I picked up a 2001 GS in very good mechanical condition, but the leather seats look pretty ugly with creases filled with dirt. I used Meguires one step leather clean & condition with Q Tips but couldn't clean them very well. See picture after cleaning.

Question: Is there any product & tricks out there to get rid of the dirt?

Thanks.
Steiner

 

A lot of that isn't dirt, its just wear and tear. Just gonna have to live with it or get some new skin.

 

Look closer. The creases are tear and wear but the black stuff in the creases is grease or dirt almost imbedded in. It makes the creases more pronounced and more visible. I cleaned out some but the process and the cleaning agent is not very efficient. I hope there is something better out there.

 

i use leatherique.. cleans my leather good.

 

I own a detail shop here in Ca for about 9 yrs. now and I've always use a SOS pads or steel wool #0000 which is very fine wool. Spray some leather cleaner directly to the leathers and use the SOS or steel wool. You'll see the big difference. Don't forget to apply some leather protection right after.
Let me know what happens after....

 

Is this the SOS pads you refer to?

 

I bought an Aviator with tan seats and about 8 years old. The leather looked just like that. I bought this thing called "Sonic Scrubber" from walmart for less than 20 bucks. I sprayed (soak it) the area and started with the sonic scrubber. I was amased at the results....it took out the dirt in between the creases. After I was done, you could not see the wrinkles. I did the tan steering wheel too....they did not have cracks, but indentations filled with dirt.....it took it all off......looked new. The best thing is on the scrubber...the lighter the pressure, the better it took off the dirt....Best purchase I have made. I bought the kitchen and bathroom version too.....

 

that should be good...any sos or dish pads should be ok.
try the medium pads tho, i noticed the box says heavy duty.

 

i will also try this and let u guys know what happens

 

Something like this?

 

Thats it....buy it from Walmart. If you are not satisfied, you can always bring back. I used armor all leather cleaner.....probably better to use Lenox. Good Luck. Remember you don't need to put too much pressure when scrubbing.

 

+1 for leatherique

 

Won't the SOS pads be too harsh for the leather, what with the detergent and steel wool?

 

That was my first thought but my wife told me she useed it to scrub her cooktop, which was glass-like mirror finish, for years without a scratch.

Will find out this weekend on my seat.

 

In the meantime I ran across this post from :

http://www.autopia.org/forum/car-det...herique-2.html

Involving both the sonic scrubber and Leatherique. It sounds like a winning combination.


"Leatherique is an excellent product. Make sure you follow the instructions and leave it on for atleast an hour in the sun. If you can't leave the car, then atleast try to heat the inside of the car up with a halogen or other heating device with the seats covered in plastic.

The end product is amazing especially on higher end leathers.

If you just have a quick spot to clean up or don't have the time needed to properly use Leatherique then get yourself some Zaino leather products. The cleaner will get almost any stain out and the conditioner will leave the best smell behind.

Also, I bought it on a whim but I can't live without it now, is the sonic scrubber from Wallmart. It has a package of extra heads for it on the same rack. Cost you about 20 bucks but there is a soft brush head that will not damage the leather but will agitate almost any stain out with either of these two products.

There are a ton of products out there right now. But I guarantee that if you have both of these products, you will never be let down."