Best leather cleaner / conditioner?

[Zezorro]

Hi guys, so far I used Lexol and Gliptone. Personally I like smell of Lexol and I think it's easier to applying. I am curious about other options, maybe there is some other good stuff to use ??

[Obioban]

Leatherique is the best, but also the most work.

Lexol is crap-- worse than nothing IMO. Leaves the leather shiny.

Gliptone gives it a nice matte finish and good smell, but doesn't do much in the way of softening. I tried it fo one year, instead of leatherique (because it's a lot easier to apply), but quickly became unhappy with how much less soft my leather wise.

[M3KVU]

Pears soap - absolutely brilliant stuff , as used by Bentley.

[Tbonem3]

Soapy water / diluted simple green


elbow grease

[Cbouts]

I have used a very light degreaser and magic eraser on really bad seats then follow up with Griots Leather Care. Also used Doc Baileys leather kit with good results for covering up scratches and small cracks.

[James31]

Soapy water / diluted simple green


elbow grease

I know others have done this as well but simple green is not recommended for leather.

[Tbonem3]

We don't have leather, we have top coat. Even if you were touching the leather, I don't see how something with natural ingredients, that's very diluted, would pose a problem?

[yhp2009]

Lexol is crap-- worse than nothing IMO. Leaves the leather shiny.

Oof, this after I just bought a set of Lexol cleaner and conditioner. If I may ask...is this just your opinion/experience or closer to fact? Just wondering if Im missing out on something objectively better

[Obioban]

We don't have leather, we have top coat. Even if you were touching the leather, I don't see how something with natural ingredients, that's very diluted, would pose a problem?

The top coat is permeable.

... and not sure what “natural” has to do with anything. There’s strong naturally occurring acids that would eat your leather. “Natural” doesn’t mean anything.

[Tbonem3]

Ok Ian. Wonder why my car's so nice when everything I do is wrong. Oh well.

[yhp2009]

Meh you cant be right 100% of the time T. I think technically Obio's got you on this one. But anyways would someone answer my question?

[Inizes]

I pretty much go to Obsessed Garage’s videos for DIY detailing and tips. While everything he does is certainly his opinion, I can at least see if I am liking the results he is getting on camera.

I use leatherique. I believe he may be using something else now.

[m3nt0s]

I used Lexol the first time I conditioned the leather in my M3 after having used it for years in my S60R where it was the definitive go-to product. Unlike the Volvo’s far softer/thinner/less treated leather, the leather in the M3 didn’t seem to soak it up Lexol same way and I found it would dwell on the surface with an unpleasant sticky feel.

Leatherique on the other hand has very specific application instructions, and I have had great success using it on my M3, and other E46M’s that I regularly detail. The best description I’ve heard is that leatherique leaves a “supple matte” finish when applied correctly. It is time consuming and somewhat pricey, but the 2x 32oz Kit does last a while.

While on the topic of interior products, I’d highly recommend Griot’s Interior Cleaner. I’m in no way affiliated, just impressed with finally finding a great odorless/colorless/residue free cleaner. Not to be confused with their “Interior Detailer” product, which was the exact opposite of the Interior Cleaner.

[antknee]

Religiously have been using Leatherique for the last 12-13yrs I’ve owned it 110k now (had it since 40k and prior owner only used Leatherique too)

This pic taken last week...car is parked outside under a car cover 10 of those years

i treat the interior twice a year

[James31]

We don't have leather, we have top coat. Even if you were touching the leather, I don't see how something with natural ingredients, that's very diluted, would pose a problem?

We still have leather seats even if it’s top coated. As Ian said, it is permeable which is why leatherique works well. Simple green say it shouldn’t be used on leather as it has harmful ingredients and simply diluting means their is less of a chance to cause damage but a chance non the less. Just my opinion but if it’s working for you and you like it, who am I.