Big Dave

For those of you who have used the Lexol conditioner:

1. Does it bring dull, stiff seats "back to life"?

2. Did it cause any problems with the seats?

3. Did it cause a film to appear on the inside of the windows?

Thanks!

Bryan

1. Not really. They look a little shinier for a while then go back to how they used to look. The Lexol Neatsfoot oil treatment does a better job. It also depends on what your seats are like. If the leather's nice, then it doesn't do much for the appearance, but it should contribute significantly to their longevity. If they're really beat, then don't expect miracles - from any product. I've always felt the Lexol treatment keeps the leather from deteriorating as opposed to restoring it or making it look nice.

2. No.

3. I dunno. I never noticed a direct connection between Lexol-ing the seats and window haze. I don't think there is one - I've seen lots of window haze on cars with no leater at all in them, and some cars with wall-to-wall Connoly hides and crystal clear windows. So I think the window haze is a more complex issue.

Bryan

MichaelR

I've used the Lexol cleaner and conditioner on my 85's seats. No great change in softness, slight, but not really noticeable. I've got the <a href="http://www.leatherique.com/" target="_blank">Leatherique</a> stuff on order. My seats are leaning a little towards the cardboard side, so I wanted to see if the Leatherique solution would bring them back.

I also second Bryan's answers. The Lexol hasn't caused any problems for me. No window haze. It just seems better suited to keeping new leather soft rather than making old leather softer.

Alan

Dave,
The film on the window is usually related to vinyl & other plastics & glue out-gassing which I think happens more with high temperatures/sun. I think its technically called sublimation (i.e. it goes from a solid straight to gasseous form and deposits itself elsewhere - you can see it most on the windows of course, but it gets everywhere.

Based on this I think the all leather car probably has an advantage - maybe depending on what glues were used...

Mine does it too.. rear quarter windows get dirtier on inside than on the outside in summer.

Check out what my favorite car experts have to say about this:

<a href="http://cartalk.cars.com/Columns/Archive/2001/May/03.html" target="_blank">Car Talk About Out-Gassing</a>

Never mind... it could be worse - your car could be new!

<a href="http://www.carcareonline.com/vinyl_care.html" target="_blank">more on vinyl care</a>

Alan

Randy V

That 'new car smell' is actually toxic chemical out-gassing!

Bill Ball

I used Lexol on some very stiff leather seats on my 66 Corvette back in the 80s and it progressively and considerably softened them after 5 or 6 liberal applications over a month or so. Slop it on and leave it for several days at least. preferably cover the seats with saran wrap and leave the car in the sun to aid penetration. I didn't do that. I just layed it on, rubbed it oin with my hads a bit then buffed them a few days later. I though the stuff worked great.