Leather seats and Luxol conditioner

Post by **mrbrian200** » 21 Oct 2016, 11:40

I notice on certain areas, specifically the seat bottoms, which seems to be a stiffer/thicker leather than the sides and backs, conditioner just sits on top and never soaks in. Would this be due to some likely product applied by a PO that has created some sort of barrier or is this the nature of the type of leather used there? It looks pretty when applied but remains sticky and from what I can tell just ends up being transferred to clothes etc.

I have a couple leather jackets I condition once in awhile with luxol - they soak this stuff up like a sponge.

Post by **sleddriver** » 03 Nov 2016, 17:45

Same problem here. Used it for years all the while watching my leather seat deteriorate. Very frustrating. Then found out Volvo leather is vinyl coated and something like Vinylx or 303 works better on it. I continue to use and like the Lexol leather cleaner with a gentle horsehair brush to remove dirt before one of the above.

The Lexol conditioner is made for uncoated leather, like saddles, chairs, etc.

Post by **mrbrian200** » 04 Nov 2016, 08:50

Ah thank you. Leather is in excellent condition, but getting stiff and not as comfortable as they could be. With a vinyl coating and no way to condition the leather underneath the game would change to blocking UV and controlling excessive cabin temperatures (such as when parked on a sunny day).
Now that I think about it, I recall a relatives Buick with leather that was the same way, probably sealed in the same manner (conditioner had no effect/sat on top, leather hardened/cracked/broke down no matter what he did). A fiend I know with a Lincoln applies conditioner and it does soak in as I've helped him clean up his car a time or two. The seats in that vehicle are exceptionally comfortable for a 10 year old car.
I know the r is missing that's not a typo.

Post by **mrbrian200** » 04 Nov 2016, 20:14

...now that I've looked into this further... I did not know...
Most automotive leather is vinyl/poly coated (and has been for some time).
It's also becoming common in other applications (home furniture etc)
Traditional leather conditioners do nothing. Some can actually damage this protective coating.
The fiend I mentioned was using an ArmorAll product specifically for automotive leather (not Lexol). And they would know the gig, It would be formulated to restore and protect this poly/vinyl and it works. The Lincoln near certainly uses this type of leather as well.
Good thing I figured this out -before- cracking/damage started to occur. Everything I gather would seem to indicate once this vinyl coating breaks the leather underneath (soft/fragile more like suede) is doomed no matter what you do.

Post by **mrbrian200** » 05 Nov 2016, 13:15

Mothers VLR did the trick. I went that route as that product specifically mentions vinyl (others like Armor all do not) Center console/dash and faux leather door panels like this stuff too. So it's a matter of knowing what you're dealing with and merely buying a product that is appropriate.
Thanks for the help.

Post by **sleddriver** » 05 Nov 2016, 18:07

Last night I spent some time on AutoGeek reading up on lether conditioner reviews. Very interesting topic.

I've heard great things about Mother's VLR though haven't tried it myself.

Post by **mrbrian200** » 15 Nov 2016, 15:11

The conditioners/oils in Lexol aren't compatible with the vinyl coating. I see that clearly now. The tanning oils in the leather underneath are locked in by the vinyl and need never be worried about. Seemed each time I applied Lexol the seat upholstery got stiffer instead of softening (I reached out here for help)
I've done several applications with Mothers VLR at this point. I'm finding that the bit of oils in Lexol that did soak in (making the vinyl protective coating stiff) becomes displaced with VLR and rises back to the surface. Wipe with a damp/somewhat wet plush microfiber rinsing often before additional applications of VLR. As the incompatible oils are displaced/cleaned away VLR will start showing a tendency to be absorbed within minutes (much like my leather jacket takes Lexol up like a sponge). The seat bottoms that were getting uncomfortable are becoming indistinguishable from the sides that were softer before, and the back seats practically feel like your sitting on a pillow.