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Model specific boards => Golf mk6 => Topic started by: Ste GTD on 13 December 2012, 10:43

Title: Cleaning leather seats
Post by: Ste GTD on 13 December 2012, 10:43
hi, was just wondering whats the best leather seat cleaner to use?

Ste
Title: Re: Cleaning leather seats
Post by: RickS on 13 December 2012, 10:55
hi, was just wondering whats the best leather seat cleaner to use?

Ste

Don't know whether it's the best but I use Zymol leather conditioner and it's very good. Price varies from £14 to £21.
Title: Re: Cleaning leather seats
Post by: dubber36 on 13 December 2012, 11:11
Baby wipes 50p

Seriously. Try them before spending any money on other products. Clean all your plastic trim, dashboard, pedals, the lot with them whilst you are at it.
Title: Re: Cleaning leather seats
Post by: Robocop on 13 December 2012, 11:38
I use Raceglaze
http://www.polishedbliss.co.uk/acatalog/raceglaze-leather-balm.html
Title: Re: Cleaning leather seats
Post by: Edi35 on 13 December 2012, 13:26
I use Connolly Leather Care Kit which I have had for years and I have used it on many cars, jackets and leather furniture. Cost about £25 and includes hide food, would recommend it.
Title: Re: Cleaning leather seats
Post by: Edi35 on 13 December 2012, 13:28
Baby wipes 50p

Seriously. Try them before spending any money on other products. Clean all your plastic trim, dashboard, pedals, the lot with them whilst you are at it.

I have used these to get ink pen off cream leather but then followed up with proper leather care to ensure the leather is treated afterwards.
Title: Re: Cleaning leather seats
Post by: Golf_GT_TDI on 13 December 2012, 13:49
Dr Leather, seriously recommended, google it for reviews if you like  :cool:
https://www.envyvaleting.com/products.asp?cat=30
http://www.drleather.com/Leather-Cleaners.aspx
Title: Re: Cleaning leather seats
Post by: Mr GTD on 13 December 2012, 15:49
Baby wipes 50p

Seriously. Try them before spending any money on other products. Clean all your plastic trim, dashboard, pedals, the lot with them whilst you are at it.

This..
Title: Re: Cleaning leather seats
Post by: p3asa on 13 December 2012, 17:58
Another one here for baby wipes.
Title: Re: Cleaning leather seats
Post by: Ste GTD on 13 December 2012, 18:07
Thanks all, i'll try the baby wipes first :smiley:

Ste
Title: Re: Cleaning leather seats
Post by: RickS on 14 December 2012, 08:17
Baby wipes 50p

Seriously. Try them before spending any money on other products. Clean all your plastic trim, dashboard, pedals, the lot with them whilst you are at it.

Baby wipes might get the dirt off but they won't feed the leather to keep it supple and looking new. You need a leather conditioner if you want to do the job properly.
Title: Re: Cleaning leather seats
Post by: dubber36 on 14 December 2012, 08:42
Baby wipes have moisturising agents in them which keeps the leather supple and looking new. Admittedly they were designed to scrape shiite, clean and moisturise a babies arse all in one wipe, but your leather seats used to be a cows arse (with the exception of all the plastic, sorry, synthetic leather parts), so they'll do the same job on that too.

My leather seats in my Passat still look pretty good considering they are 8 years old and been sat on for 106,000 miles. They've been cleaned with nothing other than baby wipes. 
Title: Re: Cleaning leather seats
Post by: RickS on 14 December 2012, 09:00
Baby wipes have moisturising agents in them which keeps the leather supple and looking new. Admittedly they were designed to scrape shiite, clean and moisturise a babies arse all in one wipe, but your leather seats used to be a cows arse (with the exception of all the plastic, sorry, synthetic leather parts), so they'll do the same job on that too.

My leather seats in my Passat still look pretty good considering they are 8 years old and been sat on for 106,000 miles. They've been cleaned with nothing other than baby wipes.

 :grin: OK Dubber - if you say so. Btw, do you clean your shoes/leather coats etc with baby wipes as well? And what if my seats aren't from the cows arse area - will the baby wipes still work  :shocked: I'll stick to leather conditioner.
Title: Re: Cleaning leather seats
Post by: dubber36 on 14 December 2012, 09:13
As a Yorkshire man, I thought you'd be keen to save a shilling or two Rick.  :wink:

I have to admit to using shoe polish on the pair that I keep for best, but my every day pair of boots gets a spray over with AG Interior Shampoo and a wipe with a damp sponge now and again. As for leather coats, never had one and never will.
Title: Re: Cleaning leather seats
Post by: RickS on 14 December 2012, 09:30
As a Yorkshire man, I thought you'd be keen to save a shilling or two Rick.  :wink:


Yes, we do have a reputation for being a bit tight up here don't we  :laugh: Not me though  :wink:
Title: Re: Cleaning leather seats
Post by: Ginge 35Edition on 14 December 2012, 18:34
This baby wipe thread is ace  :evil:
Title: Re: Cleaning leather seats
Post by: Jimmymature on 14 December 2012, 21:20
I use megs Gold Class Leather Conditioner and Cleaner.


