Gr33nHrn3t

iTrader: (2)

Man, I love to DIM too...looks like I'm going to have to pull up the white flag

Mojo122

My car is new. Should I also be using the LM conditioner before the cream? In essence, cleaner, conditioner, then cream. Or does the cream also act as a conditioner and I can just skip that product?

jfelbab

I don't use conditioners. I just use the cleaner and the protection cream. I've been treating my various leathers for some 20+ years with this approach and it works well for me. Everyone likes the term "conditioner" but what is that? Most conditioners were made for uncoated leather. They are oily or full of slippery silicones or waxes. No coated leather needs or benefits from that.

The main things are cleaning and hydrating. Keep the leather clean and hydrated and it will last a long time. Use the protection cream to prevent stains, dye transfer and make cleaning easier.

I believe you will find that after cleaning and protecting, the leather will be silky smooth. It will feel and look like new and this will last a long time.

Mojo122

Thanks so much. I appreciate the clarification.

ryceboy

iTrader: (2)

Has anyone used bag balm on their leather to tighten the leather to reduce leather folds?

I bought some but wasnt sure if I should try it or not...

uicandrew

I suggest you look at this thread. It has the answers you need. Ha!

https://www.clublexus.com/forums/showthread.php?p=7580489

CDJones

I just read through this whole thread and I think I have come to the conclusion that the products I will purchase will be from Leather Masters for the reason below.

I just bought (as of yesterday ) a 2001 LS430 UL with the semi(?)-aniline black leather. The question was asked on one of the earlier pages about cleaning this type of leather but I don't think it was ever clearly answered. I haven't done extensive research through all the brands that were mentioned (Meguiars, Lexol, etc...) but on the Leather Master cleaning products specifically mention it being used on aniline leather.

Hope this helps those others with the UL package!

06i

question for you leather experts.
i repurchased an 06 IS recently and the steering wheel is not the same smooth/matte like finish it was when the car is new. it is now more shiney and has a typical hard shiney leather feel. what's the best way to restore back to the matte like finish if possible?

thanks

jfelbab

Much will depend on why it is hard and shiny. If it is due to oily or waxy conditioners or skin oils, it is probably able to be restored with proper cleaning. If it is due to wear and abrasion not much can be easily accomplished.

I'd start with cleaning. You might need to clean it multiple times to accomplish a thorough cleaning. Wipe off the cleaning solution with a white cotton towel after each pass. Use foam applicator to agitate and soft white cotton toweling to wipe up, not microfibers. If the dirt continues to come off on the towel, repeat the cleaning but be observant that dye is not coming off the leather. If you start to see dye pigment on the towel you have more serious restoration issues.

If you are satisfied with the wheel condition after cleaning, apply a leather protectant, not conditioner. If the wheel is not as you want it, I'd suggest you seek out a local restoration expert in your area.

06i

thanks for the reply jfelbab! the wheel is likely oil from skin oils, and not wear and tear. i've ordered the lexus branded cleaning solution (i heard it was the same as lexol, which i also have) and will give that a try.
one question though, you say apply a leather protectant and not conditioner? why is that? i use lexol conditioner on my other cars and like how it works. also, what is a good leather protectant?

thanks again

jfelbab

Conditioners can't penetrate the urethane coating on protected leather and just sit on the surface. They often feel nice immediately after application but this is the feel of the film they leave on the urethane coating of your leather. Urethane paint does not benefit from or need conditioning. Your leather is protected leather. That is, it is painted and clear coated. This is done to provide a barrier to most stains and spills. This urethane barrier also prevents conditioners from getting to the leather. Conditioners are as a class, oily, waxy, grabby or slippery depending on the brand. All things you really don't want on a steering wheel let alone the rest of the leather in your vehicle. A leather protector is different. It is similar to a sealant on paint. It dries hard and silky smooth. It resists soiling and staining, is not slippery or oily, and adds no shine or gloss. If you want your leather to look and feel like it did in the showroom when you bought it you might want to try a protector rather than a conditioner.

One further point, conditioners do not prevent dye transfer. Protectants do. If you have lighter colored leather, this can be a strong benefit preventing stains from jeans, belts and some other dyed clothing from staining your leather.

One last point... Leather Masters makes one of the best leather cleaners as well.

rikkus256

Hi all, I just want to share that my local Lexus dealers sell Lexol leather products at the dealership. So those of you who wasn't sure if 3rd party products would harm Lexus leather (I was) then looks like Lexol is safe to use.

RikTT

iTrader: (2)

A very clean set of seats here (peforated oem black). Thoughts on below?

rikkus256

I've been using Lexus leather conditioner for years. Great product and smells good too

Max707

Made for Lexus seats works great just $$$