Leather treatment

[Roswell]

Recently installed a set of 1988 sports seats. They had beed sitting unused for more than a decade and are in excellent shape. I want a product that will gently clean and treat the leather in a manner that will help increase the leather's longevity. What does the brain trust recommend?

[Showdown]

I’ve had good results with Connolly Hide Care. The key is the let the seats sit in the sun to warm up before and after so that they’re as receptive as possible to the cream.

[speedster911]

Originally Posted by Showdown

I’ve had good results with Connolly Hide Care. The key is the let the seats sit in the sun to warm up before and after so that they’re as receptive as possible to the cream.

^^^ spot on^^^, and the hotter the sun the better to really open up the leather. if no sun- use a hair dryer and do one section at a time

[bkreigsr]

Lexol Cleaner, followed by Lexol Conditioner.
Repeat the conditioner weekly until you are satisfied.

[Ironman88]

I've used many leather care products over a span of 40 years. The most important advice I could provide is to use products that will properly address the degree of need present on the leather in question.

You've mentioned that you are interested in a product that will provide gentle cleaning - which I think is a great initial approach to use.

For that I would recommend Colourlock. It's formulated by folks that absolutely know what they're doing. They offer two leather cleaners - one that is mild, one that is stronger.

You can get their products through Amazon or the Rag Company.

In my experience Colourlock products outperform everything else I've used - including products mentioned elsewhere in this thread.

Best of luck with your project.

[Roswell]

Thanks to All!

[PFNog]

I use Leatherique - heard many good things about it a number of years ago and have been using it ever since. The have a cleaner and a conditioner so their cleaner may be exactly what you need.
Echo the heat thing with a slight clarification- I would avoid putting the seats in direct sunlight (sunlight is rough on everything- I have a cab, so my seats already get a lot of UV). Put the car with seats in it in the Sun with closed windows and let it get that summer heat soak before and after treating the seats. Then wipe off any excess that hasn’t been absorbed. I find it’s best to apply with a glove or bare hand - so you can get it even and don’t waste product conditioning a towel/sponge.

[gduke2010]

I’m restoring my seats and bought Colourlock. Looks like a good product from videos. But, haven’t used it yet.

[moparrob]

I just picked this up on amazon. This is the mild cleaner and protector for seats that are not really dirty or shiny.


https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00UPDS31U/ref=ppx_od_dt_b_asin_title_s00?ie=UTF8&th=1

This should do the trick nicely.

[Superman]

Obenauf's. Available at Cabellas. Really great stuff. Get plenty of it. Your seats will soak it up. Makes leather like new again.

[Superman]

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/porsche-911-technical-forum/869001-obenauf-time.html

[maninblack]

I've been a longtime fan of Leather Honey.

https://www.amazon.com/Leather-Honey-Conditioner-Furniture-Accessories/dp/B003IS3HV0?th=1

_________
Finally! A real online, interactive registry for early 911's! https://early911registry.com

[faapgar]

I like Obenaufs.It has a brush applicator.I apply some to a bolster then use my hand to rub in and spread evenly.Let it sit for an hour or so then wipe off excess.Wait a week in between treatment.After the 3rd round the seats will be coming back and are getting soft and supple.It takes a month and 4 treatments to get them back.I do the seats every 6 months after that.

[famoroso]

I've tried numerous as well, albeit not all mentioned here.

I've been on the Obenaufs program the past couple years.

I've done four different sets of G Body seats and a few others. The thing that strikes me is how quickly the seats SOAK it in. Sometimes, it soaks in so quickly (especially the initial application) that I immediately reapply before I move on to the next seat.

Definitely best to do it when the seat is warm / interior is hot. A few times I've let the engine idle in the driveway (after a drive of course) for a few mins with the heat on full. Between that and sitting in the sun, even the Heat Miser would break a sweat.

A few times, I've applied with the seats out of the car, especially prior to long term storage.

[Gspin]

Simple and easy to use with GREAT results try Griot's Leather Rejuvenator.

[sky1jord]

Obenhauf's

[Marine Blue]

I’ve been using Leatherique for 15 years now and have found it to be excellent for not only bringing back leather thats a little dry but also removing years of gunk and for new leather just maintaining. The suggestion to apply in the heat is spot on as it will penetrate faster and deeper. Leather Master Strong Cleaner is also excellent to use with a boars hair brush and clean out the cracks/crevices in leather.

If you have a full leather car with dash, doors and center consoles covered I would not recommending applying heavy coats of any conditioner on these surfaces. Too much product will damage the adhesive underneath the leather and cause it too lift. As many of these also utilize a thin cardboard like material you also don’t want to soak and cause them to warp. The best approach is multiple light applications of your favorite conditioner spread out over time.

[David Inc.]

Obenauf's is great. You'll probably start with the applicator trying to do it, but eventually you're just dumping it on your hands and rubbing it in. I would only transfer to a cloth for application if you have perforations somewhere.

[pkabush]

Another Obenhauf fanboy. Worked great on restoring hardened leather. To be fair I haven’t tried anything else.

[proporsche]

i can't wait for my order of Obenauf's Leather Oil -we will see.....the word is .it is great product

Ivan