post #1 of 13 (permalink) Leather Care for Perforated Seats? Looking for some advice (and yes I searched before I posted). What do you folks recommend for Leather care for the Heated/Ventilated seats in the IS250/350? I have always McGuiars Leather Cleaner/Conditioner on my non-perforated leather seats, but that stuff is really pastey and I am concerned that it will get stuck in the perforations on my IS. Thanks - Slick Speed 2007 IS250 / OB / Cashmere / HID's / Lux / X-package post #2 of 13 (permalink) I'm exactly in the same boat. Would appreciate hearing what y'all think. Also what about using sheep skin seat covers during the summer Originally Posted by Slick Speed post #3 of 13 (permalink) I'll try to put my two cents in.. I hope it helps! I ride horses so I am really knowledgeable when it comes to leather care. I mean, hello, saddle, bridle, boots, ect and I believe those are harder to keep in "great care" than what you sit your butt on everyday and we can't have our saddles/boots/ect.

If you are willing to order something online, hop on over to Leather Care - Dover Saddlery I usually use cleaner, conditioner [to lightly condition] and then to really keep my riding leather supple, healthy, and comfortable [and it doesn't get gross, promise], we use leather oil. Conditioner will generally make your leather "stickier" while oil will make it more smooth [makes sense huh?] You just have to really ensure you use a VERY small amount of oil. I use about a tablespoon for my entire saddle. We usually oil saddles when we first get them to supple the leather. Make sure you don't get anything that says "wax" on it. Us equestrians use this "wax" to give us grip on our saddle so our legs don't slide around. If you are just looking to pick some up locally, at like a grocery store, Lexol CLEANER will do the trick. The conditioner may make it tiny 'sticky', not too sure. I usually use local brands that I know work beautifully so if you really were desperate I could have some shipped to you because they work absolute wonders.

Instructions on how to use each: -Cleaner: Wet your sponge and the wring it out and wipe down your seat/leather. Rewet sponge and wring out to where it is damp. Spray/apply cleaner onto SPONGE. This will be easier on your leather than just spraying straight onto the leather itself. Knead the sponge so the water and cleaner mix [don't get it too foamy] and then just gently wipe down your leather. The purpose of many leather cleaners are to remove grim, and unless you are using your IS as a mud vehicle, you don't want to overdo it so it doesn't dry out. clean fan laptop hp pavilionOnce you're done wiping it down, do not let it sit! best vacuum cleaner saWash out your sponge and wipe clean. best vacuum cleaner sa

Then towel dry with a microfiber cloth/lent free cloth. You will either next apply conditioner OR oil. Conditioner: Pour a very small amount onto sponge and work into dry leather. Let sit for about ten minutes then buff with a towel. Oil: Pour a small bit of oil onto your fingertips. Your fingers will apply it better than any sponge/cloth out there so you can work it into cracks as well as your fingers won't hold the oil like a sponge will, so there isn't really anyway to overdo the oil. Work oil into dry leather really ensuring you massage it in to were the leather "drinks" it up, otherwise you will just have pools of oil sitting on your car seat. Let sit for about ten minutes and then buff with a towel. Tomorrow I will update and speak to some representatives on what soaps/conditioners will be the best, considering it's 1am right now. Hydrophane is the best oil you can get. I hope this helps some. My riding tack goes through hell and back and it still looks great, but that may mean that the cleansers I use may be overkill.

post #4 of 13 (permalink) post #5 of 13 (permalink) post #6 of 13 (permalink) post #7 of 13 (permalink) post #8 of 13 (permalink) post #9 of 13 (permalink)IS2015 F32 w/ N55 Alpine White post #10 of 13 (permalink) Don't you just have it when little specs of dirt get into the holes, it really shows up with black seats post #11 of 13 (permalink) Originally Posted by kayotikThat's exactly what I use! Originally Posted by popz3210 Never quite had that problem, but yes, that would suck. How much dirt did you have to get on there to see this? post #12 of 13 (permalink) post #13 of 13 (permalink)A leather interior can be an expensive option on a vehicle and protecting it should be a priority. Leather seats will last the lifetime of the car if properly cleaned and cared for on a regular basis. Unfortunately, dirt and even skin oils can damage leather seats and the longer seats remain uncleaned, the more damage it creates.

