What brand of leather cleaner/conditioner do you guys use?

[BigBodiedBimmer]

I'm starting to run low on my Zaino interior cleaning products. I not sure if I want to by some more Zaino or try out something new. What do you guys think works well on the e38 leather?

Here's what I'm using now, I definitely like it but I'm also tempted to try something new.

Cleaner:
http://www.zainostore.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=Z-9&Category_Code=Zaino&Product_Count=13

Conditioner(it's called leather in a bottle haha):
http://www.zainostore.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=Z-10&Category_Code=Zaino&Product_Count=14

- - - Updated - - -

hmmm have any of you guys ever tried the griots leather products?

[TommyFTR]

I'm curious to see some responses to this too. I usually just clean with a warm, damp towel. And I use a generic conditioner from Ardex. I've also seen where people use soap chips but I've never tried that.

[M I C H A E L]

Never tried griots I use meguires gold conditioner works swell

[BigBodiedBimmer]

I'm curious to see some responses to this too. I usually just clean with a warm, damp towel. And I use a generic conditioner from Ardex. I've also seen where people use soap chips but I've never tried that.

I would be hesitant to use any kind of soap, because just as it removes the oils from your hand I would think it would also remove the natural oils from your leather. Causing it to become more brittle and crack easier.

[ebida3]

I use saddle soap for the clean and Maquires leather conditioner for the protection.

[nmlss2006]

Zymol products for normal care and Colorplus products for when things get bad.

Do not be afraid of *mild* soaps if you then rinse properly and condition - or even of sterner stuff if you follow proper procedure. I would, however, advise against saddlesoap as a regular agent on coated leather (as opposed to tanned saddle leather..)

[ck1995]

I've always used Lexoil

[kouks]

I've always used Lexoil

+1. Seems to work well. I'm considering using the Zymol stuff to try it.

There was an old thread on this subject and some were raving about a cleaner and conditioner made for private jet leather. It cost as much as a private jet. Do a search.

[shanecarmaster1]

I've tried it all: Meguiars, Lexol, Leatherique, and Zaino to name a few, but none of them have made me as happy as Sonus.

[roys740]

I've tried it all: Meguiars, Lexol, Leatherique, and Zaino to name a few, but none of them have made me as happy as Sonus.

I have heard of the others but never Sonus. Tried doing a search on google. I could not find. IS it spell right. Or better yet do you have a pic of the product. I would like to go today and find it if I can.

Wait is this it?

http://www.detailedclean.co.uk/Handlers/Image.ashx?PId=201&TId=2

[PiotrC70]

I'm starting to run low on my Zaino interior cleaning products. I not sure if I want to by some more Zaino or try out something new. What do you guys think works well on the e38 leather?

Here's what I'm using now, I definitely like it but I'm also tempted to try something new...

I'm a Zaino user through and through. Love their waxes and am always satisfied with their shine. Sure it may not have that depth like real carnauba, but it also lasts a ridiculous long time since it's synthetic... Anyways, about their cleaner/conditioner. I love it with the small amount of hatred toward the fact that you can't treat the leather and drive the car the same day unless you want to smell like leather conditioner. It's definitely one of those where you want to treat the car, let it sit in the sun, and drive it the NEXT day.

Next thing I'm gonna try is Leatherique. Friend bought the 32oz kit and have heard nothing but great things about it. I'd also be interested in Sonus as long as it also has UV protection like Zaino.

Another one to try is 303 Aerospace protectant. It won't condition the leather, but treat it to keep it from fading. PERSONALLY, I would only use this on the uppers and sides of the doors... not the actual leather itself.

[shanecarmaster1]

I have heard of the others but never Sonus. Tried doing a search on google. I could not find. IS it spell right. Or better yet do you have a pic of the product. I would like to go today and find it if I can.

Wait is this it?

http://www.detailedclean.co.uk/Handlers/Image.ashx?PId=201&TId=2

Yup

[pizzaman09]

I have typically used Armor All leather cleaner/conditioner, it isn't that great, just what I have. I also have some ZEP brand spray on leather conditioner/cleaner, it is slightly better then the Armor All.

I have never really felt the need to condition the leather, I just keep it clean using a vacuum or at worst a damp cloth.

[kalevera]

leatherique rejuvenator oil is fantastic, the cleaner is OK

[CharlesAFerg]

The key is to not use anything with silicone or petroleum distillates.
Lexol, Leatherique, and Zaino are all good to go.
In my vast experience detailing cars and restoring leather, I am a firm believer that the conditioners don't do too much - but they help. The best thing is to clean them thoroughly with a ph-balanced cleaner such as lexol, remove them from the car, cover them with mink oil, and let the oil soak, covered with syran wrap, re-coating every week, for about 2-3 months. That's how you restore leather.


I have typically used Armor All leather cleaner/conditioner, it isn't that great, just what I have. I also have some ZEP brand spray on leather conditioner/cleaner, it is slightly better then the Armor All.

I have never really felt the need to condition the leather, I just keep it clean using a vacuum or at worst a damp cloth.

Never use armor all, not even the leather cleaner. Petroleum distillates or silicone in pretty much every product they put out. Stay away. Using it once on vinyl is enough to shorten it's lifespan and cause it to be greasy forever. The leather treatment is synthetic as well. No bueno.

[JaxMustang50]

I have had really great experience with Griot's Garage leather conditioner and their cleaner as well. Now that they are available at Advance, it makes getting ahold of their products just that much easier.
The other one that I have tried and had good experience as well is King Ranch Saddle Shop leather conditioner. Great stuff as well, seems very similar to Griot's.

