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      09-27-2011, 04:28 PM   #1
Sedan_Clan
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The Magic Eraser for maintaining leather? Who knew?

I think that I may have found a viable method for maintaining "like new" leather condition. I introduce.....The Magic Eraser. Yes enthusiasts, I am dead serious. Allow me to share how my experience has led me to this conclusion.

People have many opinions on how to maintain the interior and exterior of an automobile, and BMW enthuiasts are no different (..aside from exhibiting slightly more obsessive compulsive tendencies than your average person ). In my many years of owning BMW's (..and being a member of majority of the most popular BMW forums), I have tried most of the methods and products suggested by members whom, without any doubt, truly care about the well being of their BMW's. Some of these methods (..i.e..exterior cleansing) I still employ to this day! Many of the products recommended, however, have ultimately resulted in a bit of dissatisfaction on my part. Some products "change" the texture of the leather while others cause the leather to shine, which is unlike its original appearance. I could be nit-picking, but like many of you I also exhibit some obsessive compulsive tendencies.

My prior experience with leather care products caused me to try some unorthodox cleaning methods such as bar soap and water (..yeah, I know!), but that method was unsuccessful where dirt and leather shine was concerned. The dawn of a new day was ahead however, and my morning shower led to a startling revelation. As I looked around the shower while scrubbing my unmentionables, there lay Mr Clean's Magic Eraser. I thought to myself, "Hmmm! This eraser is good at erasing all sorts of shit. I wonder if it can erase the dirt off of my driver's seat!!??!" Keep in mind that I wipe my seats down with a slightly damp microfiber towel after every wash, and I cover the seat bottom when I'm driving the car (..OCD much? ), so my seats are in very, very good condition. I have Silver Novillo leather, so maintaining it is of huge importance to me. It doesn't take much at all for lighter colored leathers to begin looking unsightly.

I hopped out of the shower with vigor, destined to embark on a new leather maintenance journey. I grabbed a damp microfiber towel, a damp Magic Eraser, my garage door opener and my key, and headed downstairs. Smiling like a teenage boy who just lost his virginity, I went to work on my driver's seat. Erase!....Wipe!....Erase!...Wipe! The results were astonishing! Not only was ALL of the dirt on the side bolsters no longer present, neither was the gloss from sweat/contact with clothing (..most noticeable on the upper portions of the seat where your shoulders would rest). The driver's seat looked just like my regularly empty passenger seat again. The restorative nature of the Magic Eraser had impressed me yet again, and I will continue to utilize its effectiveness on my leather seats from this day forward.

Just thought I would share.......


....flame suit on!

Last edited by Sedan_Clan; 09-27-2011 at 04:37 PM..
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      09-27-2011, 04:34 PM   #2
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You're not crazy, used it on my S4's silver nappa leather years ago. Worked like magic!
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      09-27-2011, 04:39 PM   #3
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Interesting. Wonder if there are any negatives regarding the eraser and leather?
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      09-27-2011, 04:39 PM   #4
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You should have just searched - this was discovered a long time ago....and even discussed in this forum before I believe.

Good to hear you had success. Just be careful - it is abrasive. A buddy of mine messed up his drivers seat a bit. Light beige leather.
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      09-27-2011, 04:39 PM   #5
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Be very, very careful with that. It's like extremely fine sand paper and you'll take the dye off your leather in a heart beat if you use it too much. It can fuck shit up.....trust me. lol
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      09-27-2011, 04:42 PM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Jaypod View Post
You should have just searched - this was discovered a long time ago....and even discussed in this forum before I believe.

Good to hear you had success. Just be careful - it is abrasive. A buddy of mine messed up his drivers seat a bit. Light beige leather.
Damn! That was a thread that I definitely missed. Did your buddy just not wet it enough?


Quote:
Originally Posted by Krozi View Post
Be very, very careful with that. It's like extremely fine sand paper and you'll take the dye off your leather in a heart beat if you use it too much. It can fuck shit up.....trust me. lol
I did spot check the eraser, and I continued to check to make sure that it wasn't becoming the same color as my leather. LOL! I suppose you learned this from experience?
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      09-27-2011, 04:46 PM   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Sedan_Clan View Post
Damn! That was a thread that I definitely missed. Did your buddy just not wet it enough?

