Just wanted to share my recent leather cleaning experience with the Leather Masters System.(Thanks to Grouse out in Seattle)
I recently just cleaned and conditioned the RECARO leather in my 06 S4. I used the Leather Masters System which came out incredible! No greasy feel at ALL and no horrible smell, just really soft leather. There is no visible difference at all. It looks like the leather the day I bought it, only softer.
Here is what I did:
If the leather is standard it is a protected leather. With that I would recommend either moe's method or the leather masters system. If it is an upgraded leather. it very well may be aniline dyed, meaning there is no protective coating. Because of that I STRONGLY recommend sticking with the leather masters system.
Strong cleaner. (dilute 1:3 cleaner/distilled water)<that dilution makes soft cleaner>
Leather vital
Leather protection cream.
The procedure is to vacuum the seats, remove all loose debris, pick off all dried matter as best you can.
apply the strong cleaner to the sponge of boars hair furniture brush.
Work/agitate into a lather.
Apply cleaner to a 18"x18" area, agitate and or brush in slightly. This is not a scrubbing action but simply to ensure the cleaner is all over the leather.
Let sit for 20-30 seconds.
Wipe off excess with clean microfiber.
Repeat process on next 18"x18" area.
After all leather is done you will want to wait till the leather is fully dried. This is important. Leather is damaged by excess moisture, it dries out rapidly. think of a wet pair of leather gloves (ala oj) they dry out, shrink and become brittle. Leather masters is a low moisture method of cleaning. Specifically designed to work with aniline dyed and protected leathers.
After the leather is dry, Depending on where you live, temp, humidity 20 min - 1 hour. Assess if it needs to be cleaned again. I generally clean it two times for good measure.
Wait for it to dry again, Often i will use a air mover or a blow dryer on low warm air held 2 feet or more away from the leather.
After leather is dry, you can generally move onto Leather vital. This is the main conditioner. For a 4 door extended leather (doors, dash, seat fronts and backs) vehicle you might use 1 oz on two applications of vital. A normal car would be 1/4 oz or so, protected leather even less.
Again you want to wait till it is fully dry. 20 min to 1 hour. This is to ensure it will soak in to the leather and not just goop up on you.
After that i usually do a second leather vital application using 1/3rd the amount i did on the first time. both applications are very very thin layers. Just like wax, less is more.
Wait for it to dry.
Apply leather protection cream. This has uv inhibitors that keep the leather from drying out from to much sun lite. this will generally be 1/2 the amount you used on yoru 2nd coat of leather vital. If there is any excess after 5 min, wipe off with clean micro fiber.
I hope this helps,
Reply With Quote
Originally Posted by Grouse
Bookmarks