From what I've read, modern car leather is already sealed from the factory so applying any sort of conditioner on a newer car is useless. It will never get past the sort of clear coat on the leather. It seems like all you can do is really just make sure to keep it clean by wiping down with a damp cloth.

Is that pretty much it? No point in using much else? The vehicle is a 2020 Cayenne with heated and ventilated leather seats.

I'm trying to avoid the wrinkled leather seats on the bolsters and such that look unsightly and cracked leather look. I try to be careful on exiting the vehicle but I'm not 100% on it.

 

It's a great question and I don't think there's a consensus.

You can go with a leather "ceramic" coating. I've tried them and don't love it. I worry about the coating sealing the surface and not allowing the leather to breathe. I'd be concerned the leather may dry out even quicker with this method.

Personally, I do a light wipe down and then a very light coating of leather conditioner. I always buff off the excess.

 

I've cleaned and treated my leather steering wheel but after 9 years it shines and is slippery. An online suggestion was to use a Mr Clean eraser sponge to gently rub the leather to remove the oils that have impregnated the leather over the years. The demo showed the shine was removed. I may give that a try. I didn't realize the condition of the leather until I started driving a new Cayenne.

 

The eraser sponges are abrasive - that's how they work. I'd try a really "strong" leather cleaner first. I had the same issue with my '05 Boxster and I used GYEON STRONG leather cleaner (there is also a MILD which didn't work for me) and it took care of it quickly. I then protected it with Leather Coat.

 

^^^ Agreed. Please don’t use Magic Erasers on cars.

 

There is one exception to this. I discovered that a Magic Eraser can make scuffs on the threshold plastic on 997/987 disappear. It works remarkably well surprisingly

 

True. Think of the magic eraser as very fine sandpaper and use accordingly.

 

"Leatherique" was recommended to me and I have been absolutely impressed by it. Restored my 996tt sport seats to a brand-new condition (no more shine and removed all creases)

I also used it on my Mercedes (with "sealed" full leather) and it made a very nice improvement in the suppleness of the leather + removed all the shine. The results on the steering wheel were excellent.

Just did a 2nd cleaning yesterday, very happy.

 

I used to use Leatherique as well but switched to Colour Lock last year. https://www.colourlock.com/
(No affiliations)

 

My go to is SONAX leather aerosol.

 

Could not agree more.

I have switched to Colourlock as well, even their leather repair kits are amazing. They make a cleaner for newer leather that still has the factory coating, and older leather ~3+ years old that has has the coating worn off.

I just bought a 29k mile 2017 C2S with Luxor beige interior, that was 75% out of 100%. Noting really worn, just whomever owned it was not a detail freak like me, there was a bit of dye transfer, and the leather was shiny. I used this to get a better deal knowing it’s easy to clean.

I went over the entire interior with Colourlock strong cleaner and then sealed it with CarPro Leather 2.0. Looks and feels new, even the dealership was shocked when I brought it in for service.

 

Without doubt, the most important thing is to keep the leather conditioned. I've got a car that was made 12+ years ago so I try hard to make sure 3-4 times a year I go through the front and rear seats, and thoroughly work a conditioner into the car. I drive too much (10,000 miles a year) to worry that my leather is like new. My goal is to keep it soft, supple and clean. So far, so good.

 

I'm now trying Collinite 855 Leather and Vinyl Wax, and it's great.

 

@SilverSteel @drcollie Thoughts on using Carpro Leather 2.0, Colourlock Leather Shield, or Gyeon Q2 Leather Shield on a new Porsche?

 

My GT3 sees Gyeon Leather Cleaner and Swissvax Leather Conditioner.

My daily driver sees CarPro Leather. Works amazing. No complaints.