can anyone recommend a good leather cleaner for my seats

 

Hey, check out Detailing Forums or Interior Forums . You can also contact Innovative Detailing for your questions
Thanks

 

Higher end Lexol is good in my opinion. Others will tell you to buy $50-$100 concoctions, but I wouldn't. These cars are cheap and not museum pieces.

 

Agree. Lexol soap with a wet sponge is an effective, safe product for cleaning.

 

I've recently become fond of Meguiars All Purpose Cleaner + (APC+), works fantastic on the jag leather, gets dirt out that other leather cleaners leave behind.

ITs a concentrate, so you mix your own ratio into a separate spray bottle. I found the large bottle online, with the spray bottle on the side, for about $20 shipped

 

I'm sold on Leatherique based on user testimonials, friends experiences, and the fact that the Smithsonian has been using it on priceless cars for decades - but it's one of those high priced concoctions exexpat warns against.

http://www.leatherique.com/

The main reason I can justify the price is that I use it on my Porsche, which I ordered with the the expensive full leather interior option. I'm trying to do my best to take care of it. Since I already have Leatherique, I also use it on my X-Type, despite the Jag's lower cost and inferior leather quality.

 

A small detail brush, similar in shape of a toothbrush, can really make all the difference in getting dirt out of the texture in the seats. I soak with soapy Lexol and scrub. I use Zymol leather conditioner after, I like the smell better. With the Ivory interior this a bi-weekly process.

A good tack shop (horse riding stuff), if you have one close, would also carry all kinds of very good leather care products.

 

LEXOL? i've never heard of this.... where can i get this from? any department store that carries auto cleaning supplies? i dont no where u guys are from, but somewhere like canadian tire? lol

 

I use Armor All leather wipes for my Jag. They clean and condition the leather and I am happy with the results. I have the Ivory interior and clean it weekly so it looks its best.

And I also use the Armor All orange wipes to clean the dash and all of the other plastics inside.

 

I'm going to have to look for the Lexol cleaner, my seats need it! Thanks!

 

I have always used Meguiar's Rich Leather products and they work pretty well.

 

I do NOT use one of the popular "oil" products. I'll be respectful of name bashing. I have tried it and found several problems (then bad C service on top of it). One of the very bad after affects of using the penetrating oil is the rancid odor that will become a permanent part of your interior. Here are the problems -

Jaguars have VERY LITTLE leather. In most models, the only actual hides are the smaller seat faces. The rest of the seating trim, door trims, etc. are vinyl. Putting an oil on vinyl (which is a plastic derivative) will eventually destroy it.

Second, is the coloring - Jaguar uses a paint-like formula to color the interior materials. It is similar to spray painting a color coat on top of the leather or vinyl. "Penetrating Oils" will eventually destroy the paint and they actually don't penetrate anything because the paint coating works as a sealant.

Take a look at any Late model Jaguar owners handbook set (Vehicle Care) and note the instructions Jaguar gives for interior care. They provide these instructions based on the finishes they have put on the interior. Also read the cautionary note.

Leather Upholstery

Dust and dirt can penetrate the pores and creases of leather,
causing surface wear and brittleness. To prevent ingrained dirt,
inspect the seat upholstery regularly and clean every one to two
months as follows:
• Wipe the seat surfaces with a clean, damp, non-coloured
cloth, changing frequently to a clean area of cloth. Avoid
over-wetting.
• If this is not sufficient, use a cloth which has been dampened
with warm soapy water and then wrung out; avoid
over-wetting. Use only mild non-caustic soap.
• Use Jaguar Leather Cleaner for heavily soiled areas.
• Dry off and rub with a clean soft cloth, changing surfaces
regularly.
When staining (e.g. from clothing) or spillages occur, clean the
affected area immediately as described above.
Every two to three months, clean as above and then apply a
minimum amount of Jaguar Hide Food to maintain the leather in
first class condition.

Note:

concerned are aware of, and follow these instructions precisely.

 

My seats look a little dryied out, I keep them clean. I've tried Armor All on my caddy seats and I wasn't happy with what they did to the seats. Any suggestion would be helpfull.

 

I don't care for really any Armor All product and wouldn't use the wipes on leather. And really, if it is just Armor All are your seats not slippery as ice?

vai I suggest you wait for a nice, sunny, hot day and leave the car in the sun to heat up the interior and the leather. This will open the pores a bit in the leather. Then use a conditioning product such as Lexol Conditioner or Zymol Conditioner, or a Hide Food type of product found at tack shops or online. Be generous in your application, let it soak in. (Always practice first in an inconspicous area to test colorfastness for the first use of any new product).

Wait about a half hour after application and then buff with a soft terrycloth or microfiber towel. You may need to repeat this process a few times within a month or so to slowly bring the leather back up to snuff.