Detailer Opinions: New Car Interior Advice

[S65NAPWR]

For all you detailer pros out there, I've always wondered beyond getting a clear bra and opti coat put on the exterior of the new car, what other products should I apply to the interior of the car to protect the leather? Should I simply not touch the new leather until a couple months in? Or are there things I should do off the bat once I get the new car. I would appreciate a couple tips and recommended products to keeping this car looking / feeling new as long as possible.

Note: while the thread is "interior" based, open to advice what else should be done to the car overall when it's brand spanking new.

Net, just want confirmation to not do anything or at minimum do x,y,z...

[rac390]

I'm interested in this as well.

[Templar]

Depends... Keeping them clean and free of dirt, oils, and lint is probably your best bet. A lot of the wear comes from those things getting trapped in/on the leather and rubbing, causing wear and damage. You can condition it twice a year as well to keep it soft.

All you really need to do is exercise care in getting in and out of the car, and also ensure you wipe up spills quickly (if you're making this thread I am guessing that you're like me and don't eat or drink in the car), and keep it clean. You'll be surprised how nice it will stay. If you daily drive it, you'll get more wear, obviously. If you drive it to the gym, I would suggest getting a seat cover or towel or something to keep sweat from getting all over it.

Honestly, the leather is going to wear over time regardless of what you do. There's no opti-coat or clear bra for the interior leather. If you're careful enough, you can make it last much, much longer though. Whether you touch it now or touch it a year from now, it doesn't make a difference...

What I do: twice a year clean and condition with Leatherique prestine clean and rejuvenator oil. In between that, a damp microfiber towel wipedown for lint and dirt as needed. That is really it. Mine looks and smells the same way it did when I bought it.

[///M Power-Belgium]

Originally Posted by S65NAPWR

For all you detailer pros out there, I've always wondered beyond getting a clear bra and opti coat put on the exterior of the new car, what other products should I apply to the interior of the car to protect the leather? Should I simply not touch the new leather until a couple months in? Or are there things I should do off the bat once I get the new car. I would appreciate a couple tips and recommended products to keeping this car looking / feeling new as long as possible.

Note: while the thread is "interior" based, open to advice what else should be done to the car overall when it's brand spanking new.

Net, just want confirmation to not do anything or at minimum do x,y,z...

Read my thread.......
http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=768340

[S65NAPWR]

Originally Posted by ///M Power-Belgium

Read my thread.......
http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=768340

Chill dude, I did see this thread, but I think that's for cars that have a couple years on it already. Or seemed like to me. My basic question really is in the first months what should be done (if anything)

Plus, I'm not sure I want to drench an interior in stuff that smells like a chemical. Did your car still retain the new car smell? Or something close to it. Looks nice though.

[S65NAPWR]

Originally Posted by Templar

Depends... Keeping them clean and free of dirt, oils, and lint is probably your best bet. A lot of the wear comes from those things getting trapped in/on the leather and rubbing, causing wear and damage. You can condition it twice a year as well to keep it soft.

All you really need to do is exercise care in getting in and out of the car, and also ensure you wipe up spills quickly (if you're making this thread I am guessing that you're like me and don't eat or drink in the car), and keep it clean. You'll be surprised how nice it will stay. If you daily drive it, you'll get more wear, obviously. If you drive it to the gym, I would suggest getting a seat cover or towel or something to keep sweat from getting all over it.

Honestly, the leather is going to wear over time regardless of what you do. There's no opti-coat or clear bra for the interior leather. If you're careful enough, you can make it last much, much longer though. Whether you touch it now or touch it a year from now, it doesn't make a difference...

What I do: twice a year clean and condition with Leatherique prestine clean and rejuvenator oil. In between that, a damp microfiber towel wipedown for lint and dirt as needed. That is really it. Mine looks and smells the same way it did when I bought it.

Got it, thanks. I probably won't do the full clean when I get the car, but perhaps after a couple months. Will keep your tips in mind!

