When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
So I am new to KR, just bought an 03 that had very low miles (53k) but the front seats, console are in poor shape (no window tint), very neglected. I have read all the info on the forum with regard to Spa treatment, conditioners etc to the point of info overload. I have one simple question and would like advice.
Judging by the pics do you guys think this leather is past the point of no return or is it restorable. I don't wanna waste my time going thru the steps necessary if those in the know think it cannot look remotely similar to the back seats which I uploaded a pic of.
The passenger seat is very bad and may need a company to restore/dye it and fix cracks. Just want some opinions before I go the Spa treatment/CPR route. Thanks for any help, great forum!
Hi and welcome! It's a shame to see King Ranch leather in such poor shape. My old 2005 KR had leather that looked almost new when I traded it recently.
I don't think there's any way to restore leather that's cracked, but if the leather is just faded, it CAN be recolored. There was a thread in the King Ranch forum about someone who did have his seats recolored and they looked great!
If anyone knows better, it would be Rockpick or Lenticular. They are both experts on the care of this stuff and maybe they might add a comment.
The leather you have is a special kind called "Castano". It's a skin from a breed of cattle called "Santa Gertrudis" that was first bred on the King Ranch. If you want to replace any of the upholstery, you'll want to specify Castano.
... wow. those are nowhere near "point of no return" just do the spa treatment and get a bigger container of Leather CPR. they should look almost new when you are done. 53,000 miles. mine has 202,200 more miles on it. and the leather was never cleaned. the original owner just put neatsfoot oil on them. ill post photos to show my results with Leather CPR and the spa treatment. Here's a photo right after conditioning and the rest oh and don't drink soda in it. The original owner of mine found out the hard way when he tried pushing to get the soda out here's a few weeks ago as for the passanger seat. i would do what i suggested ( spa treatment and Leather CPR ) and if that doesn't work. the seat bottom may need replaced. if the cracks don't lighten up. but you might be able to get the original color back without re dying the leather. i would do the steering wheel too if you didn't plan on it. post your results if you would thanks! and welcome to the forum ( or the King Ranch section at least )
Last edited by Black KingRanch; 10-07-2015 at 09:36 AM.
I'm new to the forum, just purchased my first Ford two months ago: a 2005 F150 KR. I found the Leather CPR on Amazon, $14 for the 18 oz and $21 for the 32 oz, both with Prime 2-day shipping.
What is the Spa treatment?
I've used Lexol, both cleaner and conditioner on the leather with decent results. Is it similar to this?
I've used Lexol on other leathers too, but I'd be reluctant to try it on King Ranch Castano leather. The finish on this leather is very different than most leathers. I used the Leather CPR several times on my old 2005 KR and had good results. I'd stick with that and with the King Ranch Leather Conditioner you should be able to get online through the King Ranch store.
Thanks. I have Leather CPR on my list of things to get. I hear if the leather is cleaned and conditioned too often (more than 2-3 times/year), it can soften the leather too much and cause cracking. Have any of you heard that?
How often do you all clean/condition your leather?
I always thought leather cracked when it dried out. The King Ranch Conditioner should keep that from happening.
I wasn't "****" about cleaning my leather and probably did it 3-4 times a year. I suspect a lot depends on how often you drive your truck and if you have dirt on your clothes or more importantly if sweat and skin oils get on it (possibly from wearing shorts).
10-06-2015, 03:33 PM
Here's a photo right after conditioning and the rest 
oh and don't drink soda in it. The original owner of mine found out the hard way when he tried pushing to get the soda out 
here's a few weeks ago 
as for the passanger seat. i would do what i suggested ( spa treatment and Leather CPR ) and if that doesn't work. the seat bottom may need replaced. if the cracks don't lighten up. but you might be able to get the original color back without re dying the leather. i would do the steering wheel too if you didn't plan on it. 
post your results if you would thanks! and welcome to the forum ( or the King Ranch section at least )
Here's a photo right after conditioning and the rest 
oh and don't drink soda in it. The original owner of mine found out the hard way when he tried pushing to get the soda out 
here's a few weeks ago 
as for the passanger seat. i would do what i suggested ( spa treatment and Leather CPR ) and if that doesn't work. the seat bottom may need replaced. if the cracks don't lighten up. but you might be able to get the original color back without re dying the leather. i would do the steering wheel too if you didn't plan on it. 
