felixm79

Thanks for the imput, I used maguairs and it left the leather kind of greasy and with "streaks" not too happy with it , also if you get overspray onto other surfaces it marks it. Sounds like Zaino might be the way to go next time , thank you

sweetboy02

I use the same Maguairs, it's a bit greasy. Still like it anyway. Looks newer. But i hate the spray. Next time, i'll use a soft cloth instead.

tfischer

I've never heard of or used a "conditioner" (as opposed to a cleaner) applied in a spray. The good ones are too thick.
The two best things about the Zaino conditioner, besides its effect on the leather, are the fabulous rich smell, and the way it leaves your hands feeling after an application. They smell and feel good, too, and at no extra charge.

RXSF

exactly what are the steps to keep the leather looking good? The wrinkles on my 5K RX driver seat look worse than my 80 year old grandma. what do I need to buy besides the conditioner, or is that sufficient?

kitlz

RXSF, the seats do seem to wrinkle worse than previous gens. I'll be at the dealer next week and ask them what to do about it.

k9shelly1

Please keep us posted on this Anita. It seems to me that the leather in that area should be a little thicker to avoid this. This would alos give it extra wear as this the worst part of the interior for tears and discoloration.

smehta

My previous Lexus I had since 1998, bought new, and traded it not long ago. Its leather seats were in amazing condition for its age, looked like 3 year old car. This is what I used: not an infomercial :-)

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003IS3HV0

Professionals in auto detailing swear by this stuff...

Leather Honey Leather Conditioner, the Best Leather Conditioner 8oz Bottle
by Leather Honey Leather Conditioner. Bought it on Amazon, from Auto speciality retailer.

Product Features:
Softens, moisturizes and promotes flexibility leaving your leather feeling and looking beautiful!

Water repellent formula prolongs the life of all types of leather, including leather furniture and upholstery, automobile and motorcycle seats, boots, gloves, purses, saddles and tack.

Deeply penetrates into the leather's pores to protect new leather and rejuvenate old leather.

Made in the USA by a small family business since 1968.

Non-toxic, non-solvent, not sticky, no odor and does not contain silicone. A little goes a long way!

tfischer

RX asks: "The wrinkles on my 5K RX driver seat look worse than my 80 year old grandma. what do I need to buy besides the conditioner, or is that sufficient?"
Maybe grandma needs some skin lotion.

smehta

Maybe grandma could use some Leather Honey Leather Conditioner.

Carver

Well, I have to toss in Leatherique for consideration.

The leather in Lexus is coated as was pointed out earlier but this is not some super coat which remains impenetrable forever. It begins to crack and wear immediately allowing not only conditioners to penetrate but sweat, body oils, dirt and other enemies of leather. So, don't let someone tell you it is useless to condition your leather.

Leatherique comes in two bottles, one is the conditioner and the other is the cleaner. Using it is somewhat counterintuitive in that you apply the penetrative conditioner first then the cleaner.

The process is not easy. It is best done when the weather is hot to allow the most penetration and three applications over a three day period are optimal. You can see the conditioner soaking in and becoming dry and tacky between applications.

Frankly, most people will never do this process because it is simply too intrusive in your life especially if you have children or use the car in business. LOL, to use the car during the procedure it is de rigueur to place a large black plastic lawn bag over the drivers seat to make provisions runs. Tres chic!

After the final 24 hour soak period use the cleaner on a soft white cloth and clean the conditioner remnants off the leather. The rag will become dirty and should be changed as required.

I do this once a year and just use a damp cloth until the next time. I haven't used it on my 330 as yet but will in August. Here are some shots of my 2001 RX300 from last year, this leather is 10 years old...









It's fairly expensive, about 55.00 for 16oz bottles of the conditioner and cleaner (both, not each) but you can get two (three coat) applications for the car.

http://leatherique.com

tfischer

I used Leatherique once on my SC400 and it worked really well. It is expensive, but highly regarded. It is easy to use, but the procedure is time consuming and cumbersome. From what I gather it is especially recommended for leather that is already pretty well dried out, or at least on the way. Since then i have been applying Zaino conditioner, which prevents the leather from reaching the point at which Leatherique is necessary.
Using Leatherique on any kind of a regular basis (once a year?) would probably be nice, but who has that kind of time?
Like toast, it's a process that just can't be rushed.

stw2046

I use M brand GC leather cleaner/conditioner.
It really depends your leather condition: If your leather is in good condition, go with the above or similar. These will keep it nice and supple. If your leather is older with dry creases or worse, you might wanna try a stand alone conditioner eg. leatherique

AndyL

I have been using Zymol Treat (leather conditioner) and Zymol leather cleaner as I use their estate wax with good result. For their leather products, first the cleaner, warm the leather under sun or with heat for 15 minutes and then apply the leather conditioner, Treat. The Treat is cow collagen-based.

zmanRX350

I use Bickmore http://www.bickmore.com/bickmore/Lea...are/Bick4.html

It's recommended on exotic leathers. I use this stuff on my home family room leather furniture too. Good stuff.

Chrono

Hmm. I decided to make a response after seeing some of the products people were recommending. Granted, I have used Zaino for a car wax (before using Rejex) and I would assume that is a sufficient product.

Personally, for all our cars and anything I have leather, I've been using Lexol.

http://www.lexol.com/

I've found this stuff to be great, and apparently, unlike some other conditioners it uses no synthetics, which sounds good for me. I've been around some car shops in Vancouver, and I've only heard good things about Lexol. The owner of a shop in North Vancouver, Wagstaffe Automotive, who is a Austin Mini rebuild specialist and has repainted my dad's Porsche 944 Turbo (won a concours in Whistler for 944's) and rebuilt my friend's rear-ended Audi A4 (mechanically perfect since, including the intricate trunk mechanism) suggested that he would use Lexol on his entire interior, plastic, anything. So do I, and I've only great things to say about it.

Lexol is the only leather care I use, I use it on my leather dress shoes and casual shoes(I am in particular OCD on keeping my shoes white or black), and to even consider switching from Lexol...I don't know what could even be suggested.

Anyways that's my two cents, I hope this is helpful.