How Do You Keep Leather Looking Like New?
 

Since many people will be getting leather in their RX8, I thought it might be a good idea for those with experence in caring for leather to tell us what you use.

I don't have much experience in looking after leather but I always moisturise it every so often with something like Auto Glym leather cream to stop it cracking.

Zaino LEATHER IN A BOTTLE.

All Zaino products I've used are excellent!

Meguiar's products also produce excellent results. Cheaper and more readily available than the Zaino products.

Just never use regular Armor-All on your leather interior. It's ok short term for vinyl and plastic though.

that leather in a bottle stuff sounds like itll do just the trick.
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This may sounds stupid- but how about regular old saddle soap and saddle oil? I mean, I used them for years on my tack, and it's all still in great condition. I'd assume the leather they use in car upholstry may not be quite as durable, but I'd think the stuff would still do the trick, wouldn't it?

It would probably work, but how many people have saddle soap and oil?:)

well, me, obviously ;)

I don't actually have any at the moment, but it's easy to find on the web. It's a heck of a lot cheaper than specialty leather cleaner- a bar of saddle soap runs between $.50-$1, and a half gallon of oil is probably around $6. I was thinking about this more the other day, because I use it on my purse- pretty much waterproofs the leather, while cleaning and conditioning it. I really think that it might be the way to go. In any case, I'm going to try, and I'll post my results on here. Though I imagine that'll be a ways in the future.

Elara,

This is from a long time ago but I was looking for info how the saddle soap does on leather. You may have posted your results but I never could find them.

Thanks for any help.

Use Griot's Garage's leather care treatment. Combination cleaner/conditioner in one. Works great.

If you want a two-step approach; get Lexol cleaner and conditioner separately. Either will work great for you. Keeping the car out of direct sunlight will also go a long way toward keeping the interior nice.

Buy mink oil from Wilsons Leather or any leather shop. Apply it with your hands. Let your car sit in the sun (make sure its a hot day) for a few hours. Only do this on hot days. Mink oil is far superior to anything out there

The best stuff i have used is the Meguires medallion series leather cleaner/conditioner. Had only a couple creases in the leather of my PT Cruiser after 3.5 years. You have to order it from the catalog or the website. BTW ive bought zaino products before and have not been impressed. Im not going to twiddle my thumbs for 2-3 hours waiting for the stuff to dry, and if its still wet it just makes a mess.

I didn't post my results, but it works very well. I went to the local Southern States and bought the liquid spray-on saddle soap, and it cleaned it up nicely. It does smell a little odd, but the Zaino Leather in a bottle takes care of that.

Zaino now has a product called ZFX that allows it to 'dry' faster, in about 20 mins. or so. If the car is prepped properly and Zainoed correctly, you will be impressed.

For leather you can use Zaino, or Lexol, both quality products. I would avoid all-in-one products because you need to use the cleaner to REMOVE the dirt, and then the conditioner to condition the leather. Without the two steps, you're just conditioning the dirt into the leather.

I've always used Neatsfoot oil on my Rx-7 leather...those 15 year old seats look good as new....do a google search on neatsfoot oil and you can read all about it....it keeps the leather very supple but i'm going to try the leather in a bottle stuff i think because i've heard it really keeps the car smelling like new...neatsfoot oil has a nice odor but its not the new car leather smell

Yep, Zaino is high quality stuff. Best wax to use on your cars also. Actually its a polish that protects like a wax, but its non-abrasive, so you can apply every day if your bored...
Another good leather product is the Meguire's leather cleaner, for those who want to take care of the leather but not make it shiny like armor all.

edit: I have found out through experience that when looking for a nice gloss, Pledge wipes (yes the furniture stuff) work well, just have a paper towell to wipe off the excess. If you are planning on adding any stick-on dash kits(CF, aluminum, etc) Pledge is a better option, as some conditioners work like an armor all and leave a residue that only comes out with alcohol (which doesnt go well with leather or vynil).

Some people have problems applying Zaino polishes. It takes a very small amount of the polish to wax the car, and often a small amount for a person used to a regular wax proves to be excessive for Zaino.

I'm in college and on the weekends I work at a detail shop, and out of all the waxes we used Zaino had the best polish. Specially for the customers w/ darker paint. Have been using it on my black car ever since...But its a matter of taste.

If you are having problems with Zaino, you are not using it right.
I've run detail shops, and now my own detail business and let me say Zaino is one of the best products.

As far as leather, Zaino is the best, but Lexol is great too. THe conditioner stains so you have to do it in a pattern.

If anyone has any detailing Qs feel free to PM me.

Neatsfoot oil is what I always used on my saddles and tack after the saddlesoap. I haven't tried it on the 8, yet, because while I like the smell on a saddle, I don't know what it'll be like on the 8's seats :)

I have been using Zaino leather cleaner and leather in a bottle on my Miata's leather seats for 4 years now. I will continue to use this great stuff on my black/red leather in my 8 . A little pricey, but works great and is easy to apply and use.

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The only problem with saddle soaps, mink oils and other traditional leather cleaning products is that they may (and probably will) darken the leather. For black leather it won't make a difference but the tan leather and especially the red leather I wouldn't use it.

I personally use Lexol two step leather cleaner and conditioner because it won't darken leather

Having black leather seats in my RX-8 I am not concerned one bit, but after owning a used Lexus with a light tan interior for a couple years, I have learned to be very careful.

-Mr. Wigggles

303 Aerospace Protectant...works like a charm...it's like sunscreen for your leather as well as all the Black trim on the car...can't beat it...IMO

303 Aerospace Protectant...works like a charm...it's like sunscreen for your leather as well as all the Black trim on the car...can't beat it...IMO

Haven't tried this stuff yet (don't have leather on current vehicles), but think I will try it when I get the 8.

http://www.zymol.com/treat2.htm