Tired Leather

[tolly]

Guys

Hows the form
I recently bought (a month ago) a W210 with grey leather.
The leather has lost its colour in some places and looks to be "tired" I know there was a thread on here a while back but I cant seem to be able to find it.
I was wondering is there a way to improve the look of it without dumping a tonne of wax on it cuz it will become like an ice ring for me bum

Any help appreciated
Tolly

 

[Ted]

google 'gliptone'
Seats will look like new.

 

[WOODYTHEWISE]

Plus one for gliptone. It also smells great (leather)

 

[MicB]

I bought a Renapur cleaner and balsam at the Classic Car Show on Saturday.....Renapur Ltd | Leather Cleaner | Leather Balsam | Leather Restorer | UK | Home

I have not as yet tried using the products, nor do I expect to make the time this side if the Christmas break.....anyone tried them?

Mic

 

[Beno]

Plus one for gliptone. It also smells great (leather)

And another for gliptone

 

[ss201]

Gliptone is good stuff: the proprietor (assuming it's him that answers the phone) is a miserable, unhelpful twonk who is perfect for an internet-based business as he doesn't like dealing with customers. I know others who have experienced his non-sales technique. Don't trust their website colour chart, as I did. I have a grey leather interior too (M-B 268 Orion Grey) which I ordered via their website. When a much lighter colour arrived, I phoned - only to be told "well you ordered the light grey Orion Grey. There are two Orion greys. It's one of our most popular colours". If that's the case - why not make this clear on the colour chart then? Grrrrr!

 

[tolly]

Now another question, do I use conditioner or cleaner?
Silly question and its probably the conditioner but I want to be sure

Thank you

PS I live in Ireland so I wouldnt have to deal with that Twonk lol

 

[gIzzE]

I use Gliptone myself, but if it is really tired I would use this....

Halfords | Autoglym Car Leather Cleaner 500ml

Use it with a nail brush or one of these and really work the dirt out, this brings back that matte finish far better than Gliptone, but it is more abrasive so don't do it every week.

Then use a shoe cream in a matching colour, not a wax, a cream like Woly or similar.
If that doesn't bring it back look at a leather dye in a matched colour.

 

[steve333]

Now another question, do I use conditioner or cleaner?
Silly question and its probably the conditioner but I want to be sure

Thank you

PS I live in Ireland so I wouldnt have to deal with that Twonk lol

I use leather wipes(the ones you buy in supermarkets )every time i wash my car & about every 2 months i feed the leather with a good leather conditioner applied with a lint free cloth,keeps the upholstry clean,smooth & looking good

 

[mct_cars]

Instead of Leather wipes, use baby wipes. Same thing, just cheaper (it's the Linolen in them that feeds the leather).

 

[tolly]

I use Gliptone myself, but if it is really tired I would use this....

Halfords | Autoglym Car Leather Cleaner 500ml

Use it with a nail brush or one of these and really work the dirt out, this brings back that matte finish far better than Gliptone, but it is more abrasive so don't do it every week.

Then use a shoe cream in a matching colour, not a wax, a cream like Woly or similar.
If that doesn't bring it back look at a leather dye in a matched colour.

Nail brush? Would it not be a tad bit too hard on the seats? I would have though that it would damage the leather...
How long does it take for the shoe cream to dry??

 

[Ted]

Now another question, do I use conditioner or cleaner?
Silly question and its probably the conditioner but I want to be sure

Thank you

PS I live in Ireland so I wouldnt have to deal with that Twonk lol

That's a good question.
The Gliptone kit comes with both.

The cleaner is good, but after cleaning, their conditioner really got int0 the cracks and lifted out the dirt as well as (presumably) conditioning the leather.
These two combined really brought the leather back beautifully.

The final coat (the colour) left the seats almost as new. 18 months on, they still look great.

 

[Superspec]

Gliptone is very good. I would use the cleaner and conditioning combination first to see how nicely the seats come up. I think you'll be surprised with the difference just that makes. If the leather needs re-colouring that's a big, messy and expensive job but will make the seats look like new. I would clean and condition first.

You should wipe the seats down with a damp microfibre then apply the cleaning fluid with a damp cloth. Once it's on the seat use a soft brush - something like a shoe polish buffing brush (not a used one!) and work the cleaner into the grain on the leather. Leave it for about 5 mins and then wipe it off with a clean damp cloth.

With the conditioner apply it with a microfibre and work it in until it is fully absorbed. If the seats are bad you might want to do another, very thin coat.

All being well the seats will look and smell like new!

 

[gIzzE]

Nail brush? Would it not be a tad bit too hard on the seats? I would have though that it would damage the leather...
How long does it take for the shoe cream to dry??

Not really, you need something that will really get into the grain and get the dirt out.
When leather goes shiny most people think the matte finish has worn off, this is not the case, it is a layer of dirt sitting on the leather that is shiny and has filled the grain, and you need to get that off and out.

Shoe cream will dry pretty quick, I tend to put it on and leave the car in the sun or with the heaters on for an hour, and then wipe it down.

Also, you can try something called a 'magic sponge' it will make even a 20 year old steering wheel come up like new, but be careful as it is pretty abrasive, so use it only once or twice.

 

[tolly]

Thanks for the input lads ill definatelly give it a go just must wait for the weather to dry out

 

[michaelk3289]

I use Gliptone myself, but if it is really tired I would use this....

Halfords | Autoglym Car Leather Cleaner 500ml

Use it with a nail brush or one of these and really work the dirt out, this brings back that matte finish far better than Gliptone, but it is more abrasive so don't do it every week.

Then use a shoe cream in a matching colour, not a wax, a cream like Woly or similar.
If that doesn't bring it back look at a leather dye in a matched colour.

i have one of those brushes and it really really good,

alough not tried the autoglym product he talk about i use Turtle wax leather cleaner and conditioner, i bought mine in halfords with that brush

it works for me and i love the results


hope this helps

 

[mct_cars]

If you're looking for a nice soft nail brush, get yourself along to your local Wikinsons. They do a really soft nail brush with a wooden grip - only a few pence as well. Just right for use with Gliptone (another plus one for me on that one).

 

[RichAJ]

Yeah you definitely clean first then condition unless its an all in one product, my ex works at Turtle Wax so i used to get everything free to try (im slightly obsessed with cleaning the motor!) which was fantastic! so i know the full TW range inside out and i was impressed with the platinum (green bottle) leather stuff from TW, smells 'ok' but does a decent job if you keep topping it up and look after your leather. i have the AutoGlym too and similar results as expected by two of the top manufacturers.

 

[millo777]

For ref the autoglym leather cleaner is only £3.00 in Tesco.

Personally I would stick with the gliptone products though. Almost all Autoglym products are great, but the leather balm isn't nearly as good as the Gliptone leather conditioner. The Gliptone gt15 cleaner is also really good for weekly cleans.

 

[mikec32]

If its cleaners you want my weapons of choice are Swiss ax leather cleaner and milk. Mixed up with elephant fat. Or the zaino twins (z-9, z-10)

But it sounds to me this is not a job for cleaners. Maybe look into a restoration kit. I use

Furniture Clinic - Leather Care Cleaner, Furniture Repair & Restoration

They truly make some of the finest leather products I have used. Especially for restoring tired leather.