To clean your leather car seats, follow these steps: How to clean leather car seats Carefully examine your car seats - Look for holes, cuts or any other damage. Mark any holes or cuts so you can be sure not to get any liquids into the interior of the seat. This can damage the underlying foam in the seats. Gather the right materials - You will need the following: A bucket of water, Leather cleaner, Leather conditioner, Soft bristled scrubbing brush, Soft and clean microfiber cloth or sponge, and Vacuum Find the best leather cleaner - Leather cleaner can be purchased at just about any hardware or auto parts store. You should avoid vinyl cleaners or any petroleum or silicone based products, as they will make the leather look too shiny. Tip: It is also possible to make your own leather cleaning solution. Simply mix one-part vinegar with two parts linseed oil. This homemade version tends to be less abrasive and can help the leather wear better. Pre-clean the seats - Once you have carefully examined the seats it is time to get to work.

A little pre-cleaning before you apply the leather cleaner will help the process go quicker and produce better results. Vacuum the seats - Before applying a leather cleaner, it is best to vacuum up any large debris as well as any small crumbs. Using a wet-dry vacuum or regular vacuum with the hose attachment is the best way to get this done. Tip: Use a brush attachment so you don’t damage the leather while vacuuming it. Wipe the seats clean - Before applying the leather cleaner to the seats, it’s a good idea to wipe down the leather with a clean damp cloth. This will remove any grease, dust or dirt so that the leather cleaner can focus on any ground-in dirt. Do a spot test - Before lathering up your entire front seat it is a good idea to do a spot test on a small patch of leather that is out of view. This will ensure that the leather cleaner you chose will not damage or discolor your leather. If you are not happy it gives you a chance to switch it out before putting it on all of the leather.

Apply the leather cleaning solution - Spray a leather foam cleaner directly onto the leather seats. In most cases, only 3 to 4 squirts are required. If the seats are really filthy, extra cleaner may be necessary. Check the instructions before application and follow the manufacturer’s directions. Activate the foam - Use the soft wet cloth to rub the foam. The water will help activate the foam. Leave the foam on the seats for several minutes, which should help break up any dirt and grime. Warning: Be sure to check the manufacturer’s directions for exact instructions. Use a brush for deep cleaning - The brush should be used to deep clean the leather, especially in spots that are extremely dirty. Gently use the brush to get the dirt and grime off the seats. Wipe down the seats - Wipe the seats down, using a dry cloth to wipe the foam off of the seats. Tip:A microfiber cloth will ensure that you remove all of the foam. Hopefully your seats are now clean. If a stubborn spot persists, repeat the previous steps, giving the spot an extra measure of elbow grease with the scrubbing brush.

Clean on a regular schedule - Now that the seats are clean, set up a regular cleaning schedule so they maintain their brand new look. Tip:Clean the seats once a month or whenever something is spilled on them. Once the seats are clean, it’s time to condition them. Using a conditioner will help restore the natural oils to the leather. When it comes to conditioners, it is best to use a high quality product. Cheap conditioners tend to leave a greasy-looking finish on the seats. Never use a conditioner that contains silicone, wax, or petroleum distillates. It is best to use a water-based conditioner that is pH neutral. Look for a conditioner that has a sunscreen component. This will help protect the leather from sun damage. Run a test - Any time you apply a product to a leather seat you should do a small test spot in an area that is hidden to make sure it doesn’t stain or damage the leather. Add conditioner to a cloth or sponge - Read the instructions before applying the product but most conditioners should be rubbed into the leather using a sponge or microfiber cloth.

Use the conditioner sparingly! Apply conditioner to the seats - Rub the conditioner into the seats with a clean microfiber cloth. Rub it in thoroughly, and wipe clean any remaining conditioner that does not rub into the seats. Leave the car in a shady spot - The car should be parked in a garage or shady spot for the next 12 hours. This allows the conditioner to soak in without being exposed to harmful UV rays. Buff the seats - Let the conditioner soak in for at least 12 hours and then use a dry cloth to give them one last rubdown. This will remove any excess conditioner that is left and give the seats a shine. Repeat every few months - Leather seats should be cleaned and conditioned every few months, more often if they tend to get dirty due to kids or pets. Your seats should be shiny, clean and conditioned now. The majority of leather seats are finished with a clear protective coating that makes it easier to clean. When cleaning leather seats the surface dirt should be removed, the leather should be scrubbed clean and then they should be conditioned.