simsgw

As I've mentioned, I ordered this next Porsche with special seats to protect my back, and with the 'natural' leather option. (Purely for medical reasons. Probably a tax deduction there. Not at all because it arouses the soul merely to touch the leather, and to sit on it risks an embarrassment usually reserved for pubescent boys in high school.)

The problem is car makers have been pushing leather tanning into levels of durability beyond belief. You can throw some leathers into the washer for God's sake. I have to assume the usual leather care products have followed that trend. Using "mink oil" or Lexol on modern leather would be useless I suppose, but the products designed for those rather stern leather products probably would melt the surface of a soft-tanned leather.

On the other hand, just because they call it 'natural' doesn't mean it will respond to the way we clean bridles and saddles.

How do we maintain natural leather properly?

Gary

ADias

Avoid spills, as it is aniline-dyed.
If soiled, clean with Porsche Leather Cleaner (from your Porsche dealer).
A periodically applied lightly damp cloth keeps the interior clean and hydrated.

Conditioning? As little as possible.
Once or twice a year, pass a lightly damp cloth over all leather surfaces to hydrate them.
Follow with a light coat of Sonus Leather Conditioner applied with the same damp cloth or the soft black side of the Sonus applicator.

This is what I do, and my natural leather interior looks like new after 3 years.

Note: Sonus Leather Conditioner is safe for natural leather and can also be used on coated leather. Sonus is the only conditioner I know (and I've tried a lot) who keeps the natural look of the leather surface without adding shine. Those who like shiny leather (not the brand new look) should use other products.

kkswow12

i use good ol' saddle soap, mainly cause thats what we had when i was a kid and its still around after such a long time...but then so is pepsi and i can't speak for what quality comes out of that s~~~, anyway, it seems to soften the leather a bit and just yesterday the wife is in the car and says...whats that smell?...i start to freak but she says oh, the leather...still smells like leather in here... ahh, goood...kiss, you know, keep it simple s~~~~~

s329

+1 for sonus on for my natural carrera red leather. The matte finish and scentless product is the only thing that goes on my seats.

Mumbles

http://www.google.ca/aclk?sa=l&ai=Co...php%3Fcat%3D85

09 with vented seats, using for the last 12 months, I will re-purchase, smells great too.

Zeus993

Hey Gary - Leatherique a product highly recommened by a Rennlister who's done a lot of detailing. A bunch of us just ordered it in but I've yet to use it. I'll let you know in a couple of weeks but in the meantime check it out.

Home
http://www.leatherique.com

Review
http://www.detailedimage.com/Ask-a-P...product-review

Tutorial
http://www.detailedimage.com/Ask-a-P...er-care-how-to


Joel

simsgw

I've heard of Leatherique, but I associate it with restoration projects. You know, recovery of old cracked seats in Jaguars, dye replacement, that sort of thing. I gather they make a line that is less aggressive for keeping leather from getting that way?

Gary

CORSASCHNELL

+1 on conditioning as little as possible. A little but frequent cleaning and conditioning is the way to go.

Iceter

Leatherique has a rejuvinator and a conditioner/cleaner product. I recently used both with great results on some Lexus seats. I have not used the cleaner on my '09 full leather interior but am about to if the weather is warm this weekend.

They also make dyes and other products for leather that most people would consider too far gone to mess with.