SMTCapeCod

O.K., I *wince* as I post this..but....

I recently caught a post on the VR4 forum that I scan regarding cleaning of interior leather. The author said that he had amazing results using Mr Clean Magic Eraser songes. There are a lot of young folk on that forum, and I am sometimes skeptical about 'the latest' idea borne of naivete rather than research..so,

I'm fine with the fact that your eyes are rolling already, really.

I usually clean & nourish my leather interior parts with Leatherique or similar top-grade and dedicated-use products. However, over the last year or so of ownership of my Mitsu, the ivory seats have grown dirtier less resilient despite routine treatments.

So, what the heck. I got the 'erasers', they work with just water. The result on the IVory Mitsu seats was pretty freakin' amazing. It removed the remaining dirt and grunge that seemed to have settled into the natural crevices in the leather, brightened the surfaces, and restored a large measure of suppleness to the leather. I was floored.

My 928 seats are brown, and just freshly refinished so I haven't ventured to try the product on them. But since it seems to be just an engineered sponge that uses water, I don't see any harm. All I can say is the results were quite impressive on my light colored leather seats. So, after reading some of the posts on the forum today about clean-ups for meets and acquisition of cars that had seens some neglect and grunge, I just thought I would post my experience, because it really was worth the trip to the hardware store- and my basement is brimming with other products already.

AO

Those erasers are pretty cool. I hadn't thought about unsing them on leather/vynil, but it's a good idea. Thanks for the tip.

SMTCapeCod

I went down and looked at the box again- it does list auto interiors as one of the intended uses. They are a bit of a nuisance as they are a little fragile and come apart as you use them, but worth it.
To Harken back a little, YMMV. (lookit that, two cites in one)

Randy V

Great tip - thanks for sharing.

I've used the Leatherique cleaner on leather before, and really didn't get a 'wow what a difference' when I was done.

SharkSkin

SMT, I for one would be worried about what chemicals might be left in the leather, and would do a leatherique treatment immediately afterward to make sure anything nasty gets removed.

Randy, The worse shape your leather is in, the more "WOW" Leatherique will give you. Turned my cardboard seats into leather. Someone with pristine leather, like Nicole for example, may not notice much of a difference, but long term I think it will preserve the leather.

SMTCapeCod

Yeah, hence my cautious tone.

However, the pads appear to be just that- they don't foam and I caught no smell or other indication of any kind of astringent or cleaning agent. Its just an engineered foam block that you moisten with water, and that produces excellent results. On Ivory Mitsubishi leather, at least.

SharkSkin

dr bob seems to be the local expert on houshold cleaners.... he might have some insight as to what's in those sponges. I've used them, and there is some powerful chemical in them that breaks certain stuff down. They work like magic on heel marks... what sort of chemical can dissolve Vibram and neoprene like there's nothing there?

Gary Knox

Well, at the risk of some readers "freaking out", I'm going to relay my experience in cleaning seats. I have traditionally used the cleaners, mild hand soap, etc. approach, but was faced with a greater challenge.
Earl Gillstrom and I bought a wrecked '88 last spring with 63K miles and parted it out. I kept the seats, which were silver grey/12 way power/heat. The car had one window slightly opened for about 9 months after the wreck, and they were covered in mildew. Looked pretty good, except for driver's side bolster which was worn through at area where belt loops rub.
After reading a lot of stuff on the intenet, I attacked the seats this summer. Following an approach I found on a Ferrari site, I used LACQUER THINNER to rub the leather/clean the seats. Did it in the shade, on a fairly humid day, so the thinner evaporated quickly, but not instantly. I soaked a rag, and rubbed on the seat area until NO MORE dirt/grey paint came off. Did this over all surfaces of the seat. After I'd done every area once, I went back and did it a second time. There was essentialy nothing removed on the rag the second time.
When I was done, the leather looked SPECTACULAR - JUST LIKE NEW. And, it was the softest leather I've ever had on the 6 sets of S4 seats I've owned. It is not "supple" leather, but is as soft as most supple leather I've seen.
After the seats had been set aside for about a month, I started using conditioner (from Leatherique, or Soffener from Color Plus) on the seats, with a treatment every 2-3 days (seats in basement working area). After about 10 treatments, I cleaned them with Leatherique cleaner. They are now super soft, and well conditioned for the next 17 years!! Now - as soon as I get the driver's bolster replaced and the piping changed from silver to black, they'll go in the black '88 automatic I bought and drove home from Portland OR a few weeks ago.
Gary Knox
West Chester, PA

michaelathome

I am currently working on this with my '89.

It's going well but it's time consuming. This is the lightest color that I have had so far. Previous weather and conditions have really messed up the leather. I think that the results have been good so far. I am afraid of using thinner as mentioned above.

Saddle soap did not work. Luxol cleaner did not do anything but create a dryer feeling seat.

I am currently conditioning the seats with Meguiars Gold Cleaner - Conditioner and a brush. I kinda like the light coconut scent.

Put the conditioner on spread it out and let it sit 10-15min.
Put more conditioner on and scrub with a 2 x 2in nylon brush.
Lift any standing conditioner with dry paper towels.

Rinse and repeat as needed.

So far I am 6 or more hours in for just 1 seat and the cost has been minimal at $30.

The above said I COULD NOT imagine completing an entire leather interior like this however I am guessing that most are/were not this bad.

Pic's to follow.

Michael

Marine Blue

I wouldn't use magic erasers on any parts of the car. They have an abrasive quality to them and will remove some of the coating. They can also change the appearance of the finish.

The best results I've had on the older Porsche leather is Leather Masters Strong Cleaner, a foam sponge and a horse hair brush. The brush will get into the cracks/crevices of the leather and will help break loose the dirt, oils and grime that builds up on leather. This gave me better results than Leatherique.

wallyworld925

I had grease and ink stains on the leather in my wife's car. A buddy of mine who has been in the boat and car upholstery business for 20+ years gave me some Malco leather and vinyl cleaner. It's the best leather cleaner I've ever used and I have some in the garage at all times.

NickT

The rear seats in mine are really bad and have some significant stains. These were there when i bought the car.
The way I look at it at the moment is that I will try the Magic Eraser as I can't make them any worse.
Think I have a couple under the sink.. If I do I will take before and after pictures...

Thanks for the idea!

MainePorsche

My seats are Silk Gray, that is they are a very light gray.
They are in very good shape, but do have some creases.
I used the erasers and they did a very nice job in cleaning the creases, and really the seats overall.
I used them gingerly for they are abrasive, and really one needs to take care.
After the cleaning I used a leather cream with lanolin copiously, and saran wrapped the seats for two days.
Very pleased with the results.

JHowell37

Griot's interior cleaner.

http://www.griotsgarage.com/product/...C+35+ounces.do

You might have to scrub a little with an applicator pad, but it works quite well on funky leather.

FBIII

I had a pair of absolutely grungy light grey Mercedes seats that needed cleaning. They are the perforated leather with mild age cracking. I took the seats out of the car and scrubbed them with a soft brush using Lexol leather cleaner and then hit them lightly with a hose to wash out all the grunge. I was amazed at the results. I immediately followed the cleaning with a Lexol treatment.