What's best to make dirty old leather not dirty?

[Mr_Q]

I'd like to know if there are cleaners out there that if you really scrub and scrub, you can bring old dirty interior leather back to life.

Then of course a final detail spray for a nice finish.

Any ideas? I was going to try soapy water actually. Heh.

 

[gt40_2003wes]

this isnt tech.

 

[Mr_Q]

There you have it folks.

WELCOME TO STANGNET.COM!!

 

[Henceforward]

This is the best.

Lexol Ph

Then use this...

 

[DmnStr8]

I have been told that the Mr. CLean magic eraser is really good at cleaning old vinyl.

 

[Henceforward]

Vinyl.

Mr_Q, are you interested in cleaning real leather, GM/Ford Fake leather, or vinyl?

I wouldn't use Lexol Ph on plastileather.

 

[wazazzle]

Are you cleaning leather or trying to get the color back? If you trying to get the color back, there are leather dyes available.

 

[Mr_Q]

I am cleaning the "leather" in my 1990 LX. It's white. Is it fake or real?

 

[tjm73]

I am cleaning the "leather" in my 1990 LX. It's white. Is it fake or real?

Where you sit is real leather on the front seats. The sides and backs of the front seats are fake leather (vinyl I believe). The rear seat is not leather either, but looks like it is.

 

[tjm73]

this isnt tech.

Yes it is. It's maintenance just the same as changing brake pads is. People ask how to do that and that's tech so this is tech too.

 

[tjm73]

There are leather cleaners made just for leather as it has some unique needs. It is dead cow after all. After it's cleaned you wil need to apply leather conditioner to restore the softness. The conditioner is actually just a mixture of some stuff and sheep fat. You have to rub it in pretty good. Works best if you do it when the interior is good a warm. You can take old hard leather and make it soft as new with the conditioner. If the color has faded the only to truely bring it back is to have the seat covers redyed. If the leather is cracked, it can only be replaced.

I suspect you are finding dirt and grime hiding in the creases from being sat in. Clean it with the cleaner and then teh conditioner and then you can use furnature polish (most are a cleaning wax) to wipe them clean anytime you clean the interior. This will help keep the creases free of dirt and grime and keep it looking as nice as possible.

I use Meguiers products. They are high quality and easy to find (wal-Mart carries them).

 

[Mr_Q]

Hey cool thanks. The seats are white so no color fade, heh. But yes, they are dirty looking. So are the plastic trim bits. Those I am going to try that magic eraser on since it cleans everything else so awesomingly.

 

[$uperstang]

Use Lexol cleaner and conditioner. If that does not work you need new seats

 

[25thmustang]

I have heard soap and water, and scrub it a lot with a toothbrush works the best. I was reading a few articles a while ago on an SHO site (they got the same crappy Ford leather) that if you get into the seat, in every individual crease and scrub it with soapy water, and a brush it can make it look new again. Then after its clean, a good conditioner to keep it soft, and put the oils back in...

I am lucky to have put 2001 GT seats in my car and they have stayed near perfect, but have seen some nice results with that technique!