spamman

I need to clean the black leather seats in my 97 MAX. It had my sons baby seat in it and I am now driving the Max again and the seat is out. BUT, there are small white spots in the leather that look like (and most likely is) milk droplets that were not wiped up. The leather was not maintained well and not as supple as it should be but not split or cracked.

So, what is the best way to clean this black leather to remove the spots and then I can put down a protector? Thanks: e3

KCMC582

iTrader: (4)

i just use Lexol leather cleaner and leather conditioner to do mine, and follow the directions on the bottles. i should really do it soon, thanks for reminding me.

Bobo

Whatever you do, don't use armorall on the seats!

I had my car leather protected before I picked it up new (along with rustproofing and Diamond coating). I used to do the upkeep myself and now couldn't be bothered.

I take it to a reputable auto detailer once a year and for Cdn$130 cash (about US$105) they:

1. Wash the car
2. Apply the Diamond coat wax or equivalent and buff it so no white residue shows in any of the cracks or trim (something I would always screw up).
3. Detail the trunk, tires & wheels
4. Clean any problems on the head liner
5. Clean the entire interior
6. Shampoo the carpets and floor mats
7. Steam clean the engine
8. Apply the leather protector to the interior
9. Wet stone or cut polish any scratches they can remove

The products that they use are not cheap to buy. I leave with a showroom appearance and peace of mind.

My car is 10.5 years old and the seats look virtually new, particularly the back seats which just stopped smelling like new 2 or 3 years ago.

PrinzII

iTrader: (2)

If the leather is hard, you may beable to do something with a conditioner like Lexol. However, I would recommend Leatherique in a situation like this so that the leather can be fully rejuvenated.

Max20SE00

iTrader: (3)

where would you get leatherique?

kcwolf200

I got my leatherique from Autogeek.net. You can buy a kit that has everything you need. I think I paid $75 with shipping for the 32oz. bottles.

Max20SE00

iTrader: (3)

damn, is it really that good?

ItzSS

Well I got 15 posts and I still cant post (depressed). Although Yeah, is it really worth that?

Max20SE00

iTrader: (3)

also how long does thiss tuff last you?

PrinzII

iTrader: (2)

You can get Leatherique at www.autogeek.net and www.leatherique.com. It may be a little pricey but it's worth it. It will last forever with proper maintenance.

Max20SE00

iTrader: (3)

ok, I just ordered some from autogeek.net and paid about 11 dollars for shipping. Turns out the company store is located about 4 miles from my house. They said they usually dont schedule for pickups but would make an exception for me in the future. I cant believe that I just paid 11 dollars to ship something I could have walked and gotten. Oh well, I hope this product is as good as everyone says it is!

kcwolf200

I just used my leatherique and it works great. I bought my car used and the previous owner did not care for the leather at all. Some spots were cardboard hard. It softened the leather up, but I am going to have to use multiple applications. Since it takes all day, this will take a while but I will keep you posted on how it finally turns out. Pleased so far.

Hey Max20SE00, let me know how it works for you.

Max20SE00

iTrader: (3)

I did mine once already but used it sparingly and only let it sit for like an hour, it wasnt even sunny. I got pretty good results anyway, and figured the next time I used it I would let it sit all day and should achieve excellent results. I will post pics of it after I am done, prob going to do it this week coming up.

Max20SE00

iTrader: (3)

does anyone know if you can leave this product on too long? I am going away for a weeknd and was wondering if I could leave the oil baking in the sun for like 4 days?

ILLJIM69

ive been using armor all leather wipes, but they are only a quick detailing thing. merguires gold class leather crap is great. softened the leather up a bit on the first application.

jim

Dan

iTrader: (2)

I've had better results with Lexol than meguiars. Also, try MC Magic Eraser or scrubbing bubbles for cleaning.

DanNY

iTrader: (14)

used the mr clean magic eraser. all the dirt and etc came right out.

then use lexol conditioner to add moisture back into the leather.

PrinzII

iTrader: (2)

One side note in regards to the leather in Maximas. Like many leather seats, they have a clear coat on them to enhance protection.

CreativeDesignz

iTrader: (3)

Leatherique is awesome. my leather was like cardboard when i first got it now its perfect and supple

my99maxisnice

Don't use the Mr. Clean Magic Eraser since you have black leather.

