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Apply some water onto your seats and let it sit for a couple minutes. DOes it sit there in little beads and do nothing? Then you have clearcoated leather. Does the leather absorb the water and remain damp after you wipe off the beads? Then your leather is not clearcoated. Important to know since that will determine products and techniques.
If your leather is really dirty due to years of neglect, you need a special product. The best product of its kind is called Leatherique. Its more of a restorer than a simple cleaner. Everyone I know who has tried it loves it. http://www.leatherique.com
If your leather is in decent condition and is clearcoated, most of the dedicated leather cleaners on the market are fine. I like Eagle One and Pinnacle over Lexol, Meguiars, etc. Here's how I cleaner my leather:
(1) Spray product onto a section of the seat. Do one section at a time.
(2) Use a small stiff brush with natural bristles and scrub. You can be aggressive here as you won't hurt the leather.
(3) Wipe off slurry with a clean towel.
(4) Remove remaining cleaner with wet paper towels. This is a *must do* step that almost everyone ignores. The residual cleaners will actually attract more dirt quicker if not removed. Use several towels about 70% wet and wipe down the area. Do this until no more cleaner residue is noticeable. Finish by wiping the seat with another clean towel.
Leather seats that are NOT clearcoated are the only ones that can benefit from stuff like hide food. Hide food has been around for many years and is best used on horse tack like saddles. Its fine for use on your Rolls Royce or your 1970s-era Jaguar but has no benefit when used on modern, spray-dyed, clearcoated leather. But if you have leather you know is vat-dyed and unclearcoated, hide food is fine.
As for leather conditioners, they're worthless on clearcoated leather. All you end up doing is smearing the stuff around. Conditioners are beneficial for uncoated leather, though.
Hope all this helps.
posted by 24.99.95...
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