[///M Power-Belgium]

Originally Posted by S65NAPWR

Chill dude, I did see this thread, but I think that's for cars that have a couple years on it already. Or seemed like to me. My basic question really is in the first months what should be done (if anything)

Plus, I'm not sure I want to drench an interior in stuff that smells like a chemical. Did your car still retain the new car smell? Or something close to it. Looks nice though.

No....no....no !!!This is not chemical...but 100 % naturel !
Ok...i can guarantee,my car smells verry good,even better than the first day
For instance..when someone gets in my car...they say...wow your car smells
so good with this leather,i have tested it out on my leather shoes and put
them in the box for two weeks , and tested than the smell.(in England they use it on Rolls- Royce's)
No,no not with me....i think always before handling !!!
http://www.leatherique.com/

[S65NAPWR]

Originally Posted by ///M Power-Belgium

No....no....no !!!This is not chemical...but 100 % naturel !
Ok...i can guarantee,my car smells verry good,even better than the first day
For instance..when someone gets in my car...they say...wow your smells
so good with this leather,i have tested it out on my leather shoes and put
them in the box for two weeks , and tested than the smell.
No,no not with me....i think always before handling !!!
http://www.leatherique.com/

Awesome, going to check this out

[W Cole]

For a new car I would maintain the leather with Leather Armor products. Strong Cleaner (maybe even soft cleaner which is 50% watered down) and Protection Cream. You can use the Leather Vital as well which hydrates the leather but this won't be needed during the first application. I do not apply the Vital or Protection Creams to either the steering wheel or shifter as they leave a slight tacky feel.

For the plastic/vinyl (pretty much anything that isn't leather) I maintain with Einszett Cockpit. I love this stuff it leaves a completely OEM finish - you absolutely cannot tell you have used anything.

I have both leatherique and leather armor. The only possible advantage I would give leatherique is I have seen it do wonders restoring very, very old cracked leather, but fortunately I do not own any cars with leather like this.

Other than this leatherique is smelly and messy and from my research the way its been advertised to work isnt possible with modern, sealed leather which makes me a bit wary.

[S65NAPWR]

I love Zaino products and they leave an OEM finish and smell great, does anyone have something that's similar?

[6spdg37s]

gonna try leatherique when i get hte M i think

[S65NAPWR]

Originally Posted by 6spdg37s

gonna try leatherique when i get hte M i think

Only thing that makes me think twice is the last post says "leatherique is smelly and messy" and that doesn't bode well for keeping the car OEM in finish and smell.

[6spdg37s]

true i heard good things tho gonna check out detailers domain

[S65NAPWR]

Originally Posted by 6spdg37s

true i heard good things tho gonna check out detailers domain

you getting a clear bra and opti coat when you get your car?

[6spdg37s]

Originally Posted by S65NAPWR

you getting a clear bra and opti coat when you get your car?

no but i get all my detailing stuff from them anyway..

are you doing that?

[6spdg37s]

Originally Posted by 6spdg37s

true i heard good things tho gonna check out detailers domain

leather masters ! not leatherique... i heard good things about leather master

[S65NAPWR]

Originally Posted by 6spdg37s

no but i get all my detailing stuff from them anyway..

are you doing that?

yea, thinking about it since I will go the track and a clear bra will save me from knicks / debris. opti-coat just sounds like a good idea. less waxing over and over.

[Johndong888]

I use leatherique regularly. I found out the leather in our M3 is exceptionally soft and as such, will wear at a much faster pace if not taken care of immediately. I conditioned my new car as soon as I got it as well as an outside prep.

I found out it's best to use leatherique on a monthly bases. Towards the end of the month, the leather is already pretty darn oily. Using leatherique will remove the oils as well reducing the glossy sheen from the oil. If this is too much hassle, you can do it every 3 months but I highly recommend once a month.

-John