Ask a Professional Detailer
TECH Apprentice
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 358
Likes: 2
From: Louisville, KY
TECH Apprentice
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 358
Likes: 2
From: Louisville, KY
True, it's the oil which is why you just need a tiny bit. It's worth a shot and I don't think it'll stain anything - i've used it on leather before with no issues. These cars aren't exactly connolly leather either.
FWIW, I tried the Kevin Brown Method "KBM" for the orange pad and the M105 and what a huge difference it made. It worked for me anyway. The 105 didn't dust. The working time and results where much better.
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I'm about to order the Leatherique Pristine Clean 16Oz. Cant really find any quality terry towels to apply it with. Anything you can think of? When I'm done "cooking" the leather, just wipe with a clean mf towel? Also, I know you mentioned leather care should be a two step process, separate cleaning and conditioning steps. Does this apply with my coated leather seats? Should I follow up the leatherique with a conditioning step?
Also I have a question regarding a detail I'm doing on my 96 Formula Vert. Car has never been detailed, has horrendous swirls, etc. The main thing I'm worried about here is actually doing the engine detail. Car has the optispark system, which I am terrified of detailing around. Should I use a waterless wash for the underhood and light APC on the intake, etc? Just dont want to mess up the opti!
TECH Apprentice
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 358
Likes: 2
From: Louisville, KY
Junkman any suggestions here?
Also I have a question regarding a detail I'm doing on my 96 Formula Vert. Car has never been detailed, has horrendous swirls, etc. The main thing I'm worried about here is actually doing the engine detail. Car has the optispark system, which I am terrified of detailing around. Should I use a waterless wash for the underhood and light APC on the intake, etc? Just dont want to mess up the opti!
Also I have a question regarding a detail I'm doing on my 96 Formula Vert. Car has never been detailed, has horrendous swirls, etc. The main thing I'm worried about here is actually doing the engine detail. Car has the optispark system, which I am terrified of detailing around. Should I use a waterless wash for the underhood and light APC on the intake, etc? Just dont want to mess up the opti!
I'm not familiar with that leather product. I do know that I always follow my leather cleaner with a leather conditioner. I have never used a all in one type leather cleaner/conditioner as I don't feel any of them are worth anything.
You can wash the inside of the engine but the question I have is HOW dirty is it? I need to see a picture. Using waterless wash on a dirty engine is worthless if the engine is filthy. Add to that, using waterless wash on the painted parts under the hood is how you create swirl marks. Waterless wash should only be used one way and I thoroughly define that in my waterless wash video series.
I'm not familiar with that leather product. I do know that I always follow my leather cleaner with a leather conditioner. I have never used a all in one type leather cleaner/conditioner as I don't feel any of them are worth anything.
I'm not familiar with that leather product. I do know that I always follow my leather cleaner with a leather conditioner. I have never used a all in one type leather cleaner/conditioner as I don't feel any of them are worth anything.
As far as the leatherique treatment is concerned, Jeff mentioned that since my leather seats are "coated" that one part of the leatherique treatment would be pointless. Therefore, I ordered only the leatherique pristine clean 32oz cleaner only. Not really sure how to apply it, so I'm hoping he will see this and get back to me. The leather in my 96 formula is limited edition red/black leather that still looks fantastic, but could surely use a nice leather treatment. I'm unsure if I should clean it with leatherique then condition it with ....???....
I'll try and get some pics up tonight after work.
TECH Apprentice
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 358
Likes: 2
From: Louisville, KY
The leather in my Vette is real leather all the way through and that's why I use a conditioner. I replaced my seats so they are not that half and half, leather/vinyl crap. I'll wait for your pictures.
AFAIK, this leather is FACTORY. This isn't a picture of my car, but it is the same leather I have in my 1996 Formula Vert. I'll take actual photos when I have a chance. It's a pretty rare bird (1 of 302 firebird formula verts and 1 of 7 formula verts with red leather package)
Last edited by Rare96LT1Formula; Apr 9, 2012 at 06:34 PM.
I know it's a little much for some people. Honestly, it's my favorite part of the car. I had someone offer me $1500 cash for the interior once. Seriously. I get more compliments on my 96 vert than I do on my 00 WS6. I love each car but both are entirely different. When the LT1 goes in the 96...I'm thinking LS3 build.
Took some shots of the leather with my HTC Inspire yesterday to show what I'm working with. The leather is in pretty good shape just needs a good cleaning imo. Any ideas what I'm working with here? Is this an example of "half leather half vinyl" ?
TECH Apprentice
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 358
Likes: 2
From: Louisville, KY
You won't be able to tell by looking at pictures. Pleather looks just like leather, but the feel is completely different. You have to touch and smell leather to know that it is actually leather. It also helps to have grown up in the 70's when leather jackets were all the rage. You quickly learn if your leather is fake when you show up at school and get ran out the classroom by all the pleather jokes and people setting your jacket on fire. Kids were brutal back then.
You won't be able to tell by looking at pictures. Pleather looks just like leather, but the feel is completely different. You have to touch and smell leather to know that it is actually leather. It also helps to have grown up in the 70's when leather jackets were all the rage. You quickly learn if your leather is fake when you show up at school and get ran out the classroom by all the pleather jokes and people setting your jacket on fire. Kids were brutal back then.
TECH Apprentice
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 358
Likes: 2
From: Louisville, KY
With pleather, you are not as limited as to what you can use. As long as you don't scrub it real hard, you can use all kinds of crap on it. That durability is why manufactures use it in cars.