After looking for a while, there are not any references to this question that I could find. I am going to do the first application of conditioner to my new '06 KR this weekend. I live in Rochester NY where our current ambient temperatures are hovering in the high 40s/low 50s. I will be using King Ranch conditioner.
My question is: Is there a preferred temperature range for the leather when you apply the conditioner? Some discussions refer to the idea of placing the truck out in the sun to bake the conditioner in. I repeat, I live in Rochester, NY. We aren't likely to see the sun again until May 2006! The truck can sleep for the night in the garage and be warmed that way if it matters.
Sorry about posting another leather question, but this is important due to the fact that it is the first application.
Thanks

 

I'm not an expert, but I believe the hotter the leather is the more that the pores open, allowing the conditioner to really soak in.

someone should chime in shortly

 

I agree with deltascrew. Problem is; from the winter I remember spending up there in Rochester, not only will you not have sun, you wont have warm weather again until May. You'll probably need to garage it and turn on a heater in the garage to open up the pores enough to make a difference. :santa:

 

Hi there !

There really shouldn't be a problem applying in lower temperatures.

For many years I've been conditioning leather in the English climate at any time of the year.
We don't seem to get the cold winters that we used to..in fact we rarely get snow these days...but we do still get freezing temperatures in the winter.

I've never been aware of more difficult application in the cold...of course it's just a more pleasant procedure when it's warm!

I don't know where you've seen the idea of "baking the conditioner" .....
There is no logic in the method and I've never come across that notion before.
In the many articles I've both read and written about leather and it's care (And I do write for Auto and Flying magazines as well as the nonsense I spout here!), I've not seen that as an idea !

 

This is the thread I referenced. It was in this forum, but from a while back. The premise seemed reasonable. If this concept is valid and temperature bears directly on the quality of the work, I will need to find some practical work around for our sunshine deprivation!

Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: LaGrange, KY / Viburnum, MO
Vehicle: 2005 F-150 King Ranch
Posts: 15,829

VG,

If you got a spray bottle of lexol, spray it on a terry cloth and then work it into the leather... DO NOT, I REPEAT, DO NOT SPRAY IT DIRECTLY ON THE LEATHER. It'll leave a 'spatter pattern' on the leather (I know from experience). Better yet, spray it in the palm of your hand and massage it in to the leather.

My suggestion on conditioning is to do it EARLY in the morning when the leather is somewhat cool to the touch, then, leave it out in the sun to bake. During the winter, I crank up the seat warmers and the heat on full blast to simulate the effect of the sun.

Let me know how you like it.

RP

 

OK....
I vaguely remember Brad posting that now.
That seems to be the case with Brad using his favored product Lexol, which I can't comment on as I haven't used it.
I was speaking with reference to the KR own brand conditioner and Connolly hide food which I have used successfully for many years.

(I still don't agree with needed to bake it though !!)

 

I always found that I achieved better results with the leather being warmed. Further, I've gone so far as to condition, and then leave the truck running with the heat on full blast. I always let the truck sit in the sun or similar after conditioning... I've found that this works with all of the conditioners that I've tried... not just Lexol.

Leather, as we all know, is skin. Warm skin will, inherently, absorb more of anything (this is why adsorption of chemicals through the skin is more prevalent if the person is sweating and/or hot). All a matter of porosity.

Mother nature contracts (minus water) when it's cold... expands when warm.

While all might not believe in the theory, I find it works best for me. To me, it seems that the porosity of the leather would contract when it's cold; expand when it's warm. I welcome anyone to try it and discard the theory but, for me, I'll continue to do this when the weather is cool - cold. I really think it works.

RP

 

Just turn your seat heaters on for a few minutes and that should be enough. I've noticed that it doesn't seem to soak in as much up here (I live just a little south of you in Binghamton, but am from Florida and have only been up here a year). Otherwise there's not much you can do except condition without the heat. It won't cause any problems, just probably won't soak up as much.

 

I didn't say I didn't believe it (If I'm part of the "All").

I said you don't need to 'bake' it !!

Also having taken the opportunity to speak to a tannery nearby their comment was that you cannot treat the tanned leather as a 'living' thing anymore, and any difference in the ability of the leather to accept any conditioning would be barely discernible.
The actual tanning process results in a material that should behave in a similar way in a variety of atmospheres and temperatures.

Anyway I think enough said otherwise we'll get into a rather esoteric discussion which will not achieve anything!

PS Something I'm not sure I ever mentioned before.....the name connolly was so associated with leather treatment the process was actually known as Connollising the leather....see reference below.


http://www.clean-image.co.uk/leather_upholstery.htm

http://www.hewit.com/sd6-dres.htm

http://www.ucl.ac.uk/archaeology/con...3/dirksen.html

 

Thanks, Lenny for the history lesson! I always feel smarter when I read your posts... I appreciate the links because it's interesting to know a little more about what we all paid for!

 

I didn't mean it in the conotation that you read it in John! ... the 'all' tone was more of 'give it a try... test the theory... use it if you want to... dance the Macarena... ' etc...etc...

 

Me...dance....I should CoCo !!!

 

First, let me digress and thank you "all." Your patience, non-demeaning humor, and intellectual generosity are attributes not often found in internet forums. I have enjoyed reading your posts in the past, and I feel very fortunate that you have all taken such time and energy on my behalf.
Here are my plans. Since the weather will be variable, I'll eliminate it from consideration. I will have to move the Porsche out of the garage for a day and night.(ughh!) The truck will go in and I will raise the garage temp using heaters. I will apply the conditioner after 12 hours, and leave it the garage for another 12. As I mentioned, this is the first application. My concern is for this to be done in such a way that the coat produces an initial, uniform result. I don't want to have the thing look blotchy. That's why I sound so **** about the consistency of the temp. It sounds from your posts though, that if I do this as described, that should be adequate control.
Now; last point; means of application, and duration of exposure. My inclination is to rub the fluid directly in with a bare hand. Do you advise one thick coat or several light ones? Do I need to rub out in between coats? The King Ranch Conditioner comes in a nice plastic bottle nearly devoid of instructions for use.
I'll post a note upon completion.
Smoke 'em if you got 'em and cover me boys, I'm goin' in!

 

Clean your hands very well and then apply the "oil" directly to your hands, rub them together to warm the product and then apply it into the leather. That's how I do it using my chosen leather cleaner / conditioner. And my hands are conditioned also making my wife a bit happier.
Bottom line - treat the leather well - you paid a pretty penny for it so might as well use your hands to apply the conditioner. My 2001 KR's leather is very soft and supple following this application methodology (pics in my gallery).

 

I have found the best method with the KR conditioner to be by using shop towels.
Squirt a liberal dollop (There's technical for you) onto a shop towel and gently rub all over just one surface at a time (ie seat bottom or seat back etc) and then with another clean shop towel wipe it over immediately.
If you pour the conditioner straight onto the leather it occasionally leaves a dark streak, which does disappear in a few minutes, but can be discumknockerating for a moment or two.

The first time you treat the whole vehicle (and try a KR Expedition, with an extra row of seats !) it will seem daunting but in fact it is a very quick process and you should easily do the F150 in about 10 minutes.
If you feel that there is not a whole lot of difference do it all again...it won't hurt the leather....and sometimes it is that second treatment that makes all the difference.