best store bought leather cleaner for e46

[6spdg37s]

Since, I sold my z06, and I am waiting for my M to come in , my grandfather lent me his extra car which is a 03 330ci convt; 43k miles and pretty sure its never had the leather cleaned.

I have dealt with adams and some high end leather cleaners in the past. But time is limited for me so which cleaner can I buy in pep boys/ auto zone, advance auto parts ,etc;

what brand will clean it up nice and then condition/protect it?

I have used mothers in the past when my friend had it at close reach on one of my cars.

[rjd598]

i've seen lexol in walmart before not sure about where you live but alot people will go with lexol. otherwise meguiars is your best bet

[eclipsisNA]

Originally Posted by rjd598

i've seen lexol in walmart before not sure about where you live but alot people will go with lexol. otherwise meguiars is your best bet

The common Lexol cleaners and conditioners (brown and orange bottles) are not meant for the leather found in modern BMWs, or most other manufacturers for that matter. BMW leather is urethane protected semi-aniline leather, meaning it has a protective coating (think clear coat for leather) over the hide. This type of leather has a low absorbancy rate, so water-based cleaners and conditioners are required, whereas oil-based cleaners and conditioners (Lexol) won't be absorbed by the surface, as it's moisture resistant.

Lexol is oil based, and using oil-based products on urethane coated leather accelerates the breakdown of the urethane layer.

[rjd598]

Originally Posted by eclipsisNA;1274****

The common Lexol cleaners and conditioners (brown and orange bottles) are not meant for the leather found in modern BMWs, or most other manufacturers for that matter. BMW leather is urethane protected semi-aniline leather, meaning it has a protective coating (think clear coat for leather) over the hide. This type of leather has a low absorbancy rate, so water-based cleaners and conditioners are required, whereas oil-based cleaners and conditioners (Lexol) won't be absorbed by the surface, as it's moisture resistant.

Lexol is oil based, and using oil-based products on urethane coated leather accelerates the breakdown of the urethane layer.

then why do so many people use lexol? is that big of a majority misinformed

[6spdg37s]

I tried lexol idk if it worked that well or not... what brand is water based so I can try that as well and do a comparison?

[eclipsisNA]

Originally Posted by rjd598

then why do so many people use lexol? is that big of a majority misinformed

Good question. I guess Lexol doesn't try to make it clear that its most popular products shouldn't be used on the majority of auto leather. Lexol should be used on leather without a protective layer. An example I've seen in person are horse saddles, where (I believe) they lack a protective layer and the oils in Lexol penetrate the hide to keep it moisturized.

[Z K]

Originally Posted by eclipsisNA

Good question. I guess Lexol doesn't try to make it clear that its most popular products shouldn't be used on the majority of auto leather. Lexol should be used on leather without a protective layer. An example I've seen in person are horse saddles, where (I believe) they lack a protective layer and the oils in Lexol penetrate the hide to keep it moisturized.

What would you recommend for leather that is very dry looking, showing white in the creases? I've tried Leather Masters, Leatherique and other things and they all don't do anything to remove the white dry look.

This is kinda what it looks like. This is not my car but looks similar. You can see the white showing in the leather creases.

[eclipsisNA]

Originally Posted by 6spdg37s

I tried lexol idk if it worked that well or not... what brand is water based so I can try that as well and do a comparison?

Give this a try:

http://www.detailersdomain.com/Leath...ner_p_292.html

Originally Posted by Z K

What would you recommend for leather that is very dry looking, showing white in the creases? I've tried Leather Masters, Leatherique and other things and they all don't do anything to remove the white dry look.

This is kinda what it looks like. This is not my car but looks similar. You can see the white showing in the leather creases.

It could be that the side bolster is heavily worn and the white you're seeing are areas where the urethane or color is removed. I can't be positive without seeing it. If Leather Master Soft or Strong couldn't remove the marks, I don't know what could remove the marks without degrading the rest of the leather.

[tom @ eas]

Originally Posted by eclipsisNA;1274****

The common Lexol cleaners and conditioners (brown and orange bottles) are not meant for the leather found in modern BMWs, or most other manufacturers for that matter. BMW leather is urethane protected semi-aniline leather, meaning it has a protective coating (think clear coat for leather) over the hide. This type of leather has a low absorbancy rate, so water-based cleaners and conditioners are required, whereas oil-based cleaners and conditioners (Lexol) won't be absorbed by the surface, as it's moisture resistant.

Lexol is oil based, and using oil-based products on urethane coated leather accelerates the breakdown of the urethane layer.

Good to know. What's your opinion on Leatherique?

[Templar]

[eclipsisNA]

Originally Posted by tom @ eas

Good to know. What's your opinion on Leatherique?

I don't have any personal experience with Leatherique, only Leather Master and Lexol.

With BMW leather, put a few drops of water on your seat and you'll notice that it doesn't soak into the leather; it'll just stand on top. Products like Lexol are meant to soak into untreated leather that lack a topcoat and keep them moisturized. If you use something like Lexol Conditioner on your seats, you'll notice a "stickiness" after application, that's because the conditioner will sit on top of the urethane without penetrating it. Water-based products are meant to clean the urethane and evaporate after use, that's why you can't feel a sticky layer.

Originally Posted by Templar

Problem?

[1MOREMOD]

i use a smartwax product and think it does a decent job.

[rjd598]

i think more people prefer leatherique to leather masters

[eclipsisNA]

Originally Posted by chriszeh

i use a smartwax product and think it does a decent job.

SmartWax makes a decent leather cleaner and conditioner, as does CG.

togwt (who I believe is a member here) compiled some great info on this subject if anyone is interested:

http://www.autopia.org/forum/autopia...ml#post1451654

[sensi09]

What about a mix of woolite and water for general cleaning? I do that right now.....is that not recommended?

[Templar]

Originally Posted by sensi09

What about a mix of woolite and water for general cleaning? I do that right now.....is that not recommended?

A water-dampened microfiber towel can usually lift most of the everyday dirt and dust. That is all I do in between using Leatherique, which is only a couple of times a year.

[Z K]

Originally Posted by eclipsisNA

Give this a try:

http://www.detailersdomain.com/Leath...ner_p_292.html



It could be that the side bolster is heavily worn and the white you're seeing are areas where the urethane or color is removed. I can't be positive without seeing it. If Leather Master Soft or Strong couldn't remove the marks, I don't know what could remove the marks without degrading the rest of the leather.

Cleaning with Leather Master Strong doesn't do anything. I can darken the leather a bit and mask the white marks with the leather master protectant and vital but it will eventually show white again after a few days.

[mpower4life]

A lot of people use products that are not exactly.... The best. Anyone who markets a product well is going to sell. Ask any professional and I highly doubt they use a product like Lexol for their go to leather treatment.

[ussoldierforhire]

Anyone used this product? http://www.chemicalguys.com/Leather_...spi_101_16.htm

[rjd598]

Originally Posted by ussoldierforhire

Anyone used this product? http://www.chemicalguys.com/Leather_...spi_101_16.htm

Yea I have. I think it's good it does exactly what it claims and a little goes a long way. It does have cleaning power too but obviously not alot. It's just good for picking up dirt that you didn't pick up with your leather cleaner. It does smell like leather...not new car smell. It smells just like new leather like a leather jacket or something.