DEET stain on black leather from Off! bug repellent spray

starkraven · 07-22-2010, 08:19 AM

I just got a 2011 M3 with black leather. I take my daughter to school every morning, right after my wife spritzes her with OFF! insect repellent. I noticed today that there were stains all over the back seat from where my daughter climbs in to her car seat. The only thing I've tried so far is a little Palmolive and water. It may have made a dent in the stains. I'm a little angry at the situation right now, so it is hard for me to tell.

A google search tells me that DEET can stain leather, but that is the extent of what I see out there. Any ideas?

Hawk Lax · 07-22-2010, 02:05 PM

Try lexol leather cleaner, don't rub hard use a foam applicator so it foams up. Give it a couple of minutes of dwell time. I prefer Leather Master Strong cleaner but the Lexol will be readily available. Don't use dishwasher soap on your leather. Can you post a pic? Is off DEET have an oil base to carry the repellant. I would post on autopia forums some of the leather gurus over there may have a better answer.

starkraven · 07-23-2010, 11:01 AM

Thanks for the input. It appears that DEET itself is a solvent. I may have very well etched the protective coating on the leather.

Hawk Lax · 07-23-2010, 01:31 PM

Look for a reputable leather refinisher in your area unless its not that bad and you can live with it. I'd try leather Master Vital and protect and you might not even notice it. Being its in the back seat at least you don't see it all the time.

starkraven · 07-23-2010, 04:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hawk Lax

Look for a reputable leather refinisher in your area unless its not that bad and you can live with it. I'd try leather Master Vital and protect and you might not even notice it. Being its in the back seat at least you don't see it all the time.

Thanks, Hawk. I've got a detailer whom I trust coming to look at it Monday. I did post on Autopia as well and received some interesting information. There is a guy in NJ who specializes in OEM leather coatings -- he trains and sells products to others to replace the coatings. If my detailer can't fix it, I'm going to seek advice from the guy in NJ.

Hawk Lax · 07-24-2010, 07:23 AM

The leather guy in Jersey is awesome if you need his e-mail let me know

DiRTyDeLuX · 07-24-2010, 10:11 AM

It wont clean off. Deet can melt through plastic and rubber, as well as the finish on your leather.

starkraven · 07-24-2010, 01:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DiRTyDeLuX

I wont clean off. Deet can melt through plastic and rubber, as well as the finish on your leather.

That appears to be true. Once the detailer takes a crack at it, I am going to look into having the finish replaced.

07-22-2010, 08:19 AM	#1
starkraven Private First Class 17 Rep 153 Posts Drives: 2019 540i G30 Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Houston iTrader: (0)	DEET stain on black leather from Off! bug repellent spray I just got a 2011 M3 with black leather. I take my daughter to school every morning, right after my wife spritzes her with OFF! insect repellent. I noticed today that there were stains all over the back seat from where my daughter climbs in to her car seat. The only thing I've tried so far is a little Palmolive and water. It may have made a dent in the stains. I'm a little angry at the situation right now, so it is hard for me to tell. A google search tells me that DEET can stain leather, but that is the extent of what I see out there. Any ideas?
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07-22-2010, 02:05 PM	#2
Hawk Lax Second Lieutenant 13 Rep 259 Posts Drives: 2008 M3 AW Coupe Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: L.I., N.Y. iTrader: (0)	Try lexol leather cleaner, don't rub hard use a foam applicator so it foams up. Give it a couple of minutes of dwell time. I prefer Leather Master Strong cleaner but the Lexol will be readily available. Don't use dishwasher soap on your leather. Can you post a pic? Is off DEET have an oil base to carry the repellant. I would post on autopia forums some of the leather gurus over there may have a better answer.
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07-23-2010, 11:01 AM	#3
starkraven Private First Class 17 Rep 153 Posts Drives: 2019 540i G30 Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Houston iTrader: (0)	Thanks for the input. It appears that DEET itself is a solvent. I may have very well etched the protective coating on the leather.
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07-23-2010, 01:31 PM	#4
Hawk Lax Second Lieutenant 13 Rep 259 Posts Drives: 2008 M3 AW Coupe Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: L.I., N.Y. iTrader: (0)	Look for a reputable leather refinisher in your area unless its not that bad and you can live with it. I'd try leather Master Vital and protect and you might not even notice it. Being its in the back seat at least you don't see it all the time.
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07-24-2010, 07:23 AM	#6
Hawk Lax Second Lieutenant 13 Rep 259 Posts Drives: 2008 M3 AW Coupe Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: L.I., N.Y. iTrader: (0)	The leather guy in Jersey is awesome if you need his e-mail let me know Last edited by Hawk Lax; 07-24-2010 at 08:12 PM..
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07-24-2010, 10:11 AM	#7
DiRTyDeLuX Private First Class 7 Rep 130 Posts Drives: 2011 AW E92 M3 ZCP ZCV ZP2 Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: NYC iTrader: (0)	It wont clean off. Deet can melt through plastic and rubber, as well as the finish on your leather. Last edited by DiRTyDeLuX; 07-24-2010 at 03:47 PM..
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