Leather cleaner and conditioner IS300h perforated seats

[Ken83]

Hi All,

I have red leather seats in my IS300h which are starting to look a little dull and dry - they looked fantastic when I bought the car 3 years ago.

I usually clean/condition them with wipes but I think they need a slightly more intense treatment now.

Can anyone recommend a leather cleaner and conditioner I can use on them safely to treat them this summer that they have experience of? Also, can you get touch up pens for the nicks you get on the seats to get them back to the original colour and make them less obvious?

Thanks

Ken 

[Las Palmas]

The car we have is with black faux leather seats and we clean them with wipes we buy from Lidl. So far they look like new, but maybe red seats are more demanding.

[cruisermark]

I use gliptone leather cleaner and leather feed

The cleaner dries as you wipe with no clogging

The leather feed is non greasy, has a subtle leather smell and leaves the seats soft and supple which prevents creases and cracking - try it !

[cadman2k]

In the past I have used Autoglym leather care balm but I think they also do a cleaner. 

I used the balm on my perforated beige/cream leather seats in a previous lexus I owned with good results. You can also use it on other leather parts within the car, steering wheel ,gear gaitor etc.

I'm not an expert on leather but when speaking to someone who was they stressed the importance of 'feeding the leather' ( to prevent during out) as well as cleaning the leather when it picks up marks.

 

https://www.autoglym.com/leather-cleaner-balm

 

[Bluemarlin]

I use leather repair paint from The Furniture Clinic. It's a self sealing colourant that restores colour.

It's easy to apply, just wipe on with a sponge and allow to dry. If you send them a leather sample they will colour match it. I've been very happy with the results.

[Las Palmas]

30 minutes ago, cruisermark said:

I use gliptone leather cleaner and leather feed

The cleaner dries as you wipe with no clogging

The leather feed is non greasy, has a subtle leather smell and leaves the seats soft and supple which prevents creases and cracking - try it !

Did Lexus have real leather in 2004? The one we have has something synthetic they call leather, which it is not.

[DBIZO]

On 6/28/2022 at 12:43 PM, Ken83 said:

Hi All,

I have red leather seats in my IS300h which are starting to look a little dull and dry - they looked fantastic when I bought the car 3 years ago.

I usually clean/condition them with wipes but I think they need a slightly more intense treatment now.

Can anyone recommend a leather cleaner and conditioner I can use on them safely to treat them this summer that they have experience of? Also, can you get touch up pens for the nicks you get on the seats to get them back to the original colour and make them less obvious?

Thanks

Ken 

I use Autoglym leather clean and then care balm.

Instructions are fairly clear, but here is my recommended routine:

Vacuum well first, maybe with the help of a soft brush (toothbrush even) to agitate particles in crevices and where it might collect them - you don't really need to do this every time, just when it gets visible. Then apply cleaner to a larger cloth or sponge, again, help it with a soft brush to get muck out of difficult spots if needed. Then use a damp cloth to wipe clean, and wash it in a bucket of water or running water now and then.

Then comes the care balm, softly massaging, with the sponge provided, be particularly generous where you see the leather cracking. Wait it to absorb and dry, you can leave it for hours or overnight even. Then buff with microfibre cloth.

I like mine when it looks slightly wet, but people complain there buttocks keep slipping around. 

 

 

[cruisermark]

On 6/28/2022 at 1:52 PM, Las Palmas said:

Did Lexus have real leather in 2004? The one we have has something synthetic they call leather, which it is not.

i'm no expert but in my 430 (55 plate) it is real leather and the best I've come across - soft, supple and it wears very very well

[agent_dess]

On 6/28/2022 at 1:32 PM, Bluemarlin said:

I use leather repair paint from The Furniture Clinic. It's a self sealing colourant that restores colour.

It's easy to apply, just wipe on with a sponge and allow to dry. If you send them a leather sample they will colour match it. I've been very happy with the results.

have you got the link to the exact product? also how do you send them a sample of the leather?
My seats have seen better days and could do with some colourant applied to them

[Bluemarlin]

11 minutes ago, agent_dess said:

have you got the link to the exact product? also how do you send them a sample of the leather?
My seats have seen better days and could do with some colourant applied to them

Here's the link to the colourant (now called Leather Repair Paint):

https://www.furnitureclinic.co.uk/leather-care-products/leather-dyes-restoration/leather-repair-paint

You literally just wipe it on with a sponge and allow to dry. Takes only a minute or two a seat.

As for a sample, it's a matter of finding a bit of excess leather. In my case I took off one of the headrests and found there was sufficient overlapping fabric to be able to cut off a piece. A one inch square is enough, and there's an option on the order page to say you're sending a sample for matching.

[agent_dess]

13 minutes ago, Bluemarlin said:

Here's the link to the colourant (now called Leather Repair Paint):

https://www.furnitureclinic.co.uk/leather-care-products/leather-dyes-restoration/leather-repair-paint

You literally just wipe it on with a sponge and allow to dry. Takes only a minute or two a seat.

As for a sample, it's a matter of finding a bit of excess leather. In my case I took off one of the headrests and found there was sufficient overlapping fabric to be able to cut off a piece. A one inch square is enough, and there's an option on the order page to say you're sending a sample for matching.

Thanks for that.... finding a 1 inch square might prove challenging, even from the headrest. 

[Bluemarlin]

I found a decent size overlap on the underside of my headrests. Under the seats is another possibility, but I found no spare fabric there on mine.

As a last resort you could send a headrest itself for them to match and send back with the colourant.

