Not sure if I need Leatherique

[Aiken Drum]

The used NSX I bought over the holidays is internally in pretty good condition, except for the leather portions of the seats, and mostly just on the passenger side.

I picked up some Lexol cleaner and conditioner, but then came back here to double-check the recommendations and noticed some remarks about Leatherique for really far-gone leather.

The leather in question is still fairly pliable, but not supple, and looks sort of dried out, more so on the passenger side.

I don't know anything about using Leatherique, and would appreciate some advice, especially with regards to whether I should only use the Leatherique, or if I use it to restore the quality and then move back to a regular cleaner/conditioner like Lexol/Zaino/Zymol, and how long I wait before I do that, etc.

Quick advice would be very handy, as I still have time to go grab some and do it today. Otherwise it'll have to wait 'til next weekend, and I'm just itching to fix this problem.

Thanks...

 

[Aiken Drum]

Heh, well, quickness of response doesn't matter after all. I just checked and the only place around here that carries Leatherique isn't open on Sunday.

(For that matter, practically no car care place is open on Sunday, to my surprise. The chain stores I checked don't carry it.)

Poo.

 

[hyuan]

I've tried leatherique but had mixed results; in part because I had unreasonable expectations. It did soften my leather, but not to the degree I had expected.

The procedure is:

1) Use Pristine Clean to clean the leather.
2) Apply Rejuvenator Oil liberally
3) Cover seats in a garbage bag, and allow the car to bake in hot weather with the windows up in the sun.

I did step three for only one day. Perhaps more days would help? The Rejuvenator Oil was very successful in floating up additional contaminants that had steeped into the leather over the years. The result was that leather was in even better condition than when I bought the car. It was more supple, and some of the wrinkles on the leather were no longer as obvious.

 

[D'Ecosse]

Originally posted by hyuan:
The procedure is:

1) Use Pristine Clean to clean the leather.
2) Apply Rejuvenator Oil liberally
3) Cover seats in a garbage bag, and allow the car to bake in hot weather with the windows up in the sun.

I have never used the product but was curious about it when I saw the original post & researched it on their web-site: their recommended process has your step 1) as the last step after the rejuvenation oil process. Sequence should be 2),3, then 1) as defined above.

I think I'll try some.
http://www.leatherique.com

 

[JaguarXJ6]

Leatherique is wonderful stuff. Keep in mind that what makes Leatherique stand out from its peers is its less of a sealant then any other like product on the market. Its two biggest competitors are Lexol and AutoGlym, which by chemical composition, doesn't have as much penetrating or restorative ingredients. I've read around a hundred reviews in the last few years (most Connolly leathers, many with pictures of before/after) and Leatherique it really is some of the best stuff out there.

I've used it with great success, personally. On my '97 Jag, my '76 Jag (original leather, was cardboard stiff now supple/plush again), my '74 Jag (also original interior), my Uncle's '56 Silver Cloud (original interior), on my Mom's '00/01 Honda SUV (was already drying out and developed 2 tiny cracks; as a side note, damn this leather is thin!).

One of the best things about Leatherique is they will color match a dye if you send them a sample spot of leather (taken from an inconspicuous patch under the seat, etc). Now that's service to boot.

Sunny

[This message has been edited by JaguarXJ6 (edited 13 January 2003).]

 

[Lud]

The problem with the NSX and many other modern cars (esp. Japanese cars) is that the leather is treated with something to help it wear better and repel water and stains. However that same coating prevents products like Leatherique from working as well as they do on straight leather.

 

[hyuan]

Originally posted by D'Ecosse:
I have never used the product but was curious about it when I saw the original post & researched it on their web-site: their recommended process has your step 1) as the last step after the rejuvenation oil process. Sequence should be 2),3, then 1) as defined above.

I think I'll try some.
http://www.leatherique.com

Ah. You're absolutely right!!

My memory fails me. At the time, I did do the right thing!

What happens after you apply the Rejuvenator Oil is, all of this stuff gets floated to the surface. In my case, it at times a white-looking film in some areas (like near the bolster), and in other areas like the seat, it was dirt and grime.

To get rid of this stuff, you use Pristine Clean.

 

[Aiken Drum]

Bought some today, will probably post the results this weekend.

 

[Soichiro]

Lud raises a good point about Japanese leather. Here's a possible solution from Leatherique's website:

"The biggest obstacle to good absorption is a silicone sealer on the leather, or a heavy wax or petroleum distillate build up cased by previously used products. If your leather is not absorbing the Rejuvenator Oil it is because the pores of the leather are blocked. We suggest a thorough cleaning of the surface with prepping agent, or very light “buffing” of the surface with 400 grit wet or dry sand paper, used wet with prepping agent. This will break down the surface glaze and allow the Rejuvenator to penetrate fully."