He did, but maybe too much vigor. Probably good for stubborn stains etc. Just not sure I would use it with any regularity.
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      09-27-2011, 05:31 PM   #8
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Good to know! I think all of us are a little OCD when it comes to our M3s.
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      09-27-2011, 05:49 PM   #9
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thanks for the tip ... I will try to do this during my restoration project on our 1987 e28 the interior is black leather.

However, I recommend that after the treatment you describe you use a leather conditioner. I think this is important have you done this?
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      09-27-2011, 06:52 PM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Rolf-Dieter View Post
thanks for the tip ... I will try to do this during my restoration project on our 1987 e28 the interior is black leather.

However, I recommend that after the treatment you describe you use a leather conditioner. I think this is important have you done this?
I will sometime this evening.
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      09-27-2011, 07:22 PM   #11
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You should not use Magic Eraser on your leather at all as you are wearing away the protective coating over your leather.

Our leather is coated, and a simple experiment can show you this. Water beads on the surface, it does not soak through.

When you use magic eraser on the surface, you are essentially wearing down the "clear coat" for the lack of a better way of putting in of the leather.

The best way to clean your leather is with a pH balanced cleaner and a leather brush.
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      09-27-2011, 08:49 PM   #12
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I've actually used this method on my steering wheel when I had my E46 M3. I would be very reluctant to use this on my seating surfaces due to how abrasive it can be if used for to long in a single spot. For seating surfaces I would highly recommend Leathertique.
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      09-27-2011, 09:35 PM   #13
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where was this when Bill Clinton was in office?
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      09-27-2011, 11:04 PM   #14
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This is the beginning of the end of your leather if you continue this. It is nothing more than sandpaper, wrapped in a nice little package for marketing and called Magic. The reason it initially works as its sandpaper and you do not notice the wear. Use it a few times and irriversible damage is done
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      09-28-2011, 01:51 AM   #15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Malekreza


The best way to clean your leather is with a pH balanced cleaner and a leather brush.
What would you suggest Malek?


Username, I know what you mean. Every interior that I've seen where leather cleaner/conditioner was used looks shiny and horrible.
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      09-28-2011, 01:59 AM   #16
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I learned my lesson with Magic Eraser and leather after cleaning my sneakers with it. Took the dye right off in some cases.
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      09-28-2011, 02:06 AM   #17
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Although I am a magic eraser fan for my flat white walls at home, rub your fingers togther after using it and the abrasive nature of it becomes all too clear. I would never use it on leather. However, if you get high quality leather cleaner and conditioner from Coach or some other high end store - you will get excellent results without any of the down side of ME.
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      09-28-2011, 02:08 AM   #18
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Quote:
Originally Posted by kmarei View Post
where was this when Bill Clinton was in office?
it wasn't a leather; rather a fabric dress.

Don't be a happy gilmore with that stuff. just be careful not to overuse it.
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      09-28-2011, 02:09 AM   #19
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Quote:
Originally Posted by rclee337 View Post
I learned my lesson with Magic Eraser and leather after cleaning my sneakers with it. Took the dye right off in some cases.
though sneakers don't have the same quality dye as in leather seats, but yes, one should be careful
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      09-28-2011, 11:08 AM   #20
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Quote:
Originally Posted by eatrach73 View Post
it wasn't a leather; rather a fabric dress.

Don't be a happy gilmore with that stuff. just be careful not to overuse it.
You've got my word! Has anybody used the leather cleaner from Coach?
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      09-28-2011, 11:28 AM   #21
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Sedan_Clan View Post
Smiling like a teenage boy who just lost his virginity, I went to work on my driver's seat.
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      09-28-2011, 12:15 PM   #22
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NNNOOOOOO!!!!!! Another horrible leather thread? ANOTHER???

Seems like these pop up at least once a month with bad advice, bad techniques, and lack for clear information being spread.

DO NOT use something abrasive on your leather. The urethane coating shouldn't be treated in this matter. The best thing you can do for leather is to simply keep it clean. Monthly wipe downs of something like Leatheriqe Prestine Clean, Leather Master Soft Cleaner, or even 20:1 diluted Woolite should help a lot. Ditch all the garbage "conditioner" products you normally find which actually increase wear on your seat. Your leather is coated and doesn't need "conditioning."

If anything, do a little research and read one of the other dozen threads on proper leather care, and DO NOT use a magic eraser on your seats!
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