of forum members on several Porsche forums and purchased Leatherique online (not in stores). It is a two step cleaner with an oil that you rub on and leave on the leather (try for 24 hours min), then remove with their cleaner. It is simply amazing stuff. It will remove light cracks and spiderwebbing and make rock hard leather supple again. My first experience was on a 944 turbo with neglected leather, it made it look nearly new. Some things are simply worth taking the time to order online, this is one of them.

McGuire's leather wipes n spray is the way to go

That's pretty much a given. I think I worded my original post badly, giving the impression I might actually go for the dealer stuff. The dealer crap just got me to wondering what I should be doing.

That sounds good. My plan will mostly be to just wipe it clean, as Jackson suggests. And I'll look into Leatherique for when it gets dirty - and use it before the seats get that neglected look.

The owner's manual actually recommends against routinely using leather treatment. They just recommend vacuuming and a damp cloth with mild soap. I'm not keen on using soap. My colorectal doctor cautioned me to never wash my butt with soap because of its drying qualities. I would think that applies to any kind of skin, dead or alive.

Thanks for the recommendation.

Ken

sounds bad but baby wipes work wonders!

I keep them in my car since I do regularly transport kids....if I am stuck in traffic I can clean just about every surface in the car

They do dry out fast though... :dunno:

mine last pretty long....make sure you get a package that seals really well. I usually get a few months out of a small bpackage.... like below (I dont remember the brand but I think we actually user huggies)

https://t2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:...kOLwiVmzKtzwew

http://www.autogeek.net/wg2600.html

One of my favorite leather care products. Bottle will last you a LONG time, doesn't need much for application.

http://www.leatherhoney.com/

will.

not.

find.

better.

period

I use this on my great uncle's WWII Navy Bomber Jacket which was given to me when he died. This coat IS part of history. I would't trust anything less to care for this coat. Bar none, it's the best leather care and conditioner you will ever find.

The full Leatherique treatment is more like maintenance, 1-2x a year would be plenty to keep the leather soft and crack free. For regular cleaning I really like their leather cleaner, or just a damp rag after vacuuming.

I'm a Lexol fan too...been using the stuff for 30+ years :)

so you don't wash your butt anymore? Hahaha

That's why i don't like those spray cleaners. The lotion type of product makes the leather feel moist.

guys, does that leather cleaner stuff work for the steering wheel or is the wheel wrapped in some sort of synthetic leather?

i've got mucho finger funk in the stitching of the steering wheel

Some water and a nylon brush should get the funk out of the stiching. Steering wheels are funny, because a good cleaning can either make them perfect or terrible. I had a Porsche where cleaning the steering wheel actually made it rough, my theory is that the cleaner removed the built up skin oil and exposed the wear underneath. I've read of others having similar issues. Long story short, I now clean leather wheels with a damp rag and water.;)

Does wonders to keep people from crowding behind me when I'm standing in a line. :)

Here's anothe leather seat question. Do the seats need to break in? Like the way leather shoes need to break in?

Ken

yea i use the mcquires spray myself, sometimes i get wipes. but actually its the heat of ur hand that help it get in the leather. thats y it works so much better on a warm day. sometimes in the winter ill heat the car up then go out and condition the leather and let it sit a little til it sinks in and then shut the car down. wen the leather cold it like stays on the suface. Just so we're clear i usually dont use my bare hands but it does work good. I do dislike the armoral one tho it smells terrable.