Leather care

[50876]

The seats in my SL are in pretty good shape ( car has done 34k miles 2007 model) should I be doing anything to keep the leather in good order and what should I use.Also looking for a good set of floor mats as mine are grey and I would prefer black.

John

 

[Arzaam]

there are various leather feed products available to rejuvenate the leather and keep it in good order, you can do a search of the forum to find the recommended one as it has been mentioned before but i dont remember it from the top of my head.

 

[JBell]

I use "Liquid Leather", excellent stuff

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Gliptone-...349948?hash=item4b013d6cbc:g:5yUAAOSwo0JWF9ws

As for the mats, look on E-Bay and IIRC someone had some OEM mats for sale on here but not sure if they were for your car

 

[Craiglxviii]

+1 on the Gliptone, I use it exclusively and it is excellent. Scrub the leather cleaner in using a small brush- you'll be astonished (and disgusted!) at what comes off. Wipe clean with a damp cloth, leave to dry, then rub the conditioner in. It will keep your leather feeling like new. I did this to the leather in my 2000-reg, 124k mile CL and it brought everything up a treat!

On mats, if you're not fussed about OEM but like decent quality, go onto eBay, there are a number of sellers who will make fitted mats for your (or indeed any) car for not much dosh. I've paid £31 last week for a set of new mats for my X Trail, including the luggage floor carpet. Not OEM quality either, but I figure if I replace them every 18 months they're still going to work out cheaper than an OEM set which never last more than a few years anyway.

or you could, alternatively, go down the route one of our members with his S320 went, and cover the mats with gunmetal-grey sheepskin he sourced from tinterweb, they looked superb!!!

 

[LostKiwi]

Gliptone is highly recommended. I'm currently using Simoniz Leather Care on my 93 SL and its bringing the seats up a treat. They're getting softer with every application it seems.

 

[Craiglxviii]

I have the Aotogylm too, I use this on the settee It's good, but I feel that it doesn't bring the crud up as well as the Gliptone.

Plus Gliptone gives that lovely new leather smell. Mmmmmm. Almost as nice as new carpets

 

[Mic]

I use Renapur; and have been doing for some years.

http://www.renapur.com

Mic

 

[Craiglxviii]

I use Renapur; and have been doing for some years.

http://www.renapur.com

Mic

What about for cleaning your car seats though Mic?

 

[Crash1]

Dr. Leather- the best cleaner I have used so far
Found gliptone's finish a bit greasy and shiny with the conditioner and the cleaner was a fair a bit of work

 

[television]

Post 2000 cars using a different tanning process to the ones before that date, on the pre 2000 you could use any of the products out there. the later finishing process is not as strong. Gliptone does contain a leather smell built in, never tried any other. Using the saddle soap types on modern leather does not work as it just sits on top.

 

[daveenty]

I just use THESE on mine now.

As Malcolm mentions, the leather in use today is not the same (not as good?) as the older stuff, and tends to be sealed. These things are ideal for just giving it a quick wipe over and, whilst being slightly dearer than some in the Halfords link I put up, bear in mind that they usually do a 3 for 1 on cleaning products.

They also work well on my suite at home.

 

[Crash1]

Post 2000 cars using a different tanning process to the ones before that date, on the pre 2000 you could use any of the products out there. the later finishing process is not as strong. Gliptone does contain a leather smell built in, never tried any other. Using the saddle soap types on modern leather does not work as it just sits on top.

Yup I think almost all auto leathers are sealed, but you can use sealants on them.
Something like gtechniq L1, dr. Leather dye block or nanolex textile & leather (I use this one)

Leaves a nice finish, and the gliptone air freshener is awesome if you want the smell - lasts months

 

[Ben Longden]

Meguires works well on my cars...

 

[clanky 50]

This sounds crazy but works,a friend of mine works a Bentley,all modern leather seats are coated with a protective synthetic product to prevent staining etc,so you can put as many leather treatments as you like,they will not penetrate the coating,the answer is to rub the leather down with a scotch bright pad,then apply neatsfoot oil.you can buy it on amazon for about £5.

 

[nicholas15]

Post 2000 cars using a different tanning process to the ones before that date, on the pre 2000 you could use any of the products out there. the later finishing process is not as strong. Gliptone does contain a leather smell built in, never tried any other. Using the saddle soap types on modern leather does not work as it just sits on top.

So if I have understood you correctly Malcolm, Gliptone would be good for a 2003 SL?
Nicholas