Leather Touch-Up Cleaning

3307 Views 20 Replies 12 Participants Last post by Oh_My_Baby, May 19, 2004

TomF

Discussion Starter · Feb 11, 2002

Hey folks:

I've been following this message board for several months. There is so much great information here that most of my questions are answered before I have to ask. However, I haven't seen anyone's thoughts on this question...

"What do you use to clean scuff marks, drink spills, etc. on the leather between major conditioning treatments?"

I've had my X since Oct. We've got 2 kids and one on the way, so the black interior gets a good workout. It sounds like Lexol is the way to go for cleaning & conditioning the leather, but do I use it for simple "wipe downs" too (e.g. my son climbs into his car seat and gets foot prints on the black leather)? Lexol doesn't appear to be easy to come by here, so I don't want to waste it. I'd say the interior needs a touch-up clean about once a week so I'm looking for something simple, fast and cheap.

Any ideas are appreciated.

1 - 20 of 21 Posts

roadrunner

· #2 · Feb 11, 2002

Saddle Soap??

Never tried this on the X but in the past, whenever I wanted to clean leather without drying it out I would use a good grade of saddle soap. Just a dab and a damp cloth should do the trick. Otherwise, I would ask a local leather/shoe repair shop for advice.
Google directed me to this informative article Leather and Vinyl Care - which I also like since it was written specifically about the Porsche 914 which is the second favorite vehicle I have ever owned. (If you don't know the first favorite then you are probably in the wrong forum).
Meep Meep

donsev

· #3 · Feb 12, 2002

FWIW.

Not sure if this is applicable but the "How to care for..." inserts on my Johnston and Murphy shoes always state: "Avoid using saddle soap or mink oil on these fine leathers".

I am not sure why or which leather would be more susceptible, but I have stopped using saddle soap on all the cars, shoes, and jackets.

I would just bite-the-bullet and order some Lexol Cleaner and Lexol Conditioner, keep the cloths in a zip-lock bag so they don't completely dry out, and use it whenever necessary (plus this should alleviate any concerns about "setting" the stain with other products)

ifeldman

· #4 · Feb 18, 2002

Griots Garage

There is a catalog called Griots Garage that has a good interior cleaner that I don’t think will take off the conditioner. It is a cleaner for all surfaces in the car, i.e. leather, vinyl, and plastic. There are many other great cleaners though but I think they will take off lexal or Zano Leather protector. My advice though is to not use lexal leather cleaner. It is very hard to use and will not work with the perforated leather on the center of the seats.

Here is the link. http://www.griotsgarage.com/catalog.jsp?L1=L1_1000&L2=L2_1006&SKU=11104

TheWorm

· #5 · Feb 18, 2002

Re: Griots Garage

ifeldman said:
My advice though is to not use lexal leather cleaner. It is very hard to use and will not work with the perforated leather on the center of the seats.

Why's that? It's in a spray bottle, and you can spray direct onto the leather or onto a rag. Neither the cleaner nor conditioner is too thick and doesn't clog the perfs at all.

ifeldman

· #6 · Feb 18, 2002

The Lexal cleaner works up into a foam which gets into the perfrated leather. So you are creating suds on the leather. The lexal gets a lot of water on the seats that will seep in if you dont take care of it quickly. The conditiner I have no problem with only the cleaner.

octavian

· #7 · Feb 18, 2002

Both Griot and Zaino have separate leather cleaners and leather conditioners. I have used both and they both work well and as advertised.

For example, Zaino's leather cleaner is a clear spray....great for touch ups and cleaning. The condidioner is a thicker creme.....deeper penetration and longer lasting.

Both respective product line is designed to complement each product, so you don't have to worry about incompatibilities.

Oh_My_Baby

· #8 · May 7, 2004

Need advice on what product and how to use it to remove the red stain on my X's leather seat.

Fabvsix

· #9 · May 18, 2004

303 Aerospace Protectant

I feel this is the best ! I use it on my leather seats, dash board, door panels etc....I don't bother using this to dress the tires though. 100% Prevention of UV caused Slow-Fade with regular use.
Check it out at www.303products.com Fair warning it's not cheap ! I buy the 32 fl.oz spray bottle.

Spray and wipe, SIMPLE application ! I don't have time for Lexol, spray, wipe, dry, buff, repeat hours go by.........NO THANKS !

