BamaPCar

Hey guys - I have full leather in my ''06 C2S and the dash and door panels are starting to feel just a tad dry. Want to make sure they are well moisturized before shrinkage occurs.

People here seem to rave about Leatherique, but also say it can degrade the glue on the dash. Will all brands of leather rejuvenator oils do this? Or just Leatherique? Or should I go with more of a standard conditioner first?

Car has 76k miles and 4 prior owners, so I'm not sure if the leather was well cared for. It does remain outside at work some days, but I've started to use a sunshade to keep UV rays out.

Bruce In Philly

2009 C2S 147K

I am a bit of a contrarian around here. I feel any of the major brands like Mothers or Maguires are really good. I have both Mother's and Zaino on my shelf... I like Zaino because it smells like leather. Do not get one with a cleaner, just the conditioner. Wash with a mild soap and water first (any soap.. even hand soap)... go ahead and rub to get clean.

I do not like the specialist products like Lexol... it made the leather on the seats of my Boxster relax so much, it left large wrinkles.... and it smells. No need to get fancy in my book. You get special stuff when you have issues like trying to restore really old or damaged leather... otherwise, keep it simple.

Peace
Bruce in Philly (now Atlanta)

snethss

the leather has a plastic coating, so don't waste your money on "leather" products

Carreralicious

So it’s better to use a plastic/vinyl product?

Ironman88

The leather has no plastic coating on it.

lexhair

Carreralicious

There is actually an acrylic resolene sealant applied on the leather to make the dyed color stay. I’ve actually bought some to reseal some leather on my old shift boot, but I think the leather products still will work.

ADias

ColourLock system - Mild Cleaner, Leather Protector, Leather Shield.

Learn about it here:

ADias

Lexol does that. ColourLock, Leather Master or Leatherique do not. ColourLock is the most effective and easiest to use.

JRBucks

I was told by a pro detailer who does a lot of exotics and is a huge Porsche fan to use McKee's. It's works great for me.
https://mckees37.com/products/leather-conditioner

texass4

I kind of agree with Bruce. Any of the prevailing products are fine. I mean, what is leather conditioner anyway when you think about it? Hydration for the most part? Just think of it as lotion for a different type of skin.

many people are brand loyal (myself included for some car products) but it’s really easy to overthink this.

Hootsama

I rotate randomly between Lexol and Zaino and find they both work great. But when the Lexol runs out, I probably won't buy more because I like the Zaino stuff a lot.

Skwerl

I know you're getting razzed for this but I always read from leather experts that most car leathers (including in Porsches) are indeed coated and thus all the fancy "hydration" and "nourishment" type products really don't do anything as they're not touching the actual cowskin anyway. They always say a wipe down with soapy water is the best you can do. (I believe this doesn't apply to 911s with the Natural Leather option, however.)

etom

Now, why shouldn't we use a regular leather condition made for leather other than car seats, like, for example, Trinnova or Chamberlain's Leather Milk?
Shouldn't we be looking in the furniture section rather that the automotive section?

Bruce In Philly

I used to use a boot conditioner... it was white and liquidy... hmmm.... same stuff I assume. Leather is leather is leather.

I know automotive seat leather is treated from the factory, but it still appears to soak in a conditioner... else my Boxster seats would not have relaxed and developed those large wrinkles from using Lexol.

Anywho, keep in mind you are not "restoring", you are just trying to keep the leather soft and not crack from drying out. I use a leather conditioner once a year. That is it. Snake oil? Factory coating blocks conditioner? Eh... I dunno and don't care... once a year is what I do.

Peace
Bruce in Philly