Caring for Leather

Beautiful leather is synonymous with clean leather and when the leather is looking its best it is a source of tremendous pride for automobile owners. Leather seats are one of the very first things we notice when entering a vehicle and dirty seats not only look bad but it can harm the long term health of the seats. Modern day leather can be comprised from a variety of natural and synthetic materials. Very few vehicles actually use just raw leather and many of them have a coating on them to help protect against wear and tear. All of these material are prone to drying out and breaking down over time so regular maintenance is essential.

The types of leather available in automobiles are usually divided into two important categories.
One process is called “Spray-On” dying, and is used by most American and Japanese manufacturers. Although this process creates a livid, vibrant color, it is not an everlasting achievement. The oils secreted from your skin may cause spray-on leathers to lose their color prematurely, dampening the effect of your lush leather interior. Removing these oils is paramount to leather care, but limiting the amount of bare skin you expose to your seats and interior is a great way to prevent discoloration. Once damage to the extent of cracking has been done to spray on leathers, there is no way to restore them to original factory condition without dying them.

The second process for treating leather is called “Vat-Dying,” and is predominantly seen in European and higher end automobiles. Unlike the spray-on technique, this process penetrates the leather and actually dyes the entire piece, inside and out. While vat-dyed leathers are harder to damage with oils, they are not completely safe from the natural secretions of your body, and should be cared for whenever you notice a build up. Absolutely no smoking should be tolerated in your car. This dangerous habit can do more than burn unsightly holes in your precious leather; the smoke can also cause unnatural yellowing of your ceiling fibers. Another obvious thing to avoid is setting metal items on the seats, such as wallet chains, car keys and zippers. These items all have rigid edges that can cause irrevocable rips and scratches. Use your head and be aware of what comes in contact with your leather to ensure it’s lasting beauty.

Leather surfaces are just like beautiful, delicate skin. Leather must be carefully cleansed before it can be properly conditioned. As leather ages, it loses essential protectants infused into the leather during the manufacturing process. That leaves the leather susceptible to dirt, oils, and UV damage. To keep leather looking and feeling its best, you must first clean it and then replace the lost moisture and protection.
Caring for virtually any type of seat involves the same basic steps which are cleaning, conditioning and protection. Inevitably over time dirt, dust, human oils, etc. work themselves deep in to the seats and can be quite challenging to remove. A good leather cleaner should be able to safely separate those contaminants and help bring them to the surface for removal. A quality leather conditioner can help keep the leather soft and flexible yet strong and durable. Cleaners and conditioners should not leave a glossy or oily finish behind.  Some protection from a conditioner can help prevent UV fading while preserving the color and finish for decades to come. With proper care the seats will look and feel outstanding year round while increasing the resale value.

Have you seen leather that has been ignored and mistreated? What remains is dried, prematurely aged, and cracked leather. Without proper care and conditioning your leather will age rapidly, losing its luster and flexibility. This process is rapidly accelerated in warmer climates. Regular cleaning and conditioning is all it takes to keep leather looking fresh, supple, and soft.

If leather is to retain its beauty, it must be cared for, cleaned and conditioned. It’s much easier to spend a little time protecting and conditioning your fine leather upholstery than spending the energy and money to salvage it.