how clean is your leather really? (pics)

[mistagst]

since it was a beautiful day in the windy city today i gave my car a good interior detail. everything was done except the seats. instead of doing it by hand i had a random orbital buffer/polisher laying around so i said why not. i did all the back rests of the seats not thinking they were that dirty. when i was finished i looked at the foam pad and was i shocked. the pad went from yellow to black and had black rings around it! not sure if the meguiars was to thank or the orbital. sorry i didnt take pics before i started i really didnt think they were that bad.

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to compare

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bottoms do have a darkish tint compared to cleaned tops

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super clean back

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you can also see how dirty the creeses are. i am going to do the tops again tomarrow and see how they come out. i will keep you guys posted!!!

 

[CJorgensen]

Really nice looking! I need to do my gray leather BADLY

 

['97boostinGST]

Nice.
I need to re-do my upholstery really REALLY bad.
The rear ones ill probably get done but for the front ones ill probably eventually buy Recaros.
I use the spray version from Meguiars and doesnt do that much of a difference.

 

[TurboATM]

ive learned nothing really cleans seats like a brush and orange cleaner..!

 

[army94e]

This makes me want to clean mine too! I'm with you 97boostin, I want some nice seats for the front. You going to go the leather route and try to match? I'm undecided. Mistagst, great job on keeping that interior clean!!!

 

[Detail]

I think that you would be happier with the results if you used a different product. Try Lexol. Warm the seats, warm a sponge with water, spray the seat, scrub the crap out of it, then remove with a terry towel. Now MURDER THE SEATS with the brown bottle of lexol. Spread that around with another sponge. Let it sit for 5 minutes or so. Now get your microfiber or whatever and buff the seat. Literally, like paint. And its a pain. But you will get insane results. In addition they'll be 2x softer.

 

[4Lurker4]

In addition they'll be 2x softer.

That's good to know. I think I might try the Lexol if you say they become softer, mine have gotten stiff over the years.

 

[Gysgt Guy]

I'll get some pictures of mine when I get home...they are ridiculously clean for being 16 years old!

 

[ncampos92562]

Pick up a bottle of Meguiars Ultimate Protectant. You will be amazed.

 

[mistagst]

ok im going back at it again today

lunker the reason your seats are stiff is because their filled with dirt and oils that bond to your leather. when i did the back rests it felt like i ran a clay bar threw it (if you have ever clayed your paint) it was smooth and in a way "relaxed" feeling. which is why they feel softer

 

[spanksterer]

that stuff looks like it works. i am going to have to go try it out. do you have any other info on products to use.

 

[mistagst]

bringing back this thread! ok so a rainy day today and day off work what to do what to do lets clean the leather seats again! my mother was over and saw what i was doing and told me the best thing to clean leather seats is with a dish brush and scrubbing bubbles bathroom clean. since i have tried just about every product on to clean the seats with pretty good results i said well why not? so i went to the store and bought one can of scrubbing bubbles bathroom cleaner for $3 used my dish scrubbing brush from the kitchen and started at it! boy did momma know best by far the best thing i have used to clean my leather seats and i have tried just about everything. steps i used was spray SB on half the seat let it sit till the bubbles were gone resprayed it again and got to scrubbing with the kitchen dish brush. use pretty good pressure overall and light to no pressure around major cracks. i could see the dirt and grime coming off and could not believe it. i finshed the driver side front seat looked at the towel and had to write about it. i strongly recommend everyone do this to your leather seats no matter how clean they may look you will not believe how much grime comes off them and how soft it leaves your seats. also how cheap the overall price is $3 as i side note you SHOULD go over the seats after they are dry with somekind of leather cleaner/conditioner to restore the moisture back into the leather and protect it from cracking. look at the 1st pick in the op of the front seat and i thought that was clean look at the new pic haha

 

[LennyStokes]

They look good. I don't think my seats have been cleaned since.. well, probably '96 while the car was at the dealership.. I'll post before and after pictures

 

[mistagst]

what are you going to use to clean them?

 

[Rocketman1000R]

Good idea with the scrubbing bubbles

 

[2gSX018]

this is good info thanks!