All about Lexus leather
#331
#332
Lexus Champion
#333
Driver School Candidate
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: Texas
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Old School Saddle Soap for me
For cleaning and a very nice non gloss look and feel I use good old fashioned Saddle Soap. You can only find in the grocery store or Ace HW in the shoe polish section. I've got a shelf full of many different leather this and conditioner that. All have varying degrees attributes. But I always go back to the saddle soap which does the best job of cleaning back to original look and feel.
I have a Tahoe with bone colored leather and the only thing I've found that got it back to brite and supple was the saddle soap. It's old school but it works. It's a matter of how you use it to get the best results. I take the rough side of a micro fiber towel, dab it in a bowl of water, rub it in the saddle soap and begin cleaning. Don't be afraid to get the seat somewhat wet and sudsy. (Of course small sections at a time) Wipe/ scrub until you see that it's cleaning. Then take a dry towel and buff dry, this is where you get the desired results. After a while I just use the bowl of the soapy water to rinse the cleaning cloth as I go. You can use a soft brush to help penetrate the age glaze or embedded dirt. But the MF towel seems to really work we'll.
Once cleaned,and if you desire, you can use some of that high end conditioner that you have on hand. But I've found that I like it just the way it is. I personally do not like the shine look.
And it smells good to boot!
I have a Tahoe with bone colored leather and the only thing I've found that got it back to brite and supple was the saddle soap. It's old school but it works. It's a matter of how you use it to get the best results. I take the rough side of a micro fiber towel, dab it in a bowl of water, rub it in the saddle soap and begin cleaning. Don't be afraid to get the seat somewhat wet and sudsy. (Of course small sections at a time) Wipe/ scrub until you see that it's cleaning. Then take a dry towel and buff dry, this is where you get the desired results. After a while I just use the bowl of the soapy water to rinse the cleaning cloth as I go. You can use a soft brush to help penetrate the age glaze or embedded dirt. But the MF towel seems to really work we'll.
Once cleaned,and if you desire, you can use some of that high end conditioner that you have on hand. But I've found that I like it just the way it is. I personally do not like the shine look.
And it smells good to boot!
#335
I dilute LM Strong Leather cleaner 50/50 with tepid water for all but really neglected leather. After cleaning I wipe down the leather with a wrung out cotton towel to remove all traces of the cleaner and let it dry before applying the Protection Cream polymer. For weekly maintenance, I wipe down the leather with a cotton towel sprayed with Meguiar's Quik Interior Detailer. These products leave no additional gloss or slippery feel and the QID does impart added UV protection. The QID can be used on both leather and vinyl as well as on the NAV display.
These products are easy to use and the process is pretty quick.
#336
Lexus Champion
#338
Deep cleaning every 3 months. Maintenance cleaning, every week or two.
Deep cleaning = LeatherMasters Strong Leather Cleaner followed by Leather Masters Protection Cream.
Maintenance = vacuum and wipe down with a MF dampened with with Meguiar's Quik Interior Detailer.
Deep cleaning = LeatherMasters Strong Leather Cleaner followed by Leather Masters Protection Cream.
Maintenance = vacuum and wipe down with a MF dampened with with Meguiar's Quik Interior Detailer.
#339
Driver
glad i ran into this page because i want to detail my interior in my 06 gs 430 i got last week. its has beige color interior and the previous owner maintain the interior. im thinking about steam cleaning the floor mats for starters until i figure out what is right for my leather. the car right now is parked outside my garage until i can get my turbo integra up and running. i want to ensure i have protection from the uv rays on the paint and the interior.
#341
Racer
iTrader: (14)
I have a 98 GS400 thats been garaged or parked in the shade most of its life. The leather has lasted up until now, but it is starting to get those cracks and is also fading/getting wornd in the middle of the seat. What steps should I take to get it close to being new again? Any products that are recommended besides Lexol? I regret not taking better care of the leather
Last edited by LexusK; 06-13-14 at 12:14 AM.
#342
I'd like to see some photos of the cracks and wear areas. Some times people confuse creases and actual cracks. If there is any question, use a loupe to inspect them to be sure that they are cracks. How long do you plan to keep this vehicle?
My advice would be:
1. If you want to keep this vehicle for another 5+ years take it to a restoration shop for an estimate to repair the cracks and refinish the surface.
2. If you just wish to make it look better and last as long as possible without spending the money on a restoration, then I recommend a gentle cleaning with Leather Masters Soft Leather Cleaner followed by a coating of Leather Masters Protection Cream. The latter is a coating for leather that is water based and won't cause the bond to the topcoat to separate from the leather under it. I wouldn't use any oily conditioners as they will seep through the cracks and cause the topcoat bond to the surrounding leather to deteriorate faster.
To minimize further wear, keep the seats clean and protected. Vacuum and wipe down the leather weekly to remove any dust and abrasive dirt.
Finally you might ask a salvage yard to look for a replacement skin in good condition.
My advice would be:
1. If you want to keep this vehicle for another 5+ years take it to a restoration shop for an estimate to repair the cracks and refinish the surface.
2. If you just wish to make it look better and last as long as possible without spending the money on a restoration, then I recommend a gentle cleaning with Leather Masters Soft Leather Cleaner followed by a coating of Leather Masters Protection Cream. The latter is a coating for leather that is water based and won't cause the bond to the topcoat to separate from the leather under it. I wouldn't use any oily conditioners as they will seep through the cracks and cause the topcoat bond to the surrounding leather to deteriorate faster.
To minimize further wear, keep the seats clean and protected. Vacuum and wipe down the leather weekly to remove any dust and abrasive dirt.
Finally you might ask a salvage yard to look for a replacement skin in good condition.
Last edited by jfelbab; 06-13-14 at 05:46 AM.
#344
#345
Driver School Candidate
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: CA
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This can't be right...
What do you think happened here? A few months ago I bought a CPO IS250 from Lexus, and every month a new area is starting to peel or crack.
Advice?
Advice?