Saddle soap / Traditional cleaning products?

[Conor]

So I seem to be going through a nice amount of Meguiars in cleaning the R230.

Firstly it's expensive and also it feel it's a bit harsh.. I don't like how it is chemicals softening and breaking down the dirt. It also leaves a weird feeling residue on the vinyl/leather as it is drying.

I have wondered about using saddle soap as an alternative. Wondering if I can just use that in some warm water to create a nice lather to work the dirt out wipe it down, using a combination of the soap and warm temperature to do the work.

Obviously taking care not to let water seep into crevices such as the vents in the seats etc.

Also what are peoples opinions on using a steam cleaner? I think this could also be effecitve.

After any cleaning I will then add some kind of leather conditioner.

As far as I am concerned Saddle Soap is the tried and testing leather cleaner and Megs/AutoGlym etc are the expensive gimmicks - am I wrong?

 

[Wearsafoxhat]

I have had no problems with the Gliptone products.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[Blobcat]

You’ll probably find that your leather has been sealed. So all you need to do is clean it and not with leather cleaning products as you're cleaning a “plastic” coating

 

[LostKiwi]

Modern vehicle leather (unless Nappa) is sealed so needs nothing more than soapy water.

 

[rorywquin]

In mine, the seats are treated with UV resistant "stuff" (I believe your's are also) . Normally a damp microfiber is recommended. I wouldn't muck around with saddle soap, IIRC it is intended for pure leather.

 

[rorywquin]

Modern vehicle leather (unless Nappa) is sealed so needs nothing more than soapy water.

Beat me to the punch!

 

[Conor]

Interesting.

So what has me a little confused is that on both my SL and E class, the leather code is the same, so says lastvin.com

E Class:
Interior LEATHER - BEIGE (205A)
200A LEATHER
205A LEATHER - BEIGE

SL Class:
Interior LEATHER - BEIGE (205A)
200A LEATHER
(Does not show 205A like the E class)

But they are two totally different finishes. The E class seems very "plastic" and you would doubt it it is real leather, note it is Avantgarde, if that makes a difference.

The leather finish on the SL feels far more premium, soft and "leatherlike".

For the E class I imagine you could wipe it down with just about anything but I would imagine what you use on the SL would matter a lot, and I would also be more inclined to want to "treat" the leather in the SL.

The Gliptone stuff looks good.

And on that note... what does one doe with what looks like fake tan on the door arm rests, where wrist and elbow would be. Live with it or potentially re colour the whole panel which seems risky and faff.

 

[McDonald]

I use a combination of two Gliptone products on mine. One cleans, the other restores. Because so much of my driving is top-down, I think the seats are worth the attention. It's nice blue leather too, so easy on the eye.

 

[LostKiwi]

To see if it's coated drop water on it. If it soaks in its not coated. If it runs off or beads it is. Obviously do as little water as possible.

 

[Conor]

To see if it's coated drop water on it. If it soaks in its not coated. If it runs off or beads it is. Obviously do as little water as possible.

A job for tomorrow so, thanks.

I use a combination of two Gliptone products on mine. One cleans, the other restores. Because so much of my driving is top-down, I think the seats are worth the attention. It's nice blue leather too, so easy on the eye.

Agreed. I cleaned up the passenger seat nice yesterday and it looks quite good. I'm not sure the Meguiars stuff I used has treatment in it but I want it to remain nice.

 

[JBell]

I have had no problems with the Gliptone products.

Yup "Liquid Leather" is amazing stuff

 

[Cricket1]

Interesting.

So what has me a little confused is that on both my SL and E class, the leather code is the same, so says lastvin.com

E Class:
Interior LEATHER - BEIGE (205A)
200A LEATHER
205A LEATHER - BEIGE

SL Class:
Interior LEATHER - BEIGE (205A)
200A LEATHER
(Does not show 205A like the E class)

But they are two totally different finishes. The E class seems very "plastic" and you would doubt it it is real leather, note it is Avantgarde, if that makes a difference.

