simply green leather question (NOW WITH FINISHED PICS)

[greengiant]

i'm going to use simply green to clean my seats this week, my search revealed there seems to be a disagreement on what percentage of SG to water to use and how to use it, toothbrush?. so what is most recommendded

 

[jmpSHO]

I would do a 50/50 and try that in a small spot that's not going to be seen in case you rub the color off.

 

[Racer X]

I would use 6 parts water, 1 part woolite in a spray bottle, personally. Simple Green will strip the natural oils from the leather. This is bad.

 

[SHO1]

don't need a toothbrush, can use larger if wanted, just want it to be fairly soft bristled so as not to sratch the leather all up. The softer the leather you have the softer you'll want the brush.

 

[SHOmethewayhome]

i use saddle soap on mine and a leather conditioner... but you have to be pretty militant about it out here in AZ especially with black leather. i got lax and it got dry and CRACK the middle of the seatback on the driver's side split.

 

[K-Dawg]

The Definitive Guide to Cleaning, Repairing and Refinishing Leather!

 

[greengiant]

i'm gonna use the method in that thread, i'll post before and after pics when i'm done. i mixed up a gallon instead of five, if any one wants the new percentage numbers.

 

[DDakRT]

don't need a toothbrush, can use larger if wanted, just want it to be fairly soft bristled so as not to sratch the leather all up. The softer the leather you have the softer you'll want the brush.

So with the leather in our SHOs, we should use steelwool?

 

[DDakRT]

The Definitive Guide to Cleaning, Repairing and Refinishing Leather!

There is also a thread here:
http://www.shoforum.com/showthread.php?t=30344

Tis a stickie.

 

[bully06]

I heard Murphys Oil Soap works good too, never tried it yet, has anyone else?

 

[SHOmethewayhome]

maidens oil works best.

 

[greengiant]

one of the worst spots

done

half done half not, shows how well it worked in certain spots

back seat was pretty good anyways, did them anyways

works wonders on the crap stuck in the center console grooves

done

over all it worked pretty well, my seats are pretty worn and some of the dirt was really mashed in and theres alot of cracks so i didnt expect a miracle but it did work very nice. also did alot for the steering wheel

 

[SHO1]

So with the leather in our SHOs, we should use steelwool?

Go for it! Let us know how it works.

Gen 3 leather is not as hard as Gen2, nor was gen 1 when new. and if any has been replaced it may be even softer, as with my '89, even mild steel wool would scuff the H... out of it. Even on gen 2 leather in nice shape it prob isn't a good idea.

 

[walser]

i've used the mr. clean magic eraser on my seats and console, worked really well. and i did amor all it right after. i dont know if its good for the leather

 

[ForcedSHO]

Eh, getting the McCulloch MC1275 and going to steam clean the leather + the rest of the car.

Good job though with the SimpleGreen

 

[Brett]

i've used the mr. clean magic eraser on my seats and console, worked really well. and i did amor all it right after. i dont know if its good for the leather

Some good leather conditioner would be ideal for an after clean application. Another suggestion is to use a blow dryer to heat up the leather and soften it up, hence making it easier to get the dirt and oil out.

 

[LJRuddy]

I always used 1 part SG to 6 parts water. I'd set the seats out in the sun and let them heat up (while I cleaned the carpet) and then took a soft bristle tooth brush and scrubbed the seats in the mixture. Dried them off and then rubbed a generous amount of Meguire's leather conditioner to them and then let it sit on the leather for 5-10 minutes before "massaging" it off with a soft fiber towel.

...I do this to all 3 of my cars and my leather, even in my 95, is softer than the leather in my boss's Mercedes.

 

[IM Buddy8]

I always used 1 part SG to 6 parts water. I'd set the seats out in the sun and let them heat up (while I cleaned the carpet) and then took a soft bristle tooth brush and scrubbed the seats in the mixture. Dried them off and then rubbed a generous amount of Meguire's leather conditioner to them and then let it sit on the leather for 5-10 minutes before "massaging" it off with a soft fiber towel.

...I do this to all 3 of my cars and my leather, even in my 95, is softer than the leather in my boss's Mercedes.

Sounds something like what I do. I kinda invented the idea on my own it seemed to work well so I did it to every car I've had with leather. It's actually not that bad if you just get everything prepared (something to kneel on most important) and go at it. You can be done in no time and your leather will look and feel a million times better.. I do a similar approach to the carpet But with rags. I seem to be able to turn a disgusting interior into a flawless interior pretty well. Every car I've bought was a MESS inside when I got it...