Leather seat cleaning/maintenance

**Quicksilver_GP** · 04-10-2008

Anybody have any suggestions on how to preserve/protect/clean the leather seats in our GPs? I just installed a slightly used, like new 40th Anniversary leather interior into my 02 GP and the "GP 40th Anniversary" that is embroidered into the seats is a lil dirty. Also, there's a few cracks here and there, I guess it's unavoidable with a leather interior ( this is the first one I've ever had so I wouldn't know...) but I would like to aviod/prevent any further cracking or eyesores to the seat. Any ideas guys? Thanks!

**SyntheticShield** · 04-10-2008

You can clean them with a Mr. Clean Magic Eraser. Id buy a pack or two of them because the texture of the leather is rough on them and will tear them up quickly. With the embroidery, the only thing coming to mind is Resolve carpet cleaner, the dual action stuff. The one that has the two cleaning liquids that when you spray it out on the carpet mixes. The one that is oxygenated. Take that and a tooth brush and go to town then wipe down with a terry cloth towel.

With protecting them, my neighbor does furniture upholstery and she swears by stuff that has mink oil in it when it comes to leather. Ive used what she has before and it does seem to work extremely well.

I just clean mine with the Magic Eraser and some glass cleaner or something mild like that, then wipe the seat dry and then condition it with the mink oil product.

**Quicksilver_GP** · 04-11-2008

Thanks Scotty! youre are an asset to the community!....and my seats

**SyntheticShield** · 04-11-2008

Originally Posted by Quicksilver_GP

Thanks Scotty! youre are an asset to the community!....and my seats

Awwwwww.

Let us know how it goes. I had just cleaned mine before the tranny let go and I used the same process. The magic erasers with a glass cleaner, then the mink oil treatment. Now, keep in mind my seats are not perfect, notably the drivers side on the left side support area, because it was that way when I got it. However, it has not gotten any worse. So if your seats are in good condition, start now with taking care of them and they'll last you a good long time.

You will see immediately the affect of the magic erasers. I use those things on a lot of different things, and on a lot of my interior. The only thing you cant use it on is the paint, it will scratch it. But I use it in the engine bay, interior, just about anything that isnt painted.

**kingd44** · 04-11-2008

i agree....scotty for president lololol

**Going Too Phast** · 04-11-2008

I like Zaino's leather cleaner and conditioner, Z-9 and Z-10 respectively. Yummy leather smell.

Here ->Zaino Bros': Zaino Store

It isn't cheap though.

**SyntheticShield** · 04-11-2008

Originally Posted by kingd44

i agree....scotty for president lololol

Dang, yall better cut that out before it goes to my head.

**s1795so2** · 04-11-2008

Believe it or not steam works great for cleaning, and it helps get some wrinkles out that tend to develop after a couple of years of use.

**IndeedSS** · 04-12-2008

Protect-All works well, and as it says in the name, it is for everything. Many years ago this stuff was recommended to me buy a person that worked at a Harley dealership. He said they used it on the showroom, and custom bikes.

Mustang (motorcycle seats) still recommends Protect-All.

You can buy it online pretty cheap at campingworld. Sometimes you can find it a Wal-mart in the RV section. Protect-All brand is big in the RV arena.

Protect All Polish, Wax and Treatment

I'm sure the other things mentioned are great as well. I'm only offering another option.

**Quicksilver_GP** · 04-12-2008

No, hey, this is great guys! thanks! All opinions are welcomed and appreciated, nice to know I have a few choices in how to go about this. Never heard of the "mink oil" thing before, but have heard of Zaino and Protect-All. I wiped them down thoroughly tonight with Armor-All leather wipes and when I get a few dollars that aren't spoken for I think I'll head to Wally World or Auto Zone and try to find some of these products. One last question though..is it possible to care for your leather "too much"? I'm not OCD about it, at least I dont think so, but I see myself leather treating my seats every week or every other week at least. Okay, maybe I am a lil OCD about it but I payed hella money for these and I wanna protect my investment, ya know....So, is it possible to overdo it?

**SyntheticShield** · 04-12-2008

I say OCD can be a good thing when it comes to taking care of your car.

**archemedes** · 04-14-2008

if you use too many products that are not really for leather (armor all seems to dry the leather out in my experience with their "leather" wipes) then you are doing more harm than good

**SyntheticShield** · 04-14-2008

Originally Posted by archemedes

if you use too many products that are not really for leather (armor all seems to dry the leather out in my experience with their "leather" wipes) then you are doing more harm than good

True, but thats why I recommend going back over the seat with a leather protectant or treatment after cleaning it with the magic eraser and glass cleaner. The mink oil I mentioned seems to work extremely well, but Im sure there are other products that work equally as well that may be more available. We have several places around here that we can get mink oil from because of the farming communities. They have horses that they ride and saddles that need to be taken care of.

**MaxTheDog** · 04-14-2008

Like an idiot, I ripped my driver's seat. Where can I get a factory leather replacement?

**Quicksilver_GP** · 04-17-2008

a "factory" leather replacement? You'll have to go to a stealership and order a new seat. Or go to a local leather uphostery shop, but that kinda defeats the idea of "factory" leather replacement. Either way, good luck, probably looking at paying some serious $$$......BTW, thanks for all the info guys!! Didn't realize that the Armor All leather wipes would actually DRY the seat out more, wtf Armor All...?!?

**archemedes** · 04-18-2008

there is a reason armor all is sold at the grocery store

**Quicksilver_GP** · 04-19-2008

lol, good point. I actually got mine from AutoZone but yeah...you dont buy a corvette from a trailer park and you don't get effective leather care products at a grocery store,......check

**JCG's-GTP** · 04-19-2008

Anyone tried the black magic leather treatment? Cleans, conditions, and shines it says. I read the ingrediants and it has mink oil in it. 9 bucks for a spray bottle

**archemedes** · 04-20-2008

similar to the meguires I bet

**Quicksilver_GP** · 04-23-2008

UPDATE: I went to AutoZone and bought Meguiar's Gold Class Leather Cleaner/Protectant and this stuff is AMAZING!! This stuff really brought my leather seats to life! They have a mad sexy shine thing goin' and I think that the Meguiar's actually softened the leather a little as well. Im really impressed with the results and would recommend this product to anyone with leather interior, leather recliner, leather anything. Think I'll re-apply another round of this stuff in two weeks or so; this hot humid weather and sun beating down on my seats all day while im at work cant be good on them....