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Hi All,
There are so many different opinions on the internet (I know - surprise) for cleaning your leather - don’t use oil based (but many recommend Zaino who says, they have some oils), others say just use water and microfiber, etc ... With so many opinions, I thought I would ask the forum. What do you use, or do you know what GM recommends?
I would use just the water if that is satisfying your needs of keeping it clean. If you need to go to a cleaner I would look into Adams Polishes products. They are endorsed by GM and this leather conditioner is actually sold right on the Chevrolet Corvette accessory website. GM part #19355484.
Here's GM's recommendation on interior care: https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/20...76647-9999.pdf
Number 1 priority: Do no harm.
Basically, I'd start with a microfiber cloth dampened with water. If that isn't sufficient then try some mild soap and water. There are recommended products in the bulletin for removing stains and reconditioning damaged surfaces.
Got to a leather expert if that still isn't enough.
In the past and still with some high end foreign manufacturers, auto leather seating was made from soft, rich, and porous aniline leather. Looked great, but consider what old British Tan Jags seats look like. Ugh. Today most domestic auto 'leather' seating is treated with a polymer coating. If I may borrow a line from the movie 'The Graduate' Dustin Hoffman as Benjamin Braddock was told "There is a great future in plastics". Today, most all car seats are sealed to protect against stains. Well, maybe not Graco's but big boy car seats. As such, they are not porous. All the fancy leather cleaners and conditioners folks use have no material impact. They look shiny when applied and smell nice (maybe), but are emotional buys not functional. Warm water dampening a good microfiber towel is the perfect light duty cleaner. If you have something stubborn i.e. a glob of Chick Fil A Polynesian Sauce, mild dish soap and water might help dissolve the gunk.
Hi All,
There are so many different opinions on the internet (I know - surprise) for cleaning your leather - don’t use oil based (but many recommend Zaino who says, they have some oils), others say just use water and microfiber, etc ... With so many opinions, I thought I would ask the forum. What do you use, or do you know what GM recommends?
I went with Adam’s Polishes. Then used their new or relatively new Graphene ceramic protection for leather. Only put it on a few weeks ago so not track record of how well it holds up.
So far so good. Really like their products. Also used Graphene ceramic coating on whole car. Again no idea how long it will hold up but love it so far I love them both.
Use what want, but you won't be "conditioning" any part of the actual leather. It's completely sealed by a polymer coating. Some have warned that some products eat away at that coating, and if you're not careful what you use and how often, you could be doing more damage than good.
I've never needed anything more than a damp, clean, microfiber to keep my leather seats looking clean and new.
my cadillac dealer uses lexol cleaner and protectant. the 3LT leather is the same as my escalade platinum and will use the same.
^ I agree, Lexol is a fantastic product, been using it for years.
Leather seats do receive a protectant coating at the factory, however that protectant is typically gone/worn-off after the suns bakes it and your *** rubs against it for a couple years. If you expect to keep your C7 interior nice for any length of time you had better care for the leather. This isn't just my hunch, but comes from a guy who has been maintaining and repairing fine leather seating in high end hotels, restaurants, retail shops and autos for over 40 years. I prefer to believe him over a car manufacturer whose only concern is that leather interior makes it past their warranty period.
I've always used Lexol on my coated leather interiors and leather furniture about once per year and have had great results. Auto enthusiasts have been using this product to protect and condition their leather for 88 years. I seriously doubt Lexol would have been around that long if their product didn't work.
The below leather seats were 32 years old when I sold the car and not a single crack, discoloration, bolster scuff, scratch etc. The leather chair is 21 years old and still perfect. So I will continue to use Lexol.
Last edited by Kevin A Jones; 06-20-2021 at 02:27 PM.
^ I agree, Lexol is a fantastic product, been using it for years.
Leather seats do receive a protectant coating at the factory, however that protectant is typically gone/worn-off after the suns bakes it and your *** rubs against it for a couple years. If you expect to keep your C7 interior nice for any length of time you had better care for the leather. This isn't just my hunch, but comes from a guy who has been maintaining and repairing fine leather seating in high end hotels, restaurants, retail shops and autos for over 40 years. I prefer to believe him over a car manufacturer whose only concern is that leather interior makes it past their warranty period.
I've always used Lexol on my coated leather interiors and leather furniture about once per year and have had great results. Auto enthusiasts have been using this product to protect and condition their leather for 88 years. I seriously doubt Lexol would have been around that long if their product didn't work.
The below leather seats were 32 years old when I sold the car and not a single crack, discoloration, bolster scuff, scratch etc. The leather chair is 21 years old and still perfect. So I will continue to use Lexol.
It doesn’t have to work to get people to buy something as clearly seen on these threads.
It’s the plastic coating that’s protecting the leather not the scented chemicals you spread around on top of it. It’s a placebo effect.
If it was able to “deep condition” your leather dash then that would explain why some peel up after several years. Just do what the manual tells you and use a damp cloth.
^ I agree, Lexol is a fantastic product, been using it for years.
Leather seats do receive a protectant coating at the factory, however that protectant is typically gone/worn-off after the suns bakes it and your *** rubs against it for a couple years. If you expect to keep your C7 interior nice for any length of time you had better care for the leather. This isn't just my hunch, but comes from a guy who has been maintaining and repairing fine leather seating in high end hotels, restaurants, retail shops and autos for over 40 years. I prefer to believe him over a car manufacturer whose only concern is that leather interior makes it past their warranty period.
I've always used Lexol on my coated leather interiors and leather furniture about once per year and have had great results. Auto enthusiasts have been using this product to protect and condition their leather for 88 years. I seriously doubt Lexol would have been around that long if their product didn't work.
The below leather seats were 32 years old when I sold the car and not a single crack, discoloration, bolster scuff, scratch etc. The leather chair is 21 years old and still perfect. So I will continue to use Lexol.
The way to tell if a leather conditioner may help is to put a drop of water on the leather. If it soaks in then the conditioner can be absorbed by the leather. If it beads then then the polymer coating is still intact and conditioner won't be able to be absorbed by the leather so it will just be a sticky surface to attract dirt/dust. And you don't want to do anything that could prematurely wear the coating.
I went with Adam’s Polishes. Then used their new or relatively new Graphene ceramic protection for leather. Only put it on a few weeks ago so not track record of how well it holds up.
So far so good. Really like their products. Also used Graphene ceramic coating on whole car. Again no idea how long it will hold up but love it so far I love them both.
I have never heard of an Adam's graphene product for leather. I cannot find it on their site either. Link?
06-19-2021, 02:38 PM
3LT Leather cleaner
