10-27-2020, 10:33 AM | #1 |
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Leather Cleaning
I realize the BMW leather is coated/sealed.
Is there any point in using the specialty leather cleaners such as Lexol, Leatherique, etc? They all say they penetrate the leather but I’m thinking that’s if they aren’t sealed or coated. My Venetian leather is in great shape, so I’m just wondering here. Thanks. |
10-27-2020, 11:36 AM | #2 |
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I'm torn on this topic.
I've never seen any real difference between a leather product and a general interior product on my seats, but I do notice a big difference on surfaces like my steering wheel, shift knob, and brake release.
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10-27-2020, 05:05 PM | #3 |
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I haven't seen great results with Leatherique conditioning on the coated leather of BMW seats after approx mid-90s manufacture. Their cleaner, as well as Lexol, does a decent job.
I'm happy using the Sonax & Leather Master products in the E39, E46s & F22. Zymol & Zaino also have good products.
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10-28-2020, 11:50 AM | #4 |
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I’m thinking those surfaces aren’t sealed/coated like the seats.
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10-28-2020, 01:41 PM | #5 |
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Most likely, which is also why they wear out faster too.
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10-28-2020, 05:13 PM | #6 |
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10-29-2020, 07:58 AM | #7 | |
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My car is 2016 which I bought last year CPO. With only three years and roughly 27K miles when I bought it, the manual shift knob was already showing signs of wear where the palm of your hand makes contact with the knob. Fortunately, the knob hasn't got any worse because I don't drive with my hand always on the knob, but a driver who always drives with one hand on the lever and one on the wheel could wear it our pretty quickly. The material seems softer and less durable than what was wrapped around the manual shift knob on my E46.
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10-29-2020, 02:23 PM | #8 |
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+1 for Sonax Leather Foam, and also Sonax Alcantara Cleaner.
Used regularly, the foam keeps my Dakota Ivory White seats nice, and the cleaner works great on the black Alcantara bits, if they get dirty. |
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10-30-2020, 07:47 AM | #9 | |
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Leather that color is a good test bed for cleaners. Glad to hear you like it. What do you apply as a protectant after you clean them with the Sonax? The product I use is no longer made, so I'm always looking for ideas for what to buy next.
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10-30-2020, 10:27 AM | #10 | |
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If I know there’s a chance it’ll get really dirty, or someone has new jeans on, I throw a slip-cover towel over ‘em. I don’t use anything except the Sonax Foam on the leather. It’s a cleaner & conditioner. Works nicely... Tom |
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10-31-2020, 10:48 AM | #11 | |
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https://www.sonaxusa.com/car-leather...googleproducts |
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10-31-2020, 10:52 AM | #12 |
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11-06-2020, 10:51 AM | #13 |
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Coated or not leather is a natural product. I prescribe to the theory that protecting/moisturizing the leather on a REGULAR basis is the key. I give my leather a quick spray/wipe with leather protectant once a month. I feel the key is not WHAT you use but HOW you use it. I have tried some of those leather wipes from Meguires and they work fine...they are convenient which is key. I grab some interior spray from the cupboard and a leather wipe and it takes 2 minutes to give seats a quick wipe.
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11-06-2020, 12:10 PM | #14 |
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I think the big debate is whether the various types/levels of coatings on the leather allow the conditioning/moisturizing products to actually penetrate into the leather or does it never make it past the coating.
For me, I've had mixed results depending on the leather. Some are noticeably softer/more pliable after using a leather product, while others showed no change at all. On my F32, it's a mixture of the two. The seats show no sign of any difference, but the shift knob, MSport steering wheel, and brake lever handle not only look different, but feel better afterwards.
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11-09-2020, 09:34 AM | #15 | |
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Clean BMW leather is slightly tacky, with some texture to it. |
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11-09-2020, 09:53 AM | #16 | |
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Seats never seem to change much with the same efforts, which leads me to wonder if the coating on those surfaces doesn't allow the leather products to work the same way.
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11-09-2020, 09:58 AM | #17 | |
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I bought my BMW as a CPO, and this made a huge difference to the appearance of the leather, as well as getting off wayward nail polish from the steering wheel leather. |
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11-30-2020, 06:58 PM | #18 |
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Found just using Lexol cleaner as instructed and then the conditioner works just fine. Leather especially the touch point like steering wheel, feel better. Also like the Lexol smell. Reasonable priced and lasts several years.
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