Got my KR six months ago. Yesterday was the third time that I conditioned the seats. The first time was a few weeks after purchasing. I used a cloth, and the seats did not seam to soak much up. I guess because it was so new. I was very happy with the smell, and the results.

About three months ago, I rubbed the conditioner in by hand, as I had read that was how some in this forum do it. The seats seem to soak up the conditioner better, and the conditioner is not wasted with the rag soaking it up. Great idea! Well, the next day, there was a white haze... I surmised later in a thread that this may have been due to not wiping up the excess conditioner. I had no proof, just a hypothesis, and an appearant disapointment the conditioner.

So, yesterday would be the third time that I have really conditioned my Castano leather. I used my hand, and made sure to really work the conditioner in. I let it sit for a few minutes, and then wiped any excess off with a rag. When I went to check it out this morning, NO HAZE. Now I know this is not a scientific study, nor can I make any certain claims as to my thinking that I have this stuff totally figured out...but the proof seems to be in the pudding. (As Terrel Owens so eloquently puts it.)

I only wanted to share my experience with those who may be disheartened with their KR Conditioner. I think we all LOVE the smell, as it seems to renew that wonderful leathery scent. Its just that some of us may have been improperly wiping the excess off, and been unhappy with the white haze that the product leaves behind. Please let me know if this simple process yields you the same results that I encountered.

Now if I could just figure out how to take care of the damned steering wheel...

 

I'm thinking about a protective coating of Saran Wrap, held together with duct tape. Just a thought...

 

I swear I didn't put him up to it, John.

 

Please tell me Lenticular has not already posted this...Lie to me, so that I don't feel stupid.

 

Shine -

I keep posting my solution to the steering wheel and so far, one person has tried it and liked it. Nobody has had a negative comment.

Clean the damned thing - really good, using your choice of methods. The wheel will probably look dry, lighter in color, and lifeless when you finish and it dries.

Then, apply two coats of Tandy's Satin Shene. I swear I have no stock in this company and no interest in their products except as a leatherworker. It is an acrillic topcoat I've used on belts and other projects. Follow their directions. The color will come back and the leather will look "finished". It won't exactly match the original look, but it will be very close.

The result will be a wheel that resists skin oil and other dirt.

I did the same thing to my console armrest, but I really needed to clean it better before I started. Next time I will.

You can remove the coating with 91% isopropyl alcohol if you don't like the result or want to start over (to clean it better). Don't use the 70% rubbing alcohol - it's got oils in it and is not good as a solvent.

If your wheel is "black", what have you got to lose?

- Jack

 

Nah. He hasn't -- but I have. In fact, it was probably back in early 2002 when I first noted the white crystalline haze that you're mentioning. Several say that I was applying wrong (we know it's rocket science to apply a conditioner, right?) and then, from there, it's become a joke among some of us 'old timers' to the KR forum.

Specifically, as of late, Lenny and I have poked fun about it. That was the basis for my color commentary of a post.

In all seriousness, I know the problem that you speak of -- I've had it every time that I've used the KR conditioner product and, like you, was very disappointed. I've discontinued the use and have gone to alternative products that, in my opinion, do a better job.

It's like anything else though... everyone has an opinion. Some guys LOVE the stuff. Lenticular, for example, likes it a lot and finds it to be very adequate -- and it should be stated that he's had more KRs than anyone here and, furthermore, has had more 'upper echelon' vehicles with ultra-premium interiors than many as well. The guy knows his cow skin and I totally respect that. Plus, he has a tidbit of geological knowledge that he likes to curve ball in to me on occasion to keep me on my toes - I dig that.

 

What am I doing wrong? I don't get the "haze" from KR Conditioner!

Please, I really want to be "one of the guys".

The only thing that happens when I use it is that it blends in the "scuff" marks.

- Jack

 

The only 'haze'you lot are getting I reckon, is induced by too much beer.




PS Brad....

I just re-read your post.

Whats with this 'tidbit' of geological knowledge then.....?

Damn nerve !

 

Having now owned my KR for 4 1/2 years, and conditioned my seats regularly, I have never had a "white haze" afterwards. IMO, the white haze is a result of over-conditioning??? I only follow the directions on the bottle, which, if memory serves me right, says to condition twice a year? I will however, give it a quick touch up if I think it needs it. I apply it by hand, as it does reduce waste.

Just my .02 worth

P.S....I have only been accused of being a rocket scientist once, but, it was later proven to be wrong!

 

I knew I could push a button there. HAHAHA!

You're going to start throwing curve ***** now, right? Remember, I tinker in soils and groundwater - I'm far from a petrologist or mineralologist. I received letter grades of 'B' in both of those two beasts (and was damn happy about it too!).

 

You've probably forgotten more than I ever knew !
Mine was mostly textbook stuff on synclines and anticlines etc.

Though I did get interested in Glaciology and Vulcanism, and can boast that I have stood on the rim of an active volcano, actually spewing lava !
(Mount Yasur in the South Pacific Island nation of Vanuatu. Most people have not heard of the country let alone the volcano !)


http://volcano.und.edu/vwdocs/volc_i...sur/yasur.html

(Diagram of the subducted plate)

 

Leave it to a "Moderator" to hijack a thread....

Sorry, I could not resist razzing you a little bit...

 

Very cool, John! I would *love* to experience that some day.

Just FYI -- If St. Helens ever starts 'bubbling' again, here's a very cool webcam site... I was watching it like a hawk last year when it seemed as though an eruption was imminent.

http://www.fs.fed.us/gpnf/volcanocams/msh/

They even have a 'High Def' cam now.

-RP-

 

Oh yeah, Shine....

Consider this one 'jacked!

I'm a Senior Member too! That gives me the power to play along on occasion too!

 

To continue the hijack:

It's pretty sobering when you consider that Mt St Helens was a relatively minor eruption in the history of these things. There's nothing that says we couldn't have a really "big" one again. In fact, I suspect we are somewhat overdue.

We were camping in the Chiracauas a couple of weeks ago and were reminded by the Ranger there that no volcano is really "extinct". The rhyolyte formations in the monument were initially caused by a "huge" eruption - one that put Mt St Helens to shame.

Eat, drink and be merry .....

- Jack