Ok fellows, Joyces Jag had its share of beach trips this summer and that means dirt, grime and sun tan lotion on the hides. I talked with ken@britishparts.com and he recommended the Connolly leather cleaner, followed up with Connolly hide food. Well heres the proof as what I found so far.

For the general clean up, the concentrated leather cleaner worked well with the directions of 1 part cleaner to 12 parts warm water using soft cloth, followed with damp cloth (clean water) then dry soft cloth to dry and polish.

As seen in attached pics the seats were in pretty disgusting condition (I know, I know) a (soft) scrub brush was needed. The cleaner was NOT a wipe on and wipe off for those. But the seat backs, bolsters, head rests and door panels were. It did not remove what appears to a stain from the middle seat belt.
I have yet to apply the hide food. That will be done tomorrow, with more pics to follow.

 

Looks excellent joycesjag.

 

Here we have the hide food setting for 1/2 a day per what I have read on the net. The instructions on the tub of hide food were vague to type the least. Hand buffed with terry cloth and then I decided to low speed orbital buff them, WOW what a difference!

If anyone has any ideas on how to remove or cover the stain on the lower left drivers rear seat back. I am open to all suggestions.

 

I have enjoyed success with a leather repair kit I bought of ebay and put in the thread on 'Watch me use....' Going by it you would very lightly sand the stained part (and only the stained part, don't go over the edges) and then apply leather dye that has been matched to your colour of seats. Matching the colour is the hard part. I am lucky as my seats are black.

 

Connolly Hide Food has parafin in it and should be warmed before applying it and then put the car in the sun to keep it warm, or it will not absorb into the hide. Polishing it in a cool state just puts a glossy shine on it and doesn't really help the leather softness. It needs to be warm to be effective.

 

Connolly should have stated that and other directions for use as well. Question though, if it is absorbed into the hide and after buffing will there be a soft shine? Oh and how often to apply the hide food and is it more times the better kinda thingy?
Thank you

Delta, I did read your leather repair the knob looks great. I just don't think I am ready to sand off part of the hide and dye it a shade lighter than the rest of the seats. Someone has got to have had this problem before.

 

Connolly has been around so long that they really do not have any instructions on how to use it. I would not use it more than once a year. It basically is a leather surface protectant, i.e. a surface sealant. If you are looking to soften old leather, I recommend treatments with Leatherique Rejuvenator. All leathers will absorb better when it is warm.

 

Joycesjag, the sanding is not to take any of the leather off. It is a very light sand to provide a key for the dye to 'stick' to.

 

I understand that Delta, I am just not sure of my ability to match the color. I am capable of many things.......but Joyce may have to live with it (the stain that is).

 

Well the final judging is in. Joyce got into her vehicle first time in 5 days. She could not believe that the interior was not replaced, "looks, smells and feels like a new vehicle". "I love you"

 

I use Hyde Food about 4 times a year. Get the car warm even if that means cranking the heat. I use 3M's leather cleaner or Lexol soap to get out stains if need be.

I know a car collector that uses Lexol every month on his cars.

You can put the Hyde Food caniser in shallow pool of warm water to warm up. Not sure how the microwave would work? Anyone?

 

I use the microwave to warm it. Just do it slowly so you do not "cook" it. It is paraffin based and will flame up if heated too hot.

 

I have a 96 XJ6 and the interior is in pretty good shape except for little cracks in the driver seat. However, I'm only 17 years old and my friends don't show as much appreciation as I do for my car. As a result I end up cleaning my car inside and out and condition my leather with wipe on wipe off products about once a week. Is that so much that it is bad?
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HONDA CT110