Leather Cleaning

[Big Kev]

Although not directly Rav related, please bear with me and hopefully "some of our members" (Wheeltappers and Shunters Club.....?) may benefit who have lighter coloured leather interiors..

I currently look after the appearance and valetation of a neighbour's Porsche Cayenne (bloody massive brute of a thing, but driving it is better than conjugalities, speaking purely from memory....) It is virtually British Racing Green in colour with Tan Leather Upholstery.

They are regular wearers of blue jeans, so you can guess what I am going to ask.....I have tried a proprietary leather cream, and even though it worked to a degree, life is too short....it took ages to shift a 4" long strip.

Any product out there I am not aware of....? Come in Charlie and Blue.

Thanks in advancement,

Big Kev

[MarsKy]

Almond leather in my old BMW and my Discovery 4. Dye transfer from blue jeans (or any other clothes) is the kiss of death to a nice upholstery.

Anyway, I got some stuff from http://www.furnitureclinic.co.uk/Leather_Ink_Stain_Removers.php for my BMW and it seemed to do the trick, but how successful it is really depends on what protection you had before the dye transfer.

The company seems to be spot on though, and they can do full restoration if needed: http://www.furnitureclinic.co.uk/Professional_Repair_Services.php

I've seen dealers come out with a "magic sponge" (their words) to treat the blue hue on light leather - but all it seemed to do is bleach the blue down a bit so that isn't as noticeable - but the bleach streak remained...

For the Discovery I bought a load of disposable seat covers from eBay and make any passengers with blue jeans use a cover.

[t-spiritpete]

Hello Kev,

I have a guy near me who restores leather in classic cars & furniture etc he says to use a non-alkaline soap to clean the leather followed by clean water and when dry use some sort of leather cream, can't remember which one, to keep it supple and protected.

Pete.

[igormus]

we do normally clean stains by a Turttle Wax

[Mistermena]

Dont know if you've tried this one Kev? But I've used it and its fantastic... http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Gliptone-GT12-and-GT11-Car-Seat-Liquid-Leather-Cleaner-Conditioner-Softener-/150778761348?pt=UK_Car_Accessories_Car_Care_Cleaning&hash=item231b1d5084

[Len7]

In my experience definitely Gliptone for leather but maybe ring them and ask advice on your particular issue first

Their web site informative I found

[Guest]

Leather saddle soap - ask anyone who rides horses.

or just found http://www.ehow.com/how_6582644_remove-denim-stains-leather.html

Gus

[Manxrav]

Kev, just had a look on detailing World and the product Marsky is recommending seems to be the one. It is well reviewed, but alot depends on the type of leather ( absorbent or not). It costs £10 a bottle from furniture clinic. Or try the old favourite Hairspray.

Regards Clare

[Hoovie]

I cannot find the source OR remember where I read the following, but this may be worth looking into further (and I am going by memory as well so some of the info could be mixed up, but the basics are still recalled....)

Many "Leather" seats in cars have a plastic coating which means that the traditional leather treatments such as softeners, saddle soaps, etc have little effect and the seats should actually be cleaned as if they were vinyl - as that is what they are on the top level.

This is becoming more and more common and is most common in Japanese cars (maybe the RAV4 leather is like that?). The Europeans cars - and especially the Germans (so the Cayenne in question) are more likely to not have this treatment and have a real leather facing without this plastic protection and hence stain and discolour due to dye transfer.

Just mentioning it, as there are a lot of good tips I have read on this thread, but *may* not be relevant to the RAV4 seats - so in case someone thought "Ah, I'll give that Porker tip a go on the RAV"

[CharlieFarlie]

Kev google LTT Leather-care.. Its a Non silicone based product that is in two parts. A very mild cleaner and a very weak feed cream that leaves the leather with a non slippery feel and a very natural look.. The cleaner is very good and I find it brilliant on the Ivory seats in The XF......

[cabcurtains]

Many "Leather" seats in cars have a plastic coating which means that the traditional leather treatments such as softeners, saddle soaps, etc have little effect and the seats should actually be cleaned as if they were vinyl - as that is what they are on the top level.

This is becoming more and more common and is most common in Japanese cars (maybe the RAV4 leather is like that?). The Europeans cars - and especially the Germans (so the Cayenne in question) are more likely to not have this treatment and have a real leather facing without this plastic protection and hence stain and discolour due to dye transfer.

Just mentioning it, as there are a lot of good tips I have read on this thread, but *may* not be relevant to the RAV4 seats - so in case someone thought "Ah, I'll give that Porker tip a go on the RAV"

I was thinking the same, do RAV's with leather smell of leather?

Our old Corolla had the £1500 (Yes really, it was an ex TUK Car) option of full "Leather", there was no way an cows were injured in the making of that interior. It was more like the Vinyl in me dads old escort!

[anchorman]

Mine does smell of leather. However, I belive only the sides are leather. The bottom and back are "leatherish" stuff.

[Joylove]

Hello Kev,

I have a guy near me who restores leather in classic cars & furniture etc he says to use a non-alkaline soap to clean the leather followed by clean water and when dry use some sort of leather cream, can't remember which one, to keep it supple and protected.

Pete.

This was also recommended to me by an Aston Martin trimmer. PH neutral or DOVE or similar soap and warm water.

Then some leather food with lanolin and beeswax.

[jedi134]

Side leather? What part of the cow does that come from

My ravs leather is not like the golfs leather, Golfs leather is thick and robust, and smells like cow, ravs leather feels like cloth and thin and smells like nothing :D

[Big Kev]

Sorry for delay in acknowledging all your great help, but I had quite early on taken Marsky's guide and bought the Stain Remover from Furniture Clinic....and although I have only tried a trial patch, it is utterly marvellous. The "lighter" of the denim dye staining literally just lifts off with next to no pressure on the sponge, but the heavier bits may still need a bit of per-suedeing....good, eh....?

Muchos Thankyos to all respondicators,

Big Kev

[dwilson]

Kev

Have you tried Gtechniq? Maybe worth a look? I have bought some but haven't got around to using it yet!

I have used some of their other products and they seem very good.

David