DonJonnio

From what I've been reading theres coated and uncoated leather seats. If the Maxima's leather is coated then conditioning products like Leatherique, Lexol etc... shouldn't work that great because they won't penetrate the coating. Products like Klasse V-L-R which are designed to sit on top of the coating and provide a protectant should be used right? My question is this, I have a 2003 Max SE with leather seats. Is the leather coated or uncoated?

Thanks for you input.

4x4Max

iTrader: (12)

Dont know, but i know that Leatherique will work

DonJonnio

Heres a huge amount of input (79 threads) on the coated vs uncoated leather question. Sounds like the Maxima does have coated leather and that the consensus is that leather conditioners aren't needed and a few posts claim they can actually break down the clear coat. Quite a few recommendations for using a protectant like "303".

http://autopia.org/forums/search.php...by=&sortorder=

mdsmithers

From Autopia member TOGWT;

"Just like the oils in a polish penetrate the clear coat to the colour coat underneath.

That a covered leather doesn't allow leather conditioning oils to penetrate is a myth,which if believed will result in dryed out and cracked leather"

In review of the threads I don't see a consensus that leather conditioners aren't needed. You can use 303 on leather, but I tend to believe that conditioners are needed as well as a protectant.

DonJonnio

Sorry to beat this issue to death (I've got to get in 15 posts anyways), but I think this is a fairly important issue for us car detaillers to get straight. It does appear that our Maxima leather seats are coated and that people are reporting success using conditioners (like Leatherique) or just protectants (like 303). I'm going to take the approach that coated leather seats are coated to prevent oils and other liquids from getting absorbed into the leather and use a conditioner/protectant designed for vinyl.

A good post:



"Some afternoon searching found this at ProperAutoCare.

Some leather being used in domestic automobiles has a top veneer of vinyl. This should be considered a vinyl interior and treated with a vinyl dressing. Do not use a leather conditioner on vinyl topped leather. The conditioning oils can not penetrate the vinyl coating to reach the leather. If you're not sure if your car's leather is vinyl coated, check with your car dealer or the manufacturer.

And another from sparkleauto.com.

The majority of automobiles today are not the high-grade leather we talked about above but are plastic-coated. The underlying leather is treated with a product called ? polyvinylchloride plastic ? or vinyl. The same way we have PVC pipe. These treated vinyl leathers are protected by a clear layer of vinyl. The advantage to this type of treated leather is that it is generally impervious to moisture. However, since no moisture can penetrate the vinyl coating the use of a leather conditioner serves no purpose since it cannot penetrate the leather. The advantages are that this type of leather proves to be maintenance free because of its vinyl coating. To treat this type of leather clean it with a good all purpose cleaner and condition the vinyl coated leather with a high quality vinyl conditioner."

BK1

iTrader: (2)

Try the Mr Clean Magic Eraser.

Doc

FYI, I just visited the leatherique web site and they have a special running until May 15. Example, the 16oz kit (cleaner and rejuvenator) is something like $36. A lot cheaper than usual.

raudimax

I have a brand new 2005 Maxima Sl.. I think the leather seats are coated. Should I still use the Lexol or Leatherique? Thanks for your input.

paulfromchicago

are you talking about the leather wipes? what's wrong with them?

ajsilvaoc

so which is it do you condition or what

Kevon1

iTrader: (12)

Woolite...........nothing cleans leather better. In both Lexus & Caddilac owner manuals it says to use a ratio of 6 to 1 Water to woolite in a spray bottle. It works incredible. Also the woolite is PH balanced so it wont harm the leather. On the tough areas I used the Mr clean Magic Eraser but SPARINGLY! The eraser is a abrasive & you can ruin your seats real easy by over doing it. I recently cleaned seats I purchased in this manner & followed it up with Tanners Leather lotion. You wouldent know that they were not almost new & there 5 years old. Not to mention they were filthy. Can not speak any higher about this system. 100% pleased & the cleaner only cost $3.89 cents. Cant beat it. My 2 cents.

1998MaximaGLE

Yes, Scottwax also gave advice on the Woolite solution and I must say it worked like a charm. It cleaned my filthy interior up very well.

Eric02SE

I go to griotsgarage.com and get their interior cleaner. stuff works amazing and it cleaned up th SUPER dirt interior on my sister in laws 95 jeep. tan leather that ended up being about 3-4 shades lighter when I was done. just tons of that nasty black oily residue on it. you can use it on the whole interior. I highly recommend it