Took the XJ over to see David Beattie at Prestige Leather Scotland today......

The interior is in great shape really, but there's a few tiny scratches n scrapes I was looking to get repaired. I thought it might make a difference.

Peter took his X type over too, he has a slightly worse issue with the bolster and wants to get it back like new.








Not sure if I was happy or disappointed when David looked at the interior, smiled a little, then looked back at me with a confused look on his face.

He explained that usually the interiors he deals with are much much worse and really, mines was in pretty great shape, perhaps benefitting from a little clean / conditioning?

So to that end, I bought some Autoglym Leather cleaner and a Leather conditioning balm.

I applied the cleaner and worked in with a nailbrush, ensuring to get into all the tiny crevices, stitching etc, then wiped down with a microfibre impregnated with cleaner also.

Then after a quick wipe down and allowing to dry I applied the Autoglym Leather balm and worked it in, leaving it to work its way in and then buff off after an hour or so.

The interior now looks quite improved I have to say, not a night and day difference as perhaps it wasn't too bad after all, certainly cleaner, softer and a great smell of leather....all good.

So sorry, no after pics

Peter will be booking his in next week or so to get the 2 front seats done and he'll clean / revitalise the rears, which are pretty much unused and like new.

 

Hi Jim, I noticed your leather was looking very good- like new.
I used the same technique on mine before the meet and applied Furniture Clinic kit to scuffs/wear, worked a treat.

 

Thanks Alec......although my seats looked pretty good, they were actually a little dirty, really cleaned up very nicely.

I applied the condtioning balm afterwards and they're bang on, smells great too.

I did check out the furniture clinic kit, but didn't go down that route...........how'd you find it?

 

Looks great

 

Good looking job ;o)
Modern leather seating doesn't take the same amount of work to keep looking good like older models.
The leather is treated differently for a start.
I have always been a big fan and user of Gliptone products.

Gliptone Leather Care | Leather Cleaner

I buy it just for the beautiful smell ;o)=)

 

Hi Jim,
So far, so good. I painted in the areas where the finish was completely worn off. I was concerned about the colour match, but once it dried, it matched very well. When I get the chance, I will do the bolster properly and use the included airbrush and sealant.

 

Share some pics if you have them Alec.......before and after would be great

 

Hi Jim,
This is the best I can do, before:



After:

 

So, I was trying to remember if I actually had cleaned my leather or had just conditioned it, but checked back and saw this post.
The reasoning behind it?

As I had done my mates X type a week or so ago, I thought I'd check mine and did a 50/50 on the front passenger seat, see below.....



Ok so it's not horrific or even a night n day difference, but I was surprised to see just how dirty it had become in a little over 18 months.
Autoglym leather cleaner and nail brush used, then wiped over with a clean microfiber. Then it was treated with Autoglym leather conditioner......did all the door cards, glove box etc too, so she looks really clean n smells great too, all good.