Some cleaning product advice (specifically leather)

M

Mangozac

Senior member
 QLD, Australia
Hi all,

Well I've been lurking these forums for about a year, and now after finally buying my 03 E85 2.5i in Maldives blue around 5 weeks ago I'm finally able to get in on the Z4 discussion! :driving:

Now that I have a handle on most things about the car, I'm trying to navigate the minefield that is cleaning products. By way of a lot of research and accounting for what is easy to acquire here in Oz I've worked out most of the products I'll be using, including:

- Meguiars NXT wash and tech wax 2.0: used these on my last car and always been happy with the result.
- Aerospace 303 fabric roof kit: Raggtopp is too hard to get here in Oz and the 303 seems good value and highly recommended.
- Gummi pflege for rubbers: read nothing bad good things about this.
- Autoglym Super Resin Polish: again most people seem pretty happy with this and is seems decent value.
- Claybar kit from whoever has one on sale at the time: claybars seem to be much of a muchness so I'll end up grabbing whichever of the major off the shelf brands I see on sale.

So this leaves me with two applications remaining: interior/exterior plastics and the leather. Being a convertible, both of these products need to provide high UV protection, as I'm a roof down as much as possible person.

For the plastics, I read that Aerospace 303 protectant is supposed to be very good, however I have also read that it leaves a strange citrus like smell. That would be fine for exterior application, but I certainly don't want any such smells on the interior. Does anybody have any comments or recommendations on this?

But the bigger question I have pertains to the type of leather used for the Z4 seats - whether it is coated or uncoated. I read that using leather conditioning products on coated leather is a waste of time, as the plastic coating prevents the product from absorbing into the leather. Apparently that all would be required is a decent UV protectant (such as the Aerospace 303 if it doesn't have any scent issues). So can anybody clarify this? I tried doing some searches but to no avail. As far as products for uncoated leather go, I have been looking at the Zaino Z9/Z10 combo, even if it seems a bit expensive here (compared to say Lexol). But the Zaino does have the UV protection, Lexol not.

Thanks in advance for any help!

Zac
 
Hi Zac and a rather belated welcome to the Forum. I have no doubt you will get several responses to your questions but as a satarting point here's a link to Detailing World (yes another Forum) where all these issues are discussed.....

http://www.detailingworld.co.uk/forum/index.php
 
Hi Zac

Afraid I cant really help with the questions so shall just say welcome to the forum!

And...
:worthless:
 
For the leather I use gliptone liquid leather cleaner and conditioner. You just give the seats I wipe down with a damp cloth, then apply the cleaner (you can work it in with a soft brush if you like. I did) and leave it for five minutes. Wipe it off and wait for it to dry then apply the conditioner and let that dry in. The seats come up looking and smelling like new.
 
Mangozac,

Gliptone is a UK based company but found this link to an Aus distributor......

http://www.landsharkoz.com/tt/ttlr.htm

Playalistic - thanks for the advice - gonna' try this on mine :thumbsup:
 
Check in on detailing world and have a look at LTT lazy leather, one step wonder in a bottle and is designed by leather technicians for real leather situations and cleaning.
Failing that, planet polish do a cleaner and conditioner which are apprently very good and not overpriced.
 
Thanks for the responses and warm welcomes!

For the record, I have spent a little time going through the detailing world forums, but to be honest I find them a bit intimidating and confusing. Most threads that discuss leather care turn into arguments of product vs no product. The lady there from LTT JudyB is always explaining how leather doesn't need any conditioning, but then goes on to spruik her products...

I have read good things about Gliptone but it would be a bit of mucking around to get a hold of and starts to get expensive when you factor in postage costs.

Many people talk about using a diluted wool wash to clean the leather and since I don't/won't let the leather get dirty I've concluded that buying leather cleaner is a bit of a waste of money. So it's just keeping it protected from the UV that I'm most worried about.

In terms of conditioner/UV protection I've narrowed it down to the following:
- Zaino Z-10
- Poorboys Leather Stuff (which is also a cleaner)
- BMW leather care (a bit expensive though)

I must say, I'm leaning towards the Zaino simply due to the amount of universally positive responses it gets. And it's not so expensive if just buying the protectant/conditioner.

Any comments on an interior plastic protectant?

Oh and I'll get pics of the car eventually - right now I'm always having too much fun driving to stop and take pics :D
 
Zaino products all the way - and they smell really good too - use the cleaner and the nourisher and you can't go wrong.
 
For the seats I use Autoglym leather cleaner and cream, its not very exotic but seems to work well and I trust their products.
 
I used to be a poorboys world stockist and after test running every last product, I found that leather stuff was an excellent cleaner/conditioner that left the leather not to glossy compared to various other leading brand favourites and it actually made the leather smell new and natural again rather than overly pungent and over powering again like various others.
The LTT products are really well designed by leather techs for leather techs so they are gauranteed to be safe and work well.
As said before, lazt leather is an all in one cleaner, conditoner and protector in one bottle so that would get my vote.
 
One thing I would say is be sure to test it on a small or out of sight part of your seat/door card so you don't end up with a nasty shiny/glossy finish. Nothing worse than glossy interior. Ugh. :sick:
 
Thanks for the responses, especially Scottbt.

After a LOT of research I've decided to go with the Poorboys products for my interior. They seem to be well priced and get only positive comments. I'll order the Leather Stuff for the seats and Natural Look Dressing for the plastic trim.

I'll be sure to post my results here when I get them!
 
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