Leather Conditioning Mishap

[dm_longhorn]

Not sure if Mr. Carwash is a national chain, however, I brought my baby in to one here in Houston for a nice cleaning. Since I've had her, I haven't had any leather cleaning or conditioning done, so I thought why not.

After 10-15 minutes of my sweetheart being in the hands of strangers, she was returned with a nice rejuvinated interior, so I thought.

I got in today and the passenger seat was covered in a white film. Being that my leather is black, it stood out like a champ. I immediately went back to Mr. Carwash and had the manager take a look at it. He really didn't have an explanation, however, his guess was that the guy used armoral instead of the conditioning agent. I knew that wasn't the case b/c it smelled nothing like armoral.

After the conditioning was re-applied everything was ok. It turns out the conditioning agent they were using was white and the first guy applied it too liberally.

On top of all of that, I apparently I parked in front of some sprinklers at my complex last night b/c my car littered w/ water spots this morning.

Several Lessons learned.

 

[MrElussive]

Well the way any good leather conditioner works is that you're supposed to apply the stuff and give the leather about half an hour to absorb the conditioner into the leather. Then you take a dry towel and buff the leather down to get rid of any excess unabsorbed conditioner. I'm guessing that yeah, the guy definitely applied the stuff too liberally, and since no "buffing down" process was down, that made the excess conditioner dry up and stuff.

Do they clean the leather before they condition it? That's definitely damn good that a car wash does all that for you!

 

[theBMWenthusiast]

speaking of this whats a good cleaner for peopel who can do it themselves?!?!

 

[MrElussive]

I was originally using the Zaino Leather Cleaner and Zaino Leather Conditioner. I gave Lexol a try and I never looked back (easy to use/apple, nice natural smell, and it does a really good job). I use the Lexol Leather Cleaner to clean the leather and then I follow that with Lexol Leather Conditioner which obviously conditions the leather. I do this two-step process just about once every 6 weeks.

 

[aNoodle]

I've used Lenox or Lyxol...I can't remember now, but it's a popular brand. Recently at the dealership my dad picked up a bottle of BMW's all in one deal. It works pretty good, and he swears by it, but I gotta say I'm a little skeptical you can do both in one cream. I'd prefer to clean first and then condition. Having said that, I don't think it's somethign you want to do often, no more than 4 times a year.

 

[dpnguyen]

BMW sells a Premium Leather Care Kit that does a nice job.

 

[MrElussive]

I've used Lenox or Lyxol...I can't remember now, but it's a popular brand. Recently at the dealership my dad picked up a bottle of BMW's all in one deal. It works pretty good, and he swears by it, but I gotta say I'm a little skeptical you can do both in one cream. I'd prefer to clean first and then condition. Having said that, I don't think it's somethign you want to do often, no more than 4 times a year.

Stick to the two-step process. As you said, the two-step process simply has to work better and believe it or not, that BMW product is nothing more than a repackaged version of Meguiar's shit. You're much better off with Lexol....it really is amazing stuff. I mean, I have tried multiple leather cleaners and conditions (two-steps and one-steps) but Lexol seems to work the best with my leather and I can literally FEEL the difference. Lexol makes the leather feel softer and more plush...it HAS to be good stuff !!!!!!!!!

 

[///M SPEED]

I was originally using the Zaino Leather Cleaner and Zaino Leather Conditioner. I gave Lexol a try and I never looked back (easy to use/apple, nice natural smell, and it does a really good job). I use the Lexol Leather Cleaner to clean the leather and then I follow that with Lexol Leather Conditioner which obviously conditions the leather. I do this two-step process just about once every 6 weeks.

Lexol is by far the best you do for your leather especially the Nappa leather in the M's. I talked to many people on the best you can use, especially on the Nappa leather, and the majority liked Lexol. It works wonders.....

 

[DrivingTopless]

I use the Lexol cleaner and conditioner. It works wonders on my leather...especially given the fact that it's exposed to the sun and road grime.