Cleaning leather on M3

[sibhusz06]

So bought a used 2011 M3 and applied Leatherique over the past 3 days as temps were above 85 here in the DC area. After the third day, it pretty much sat on the leather and didn't penetrate into the leather all that well and from owning a 911 with coated leather, I ran into the same problem as I suspect the M3 uses coated leather as well.

So curious what some of you guys are using and recommend? Also when I cleaned my steering wheel, some black coloring from the black steering wheel rubbed off with the leatherique pristine cleaner, is this normal or any suggestions to prevent this from happening again.

Thanks

[ohhgourami]

I've been using the Swissvax kit. The cleaner is very good as it takes stuff off that other cleaners tend to miss. The conditioner and fat penetrates very well. Leaves the leather very nice and supple again and doesn't look greasy.

[dparm]

Originally Posted by sibhusz06

So bought a used 2011 M3 and applied Leatherique over the past 3 days as temps were above 85 here in the DC area. After the third day, it pretty much sat on the leather and didn't penetrate into the leather all that well and from owning a 911 with coated leather, I ran into the same problem as I suspect the M3 uses coated leather as well.

So curious what some of you guys are using and recommend? Also when I cleaned my steering wheel, some black coloring from the black steering wheel rubbed off with the leatherique pristine cleaner, is this normal or any suggestions to prevent this from happening again.

Thanks

Leatherique Prestine Clean worked fine on my M3. What happened, exactly, and why do you think it didn't work?

Remember that Prestine Clean is actually a conditioner and you should follow it up with a cleaner afterwards. It sounds backwards, I know. Someone once explained it to me like this: "Prestine Clean gets sucked into the pores of the leather to rehydrate it and forces out the contaminants, which is why you need to use a cleaner afterwards: to remove the contaminants that are now sitting on the surface".

[sibhusz06]

dparm, so I've used Leatherique oil/PC combo before on a prior VW Touareg in which the leather was highly porous and the leatherique oil penetrated within 6 hours and softened the leather and made a huge difference.

However on my 911 which has coated leather, it simply just remains on the surface without penetrating. On my m3, I noticed something similar, in that after 24 hours the seats were very oily (mind you it was about 85-90 outside and the car was in direct sunlight). The oil just didnt seem to penetrate into the leather pores of the novillo leather. Ive read that a lot of newer cars are using coated leather which makes leatherique ineffective or not as effective as it could be.

[dparm]

That's correct, many cars use coated leather. I never had any issues using Leatherique on my M3 so I'll let others chime in.

[Seattle M3]

Swissvax kit. You won’t be disappointed. Check out results on YouTube.

[EnVe46]

Just because it remains oily doesn't mean it's not working. Every time I've used leatherique it's done the same thing except on the rear headrests of my previous E46 M3. Let it sit, then remove with cleaner, remember to rinse the rag continuously. You'll notice a difference

[cjpavao]

I use Adam’s polishes leather conditioner and interior cleaner. works awesome, seats and steering wheel have that new factory leather look. not greasy/shiny and worn.

[sibhusz06]

To each his own, but I ended up using nextzett 92480515 Leather Care lederplege. Its a German car care product designed for coated leather as the M3 has coated leather seats.

[pcohen15]

+1 on "to each his own," I've had very good (in my opinion) results from using Chemical Guys trio of leather cleaner, conditioner, and serum.

I use a CG leather brush to scrub, which I would think makes a big difference vs. not using a brush at all. My seat leather is not cracked anywhere, so I can't speak for the restorative powers, but for getting that matte, clean look the CG stuff delivers.

I use the same combo on my steering wheel and it looks new after cleaning.

[SoCalRPM]

Originally Posted by pcohen15

+1 on "to each his own," I've had very good (in my opinion) results from using Chemical Guys trio of leather cleaner, conditioner, and serum.

I use a CG leather brush to scrub, which I would think makes a big difference vs. not using a brush at all. My seat leather is not cracked anywhere, so I can't speak for the restorative powers, but for getting that matte, clean look the CG stuff delivers.

I use the same combo on my steering wheel and it looks new after cleaning.

I've had issues with black dye coming off of the steering wheel when using Chem Guys leather cleaner. I've used it in other cars with no issues.

Has anyone else experienced this?

I've been using it as a maintenance care. The leather is in fine shape but when I get some time I'll use the Leatherique treatment on everything.

[sibhusz06]

SoCal, I had black dye come off when I used Leatherique and won't use it again. Given the M3 has coated leather I think the Zaino, and Nextzett are safer as they are designed for coated leather. Im sure there are others too. I tried the Chemical Guys as well and found it to be safe but just personally prefer the Zaino and Nextzett.

[RC Post]

Fox red seats starting to get shiny. Want to clean and condition it. I'd like a conditioner that leave a matte finish and a cleaner that won't rub off the red dye..

Anyone try the over the counter stuff like Lexol deep clean and conditioner?

Swissvax seems WAY overpriced but want to see what others are using on their fox red interior..

[///M Power-Belgium]

Originally Posted by dparm

Leatherique Prestine Clean worked fine on my M3. What happened, exactly, and why do you think it didn't work?

Remember that Prestine Clean is actually a conditioner and you should follow it up with a cleaner afterwards. It sounds backwards, I know. Someone once explained it to me like this: "Prestine Clean gets sucked into the pores of the leather to rehydrate it and forces out the contaminants, which is why you need to use a cleaner afterwards: to remove the contaminants that are now sitting on the surface".

Negative .

Step 1 = Leatherique Rejuvenator oil .
Step 2 = Leatherique Prestine Clean .

=> http://www.autodetaildoctor.com/leat...juvenator-oil/

[dparm]

Originally Posted by ///M Power-Belgium

Negative .

Step 1 = Leatherique Rejuvenator oil .
Step 2 = Leatherique Prestine Clean .

=> http://www.autodetaildoctor.com/leat...juvenator-oil/

Oops, you'right right, I had those flipped.

[scrammer]

BMW LEATHERCARE W/UV PROTECTION KIT has worked perfectly for me over the last 15 years, and gives a beautiful matte finish to all the leather including the steering wheel. No glamour here ... Sorry!