Conditioning Your Leather Seats
#26
Just because one uninformed dude says that the leather seat is "vinyl coated," everyone automatically believes him...ROFLMAO. No, the whole seat is not leather, but it ain't leatherette/pleather/vinyl, either. To use my red/black seat as an example, the red seating surfaces where my butt and back touch are real leather. The black side bolsters where my thighs and backsides touch are leatherette. Sure, some of the cleaners/conditioners are formulated specifically for either leatherette/vinyl or leather. But some leather conditioners/cleaners may be used on leatherette as well. Just read the label on the container. I personally use Meguiar's leather cleaner/conditioner on the whole seat and have had no problem.
Last edited by bassy; 05-05-2009 at 09:44 PM.
#27
Before someone complains that Mazda cuts corner and puts cheap leatherette in their cars, just know that it's actually a standard practice. Even high-end brands like MB, BMW, etc., do this--unless you go for the full leather option, which will also give you real leather on the door panels. Heck, Audi and BMW even give full leatherette interior instead of cloth on their A3/4 and 3-series respectively.
Last edited by bassy; 05-05-2009 at 09:56 PM.
#28
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^I was told by a guy who works in upholstery repair (had my drivers seat fixed) that this is standard practice as well.. often used for the bolsters since it is more durable than leather
Heck, even the S2000 has ALL leatherette seats
I use Four Star conditioner... it is a bit pricey, but it does a good job and does not leave the seats all shiny and slippery like some others do
Heck, even the S2000 has ALL leatherette seats
I use Four Star conditioner... it is a bit pricey, but it does a good job and does not leave the seats all shiny and slippery like some others do
Last edited by ndhoffma; 05-05-2009 at 11:27 PM.
#29
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Same here, I use Meguair's Leather Conditioner on my 8's and wife's is250 leather seats and my daughter's Mazda6 pleather seats. The Jeep doesn't get anything; don't want to spoil it.
Just because one uninformed dude says that the leather seat is "vinyl coated," everyone automatically believes him...ROFLMAO. No, the whole seat is not leather, but it ain't leatherette/pleather/vinyl, either. To use my red/black seat as an example, the red seating surfaces where my butt and back touch are real leather. The black side bolsters where my thighs and backsides touch are leatherette. Sure, some of the cleaners/conditioners are formulated specifically for either leatherette/vinyl or leather. But some leather conditioners/cleaners may be used on leatherette as well. Just read the label on the container. I personally use Meguiar's leather cleaner/conditioner on the whole seat and have had no problem.
#30
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Just because one uninformed dude says that the leather seat is "vinyl coated," everyone automatically believes him...ROFLMAO. No, the whole seat is not leather, but it ain't leatherette/pleather/vinyl, either. To use my red/black seat as an example, the red seating surfaces where my butt and back touch are real leather. The black side bolsters where my thighs and backsides touch are leatherette. Sure, some of the cleaners/conditioners are formulated specifically for either leatherette/vinyl or leather. But some leather conditioners/cleaners may be used on leatherette as well. Just read the label on the container. I personally use Meguiar's leather cleaner/conditioner on the whole seat and have had no problem.
Of course, I just laid out the $140 for the Mazda seat covers because I dislike leather, but that is neither here nor there...
#31
White is purdy...
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I think the meguiars leather wipes/goop/sprays suck. I hate the shiny look to the leather. It doesn't come shiny from the factory, so why would I want it shiny? I just got some Zaino leather in a bottle for my birthday, and it is GREAT. It smells like leather, softens the seat and smooths out the wrinkles, and it doesn't look shiny at all. It looks like a clean matte black, which is what I want. And it's safe for vinyl. Give that stuff a shot sometime if you're not in the mood for shiny, slippery, greasy seats like you get with the Meguiars
#32
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But my seats are Parchment leather. I don't want them matte black.
I think the meguiars leather wipes/goop/sprays suck. I hate the shiny look to the leather. It doesn't come shiny from the factory, so why would I want it shiny? I just got some Zaino leather in a bottle for my birthday, and it is GREAT. It smells like leather, softens the seat and smooths out the wrinkles, and it doesn't look shiny at all. It looks like a clean matte black, which is what I want. And it's safe for vinyl. Give that stuff a shot sometime if you're not in the mood for shiny, slippery, greasy seats like you get with the Meguiars
#34
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The zaino stuff isn't black. it just doesn't leave the seats shiny and greasy. Also, Zymol stuff is very nice too. No greasiness there either. I think I'm giving up on the "Major" brands. I've heard very good things about Lexol, too, but I've never tried it.
#35
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This stuff performs miracles.
http://www.leatherique.com/
http://www.leatherique.com/
#40
Why do people keep insisting the seats are vinyl or leatherette? Its leather people! At least the parts that touch your back, butt and thighs. The sides are probably vinyl and so are the door inserts.
Mazda would probably be sued if they were advertising that their seats were leather trimmed and were actually made of vinyl.
btw Griots leather conditioner works really well and leaves the seats matt. I use to use on my MX5 GTs leather seats. There is no sticky residue too.
Mazda would probably be sued if they were advertising that their seats were leather trimmed and were actually made of vinyl.
btw Griots leather conditioner works really well and leaves the seats matt. I use to use on my MX5 GTs leather seats. There is no sticky residue too.
#43
#47
^^anytime. Tell me what you think after you try it out. Just follow the instructions and it works great. Just apply it lightly-don't soak the seats with it- just a moist layer and let it sit and buff it out in a little while.
#48
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Meguairs Gold Class leather cleaner leaves a lot of shine. You really have to do some fierce wiping to get the shiny-ness to fade a bit. I don't like the product, but with enough elbow grease it comes off. Definitely not one of their best products.