HawthorneVillager.com

What's the best (and cost effective) way to care for the leather interior of a car? I just want to make sure we can prolong the life of the car seats and prevent it from cracking/drying.

I know there are a myriad of products exist out there and some are pretty pricey.

Some ppl said simple baby oil is fine

Any help?

Thx.

The single best thing you can do in IMHO for leather seats is use sunshade for your windshield to protect against UV rays. Other than that I use ArmorAll conditioner and then ArmorAll Protectant...there are other brands I hear are good like Lexol, Meguiar etc. but I stick to what is regularly available...

Hi there, the over-the-counter products will do if you apply regularly, like once every 2 weeks or once a month. I like the Mother's or Meguiar's brands you can find at Wal-Mart or Crappy Tire. Don't use baby oil, it's way too greasy.

I personally use Lexol products for my leather interior and think they are really good. What you want to buy is a pH balanced cleaner and conditioner, and ideally apply when it's slightly wam in the interior since the leather is softer when warmed and could absorb more of the conditioning oils.

It also depends on the quality of the leather. Most non-luxury car brands with a leather option aren't really all that great quality, are rough-textured and will dry up in just years. Upscale cars like Lexus, Land Rover and higher-end German models have a type of leather called semi-aniline that is softer and will stay soft longer.

_________________
What is the difference between ignorance and apathy? I don't know and I don't care.

Thanks for the advice.

Where can you buy the Lexol brand?

We have a 2009 VW Jetta (the highest trim level), don't know if it's considered a good quality leather or not. It hasn't roughed up or started cracking yet. We just want to be more proactive.

We already try to do whatever we can (i.e. park in the shade at work, park in the garage at home), the glass is tinted everywhere.

I'll try using that Lexol, I just have to find out where we can buy it.

Thanks again.

Lexol is amazing. Unfortunately it can be hard to locate in Canada (try some various auto places...even CT has it some times). However, being around the Milton/Oakville area you can probably find it locally at most horse riding, and equestrian shops. I know there's a place in Mississauga called Greenhawk that sells Lexol products.

Yes, if they are protecting saddles with it is probably pretty good. I don't know much about leather or leather protector but a horse shop would. Some saddles sell for $5,000 to $15,000 I would suspect they are protecting them. Talk to the salespeople at the horse store they will tell you what works best. There is a good store I think it's called Bahr Saddlery in Hornby just outside of Milton on the way to Mississauga on Steels Ave.