Coated and uncoated leather care?

[Bunky]

This is the response I got on another forum by TOGWT

Polyurethane (covered leather) does not completely seal leather per se; it’s a thermoplastic and therefore remains pliable to follow the flexing of the leather upholstery. The finishes have to remain somewhat porous (to allow hydration) A water-based product accomplishes this with an emulsion of micro droplets of oil (for surface lubrication) and water that permeate the leather finish and / or the polyurethane as the emulsions molecular structure is smaller than the molecules of the finished leather or the polyurethane covering. Hydration is important to ensure that the leather hide does not dry out as this would make the leather more liable to absorb stains / spillages. Once these are absorbed they can be impossible to remove.

Leather is a natural product and its surface contains pores, this helps the leather to breathe.
The surface of the leather, if looked at under a microscope, will show an uneven surface and when leather becomes soiled, the soiling embeds itself into the 'valleys' of the leather. Gentle agitation is what is required for cleaning, by rubbing hard on the leather surface; you will only push the dirt deeper into the leather.


"Why does the cream [my comment was about Leather Master] have oils?"
The oils are used as a surface lubricatant to ensure the leather / urethane surface is not abraded. Gentle agitation is what is required for cleaning, by rubbing hard on the leather surface; you will only push the dirt deeper into the leather.

[Beemerboy]

So my assumption about the clear on the leather being breathable is correct....I had to figure that it was

Also TOGWT posts at a BMW site that I go to....his post are always very informative...he told me that they are in the concourse detailing...based on his knowledge I would think so

Originally Posted by Bunky

This is the response I got on another forum by TOGWT

Polyurethane (covered leather) does not completely seal leather per se; it’s a thermoplastic and therefore remains pliable to follow the flexing of the leather upholstery. The finishes have to remain somewhat porous (to allow hydration) A water-based product accomplishes this with an emulsion of micro droplets of oil (for surface lubrication) and water that permeate the leather finish and / or the polyurethane as the emulsions molecular structure is smaller than the molecules of the finished leather or the polyurethane covering. Hydration is important to ensure that the leather hide does not dry out as this would make the leather more liable to absorb stains / spillages. Once these are absorbed they can be impossible to remove.

Leather is a natural product and its surface contains pores, this helps the leather to breathe.
The surface of the leather, if looked at under a microscope, will show an uneven surface and when leather becomes soiled, the soiling embeds itself into the 'valleys' of the leather. Gentle agitation is what is required for cleaning, by rubbing hard on the leather surface; you will only push the dirt deeper into the leather.


"Why does the cream [my comment was about Leather Master] have oils?"
The oils are used as a surface lubricatant to ensure the leather / urethane surface is not abraded. Gentle agitation is what is required for cleaning, by rubbing hard on the leather surface; you will only push the dirt deeper into the leather.

[Bunky]

I am guessing that Lexol is a cross-over product. It is not a traditional conditioner (old type rich in oils) and more like the water-based solution. The debate seems to be over whether the water or oil is working on the leather once it migrates into the interior. Most people do not like Lexol just because of the smell but I have never used it so I would not know. I have used Meguiars (!) combo product on my top coated leather. The seat did not melt...

[ArmstrongDetailing]

Did I just see Steve agree with Anthony?

Leather conditioners that are rich in oils meant to condition saddles and baseball mitts shouldn't be used on coated leathers. I believe most automotive leather conditioners are formulated to account for the fact most people do not know their leather is coated.

I will be honest and say that I am not an expert on leather but my experience tells me that coated leather can be softened and treated with leather conditioners formulated for use in automobiles.

[Bunky]

I knew my seats were just leather in the seating areas then it dawned on my I was trying to condition the vinyl trim! Funny thing was the vinyl was not greasy....but I will definitely switch to a protectant product.

[CharlesW]

Originally Posted by Bunky

I knew my seats were just leather in the seating areas then it dawned on my I was trying to condition the vinyl trim! Funny thing was the vinyl was not greasy....but I will definitely switch to a protectant product.

Which is just what Steve was hoping.

Originally Posted by Poorboy's Leather Stuff

Once you've tried Leather Stuff, we are sure it will be your first choice to maintain all the leather, vinyl, and rubber in your home and car.

Then you have it all in one bottle and can just spray everything.

