Jim90S4SFCA

Hello 928'ers,

I would like to treat the leather surfaces in my 928 to keep them from cracking and to preserve their great look and feel. This is the first real high line car I have owned. On my previous cars like Audi's and Volvos I assumed that only the seating surfaces were leather and that the rest of the interior was man made. I'm not sure if this is the case on this car. Does anyone know what surfaces need be to treated with leather conditioner and what surfaces are some sort of vinyl.

I have a 1990 S4. After looking at the option codes I don't see any special interior appointments such as a full leather interior.

Thanks

Jim

P.S. What's up the smell of the 928 leather? It really sticks to you after you've driven for a bit. Eveyone knows what car I've been driving just by my smell

Chris

It seems that they all vared even in the same MY, its almost as though they just used whatever they had available. Earlier cars in general have more leather.

My 91S4 is mainly vinyl except door panel inserts and seats.

If you have the supple leather option you also get more interior leather parts, like door panels and arm pulls ... bizarre.

Chris

Ed Ruiz

There were at least two options offered with leather. One (at no extra cost) was the leather seats (only the areas that came in contact with the body) and included the small area next to the door handle. The other was full leather everything, and could include the dash and headliner is some cases.

An easy way to figure out what you have is place a drop of water on the surface. If it gets absorbed - it's leather. If it just sits there or runs off without absorption - it's vinyl. YMMV.

Randy V

I've been wondering about some way to test for leather versus vinyl on my car prior to cleaning and conditioning. Does that water drop test work regardless of previous leather preservative treatments Ed? How do you use that method to test on unlevel surfaces like the door panels and dashboard?

Anybody have other simple ways to distinguish between leather and vinyl?

Ed Ruiz

Even if the leather is treated, it still has pores that will absorb some water. Vinyl in not at all porous.

For surfaces that are not level, dab some water on your finger and hold that wet finger to the surface. If it leaves a mark that does not immediately wipe away - it's leather. YMMV.

Jim90S4SFCA

Thank you all for the help and expert advise
<img src="graemlins/wave.gif" border="0" alt="[byebye]" />

Randy V

Thanks Ed, but now you've got me confused.

First you say that all leather behaves the same way to the water drop test, then end with the caveat Your Mileage May Vary (YMMV).

So, can you tell me if the test is consistent for all leather or does it 'vary'?

Ed Ruiz

It may vary as a result of the extent of treatment, which also may vary. However, YMMV.

Randy V

Ah, I see. So conditioned leather may behave like vinyl, rendering the water drop test inconclusive. Looks like I'm back to square 1.

Anybody have a handheld leather detector?

Chris

Hehe Randy, lifes a bi*** !!!

As far as the panels are concerned on later cars the vinyl is textured wheras the leather tends to be smoooooth (well if its not all cracked and warped anyway).

Chris

tdelarm

How about the scratch and sniff test. If it smells leather than it is? <img src="graemlins/c.gif" border="0" alt="[ouch]" />