I have been having a hard time with a few spots in my seats. The tops of the rear and the bottom part. The car never was out in the sun much so i dont know how it got so dry. Anyways i stop down at my buddys shop and asked what to do. He pulls out this stuff called Pure Neats oil and says put it on the dry spots for the next 5 days. So i went and got some. for a quart it was 8bucks at a ranch supply store.

I just did all the leather and after 2 times throwing it on my seats are back to normal if not better. Im amazed! The smell is not great but it goes away overnight.

Try Leatherique Rejuvinator Oil.

Leather - This article is designed to help detailing consumers make informed decisions when selecting leather care products for automobiles. There is no hype; I am a writer not a vendor, so this is not a sales pitch - just factual information - http://www.detailuniversity.com/forums/school-interior-detailing/1699-care-maintenace-covered-leather-article.html (http://www.detailuniversity.com/forums/school-interior-detailing/1699-care-maintenace-covered-leather-article.html)

TOGWT,

That's an interesting article that you linked to, but in it you say that it applies to "domestic" cars. Do you believe that it also applies to BMWs?

I ask because I recently had my front seats reupholstered with hides from GAHH. On their web site, they describe the leather that they use in their products:

http://www.gahh.com/faq.php?faq_id=25

Please note the last three paragraphs, in which they describe the differences in the hides that they use as opposed to some others.

Thanks,
Nick

TOGWT,

..Do you believe that it also applies to BMWs?



That's a good question. It's not clear to me if BMW uses coated leather. I'm pretty sure that the Nappa leather is not coated, but the Montana leather might be.

Anyway, I have Montana leather and I treat it as uncoated leather. I use Leatherique Rejuvinator Oil about twice a year and Leatherique Pristine Clean about every other month. Works fir me.

I've sent a question to GAHH about their leather, and what they recommend for maintenance. Based on the look and feel of my new leather (absolutely top notch), I think they'll know what might be best for it. I'll update here when I hear back from them.

nickdeck,

I've heard of GAHH before. Looked at them for replacement seat covers for the previous car, a 944. In the end their covers were too expensive considering the value of the car. Definitely good stuff.

I did check the site you linked. They sell Hyde Food. They have a spray that I've never seen. I have used the Hyde Food that comes in a jar, and I wasn't too impressed with that. It seemed to be lanolin in a solvent. It smelled really bad and left a waxy surface on the seats without penetrating the leather.

You might ask them about Leatherique or SpinneyBeck conditioners.

I agree with your comment about those "Hyde Food" products. They remind me of shoe polish.

TOGWT,

That's an interesting article that you linked to, but in it you say that it applies to "domestic" cars. Do you believe that it also applies to BMWs?

I ask because I recently had my front seats reupholstered with hides from GAHH. On their web site, they describe the leather that they use in their products:

http://www.gahh.com/faq.php?faq_id=25

Please note the last three paragraphs, in which they describe the differences in the hides that they use as opposed to some others.

Thanks,
Nick

" "domestic" cars. Do you believe that it also applies to BMWs?"

I can see that would be confusing (in English, English it means vehicles other than commercial, but I'll change the wording as the book is aimed primarily at the US detailing market)

It was written to address the care of 'covered leathers', and I understand that most of the BMW's use natural leather (subject of another article)

GHHA use premium quality hides and are highly recommended.

+1

I just traded for an 318is with black leather seats, they are stiff as a board, is that very expensive Leatherique product the only product I can use on my seats? I am not sure but have been told they are Recaro brand seats factory installed in the car. the seats are intact except one small split on upper part of back seat. they have some spots were finish is worn through, what are the options I have with out spending a fortune recovering them. IF I do have to replace them what are my options? were these seats ever done in a black vinyl?

I just traded for an 318is with black leather seats, they are stiff as a board, is that very expensive Leatherique product the only product I can use on my seats?

Alternative product - A water-based conditioner 'Aged Leather Revitalizer' - http://www.topoftheline.com

Steve,

They sell Hyde Food.

Yup, GAHH responded with just a link to their Hyde products. I'm not sure if they recommend it because they sell it, or not. I Googled Hyde products and found out two things: A) GAHH is charging about twice as much as anybody else for them, and B) I couldn't find anybody that recommended Hyde over Leatherique. I'm currently using the Leatheriqe system, but just wanted to know if GAHH recommended anything else. I did mention Leatherique in my email to them, but they didn't say anything positive or negative about it.

Actually, George, the guy at Leatherique, is who originally steered me to GAHH. My situation was that a previous owner of my car had had the front leather spray painted with vinyl paint. I contacted Leatherique to see if they had any suggestions for getting the paint off, and George said that my best bet was to just have them reupholstered. (If you ever have questions about anything leather-related, George is the guy to go to. He's very knowledgeable and responsive to questions.)