DaleB

· #10 · May 18, 2004

Re: 303 Aerospace Protectant

Fabvsix said:
I feel this is the best ! I use it on my leather seats, dash board, door panels etc....I don't bother using this to dress the tires though. 100% Prevention of UV caused Slow-Fade with regular use.
Check it out at www.303products.com Fair warning it's not cheap ! I buy the 32 fl.oz spray bottle.

Spray and wipe, SIMPLE application ! I don't have time for Lexol, spray, wipe, dry, buff, repeat hours go by.........NO THANKS !

Repeat? I mean I only use Lexol about 2 times a year. Spray, rub it in and buff it out after 15 mintues with a slightly damp cloth. Don't know where the hours come in. Granted, anything you can do with only one application and one wipe is always welcome.

hockeyplayer

· #11 · May 18, 2004

Adhering to some advice from this forum, I purchased Zaino Leather Conditioner. I am extremely pleased with this product. I have used the Lexol(Nothing wrong with this product) and Mequires(CRAP). Zaino seems to penetrate the leather better and smells awesome. Also the smell sticks around for weeks after you apply it.

hammermdx

· #12 · May 18, 2004

Been using the Zanio leather products for years and agree with hockeyplayer about the smell.

DaleB

· #13 · May 18, 2004

As my Lexol is consumed will probably switch to Zaino leather treatment. After all the various evaluations I read on here of assorted products, the big Z always seems to hold it's own in the long run.

rmluis

· #14 · May 18, 2004

Thumbs up on the Zaino!:2:

Oh_My_Baby

· #15 · May 18, 2004

Cool, the product title is conditioner. The stain already set in. I just wonder if the Zaino can get rid of it.
Is there discount for ordering multiple Zaino products: wash, wax, leather conditioner. I need something to coat the baby and make the bug splash on bumper and body easier to wash off.

DaleB

· #16 · May 18, 2004

Oh_My_Baby said:
Cool, the product title is conditioner. The stain already set in. I just wonder if the Zaino can get rid of it.
Is there discount for ordering multiple Zaino products: wash, wax, leather conditioner. I need something to coat the baby and make the bug splash on bumper and body easier to wash off.

Good point on 'cleaning'. Lexol has a separate cleaner as well as conditioner. Although a little dab of saddle soap should work for cleaning prior to conditioning with any product. I believe the Lexol cleaner is not much more than pre-mixed saddle soap.
I don't know where you live, 'OMB', but I find it much easier to clean the bugs off a front bra than the painted plastic front. Even when the front is has multiple coats of Zaino (which certainly helps). I live in a very buggy area.

hammermdx

· #17 · May 18, 2004

Zaino has a separate cleaner too.

DaleB

· #18 · May 18, 2004

hammermdx said:
Zaino has a separate cleaner too.

Thanks! Will keep that in mind. :29:

Oh_My_Baby

· #19 · May 19, 2004

DaleB said:
Good point on 'cleaning'. Lexol has a separate cleaner as well as conditioner. Although a little dab of saddle soap should work for cleaning prior to conditioning with any product. I believe the Lexol cleaner is not much more than pre-mixed saddle soap.
I don't know where you live, 'OMB', but I find it much easier to clean the bugs off a front bra than the painted plastic front. Even when the front is has multiple coats of Zaino (which certainly helps). I live in a very buggy area.

One friend of mine's 4Runner wears front bra. One day he took it off to clean the truck. The beast looks like a woman on a full day sunbath. Whichever area is covered looks whiter (different) than the exposed area.

DaleB

· #20 · May 19, 2004

Oh_My_Baby said:
One friend of mine's 4Runner wears front bra. One day he took it off to clean the truck. The beast looks like a woman on a full day sunbath. Whichever area is covered looks whiter (different) than the exposed area.

I would expect the other areas of the vehicle to be whiter due to sun fade if the front is covered all the time. It sounds like he has a film of some sort built up on the paint under the bra probably due to moisture being trapped underneath.
Many of us use front bras on our X's (and other vehicles) with no such effects. You must remove it each time you clean the vehicle. And I would not use it year 'round. Just during bug season.
Also, never have it on in bad weather. And if the vehicle does get wet remove it as soon as possible and clean and dry the vehicle as well as the bra.

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