Maybe I should try the Zaino?

No tips on the Connolly. I started applying with a sponge and working in with a terry cloth. Once it dries a little, it will come out of the preferations.

I bit you'll be able to sell the Connolly to someone; it's not exactly an inexpensive product.

 

I received a botle of zaino for leather, I can't wait to apply it,its juts like we have a scottish weather right now in spain ...

I tried to understand all the infos for the zaino polish line, but i am confused.

I would like to bring some shine back with the paint, specially on the lower body.

if you guys know which product zaino, I could try which are easy to handle, I will be very thankful. I don't have anything or machine to do it. and I want keep cost and materiel to the minimum.

 

>>
If you guys that have used it a long time put it on a particular way or in certain amounts please let us know.
<<
Well, that sounds like me - I've been using it for 30-ish years now.
I think its the best, if most expensive, stuff. Kinda hard to get now - I order from Amazon or EBay in lots of 6....
(BTW the FDA made 'em change the name from Hide Food, because its not edible.....Well, not probably not pleasantly edible...)

It needs to be warm to apply easily. I loosen the top, and give it 20sec in the microwave. Then shake and apply with a paper towel, smearing it in well. Even on the perforated leather. I probably use 1/4 jar on my XK.
Then leave the car in the sun for a few hours to let it melt and sink in.
I rub off the excess, and leave it overnight. Then buff it out. That's the hardest step.
I think it does a great job, but I really don't know
To be sure we'd need a comparison test, and untreated leather as a Control. That's way too much work for me, and Consumer Reports wouldn't be interested....

 

i also used the connoly hide food for 12 years but too much will soften the seats that is why i looked for something else and zaino seems to smell better the leather .

 

Do you guys know if Zaino, Connoly hide etc have any type of oils in them?

Jaguar's literature specifically states not to use any type of cleaner and conditioners on the seats, because the leather in the newer models is all water based.

It says to use Jaguar's cleaner/conditioner offered for sale at the dealerships. Or, a damp terry towel. I suspect it's enough to moisturize the leather.

 

Water based leather?????? Not sure I understand what [someone] means with this...

*Any* leather is a hide from some animal, which has natural oils in it. Those oils need to be replenished. As Far as I know, the leather in a Jaguar is cow leather. You do not use water to maintain cowhide leather.

In fact, water can damage/destroy cow hide leather.

 

Just ordered a bottle of Zaino Z10 'leather in a bottle' after reading various favourable reports....ordered from Amazon as the company do not ship to UK and didn't reply to my email, but I like what I read from reports:
Quote:

Product Description



One whiff and you'll agree... It's Leather in a Bottle. Z-10 Leather in a Bottle Treatment and Conditioner contains a perfectly balanced, solvent-free blend of special oils and other natural conditioners. Z-10 Leather in a Bottleâ"¢ penetrates and preserves all fine leathers.Zaino has also added Ultra-Gard for total protection from the sun, and their exclusive real leather oil concentrate for a rich leather scent. After just one use, your car will have that great 'new leather' smell again.Z-10 Leather in a Bottle leaves a non-sticky, non-greasy, stain repelling, natural luster and restores the supple feel and smell of new leather. Does a great job on vinyl interiors and dashboards too!Size: 236ml / 8 fl.oz
Let's hope it lives up to the description.
Brian

 

me too I contacted zaino to aska question and I never got any response, I got that bottle that smell leather but this is it, and for me it is not enough ignoring emails...I will not buy any polishing stuff from them first cause it is almost not possible to understand on their website, second cause they ignore most emails.

 

Here is a direct email from Jaguar:


"The only recommended product for the seats is the leather cleaner that is provided with the vehicle and available as an accessory via Jaguar dealerships. It is sourced from the leather manufacturer and is designed to clean and protect the leather. We don't recommend hide food as our tests show that this can strip the lacquer from water based leathers.

In addition, here is the small booklet that came with my XF.

 

I would assume that what is meant by '... water based leathers.' is a reference to the pigments and dyes used in the tanning process being water based versus being oil based.

My 2c.

Steve

 

So they are referring to "cleaners" in that verbiage. And of course, you don't want to use anything to strong as a cleaner for leather.

If they are using water based pigments/dyes ( as was suggested above) then it makes even more sense that when cleaning the leather you use a mild cleaning agent. A damp cloth is not a lot of water, but may not thoroughly clean your leather.

I suppose the warning against using Hide Food is to say that since they are using non-oil based pigments and dyes it is too strong to use.

The leather still needs to be conditioned. Water will not condition leather. If the natural oils are not maintained leather will crack and shrink over time.

 

I will stick with Jaguar's booklet instructions and the email confirmation directly from them stating not to use anything else.

Don't want to put 9 quarts of oil in the car, when it's says capacity is 8.

If the water doesn't have the power to pull out the stubborn dirt, that's what the Jaguar Leather Cleaner is for, as mentioned in the literature.

The above procedure has been working out fine for me over the past year. The leather still feels very soft and nourished.

 

So are you saying that Jaguar has told you not to *condition* your leather????

 

"The onlyrecommended product for the seats is the leather cleaner that is provided with the vehicle and available as an accessory via Jaguar dealerships. It is sourced from the leather manufacturer and is designed to clean and protect the leather. We don't recommend hide food as our tests show that this can strip the lacquer from water based leathers.



Jaguar Cleaner both cleans and conditions the leather as stated in the email.

I am stating, using anything else may damage the leather in the long run.

 

Ok - it's your car and of course you should only do what you feel comfortable with.

 

This is from a TSB released in August 2006 which specifically includes the 'New XK Range':

A range of Autoglym® leather cleaning products have been introduced over the years that have not gained approval to be used on Jaguar products, which may result in a claims dispute and warranty rejection.

Tests were conducted on the range of Autoglym leather cleaning products listed below and approval granted for use on Jaguar
vehicles.

Only products tested and approved for use on Jaguar vehicles should be used.

In addition to the products listed below, the current Jaguar leather cleaner (Jaguar part number C2A1061) could be used.

Autoglym Trade Range.
Leather & Trim Conditioner
No 4 Leather Cleaner

Autoglym Retail Range.
Leather Care Cream
Leather Cleaner
Interior Shampoo

 

I, too, decided to play it safe and buy the WILDLY EXPENSIVE leather care kit from Jaguar. There was so much disagreement and conflicting information out there (and I read every relevant thread regarding leather care on this site, and read outside sources as well) that I thought it best just to plat it safe.

One pleasant upshot: I left the kit in my back seat, and every time my XKR is parked in the sun (and gets a little warm), when I get back in the car I have the BEST Jaguar leather smell. It's worth it for that alone.

 

Stuart you have saved me time and effort because I was about to write exactly what you have written; the Jaguar XK interior is almost entirely leather covered And my 07 XK with the luxury interior in Caramel has all of what you have cited. To say that Jaguar interiors do not have the same amount of leather is absolutely untrue - except that the Bentley is larger, hence more leather, as you have said. The earlier Jaguar Vanden Plas cars also had full leather interiors - Jaguar knows leather; it is of the essence of a Jaguar!

 

Jaguar hide-food is produced by Connolly, and rebranded with Jag's logo.

https://www.amazon.com/Connolly-Leat...re+leather+kit

 

Owning both a VDP has nicer leather than the XK; it's part of the option of the VDP. In general, Bentley has nicer quality hides than Jaguar. The leather quality on XK is not uniform throughout the car. The seats and dash has different leather than around rear seat speak area for instance.