Leather Care

[50Front]

I use a damp rag and my tan color seats in my Laramie still look new after 20k miles. No color transfer, no abnormal wear, no stains. This leather is painted and clear coated. If you drip water on it the water just beads up. You just need to wipe the dirt off and you are good to go. The best thing you can do for your seats is remember to use the grab handle and lift your self out of the seat instead of sliding out.

 

[Sully1960]

I use a damp rag and my tan color seats in my Laramie still look new after 20k miles. No color transfer, no abnormal wear, no stains. This leather is painted and clear coated. If you drip water on it the water just beads up. You just need to wipe the dirt off and you are good to go. The best thing you can do for your seats is remember to use the grab handle and lift your self out of the seat instead of sliding out.

Agreed. Previous post by wingostar cites a good article that I read. There are others like it by different individuals that educate on today's automotive leather and how it is sealed and coated, and how to care for it. Most all products that are marketed for leather car seats do nothing to condition today's leather... because it's sealed. You can't compare caring for today's leather car seats to leather jackets, boots, sofas, briefcases, etc... because different finishing processes are used, hence different care is required. All you need to keep your leather looking good is regular vacuuming and cleaning with water... this is what will keep your leather looking good. Much of what I've read/researched says if you must use leather care products, use water based products... stay away from anything oil/petroleum/wax based. But in the end... to each his own... it's your vehicle and you should do what you're comfortable with.

 

[Sully1960]

Is everyone agreed that the Ram "leather care" cardboard hanger on the passenger seat can be ignored? It states do not use anything other than wiping down with water, or something to that effect. There's got to be some maintenance required sometime?

Actually...no. As an earlier poster said, today's leather is sealed so "conditioning" it with all these products is a waste of time and money. The cardboard hanger is actually the best advice: clean the surface of the leather with soap and water. If it makes one feel better, know that water will hydrate the leather ( if you don't believe the leather is sealed), keeping it in good condition. Considering how today's leather is treated, the products that claim to condition leather seats in today's autos are purely marketing... a way for these companies to make money. Many people feel that have to take extraordinary measures to keep their leather seats in good shape. Actually, with today's leather, it's pretty low maintenance. There are several excellent articles on today's leather used in auto seats, how it is treated, and how to care for it. I have a 2021 Ram Longhorn Limited and I will only use soap and water to clean the leather. I'm sure many will criticize my post... my leather will get ruined... I need to do something... the dog ate my lunch... etc... But in the end, to each, his own. Do what makes you feel comfortable. Peace!

 

[sep1006]

I have tried most OTC leather care products in the past, but I once spoke to a few different regional Auto MFR representatives that deal with the local dealerships and their body shops, and they all told me the same thing. Most all modern interior cleaners will eventually damage your interior surfaces. I asked what they recommended. They all had the same response. Pledge. Standard. Classic. Lemon fresh Pledge. I have been using it for two years on different vehicles and it works pretty good. I use it on interior plastics, screens, and leather. Since the leather is top coated, all the pledge does is put a sacrificial thin layer of wax on top of it to protect it. Granted, I have ceramic tint on all my windows except the front where I put a sun shade to protect against UV. The pledge leaves a slight sheen initially allowing you to see where it was applied and then "dries" to a mat clean finish. It also helps to repel dust and prints. I sometimes use Endust, which I generally like more, but each product states right on the spray can that they can be used on autos and leather. On other cleaners/conditioners I have used in the past, they tend to leave a residue on the surface and change its color or appearance. When its hot the others typically will produce a film on the glass. I don't seem to have that problem with the pledge or Endust products.

What's everyone's opinion on this approach?

PS: I also had a body shop that is considered one of the best in my area, tell me that he puts pledge on ALL the exterior surfaces of his vehicles right after washing. Paint, plastic, glass, & chrome. It acts as a drying & polishing agent. It shines the car. It provides a layer of protection against bugs, dust, and other fallout. He says that when its starts getting dirty again, he just Easily wipes the bugs and dust off and re-pledges it again. Everything comes off easily as it is caught in the pledge wax and floats to the top. He also uses it as a very quick detailer. I haven't tried this yet, but he swears by it.

WDYT?

thanks!

I agree with this 1000%. Go to any car show and the majority of the owners there will detail their cars with Pledge. I've used it exclusively on every motorcycle I've owned as well. I use the Multi-purpose most of the time.