Dear wife has the first car we've ever had with leather seats. I've tried to research the topic and see lots of contradictory stuff. What product/procedure will clean the leather without changing the color, and keep it from cracking? Am I looking for something like liquid saddle soap?
I know this is pretty basic. I want to get it right the first time. Thanks for your help.
For the last 8 or 9 years I've been using Lexol. I have used it on all my vehicles w/leather with great results. I've tried some others but always go back to the Lexol.
Fwiw, car folk are weird with leather. Generally speaking, going over to a horse forum where folk live with leather regularly (saddles, boots, bridles, etc) will give you better answers.
Though Lexol is a very good product and common recommendation, even there.
The automotive upholsterer that did my bike seat said to use only Lexol on the leather, and recommended baby oil for vinyl. He did a lot of very expensive custom work.
In reply to chuckles:
Is your interior Leather or Leather Trimmed? There's a difference. Many cars that have leather interiors really only have leather on the seating surfaces. The rest is vinyl. Normally, only real high end cars have 100% leather interiors. So if you are putting a protectant on it you need something for leather and vinyl, or you need to use two different protectants. 303 Aerospace is a protectant that works on both leather and vinyl. I've always used it on any leather interior we've had and it works great. However, it's not a cleaner, just a protectant.
I've used Lexol for the last few years as well with no complaints, and the leather in my cars still looks and feels as good as when I purchased them. I bought it in the tack supply section of a local shop that's across the street from a horse racing track and appeared to be the most popular leather cleaner and conditioner, so I figured it was a good bet.
If the leather needs real help Leatherique is supposed to be the best, but I've never used it.
08 Acura TL with leather seating surfaces, dyed gray.
Lexol it is. Thanks to alll.
Tractor Supply is where I buy Lexol these days. They have the big jugs of it.
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