[ColinBarber]

On 6/28/2022 at 12:43 PM, Ken83 said:

I usually clean/condition them with wipes but I think they need a slightly more intense treatment now.

Dodo juice supernatural cleaner and then their sealer.

Old style creams and conditioners won't really work on modern car leather (that isn't semi-aniline) because it is sealed and therefore the cream doesn't penetrate into the leather.

[cadman2k]

About 10 years back I bought a car from a dealer with bad wear to the bolster and a bit on the seat. As part of aftersales they sent a chap out who specialised in repairs. The benefit was ( as it was done at home) watching him work. He had swatches to match the colour then cracked on with the repair building it back up and treating it. The end result was fantastic. You would never notice the repair. I would thoroughly recommend using a specialist to carry out the work for you. Back then his charge was £80 , not sure costs in today's climate. Interestingly as part of his role was he was contracted to sofa company's also carrying out repairs for delivery mishaps etc. I,m sure the DIY route is achievable but if you want a proper job use someone with the experience to do it for you. 

[jay.pxl]

Deviating a little, what products/methods do you guys use to clean the dashboard and non-leather interior?

[agent_dess]

1 hour ago, jay.pxl said:

Deviating a little, what products/methods do you guys use to clean the dashboard and non-leather interior?

I used to use Poorboy's Natural Look for many years, fantastic product but I got bored of the smell, now switched to Meguirs Interior detailing spray. 

[rayaans]

15 hours ago, jay.pxl said:

Deviating a little, what products/methods do you guys use to clean the dashboard and non-leather interior?

Detailedonline Natural dressing. Cheap, leaves a nice smell (multiple scents) and goes on everything. Leaves a very natural look compared to those shiny greasy dressings.

In terms of leather I used to use dodojuice supernatural leather kit with their sealer. I tried DetailedOnline leather cleaner and its pretty much the same in effectiveness but cheaper.

Also used Gyeon Leather coat and must say its my new favourite. Seems to be ceramic based. I first put it on and cried - it left the seats so shiny! But, it needs to cure so wait 24 hours and it goes to matt

[Ken83]

Thanks all for your suggestions! I went with Autoglym in the end and the end result is good, but will be trying some of the others when it starts to look a little dry again. 

[Mr_Groundhog]

In the end, given my leather seats aren't leather but synthetic, I'm getting the the Autoglym Leather cleaner, and the Autoglym Vinyl & Rubber care.

Fingers crossed they work!

[Mr_Groundhog]

On 7/4/2022 at 11:29 AM, rayaans said:

Also used Gyeon Leather coat and must say its my new favourite. Seems to be ceramic based. I first put it on and cried - it left the seats so shiny! But, it needs to cure so wait 24 hours and it goes to matt

does the ceramic nature of the Gyeon mean it shows some cracking/crystalising or something like that on the seats after a while? 🤔

[rayaans]

5 minutes ago, Mr_Groundhog said:

does the ceramic nature of the Gyeon mean it shows some cracking/crystalising or something like that on the seats after a while? 🤔

No it shouldnt do, mine have been fine

[Spacewagon52]

On 12/10/2022 at 7:58 PM, Mr_Groundhog said:

In the end, given my leather seats aren't leather but synthetic, I'm getting the the AutoGlym Leather cleaner, and the AutoGlym Vinyl & Rubber care.

Fingers crossed they work!

I use the same, as I got an Autoglym pack last Christmas! I particularly like the Vinyl and Rubber Care. It does leave plastic shiny but it really softens rubber door seals AND cleans wiper blades!

My wife likes me to use Autoglym Autofresh, as I am getting older I am more prone to wind. Ghost Ship Ale does not help either.

[Notamech]

Almost all of my car care products are Autoglym as well. They're cheap compared to brands like Meguiars and i found them to be equally effective. For the exterior i use spray wax / rapid ceramic and found both to be great and long lasting. Even after several washes. 

For leather i use the leather cleaner and leather balm. The balm is great and has made my seats almost like new all the creases and folds have slowly disappeard and the seats have a nice matt finish. Also once a year i use a leather colourant from scratch doctor. With black leather i guess its a bit easier as i dont really bother with colour matching and have been fine. 

 

[Mr_Groundhog]

6 hours ago, Notamech said:

Almost all of my car care products are autoglym as well. They're cheap compared to brands like meguiars and i found them to be equally effective. For the exterior i use spray wax / rapid ceramic and found both to be great and long lasting. Even after several washes. 

For leather i use the leather cleaner and leather balm. The balm is great and has made my seats almost like new all the creases and folds have slowly disappeard and the seats have a nice matt finish. Also once a year i use a leather colourant from scratch doctor. With black leather i guess its a bit easier as i dont really bother with colour matching and have been fine. 

 

Interesting! I didn't buy the leather balm because i thought that being synthetic leather seats, they would not absorbe all the good stuff in the balm and would be a waste!

[Notamech]

22 minutes ago, Mr_Groundhog said:

Interesting! I didn't buy the leather balm because i thought that being synthetic leather seats, they would not absorbe all the good stuff in the balm and would be a waste!

I had that same concern and wasnt sure whether the leather in the executive variant is real leather or not but even the colourant i used said that it was meant for absorbant leather only but the seats seemed to have absorbed them as some minor chips which were white when i bought the car are now black and are not noticeable so i thought i should use the balm as well to keep the leather / fake leather conditioned and it worked really well. I was surprised to see the leather puff up slightly causing it to look tighter and minor folds and creases have disappeared.