Notices
993 Forum 1995-1998
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

Care of "Special Grained Leather" for C2S

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 02-13-2008, 04:59 PM
  #1  
rome
Rennlist Member
Thread Starter
 
rome's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: North Shore
Posts: 3,984
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default Care of "Special Grained Leather" for C2S

The 1997 and 1998 C2S came standard with "Special Grained Leather" on parts of the dash and door panels. It has sort of a "snake skin" type look and is really nice.

However, I've noticed that the leather-- which after all is now 10 years old-- seems to be "drying out" somewhat, and losing it's original look, color and richness.

I'm wondering if anyone (perhaps one of our detailer types) has been able to restore these leather bits to their original richness.

I use the Lexol leather care product on my seats and it keeps them feeling mosit and supple, but I'm hesitant to apply it to the "special grained leather" without knowing the effect.

Have any of you C2S owners had success in maintaining or restoring these leather parts, and if so, what products are you using?

Thanks.

Last edited by rome; 02-13-2008 at 05:17 PM.
Old 02-13-2008, 05:03 PM
  #2  
dcdude
Drifting
 
dcdude's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: South Bay, Los Angeles
Posts: 2,733
Likes: 0
Received 3 Likes on 3 Posts
Default

I don't know why this type of leatehr merits any special treatment. I'm a Leatherique man, myself. Love it. Besides the 993. Ive used it on my BMW and two different Mercedeses.
Old 02-13-2008, 06:41 PM
  #3  
Bull
Addict
Lifetime Rennlist
Member
 
Bull's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: New Jersey
Posts: 12,346
Likes: 0
Received 4 Likes on 4 Posts
Default

I used the Lexol products regularly on my C2S, including the Pig Skin trim on the doors and dash. It worked very well.
Old 02-13-2008, 06:45 PM
  #4  
Stealth 993
Nordschleife Master
 
Stealth 993's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Tacoma, WA
Posts: 5,477
Received 208 Likes on 126 Posts
Default

IMHO, stay away from Lexol, it's not neutral PH & can rot the stitching.

I really like Leathereque, & Leather Masters. Both take some time & are a process, but really, you got to do it 2x a year. Leather Masters is a little easer, but is a 3 step.

Here is my 75kmi, extended leather 993 interior.

Old 02-13-2008, 10:58 PM
  #5  
Ed Burdell
Rennlist Member
 
Ed Burdell's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Marietta, Ga
Posts: 4,920
Likes: 0
Received 6 Likes on 4 Posts
Default

Oh, that stuff's leather? I didn't know what it was - the texture on mine is so weird...you're talking about that swath from the headlight switch down past the radio, and across the doors where the window switches are?
Old 02-13-2008, 11:30 PM
  #6  
Terry Adams
Rennlist Member
Veteran: Army
 
Terry Adams's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2001
Location: Eagle ID
Posts: 15,650
Received 942 Likes on 570 Posts
Default

Leatherique. I quit using Lexol when I bought my 993.
Old 02-13-2008, 11:50 PM
  #7  
trickydisco
Burning Brakes
 
trickydisco's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: downtown toronto
Posts: 978
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Default

Originally Posted by Ed Burdell
Oh, that stuff's leather? I didn't know what it was - the texture on mine is so weird...you're talking about that swath from the headlight switch down past the radio, and across the doors where the window switches are?
Yah, can we get confirmation on this? This is the strip of maybe-leather
that looks like basketball textured.
I use and am very happy with Leatherique, BUT havent put a thing on
this basketball strip because it's finish is matte and am unsure how to
clean/protect it.
Old 02-13-2008, 11:54 PM
  #8  
rome
Rennlist Member
Thread Starter
 
rome's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: North Shore
Posts: 3,984
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by trickydisco
Yah, can we get confirmation on this? This is the strip of maybe-leather
that looks like basketball textured.
I use and am very happy with Leatherique, BUT havent put a thing on
this basketball strip because it's finish is matte and am unsure how to
clean/protect it.
Yeah. That's what I'm talking about. I recall seeing it when it was new and it looked really nice. Over time it has dried. The finish wasn't always matte. When it was new it looked-- I guess you could say-- "moist", like the leather on the seats. I'd really love to bring it back to life.
Old 02-14-2008, 12:04 AM
  #9  
trickydisco
Burning Brakes
 
trickydisco's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: downtown toronto
Posts: 978
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Default

Originally Posted by rome
Yeah. That's what I'm talking about. I recall seeing it when it was new and it looked really nice. Over time it has dried. The finish wasn't always matte. When it was new it looked-- I guess you could say-- "moist", like the leather on the seats. I'd really love to bring it back to life.
Calling all Leatherique guys... do you apply it to the basketball strip??
Old 02-14-2008, 11:17 AM
  #10  
ientre9y11
Addict
Rennlist Member

 
ientre9y11's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Vancouver, B.C., Canada
Posts: 359
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

I think it is a textured vinyl. I recall reading that somewhere. Has anyone looked in Adrian Streather's book? That probably has the answer.
Old 02-14-2008, 11:29 AM
  #11  
V
Rennlist Member
 
V's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2006
Posts: 2,748
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

What about the Griots products, like Griots leather treatment and Griots leather rejuvenator?
Old 02-14-2008, 12:37 PM
  #12  
titleist1
Racer
 
titleist1's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: North Carolina
Posts: 465
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

My bet is that piece is not leather unless car has full leather interior, can tell if upper dash cover has stiching.
Attached Images  
Old 02-14-2008, 12:42 PM
  #13  
Terry Adams
Rennlist Member
Veteran: Army
 
Terry Adams's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2001
Location: Eagle ID
Posts: 15,650
Received 942 Likes on 570 Posts
Default

My rating:
Leatherique 10
Griot's 8
Lexol 4
I have found Leatherique will not hurt any non-leather such as the pigskin basketball stuff.
Old 02-14-2008, 01:07 PM
  #14  
Stealth 993
Nordschleife Master
 
Stealth 993's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Tacoma, WA
Posts: 5,477
Received 208 Likes on 126 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by Ed Burdell
Oh, that stuff's leather? I didn't know what it was - the texture on mine is so weird...you're talking about that swath from the headlight switch down past the radio, and across the doors where the window switches are?
If you don't have extended leather, everything is vinyl. You can use leather stuff on vinyl, but it can leave it greasy. I really like 1Z products, they don't leave a high shine, & make it look all clean.

You will know if you have extended leather, the door pulls will have stitching, the center console will have stitching, the lower dash will all have stitching. Of course so will the top of the dash.
Old 02-14-2008, 01:08 PM
  #15  
Bull
Addict
Lifetime Rennlist
Member
 
Bull's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: New Jersey
Posts: 12,346
Likes: 0
Received 4 Likes on 4 Posts
Default

That is why I call it pig skin, and it was leather in my car.


Quick Reply: Care of "Special Grained Leather" for C2S



All times are GMT -3. The time now is 02:57 PM.