Charles

[CharlesW]

Since it seemed like Lexol might have some idea on how to use their products, I asked them about it.

CharlesW's question to Lexol:
Is your leather conditioner the right product to use on the coated leather seats in my 2000 Pontiac Grand Prix? I have been told that a vinyl protectant would be a better choice and that a leather conditioner can have an adverse effect on the factory finish coat of the leather.
Charles

Lexol's response:
If the seats are coated, we recommend that you use our product for vinyl, rubber and plastic called Vinylex.

So their you have it. If you choose to believe that Lexol's many years of experience have some value, it would seem that a product that is intended to be used on vinyl as well as leather would be a better choice. Since they have both, they aren't likely to be pushing one product over the other and probably feel the vinyl products are the way to go.
Since my vinyl protectants, (303 & NL), don't have a leather scent, I guess I will have to stop by a tack shop and get a piece of leather to put under the seat.
I've never used air fresheners, but do they make them with a leather scent? If they do, is that scent as overpowering as the other so called freshener scents?
I always thought you were just trading one odor for another.

And yes, Steve, I realize I could just buy some Leather Stuff. I already have quarts of 303 and NL and really don't need any more conditioners right now.

Charles

[Poorboy]

Originally Posted by CharlesW

I've never used air fresheners, but do they make them with a leather scent? If they do, is that scent as overpowering as the other so called freshener scents?
I always thought you were just trading one odor for another.

And yes, Steve, I realize I could just buy some Leather Stuff. I already have quarts of 303 and NL and really don't need any more conditioners right now.

Charles

Yes, ..look under the warehouse sale thread..there is a leather air freshener and no it doesn't overwhelm you and yes i know you have a lot of stuff Charles

[CharlesW]

Originally Posted by Poorboy

Yes, ..look under the warehouse sale thread..there is a leather air freshener and no it doesn't overwhelm you

Great!
And it comes in a quart size, too.
Then I could have enough for 10 years rather than just the 8, I'm now stocked up for.

Charles

[Poorboy]

Originally Posted by CharlesW

Great!
And it comes in a quart size, too.
Then I could have enough for 10 years rather than just the 8, I'm now stocked up for.

Charles

True, but 10 > 8 and my kids say that is good

[CharlesW]

Originally Posted by CharlesW

I've never used air fresheners, but do they make them with a leather scent? If they do, is that scent as overpowering as the other so called freshener scents?
I always thought you were just trading one odor for another.

This is kind of beating a dead horse, but I have answered my question about at least one brand of air fresheners.
The "Little Trees' brand sells one they label as having a leather scent.
It doesn't smell like any leather I have smelled. In fact, the smell that came to mind was the old plug type chewing tobacco. It was baaaad. And I mean that in a bad way.
After having it out of the wrapper over night to make sure the odor wasn't just highly concentrated from being sealed up in a package, I gave up and threw the 3 little trees in the trash. I wouldn't recommend them.
If I try anymore leather scent devices, I think I will make my own. I'm seriously considering putting some 4 Star Ultimate Leather Conditioner on a cloth and then putting that cloth under the seat. Of course that will become such a nuisance that I won't do it regularly, so maybe I will just forget the whole idea.

Charles

[Pockets]

Charles with those little trees try cutting just a corner or 2 off of the bag with the tree still inside that will greatly decrease the smell and it will make it last much longer. And it might even make it smell like leather lol

[CharlesW]

Originally Posted by Pockets

Charles with those little trees try cutting just a corner or 2 off of the bag with the tree still inside that will greatly decrease the smell and it will make it last much longer. And it might even make it smell like leather lol

I did just expose a small portion for a while as per the instructions.
You are definitely right about it decreasing the smell.
It sure didn't make it smell anything like leather, though.
I think I have had my fling with "air fresheners".
The trash can seemed to work the best for me. I even made sure to throw them in a trash can other than mine.

Charles

[bphill555@sbcgl]

How do you tell the difference between coated and non-coated? I have a 2000 DeVille with light tan seats.

[Bunky]

Originally Posted by bphill555@sbcgl

How do you tell the difference between coated and non-coated? I have a 2000 DeVille with light tan seats.

As I recall, the test is to put a drop of water on the seat. If it darkens it is non-coated. If it does not, it is coated. You cannot see the grain in coated leather and it has a very uniform appearance.