[Sobek]

Oakwood leather wipes to keep it tidy. Has a brilliant effect of filling any slight breaks or gaps in the leather (such as the armrest), protecting it from further damage AND making it feel totally smooth to the touch. Very good product;

http://www.oakwoodproducts.com/Products/.aspx?productID=14157

http://control.visionscape.com.au/SiteFiles/oakwoodproducts2011com/images/14157_OP197%20AUTO%20Leather%20Wipes.jpg

[dburt86]

my tan dash doesnt shine. Its dull. I kind of feel thats how is suppose to be. Any one have any insight?

[Qsilver7]

my tan dash doesnt shine. Its dull. I kind of feel thats how is suppose to be. Any one have any insight?

Yes, you are correct. The dash (and leather interior bits) should have a "mat" finish...especially the dash. This prevents glare...which you DON'T want. :)

My long-time fav has been Leatherique's Rejuvenator Oil (amazing results if instructions are properly followed) & Prestine Clean (as routine maintenance after rejuvenation).


www.leatherique.com

http://www.leatherique.com/_Media/leatherique-225-opt-3_med.jpeg

[dburt86]

i thought so. Thanks for the confirmation

[nmlss2006]

CharlesA speaks a lot of sense: silicones are bad, both for leather and rubber (and vinyl), which is why even gummi-pflege is bad. Now, petroleum distillates we can talk about, insofar as they often are used as a volatile component to help oils penetrate the leather.

As to mink oil vs. leatherique vs. colorplus... my experience is that there's a difference between regular conditioning and something you do once a year - or on leather that is already compromised. The Zymol/Zaino/etc are 'regular conditioners', those three are not. The saran wrap (or garbage bag..) helps a lot, so does heat. But, it's not something I'd do every month - and you have to be a little careful about oversaturation, the foam under the leather *really* doesn't like oils.

[Timm]

I use exactly the same Zaino leather products as the OP - never found anything better on the Champagne Nappa leather. To get the colour back in the small veins I add a bit of coloured leather as detailed here:

http://www.meeknet.co.uk/E31/BMW_Champagne_Nappa_Leather_Refurbishment.htm


http://www.meeknet.co.uk/E31/Mora/DSCF5316.JPG

[pizzaman09]

^ That is a stunning interior!

[TomInTX]

Like others, I have used Lexol with good results. I am going to look into Sobek's post about the wipes, for quick maintenance.

[BigBodiedBimmer]

I decided to get a smaller bottle of the griots leather care, to try it out

http://www.amazon.com/Griots-Garage-11040SP-Leather-Spray/dp/B00469KZY2/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1384744768&sr=8-2&keywords=griots+leather+care

i'll let you guys know how I like it

[IamTitanium]

My room mate just purchased a 1987 Merc 420SEL and the iterior was so perfect (the guy wouldnt even drive it in the rain hes so anal about the car) that we thought the seats where replaced recently.

However we found the original tags poking under the seat.

After finding this out he asked the guy what he used, he said lexol. He stated because it doesnt have the chemicals (and I guess my room mates research confirmed this) that lexol has non synthetic oils in it, which are much better then the science lab stuff. He also said the key was to do it in the evening or after your done driving for the day as it needs to to sit and absorb.

I used meguiars leather cleaner on my leather and pretty aggressive scrubbing to get the years of dirt out (that is a 1 time thing for it being purchased) and then meguiars gold conditioner, but once the bottle runs out, im switching to lexol, its non synthetic stuff seems to make sense to me, and I will be letting it set it.

[OrientBlue740il]

I use leatherique rej. Oil and pristine clean atleast once a year then for monthly maintence i use chemical guys leather cleaner/ conditioner combo

[CharlesAFerg]

My room mate just purchased a 1987 Merc 420SEL and the iterior was so perfect (the guy wouldnt even drive it in the rain hes so anal about the car) that we thought the seats where replaced recently.

However we found the original tags poking under the seat.

After finding this out he asked the guy what he used, he said lexol. He stated because it doesnt have the chemicals (and I guess my room mates research confirmed this) that lexol has non synthetic oils in it, which are much better then the science lab stuff. He also said the key was to do it in the evening or after your done driving for the day as it needs to to sit and absorb.

I used meguiars leather cleaner on my leather and pretty aggressive scrubbing to get the years of dirt out (that is a 1 time thing for it being purchased) and then meguiars gold conditioner, but once the bottle runs out, im switching to lexol, its non synthetic stuff seems to make sense to me, and I will be letting it set it.

Yeah, it's much better. The silicone in the megs product will pretty much always be in your leather if you've used it on there in the past, but lexol will remove that slippery, greasy feel you may have experienced.

[machinemanjr]

The key is to not use anything with silicone or petroleum distillates.
Lexol, Leatherique, and Zaino are all good to go.
In my vast experience detailing cars and restoring leather, I am a firm believer that the conditioners don't do too much - but they help. The best thing is to clean them thoroughly with a ph-balanced cleaner such as lexol, remove them from the car, cover them with mink oil, and let the oil soak, covered with syran wrap, re-coating every week, for about 2-3 months. That's how you restore leather.

Would you recommend using a neutral colored mink oil?

Have you heard of connolly leather food? http://www.autogeek.net/colecakit.html

[red740is]

I think a lot of the products out there are gimmicky unless you need to correct a problem, for example recondition for wear or discoloration. I use Lexol cleaner and preservative and it's quality at a fair price.

[machinemanjr]

I would tend to agree. Many gimmicks out there these days, snake oils etc. I have no coloration issues or cracking, it just would like my leather to feel a touch more supple (soft). The rear seats are fine as they get no wear. The fronts are just a touch cardboard-esque.