The leather finish on the SL feels far more premium, soft and "leatherlike".

For the E class I imagine you could wipe it down with just about anything but I would imagine what you use on the SL would matter a lot, and I would also be more inclined to want to "treat" the leather in the SL.

The Gliptone stuff looks good.

And on that note... what does one doe with what looks like fake tan on the door arm rests, where wrist and elbow would be. Live with it or potentially re colour the whole panel which seems risky and faff.

Re

 

[Cricket1]

Where do you find the leather code?
Re wear on leather arm rests,I use a product on aniline leather chairs
from Leather Clinic, comes in a couple of shades. Never used it on my nappa leather. Worth a punt,you should find some old worn leather to get the hang of using it,which I did. Once it’s dried through you can overcoat with your normal product or use one of their recommendations. Here’s the link https://www.furnitureclinic.co.uk/

 

[Cricket1]

So I seem to be going through a nice amount of Meguiars in cleaning the R230.

Firstly it's expensive and also it feel it's a bit harsh.. I don't like how it is chemicals softening and breaking down the dirt. It also leaves a weird feeling residue on the vinyl/leather as it is drying.

I have wondered about using saddle soap as an alternative. Wondering if I can just use that in some warm water to create a nice lather to work the dirt out wipe it down, using a combination of the soap and warm temperature to do the work.

Obviously taking care not to let water seep into crevices such as the vents in the seats etc.

Also what are peoples opinions on using a steam cleaner? I think this could also be effecitve.

After any cleaning I will then add some kind of leather conditioner.

As far as I am concerned Saddle Soap is the tried and testing leather cleaner and Megs/AutoGlym etc are the expensive gimmicks - am I wrong?

 

[Cricket1]

The really good detailing guys seem to dab brush to create lather with minimal water,then wipe off,work in small patches. Plenty of YouTube clips showing technique. The USA is the real market for perforated nappa so have a look there. This is a good link to read https://www.colourlock.com/tip/car-leather/perforated-leather.html?___store=default
I’m a new member, my E Class has the full nappa leather package,with every bell and whistle in a light beige,keeping it clean going forwards could be a problem. So any personal recommendations greatly received.

 

[John Laidlaw]

Think you need to look at how modern car leather is produced, normally they have a laminate coating which stops the real grubbiness happening and protects the base leather. Normally only a surface dirt is on there and it doesn't penetrate. Leather conditioner can have a tendency to stay 'sticky' then attract dirt, the complete opposite of what you want.
Cars from the 50s would benefit from saddle soap etc, but now now.

 

[Wighty]

Try using a bar of Dove hand soap with a damp micro fibre

 

[Phil From Chorley]

Firstly stay well away from saddle soap for car leather, it's far too harsh & will damage your leather.
As mentioned above modern car leather seats have a topcoat applied so any type of conditioner is wasted on them.
As a weekly maintenance I recommend simply misting with water then gently wiping off with a terry towel cloth.
For a deeper clean use a product from a decent leather specialist like LTT or The Leather Repair Company(LRC)

 

[rorywquin]

Firstly stay well away from saddle soap for car leather, it's far too harsh & will damage your leather.
As mentioned above modern car leather seats have a topcoat applied so any type of conditioner is wasted on them.
As a weekly maintenance I recommend simply misting with water then gently wiping off with a terry towel cloth.
For a deeper clean use a product from a decent leather specialist like LTT or The Leather Repair Company(LRC)

Why would you use a leather cleaner on a product with "a topcoat applied so any type of conditioner is wasted on them" ?

#confused

 

[Craiglxviii]

I use a combination of two Gliptone products on mine. One cleans, the other restores. Because so much of my driving is top-down, I think the seats are worth the attention. It's nice blue leather too, so easy on the eye.

+1, same for me too. Plus I use Malcolm’s old trick of leaving the Gliptone- soaked rag under the seat, so my car has a fresh leather smell afterwards!