Micaiah

355F1, I learned a lot today. Thank you for that very informative post.

355F1

You're welcome!

SC3coupe

iTrader: (4)

I use meguires cleaner and conditioner. You will find everyone have their own favorite product.
But it seem to me the most important part is to keep dirt and sand to a minimum to avoid abrasion. And stain or dyes that you can see should be cleaned as soon as possible.

The stuff all sits on top of the coat anyway, so why use too expensive stuff, it all acts as a wax layer to avoid stains. Save the expensive stuff for the real soft leather sofa at home..

355F1

Actually, you are incorrect in your second paragraph. The really good (expensive, yes, but what really good product isn't?) leather conditioners do fulfill the need to moisturize the leather much akin to you putting lotion in your skin to keep it from drying out.

The cheaper conditioners are silicone-based, which DOES create a layer of protection. Conversely, Leatherique does NOT contain any silicones.

CleverName

Lets try this question one more time.......

"How much of this Leather is real?" Or "What parts of our leather interior besides the headrests are fake?"

So far I have one person saying the "rear door inserts".
Any additions, confirmations or facts available?

Thanks
Vince

355F1

There is a vast difference in feel between the door inserts and every other piece in the car.

My vote is that the door inserts are not real.

Jetfire

iTrader: (3)

go back to the first page and read my post. i showed an easy way to figure it out yourself.

SC3coupe

iTrader: (4)

I don't believe what I use has silicone in it. I will check. The important thing for me is that it's got UV protection and a bit of sheen that helps to decrease the ability of stain transfer. Lexus also sells a cleaner and conditioner and I have had good results with the cleaner.

It is cheaper in the sense I don't have to online order something and pay shipping for it per bottle.

I don't think the conditioner make it through the coating anyway.

I know some cars (most likely more expensive ones) do come with uncoated leather, just not the 2IS..

Here is a link I found, interesting read.

http://www.303-products.com/shop303/...ve-leather.cfm

MBTC

The differences being discussed here seem to be the difference between finished and unfinished leather. The leather on the IS is finished throughout. Finished leather is coated with substances that take a bit of the "classic feel" of leather out of it but make it more durable and easy to maintain.

I have no experience with the product at the link below, but the explaination of the leather types seems fair enough:

http://www.advleather.com/leathercare.html

355F1

303 makes excellent products. I use their convertible top protectant on my 355.

kslater

My headrests are real leather and the front of the seats. I pulled the suckers apart and checked. Lexus would have to market it as leather inserts if that was the case.

tex2670

They do market the car as having leather inserts. They are not so blatant about it: They say "Leather-trimmed interior".

http://www.lexus.com/models/IS/features/pricing.html

kslater

lol ok, I may have to throw this question at ask lexus at lexus magazine.

shadowman

iTrader: (2)

Is this true? The silicon stuff will dehydrate parts and cause them to crack in the long run. I read from another forum to avoid Armor All because they contain silicon.

SC3coupe

iTrader: (4)

No one said anything about using Armorall.
You shouldn't use it on any parts of the car.