Chelsea Leather Food / Connolly Hide Food / Lexol
Thread Starter
|
Moderator &
Senior Member
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 31,440
Likes: 4
From: The Bluegrass State
Chelsea Leather Food / Connolly Hide Food / Lexol
I just wanted to test the waters with everyone (specifically Lenny) on a products that I've seen several times in a soccer catalog that I recieve on a regular basis (Eurosport)...
Having played and refereed soccer for over 20 years, I recognize that the leathers that are used in many fine soccer shoes rival that of our interiors. The kangaroo hides seem to be the most supple, smooth leather available and thus, I have few reservations with a product that is advertised side by side with the kangaroo 'boots' which are very porus and very fine. At that, it's made in England....
It's called Chelsea Leather Food...
I'll announce this question to everyone but, specifically, Lenny. You know MUCH more about this than I do. Have you ever tried/used this product? I've heard you talk about Connolly's Hide Food...
What's your take on this product? I know I've heard you sing it's praises several times. I know you've utilized it on several of your finer vehicles and swear by it. Why Connolly?
I guess I'm just looking to 'raise the bar' on the care of my leather. I'm not looking to start another 'lexol/fiebings' conditioner war; I'm simply testing the waters to figure out what I'd like to try next and if I find those products to be superior to that of my old stand by; Lexol.
RP
Having played and refereed soccer for over 20 years, I recognize that the leathers that are used in many fine soccer shoes rival that of our interiors. The kangaroo hides seem to be the most supple, smooth leather available and thus, I have few reservations with a product that is advertised side by side with the kangaroo 'boots' which are very porus and very fine. At that, it's made in England....
It's called Chelsea Leather Food...
I'll announce this question to everyone but, specifically, Lenny. You know MUCH more about this than I do. Have you ever tried/used this product? I've heard you talk about Connolly's Hide Food...
What's your take on this product? I know I've heard you sing it's praises several times. I know you've utilized it on several of your finer vehicles and swear by it. Why Connolly?
I guess I'm just looking to 'raise the bar' on the care of my leather. I'm not looking to start another 'lexol/fiebings' conditioner war; I'm simply testing the waters to figure out what I'd like to try next and if I find those products to be superior to that of my old stand by; Lexol.
RP
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 2,573
Likes: 0
From: Rio Grande Valley, Tx and the United Kingdom.
Phew......
And there's you telling the newcomers that appear on the forum asking about leather tratment that we've done it to death !
Seriously we should always take time to help the constant stream of people who inquire about the subject even if it is only to direct them to previous threads.
I still haven't had the chance to use Lexol, but as you know at my advanced age (Still not admitting it) have had plenty of experience with leather in a variety of good vehicles, of differing ages from my 1936 Rolls (Now sadly gone to another custodian, )to the vehicle I am picking up on my return to the UK and can hardly wait to see...a new Aston Martin Vantage Volante.
The main key is to think of any treatment given to leather as "Feeding it".
This keeps the leather supple and resistant to cracking.
A good feed also cleans though.
It must be born in mind that the length of time most of us will keep our KR's these factors will not really come into play.
It would be great to think that in 40/50 years one of you will be around and see a KR that has been kept as a historic vehicle and be able to see how the leather has kept over all those years.
(Sadly it won't be me!!)
I regularly see cars that are getting on for 100 years old where the leather is in fine condition....it is NOT what we would call perfect though. It has patina...creases and marks, but NOT cracks, if it has been fed perhaps once a year.
I have already treated my KR 4 times in a year but I am in the heat of South Texas, and that does make a difference.
As to your particular question RP, I have not actually come across that Chelsea product but as you know I swear by Connolly Hide food.
This is because Connolly actually supply the hides to RR and Bentley and if anyone knows about how to treat leather it is them.
It is a cream that is very easy to apply but I must say I find the KR product slightly easier to use and just as effective.
So there you have it !
Pay your money and take your choice.
Above all though FEED the leather and keep it supple.
It is not a product that will remain perfect....but it probably wasn't perfect in the first place as each KR will have differing shades and markings of leather.
However you look at it though it is a leather to enjoy especially the way it has been applied to the KR.
I won't ever forget the first time a salesman showed my wife and I the inside of the first KR they had on the lot....
we were blown away by the quality and feel of that interior.....and that from people who have been around the finest cars in the world for many years !
(I'm not saying that to boast but simply to reiterate just how good I think that interior is and how worthwhile it is keeping it in the finest condition possible)
And there's you telling the newcomers that appear on the forum asking about leather tratment that we've done it to death !
Seriously we should always take time to help the constant stream of people who inquire about the subject even if it is only to direct them to previous threads.
I still haven't had the chance to use Lexol, but as you know at my advanced age (Still not admitting it) have had plenty of experience with leather in a variety of good vehicles, of differing ages from my 1936 Rolls (Now sadly gone to another custodian, )to the vehicle I am picking up on my return to the UK and can hardly wait to see...a new Aston Martin Vantage Volante.
The main key is to think of any treatment given to leather as "Feeding it".
This keeps the leather supple and resistant to cracking.
A good feed also cleans though.
It must be born in mind that the length of time most of us will keep our KR's these factors will not really come into play.
It would be great to think that in 40/50 years one of you will be around and see a KR that has been kept as a historic vehicle and be able to see how the leather has kept over all those years.
(Sadly it won't be me!!)
I regularly see cars that are getting on for 100 years old where the leather is in fine condition....it is NOT what we would call perfect though. It has patina...creases and marks, but NOT cracks, if it has been fed perhaps once a year.
I have already treated my KR 4 times in a year but I am in the heat of South Texas, and that does make a difference.
As to your particular question RP, I have not actually come across that Chelsea product but as you know I swear by Connolly Hide food.
This is because Connolly actually supply the hides to RR and Bentley and if anyone knows about how to treat leather it is them.
It is a cream that is very easy to apply but I must say I find the KR product slightly easier to use and just as effective.
So there you have it !
Pay your money and take your choice.
Above all though FEED the leather and keep it supple.
It is not a product that will remain perfect....but it probably wasn't perfect in the first place as each KR will have differing shades and markings of leather.
However you look at it though it is a leather to enjoy especially the way it has been applied to the KR.
I won't ever forget the first time a salesman showed my wife and I the inside of the first KR they had on the lot....
we were blown away by the quality and feel of that interior.....and that from people who have been around the finest cars in the world for many years !
(I'm not saying that to boast but simply to reiterate just how good I think that interior is and how worthwhile it is keeping it in the finest condition possible)