Nice.


Jim
Title: Re: Cleaning leather seats
Post by: Organisys on 14 December 2012, 21:37
No need for conditioner on modern leather peeps!
I use mild APC and microfibres or DR Leather wipes.
Title: Re: Cleaning leather seats
Post by: Jimmymature on 15 December 2012, 11:51
No need for conditioner on modern leather peeps!
I use mild APC and microfibres or DR Leather wipes.

Really? You seen the quality of the leather on the MK6? :sad:
Title: Re: Cleaning leather seats
Post by: stuartb3502 on 15 December 2012, 18:41
Zymol or Gliptone (if you want a leather smell afterwards).

Title: Re: Cleaning leather seats
Post by: Organisys on 15 December 2012, 21:33
No need for conditioner on modern leather peeps!
I use mild APC and microfibres or DR Leather wipes.

Really? You seen the quality of the leather on the MK6? :sad:

Modern leather has a clear coat over the top.
Adding a conditioner will just cover this is in a waxy greasy film which will attract dirt and give a nasty sheen, instead of the OEM Matt finish.
Title: Re: Cleaning leather seats
Post by: Golf_GT_TDI on 15 December 2012, 22:05
Correct  :wink:
There was a time when I thought leather seats had to be fed with leather conditioner and used glyptone on cars I've had previously then found out about modern leathers and the fact that they only need cleaning, so I stand by my recommedation of Dr Leather cleaner and wipes, you can also then use a protectant like L1 Leather Guard from Gtechniq (which is great to use on high wear areas ie bolsters) but you shouldn't use conditioners or anything that adds oils/silicones. If you try to add a conditioner like glyptone you'll notice it doesn't soak into the leather and leaves it feeling greasy and has a shiny finish this just attracts dirt which increases wear to the leather. Classic cars with traditional type leathers that dry out, harden and crack are what you would use a oil based conditioner on. Modern leather when clean should be matt finish with very slight sheen not shiny, example pic of my Recaro's...

(http://i.imgur.com/Jy5Dc.jpg)

You can read more info on modern leather manufacture here: http://www.drleather.com/Leather-Cleaners/Today-s-Leather-Manufacture-%281%29.aspx

You can buy Dr Leather from a few places but this I think is the main distributor: https://www.envyvaleting.com/products.asp?cat=30

And here is a link to Gtechniq's G1 Leather Guard: http://gtechniq.com/shop/3s-for-cars/interior-coatings/l1-leather-guard/
Title: Re: Cleaning leather seats
Post by: Raffe on 16 December 2012, 08:22
Really interesting reading chaps, was of the misconception that the leather in m car needed conditioning to retain its condition.

Will order up some wipes, thx fr info. :cool:
Title: Re: Cleaning leather seats
Post by: Booth11 on 16 December 2012, 21:04
So sales of baby wipes will be on the up now.

I discovered the cleansing/moisturising benefits of baby wipes on leather seats whilst constantly cleaning off all the  cr*p left by my beloved child!   
Title: Re: Cleaning leather seats
Post by: RickS on 17 December 2012, 12:01
Correct  :wink:
There was a time when I thought leather seats had to be fed with leather conditioner and used glyptone on cars I've had previously then found out about modern leathers and the fact that they only need cleaning, so I stand by my recommedation of Dr Leather cleaner and wipes, you can also then use a protectant like L1 Leather Guard from Gtechniq (which is great to use on high wear areas ie bolsters) but you shouldn't use conditioners or anything that adds oils/silicones. If you try to add a conditioner like glyptone you'll notice it doesn't soak into the leather and leaves it feeling greasy and has a shiny finish this just attracts dirt which increases wear to the leather. Classic cars with traditional type leathers that dry out, harden and crack are what you would use a oil based conditioner on. Modern leather when clean should be matt finish with very slight sheen not shiny, example pic of my Recaro's...


The stuff I use [Zymol] doesn't contain any silicones or materials that make the seats greasy or shiny, they retain their original apprearance. Although you don't have to condition new leather seats it is recommended to do them at least once a year to prevent them drying out - but use the correct product.
Title: Re: Cleaning leather seats
Post by: Raffe on 31 December 2012, 15:09
Cleaned the seats with Sainsburys basics range baby wipes yesterday and the leather looks and feels great.

Thanks for the tip chaps :cool: