Leather Seat Cleaning??

lowrdsdime27 · 03-10-2009, 12:20 PM

Hey guys, I am looking at getting a pair of leather blazer buckets for my s-10. All of the salvage yards around my area keep vehicles including seats outside so they are all weathered and crappy looking. I don't want to spend $300 on crappy looking seats if they wont clean up well, any input on how well they clean up, or what products to use. Any help is appreciated.

Mi Super 10 · 03-10-2009, 02:33 PM

You could try a Mr. Clean Magic Eraser.

tt85_GM · 03-10-2009, 09:23 PM

I used armorall on mine, they looked 10X better after being outdoors for years in a wrecking yard.

Wrkn prgs · 03-11-2009, 12:01 AM

Clean the seats with leather cleaner, and then apply some leather conditioner.

Dino81 · 03-12-2009, 09:54 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by Mi Super 10

You could try a Mr. Clean Magic Eraser.

NO!!! i tried it, makes it look real dull, it must suck up all the oil, cause I used almost a whole bottle of meguiars gold class leather conditioner, to get em' back to looking normal, kinda scarry. I thought i messed em up..

The best thing I have found that works is SADDLE SOAP by KIWI. ya know the peepz that make shoe polish...i used the saddle soap, a mildly stiff nylon type bristle brush, and warm water. follow the directions, you will be pleasantly surprised.

the boneyard leather should clean up real well, my biggest concerns would be rips, tears, worn spots etc. if u can find a set without those, they should cleanup pretty good. I bought my DD 1998 envoy from a city auction. IT was filthy. cleaned up great with the saddle soap.

cpolaris502 · 03-21-2009, 03:34 PM

hey Chris, these are what mine looked like when i first got them. They were in a 4dr blazer that had no doors, I'm guessing that they sat through the winter since there was a nice frozen puddle on the floor of the truck.

I just washed them with a rag and warm soapy water, then armoraled them. I dont think the leather really absorbs stuff at all like fabric does so most stuff just wipes off real easy.

then cleaned

Mystic_Knight · 03-21-2009, 04:38 PM

Cory, the Armor All might make it look good and shiny for now, but it's not really doing anything to keep the leather soft. Just somthing to keep in mind.

Just remember, leather is cow skin. It'll deal with the bad weather pretty good. Just check the padding underneath and make sure there's no cracks or scuffs in the leather. Skin needs moisture to stay soft. That's what the conditioner is for (like lotion). Then cleaner keeps it clean (like soap). I'm sure your girlfriends could tell you all about this subject.

cpolaris502 · 03-21-2009, 04:56 PM

Thanks for the info, I should probably get some leather conditioner for em.

wagonproject · 03-22-2009, 12:53 AM

I use both Lexol and Leatherique on leather. The main things with leather is you have to keep it hydrated by using water-based products and clean surfaces with a damp towel. Also cleaning them often as dirt and grit cause friction which causes the finish to wear. With Lexol since I actually just did seats in a Tahoe today get some hot water in a bucket. Get the applicator wet and just keep it moist. Apply the Lexol PH Leather Cleaner on to the applicator. Then just agitate/scrub the leather with it. Then with a MF towel I dip it in the hot water bucket and give the leather a wipe down to remove all the loose dirt. Then I just put my 1000W/500W lights or whatever by the door to heat up the leather. Once the leather is hot I rub the Lexol Leather Conditioner in by hand. After its sat for a few, just wipe off with a MF towel.

NotaDime · 03-26-2009, 04:11 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by wagonproject

I use Lexol

good choice.

Quote: Originally Posted by Mystic_Knight

Just remember, leather is cow skin.

94% of "leather seats" in cars are NOT leather.

Quote: Originally Posted by Mystic_Knight

Skin needs moisture to stay soft. That's what the conditioner is for (like lotion).

very well said!
one should condition there "leather" seats every few months and they will stay soft.

s10blaza1 · 03-26-2009, 04:28 AM

GM leather seats have a urethane coating on them. Soap and water will clean them up just fine. You can Lexol them all you want but they won't really "soak" into the leather the way its meant to. The pores in the leather are filled in by that coating GM sprays on them. My Trans Am was the same way

Crappy GM leather

real leather

03-10-2009, 12:20 PM	#1
lowrdsdime27 Registered User Age: 22 Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 356 Location: St.Cloud MN User is: OffLine	Leather Seat Cleaning?? Hey guys, I am looking at getting a pair of leather blazer buckets for my s-10. All of the salvage yards around my area keep vehicles including seats outside so they are all weathered and crappy looking. I don't want to spend $300 on crappy looking seats if they wont clean up well, any input on how well they clean up, or what products to use. Any help is appreciated.
	[Reply w/Quote]

03-10-2009, 02:33 PM	#2
Mi Super 10 Registered User Age: 26 Join Date: Aug 2008 Posts: 73 Location: Midland Michigan User is: Online	Re: Leather Seat Cleaning?? You could try a Mr. Clean Magic Eraser.
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03-10-2009, 09:23 PM	#3
tt85_GM I AM CANADIAN Age: 24 Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 5,337 Location: Ont. Canada User is: OffLine	Re: Leather Seat Cleaning?? I used armorall on mine, they looked 10X better after being outdoors for years in a wrecking yard.
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03-11-2009, 12:01 AM	#4
Wrkn prgs Useless posting member Age: 20 Join Date: Oct 2003 Posts: 8,736 Location: Conover, Oh User is: OffLine	Re: Leather Seat Cleaning?? Clean the seats with leather cleaner, and then apply some leather conditioner.
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03-12-2009, 09:54 PM	#5
Dino81 Registered User Age: 27 Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 15 Location: User is: OffLine	Re: Leather Seat Cleaning?? Quote: Originally Posted by Mi Super 10 You could try a Mr. Clean Magic Eraser. NO!!! i tried it, makes it look real dull, it must suck up all the oil, cause I used almost a whole bottle of meguiars gold class leather conditioner, to get em' back to looking normal, kinda scarry. I thought i messed em up.. The best thing I have found that works is SADDLE SOAP by KIWI. ya know the peepz that make shoe polish...i used the saddle soap, a mildly stiff nylon type bristle brush, and warm water. follow the directions, you will be pleasantly surprised. the boneyard leather should clean up real well, my biggest concerns would be rips, tears, worn spots etc. if u can find a set without those, they should cleanup pretty good. I bought my DD 1998 envoy from a city auction. IT was filthy. cleaned up great with the saddle soap. Last edited by Dino81 : 03-12-2009 at 09:59 PM.
	[Reply w/Quote]

03-21-2009, 03:34 PM	#6
cpolaris502 The Dreamsicle Age: 20 Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 16,049 Location: Rogers, MN User is: OffLine	Re: Leather Seat Cleaning?? hey Chris, these are what mine looked like when i first got them. They were in a 4dr blazer that had no doors, I'm guessing that they sat through the winter since there was a nice frozen puddle on the floor of the truck. I just washed them with a rag and warm soapy water, then armoraled them. I dont think the leather really absorbs stuff at all like fabric does so most stuff just wipes off real easy. then cleaned
	[Reply w/Quote]

03-21-2009, 04:38 PM	#7
Mystic_Knight Oaktown Trucks Age: 37 Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 1,759 Location: S.E. Michigan User is: OffLine	Re: Leather Seat Cleaning?? Cory, the Armor All might make it look good and shiny for now, but it's not really doing anything to keep the leather soft. Just somthing to keep in mind. Just remember, leather is cow skin. It'll deal with the bad weather pretty good. Just check the padding underneath and make sure there's no cracks or scuffs in the leather. Skin needs moisture to stay soft. That's what the conditioner is for (like lotion). Then cleaner keeps it clean (like soap). I'm sure your girlfriends could tell you all about this subject. Last edited by Mystic_Knight : 03-21-2009 at 04:41 PM.
	[Reply w/Quote]

03-21-2009, 04:56 PM	#8
cpolaris502 The Dreamsicle Age: 20 Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 16,049 Location: Rogers, MN User is: OffLine	Re: Leather Seat Cleaning?? Thanks for the info, I should probably get some leather conditioner for em.
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03-22-2009, 12:53 AM	#9
wagonproject Short Bus Anonymous Age: 21 Join Date: Sep 2003 Posts: 6,385 Location: Kalamazoo, MI User is: OffLine	Re: Leather Seat Cleaning?? I use both Lexol and Leatherique on leather. The main things with leather is you have to keep it hydrated by using water-based products and clean surfaces with a damp towel. Also cleaning them often as dirt and grit cause friction which causes the finish to wear. With Lexol since I actually just did seats in a Tahoe today get some hot water in a bucket. Get the applicator wet and just keep it moist. Apply the Lexol PH Leather Cleaner on to the applicator. Then just agitate/scrub the leather with it. Then with a MF towel I dip it in the hot water bucket and give the leather a wipe down to remove all the loose dirt. Then I just put my 1000W/500W lights or whatever by the door to heat up the leather. Once the leather is hot I rub the Lexol Leather Conditioner in by hand. After its sat for a few, just wipe off with a MF towel.
	[Reply w/Quote]

03-26-2009, 04:11 AM	#10
NotaDime UN-BANNED B!TCHES!!!!! Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 5,335 Location: Home. User is: OffLine	Re: Leather Seat Cleaning?? Quote: Originally Posted by wagonproject I use Lexol good choice. Quote: Originally Posted by Mystic_Knight Just remember, leather is cow skin. 94% of "leather seats" in cars are NOT leather. Quote: Originally Posted by Mystic_Knight Skin needs moisture to stay soft. That's what the conditioner is for (like lotion). very well said! one should condition there "leather" seats every few months and they will stay soft.
	[Reply w/Quote]

03-26-2009, 04:28 AM	#11
s10blaza1 Registered User Age: 25 Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 507 Location: User is: OffLine	Re: Leather Seat Cleaning?? GM leather seats have a urethane coating on them. Soap and water will clean them up just fine. You can Lexol them all you want but they won't really "soak" into the leather the way its meant to. The pores in the leather are filled in by that coating GM sprays on them. My Trans Am was the same way Crappy GM leather real leather
	[Reply w/Quote]