All about Lexus leather
#451
Driver School Candidate
Do ya'll find that the perforations in the leather get preservative in them at all? I found that to happen when using Lexol (not knocking them, just what I was using) on an Acura RSX Type S's seats (selling that car next week and picking up our 2016 ES 350!). So, I started using wipes instead and I was really happy with that. The seats on that car are a little bit "hard' (not pliable like when new), but they are in really good condition. Would really like to setup a good program to keep the ES 350's seats in tip-top condition. Thanks in advance.
#452
Lexus Champion
Do ya'll find that the perforations in the leather get preservative in them at all? I found that to happen when using Lexol (not knocking them, just what I was using) on an Acura RSX Type S's seats (selling that car next week and picking up our 2016 ES 350!). So, I started using wipes instead and I was really happy with that. The seats on that car are a little bit "hard' (not pliable like when new), but they are in really good condition. Would really like to setup a good program to keep the ES 350's seats in tip-top condition. Thanks in advance.
#453
Lexus Champion
#454
I agree with Max707. Woolite is great and my 2013 ES manual states to use Woolite.
#455
Here is some great data for the forum.
I bought my IS 250 AWD new in 2010 and it had the Luxury Package with the semi-aniline leather.
I lived in Oregon for 1 year, Nebraska for 2 years, and Arizona the last 4 years, thus my car has been in all extreme temps and environments.
I clean the leather with water and a microfiber towel at least once every other week.
I used the Leatherique Rejuvenator Oil and Pristine Clean system once a year.
I just sold my IS after 7 years of ownership and 170,000 miles.
Here is the driver's seat. (the other seats looks almost brand-new).
This should clear up any questions about Leatherique and semi-aniline leather.
I sold this car to the first person who looked at it for above market-value. I take extremely good care of my daily drivers as I put 30k miles per year on them, on average.
I bought my IS 250 AWD new in 2010 and it had the Luxury Package with the semi-aniline leather.
I lived in Oregon for 1 year, Nebraska for 2 years, and Arizona the last 4 years, thus my car has been in all extreme temps and environments.
I clean the leather with water and a microfiber towel at least once every other week.
I used the Leatherique Rejuvenator Oil and Pristine Clean system once a year.
I just sold my IS after 7 years of ownership and 170,000 miles.
Here is the driver's seat. (the other seats looks almost brand-new).
This should clear up any questions about Leatherique and semi-aniline leather.
I sold this car to the first person who looked at it for above market-value. I take extremely good care of my daily drivers as I put 30k miles per year on them, on average.
#456
Just an fyi, I recently applied leatherique and instead of using the prestine clean, I used diluted Woolite and thought it worked great. No residue and removed a bunch of the dirt and gunk from seats that rejuvenator brought up. Didn’t see a need for prestine clean if woolite worked well.
#458
Lexus Fanatic
I'm always surprised about the love for 303. I don't like it at all...would never use it on leather...
#459
Lexus Fanatic
Most people don't use 303 for the leather, it is for the rest of the car interior. It is very good stuff, has UV protectant, and is not greasy or shiny. I used it on my GS interior plastics since buying it and the interior looked practically new until it was totaled. I don't see any harm using 303 for leather in cars, conditioners are pretty useless for most automotive leathers because most have a polyurethane coating that does not let any of the conditioner penetrate to the leather. Semi analine car leathers are better suited for conditioners.
#460
While I don't use 303 protectant in my vehicles, it is a well respected product, especially in the marine world, that protects against deterioration due to UV rays. If I were a convertible owner or owned a boat this is probably the product I'd choose.
Their MSDS states:
"Repels dust, soiling & staining. Protects against UV and ozone deterioration. Use on vinyl & leather interiors, vinyl convertible tops, boats seats, clear vinyl & LexanTM windows, spa & pool covers, inflatable boats, canoes, kayaks, car bras, tonneau covers, door and trunk seals, tires, fenders flares, bumpers, trim, lenses, motorcycles, bicycles, ATV ́s, personal watercraft, snow mobiles, wetsuits, diving equipment, latex rubber, plastic furniture. Not for textiles, unfinished leathers or floors."
The product claims to be water soluble and likely is a water-based fluorocarbon polymer similar to Leather Masters Protection Cream. It has a rather pungent odor immediately upon use that dissipates fairly quickly. It is a milky white product so there are some solids in suspension that may build up in some cases depending on the surface texture being treated.
Their MSDS states:
"Repels dust, soiling & staining. Protects against UV and ozone deterioration. Use on vinyl & leather interiors, vinyl convertible tops, boats seats, clear vinyl & LexanTM windows, spa & pool covers, inflatable boats, canoes, kayaks, car bras, tonneau covers, door and trunk seals, tires, fenders flares, bumpers, trim, lenses, motorcycles, bicycles, ATV ́s, personal watercraft, snow mobiles, wetsuits, diving equipment, latex rubber, plastic furniture. Not for textiles, unfinished leathers or floors."
The product claims to be water soluble and likely is a water-based fluorocarbon polymer similar to Leather Masters Protection Cream. It has a rather pungent odor immediately upon use that dissipates fairly quickly. It is a milky white product so there are some solids in suspension that may build up in some cases depending on the surface texture being treated.
#461
Lexus Fanatic
Most people don't use 303 for the leather, it is for the rest of the car interior. It is very good stuff, has UV protectant, and is not greasy or shiny. I used it on my GS interior plastics since buying it and the interior looked practically new until it was totaled. I don't see any harm using 303 for leather in cars, conditioners are pretty useless for most automotive leathers because most have a polyurethane coating that does not let any of the conditioner penetrate to the leather. Semi analine car leathers are better suited for conditioners.
#462
Lexus Fanatic
#463
Lexus Fanatic
If you don't use a lot and spread it, it is not bad, normally any mild gloss/shine just fades in a day or two. If you use a lot or put 2 or 3 heavier coats then it will be shiny for longer which is why I use less when I use it. Much much better then armoral or turtle wax crap that is greasy no matter how little you put on and has that terrible cheap look/smell.
#464
Lexus Fanatic
Personally I don't see the need to use any sort of dressing on the interior...
#465
Lexus Fanatic
UV protection, especially on darker interiors. Blue shades are the worst for UV damage I've seen interior pieces turning to powder.