Leather conditioners?

Daryl

Well-Known Member
SN95 Supporter
Joined
Apr 5, 2020
Messages
2,817
Reaction score
1,299
Location
SoCal
I did a Search on the Forum here but only came up with a thread from 2011, so a bit dated. My front seats (rear seats deleted) were restuffed and recovered about a year ago and have virtually NO wear and tear but I want to do my best keep them from cracking, fading etc.

So, I’m wondering which brands are best these days? I recall 30+ years ago using a paste style leather conditioner called Hyde Food. I was detailing cars to help pay for college and it seemed to work really well on the Porsche, Mercedes, Rolls Royce and high end cars’ leather.
 

07GtS197

Well-Known Member
Joined
Mar 16, 2015
Messages
2,635
Reaction score
996
Location
Fort Myers, Fl
I’ve used Lexol in the past with good results. I’ve use maguires too but it’s super oily. It did the job but I don’t like that it doesn’t dry if that makes sense.
 

FullstackViking

New Member
Joined
Apr 6, 2021
Messages
29
Reaction score
19
Lexol is one that I've found is consistently stocked at my auto parts store and doesn't leave the seat feeling like a greased cooking pan
 
OP
OP
Daryl

Daryl

Well-Known Member
SN95 Supporter
Joined
Apr 5, 2020
Messages
2,817
Reaction score
1,299
Location
SoCal
07 and Viking.
Thank you both, I’ll go checkout Lexie at my local VatoZone!! Cheers.
 

94StewFord

Member
Joined
Oct 20, 2021
Messages
219
Reaction score
30
Location
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
I use the Lexol Cleaner and Leather Honey for the finish!

Our seat material was almost like a "Leatherette" and not a very quality material in my eyes to hold up over time.....
 
OP
OP
Daryl

Daryl

Well-Known Member
SN95 Supporter
Joined
Apr 5, 2020
Messages
2,817
Reaction score
1,299
Location
SoCal
Good point, 94. Yes, my seats were redone but what quality leather is it??? I guess all I can do is do the best I can!
 
OP
OP
Daryl

Daryl

Well-Known Member
SN95 Supporter
Joined
Apr 5, 2020
Messages
2,817
Reaction score
1,299
Location
SoCal
Ah, I’m going to Tractor Supply tomorrow for f chicken feed and dog food, so I’ll check the automotive aisle!
 

D3VST8R96GT

Well-Known Member
Joined
Feb 19, 2009
Messages
4,028
Reaction score
110
Location
Marble Fall, AZ
Find a good cleaner and a conditioner that are separate. I use lexol cleaner and griots garage squeeze bottle conditioner its at vatozone and on amazon. I found some mach 1 seats at the junk yard and have been hydrating them back to life I am about 4 coats in and see huge difference. I cleaned them a couple times and it felt like I was working backwards at times but its bad to massage dirty in to the leather.

Leather honey is good from what I hear but havent used it personally.
 
OP
OP
Daryl

Daryl

Well-Known Member
SN95 Supporter
Joined
Apr 5, 2020
Messages
2,817
Reaction score
1,299
Location
SoCal
Picked up a 3-in-1 Lexol and a 12-pack of applicators!

On edit: should’ve bought separate cleaner and conditioners. The 3-in-1 seems to work primarily as a cleaner only. Left the seats “dry” looking. I’ll see if I can find some leather honey or stand alone Legolas conditioner.
Live and learn, right? In hindsight, I wish I had listened to those of you who recommended separates. My bad!!
 
Last edited:
OP
OP
Daryl

Daryl

Well-Known Member
SN95 Supporter
Joined
Apr 5, 2020
Messages
2,817
Reaction score
1,299
Location
SoCal
I use the Lexol Cleaner and Leather Honey for the finish!

Our seat material was almost like a "Leatherette" and not a very quality material in my eyes to hold up over time.....
I went with the same combination. Happy with the results!
Before:
ACC62CF6-EAFF-4C4A-82A6-C28A026EB03C.jpeg
After:
 

Attachments

  • 1A4D9106-736C-4D4D-A267-0D886E00DEC6.jpeg
    1A4D9106-736C-4D4D-A267-0D886E00DEC6.jpeg
    272.2 KB · Views: 6
  • 22BCE53D-2917-4BC2-92D6-4C91A35DEB5C.jpeg
    22BCE53D-2917-4BC2-92D6-4C91A35DEB5C.jpeg
    265.4 KB · Views: 6
  • 2F7FF7E7-C34E-4A3E-929F-24C62B4037CC.jpeg
    2F7FF7E7-C34E-4A3E-929F-24C62B4037CC.jpeg
    249.3 KB · Views: 5

turboturman

New Member
Joined
Apr 7, 2023
Messages
3
Reaction score
1
Brands like Leather Honey, Lexol, and Chemical Guys are well-regarded for their leather conditioners. They can help maintain the suppleness of the leather and prevent issues like cracking and fading.
Your experience with Hyde Food from back in the day sounds promising. It's always a good idea to check reviews and see what works best for your specific leather.
And if you're curious about more modern leather care tips or just want to explore the world of leather, the Von Baer blog is a valuable resource. They provide insights without all the usual sales hype.
 
Last edited:

Mustang5L5

Active Member
Joined
Aug 1, 2023
Messages
526
Reaction score
573

ju015dd

Well-Known Member
SN95 Supporter
Joined
Sep 30, 2006
Messages
4,129
Reaction score
1,710
Location
tallahassee, fl
I have been using the chemical guys leather spray and their gel for a few years now. Works for me
 

joemomma

Well-Known Member
Joined
Dec 9, 2020
Messages
1,225
Reaction score
733
CG stuff works pretty well, and has a nice "new car" smell to it.
 

Forum statistics

Threads
77,439
Messages
1,502,157
Members
14,920
Latest member
marktuck99

Members online

Top