I finnaly started working on the seats in my KR. I found a 3litter bottle of lexol for $21.00 at a local saddle shop. I've just been working on one section so I can compair with the leather next to it. I started by using saddle soap to clean it and followed with lexol. By now I have put four or five treatments of lexol on. The leather looks darker anf feals a bit softer but has a dull look. If i continue with the lexol, will it eventually start to get that fresh look back? I have also been wondering about the Lexol NUleather oil. Has anybody heard anything about that product?

Thanks

 

I thought I was on the," Help I can't clean my leather" thread. Some how my post found it's way to this thread. Oh Well, if anybody has some helpful in put I'd be happy to hear it.

 

Hey Cruisr... I split your posts out into a new thread if that's okay with you...


On the Lexol...

I kind of know what you're talking about when you say a 'dull look' but, I've never really thought much about it. I mean, the leather itself doesn't really have a bright shine or glimmer to it in the first place as it's not clearcoated (as you know). So, I can't honestly say that I've noticed...

I know that the leather on the back of my seats (where the saddle bags are located) doesn't get conditioned as much as the seating surfaces (as I don't dedicate as much time to those areas typically) so, I suppose I could use those areas as a comparison point to my seating surfaces...

I'll grab a look at that particular aspect at lunch and post back...

RP

 

I've been working on my stearing wheel for a while now. I use the aurmor all leather cleaners and the johnson baby wash but it still has a dark area on top that appears to be deep down dirt. The continued cleaning is starting to dry out the leather on the wheel. Well, that's a lot of wind to get to my point. I've had people at saddle shops suggest using a leather scrub brush, but that scares me. Has anybody here tried the leather brush with any succes at pulling that deep dirt out? I need to lexol it since it is drying out and starting to feel a little rough with all the cleaning.

 

Try this site....

Yes..even you Brad !!!

http://www.liquidleather.com/

I have phone numbers for contacts in the States...

It's good !!

 

I really don't mean to sound aprehensive but, did you try this stuff out on your castano when you had your KR?

I think the next product in line for me to try out is the stuff that Mike always talks about....

RP

 

I have been using a product called Leather CPR and I must say that everything I read about this cleaner / conditioner is true. The leather in my 2001 KR 4WD was very, very thirsty (and a bit dirty) when I purchased it a few weeks back (great eBAY deal). I spent hours looking at various forums and searches on Google for cleaning / conditioning full grain leather (my living room furniture is leather).

The one product whose reviews and forum posts sounded real and trustworthy is the one I went with - Leather CPR. It has performed as expected - I just finished putting another "treatment" on the driver's seat. The color / shade of each section now looks full of whatever it is that makes the leather look "healthly". That's it - healthy leather. And it is a semi-thick liquid that allows it to be applied easier than some other products and after it has been absorbed, a slight polishing with a soft cotton towel makes a great final step.

I sure like what it has done for my King Ranch (and my living room sofas).

 

Originally posted by RP....

Yes I did....but more to the point was the information detailed on their website....methods of cleaning.....not 'scrubbing' at the leather etc.

Worth a read !

 

Good deal. I'll give it a read soon.

 

How much is too much Lexol? Should I Use it every month, or more often? and what happens if I use it too often or use too much

 

You really shouldn't need to condition leather more than once a year....but it depends how much it is used and what sort of use it gets put to...ie just leisure use, or actually seeing work clothes on it which may be dirty !

Too much treatment won't hurt but will be a needless waste of money.

I've had older Rolls Royces , Bentleys and MG's where the seats have never been conditioned but even after 20, 30, or even 50 years the seats will still come back to life with feed from a good hide food.
Of course in general those cars have never been subjected to hard wear and tear...though some RR's have done duty in the funeral or similar businesses.
Good leather is very durable and I think a lot of people are unduly concerned about the appearance which will develop its own patina and character.

It is still important though to keep the leather clean (As opposed to feeding it...though the 2 operations can be achieved at the same time) because ingrained dirt will eventually spoil the appearance and be difficult to shift.

(I wonder how many King Ranch interiors will still be around in 2056 !

Will we still have cars.....? )

Hey Ho !

I won't be here to find out !

 

Hi Lenny. How have you been? I recently tried Connolly Hide food on my KR. Seems to work pretty good. What are your thoughts on this product for use on the KR leather?

Joe

 

This was the product that I always preferred over all others.

I am intigued as to know where you got yours, because Connolly finally went out of business a couple of years ago.
It was that company that always provided the hides for RR and Bentley and therefore also produced the "Hide Food" necessary to keep it in the best condition.
I bought a couple of jars at an autojumble last year here in the UK but I was wondering that since you got some whether someone has obtained the rights to keep on making it ?

It is a smooth cream that is very easy to wipe on, then buff up, for those who may not have come across it.

Cheers

 

Hey Lenny... ever tried Chelsea Leather Food?

 

Also Lenny...

Auto Geek Connolley Hide Food

Superior Car Care - Same company as Autogeek... they just don't want you to know that.

Hirsch Auto Restoration

It's still out there... whether or not it's old stock or someone new is making it, I'm not sure...