Yes, GAHH is expensive. In my case, the guy at my local upholstery shop got the hides from GAHH at his cost and didn't mark them up, so I saved about 30% off retail and he only charged me for the installation. Still ended up costing me a total of around $1200 for the seats and center arm rest, but I'm sittin' on brand new leather. The quality and fit is like new from the BMW showroom, so it's worth it to me.

Computer / forum cut me off- try again

Rejuvenator Oil - known for its ability to soften even cardboard hard leather, a complex blend of animal oils and proteins, Collagens and other beneficial ingredient, it will not stain or discolour leather. Simply massage into the leather with your hands, and let it be absorbed into the fibres, its' unique capillary action forces the oils and proteins into the leather and the dirt out -http//:www.leatherequi.org.

This product is not a leather conditioner per se; Leather Master’s Vital penetrates leather (covered or natural, except Nubuck) to soften it. It can also be used when doing repair work to help soften the area. Once the leather surfaces have been cleaned, apply the product to a clean micro fibre towel and wipe a very, very thin even layer on the surface. It is better to apply several thin layers than a heavy application.
Allow each layer to dry and be absorbed. Leather Master Vital a water-based conditioner- http://www.topoftheline.com (http://www.topoftheline.com/).

Allow either product to be absorbed into the hides for several hours on a sunny day, or overnight. Warmth makes the leather fibres pores open allowing the proteins and collagens to be absorbed readily. Park the car in direct sunlight, cover seats with black plastic trash bags, and roll up the windows to create a steam room to allow the Rejuvenator to fully penetrate into the hides.

Alternative product - Aged Leather Revitalizer - http://www.topoftheline.com

3. Protection -this product provides a water-based protection for all leather types (covered or natural, except Nubuck). It places an invisible, breathable barrier between you and your leather. Protect your leather first, and then follow a routine of cleaning and re-protection, this way you are not actually cleaning the original surface, but cleaning from the surface of the protection - Leather Master Protection Cream -- http://www.leatherworldtech.com

3a. Ultraviolet Radiation (UVR) Protection - you should consider additional sunscreen protection (especially if you own a convertible) leather conditioners typically do not offer any UV screening. The best solution is to use an ultra violet radiation (UVR) protection (303™ Aerospace Protectant) After application allow 60 minutes for product to cure, then using a 100% cotton cloth to lightly buff surface - http//:www.autpgeek.net

Hope this helps :)

Yes, it does. I had also asked GAHH about UV protection, and specifically about 303. They neglected to respond about that.

Thanks.

...Yup, GAHH responded with just a link to their Hyde products. I'm not sure if they recommend it because they sell it, or not. I Googled Hyde products and found out two things: A) GAHH is charging about twice as much as anybody else for them, and B) I couldn't find anybody that recommended Hyde over Leatherique. I'm currently using the Leatheriqe system, but just wanted to know if GAHH recommended anything else. I did mention Leatherique in my email to them, but they didn't say anything positive or negative about it.

Actually, George, the guy at Leatherique, is who originally steered me to GAHH. My situation was that a previous owner of my car had had the front leather spray painted with vinyl paint. I contacted Leatherique to see if they had any suggestions for getting the paint off, and George said that my best bet was to just have them reupholstered. (If you ever have questions about anything leather-related, George is the guy to go to. He's very knowledgeable and responsive to questions.)

Yes, GAHH is expensive. In my case, the guy at my local upholstery shop got the hides from GAHH at his cost and didn't mark them up, so I saved about 30% off retail and he only charged me for the installation. Still ended up costing me a total of around $1200 for the seats and center arm rest, but I'm sittin' on brand new leather. The quality and fit is like new from the BMW showroom, so it's worth it to me.

That's what I expected to GAHH to say. There's nothing wrong with Hyde Food, but Leatherique is special. You already know that. I've only read good things about George (Mr. Leatherique).

I wonder why anyone would spray paint leather seats? That's just crazy.

Good to hear that the GAHH hides worked out for you. I think that most people don't realize how expensive the leather covers are. They'd take better care of the seats if they knew. Enjoy the new seats, they'll last for years and you'll enjoy them every time you drive the car.

I wonder why anyone would spray paint leather seats? That's just crazy.

It's beyond crazy, it's criminal, IMO.

Apparently, what happened was the previous owner had a dog or some other pet that ruined the seats. Pissed, barfed, whatever. The car is only five years old, so it wasn't normal wear and tear. Anyway, he or she probably decided to paint the seats for resale, rather than restore them properly.

I've got one more project to finish up, then I'll post some before/after photos.