[eos3]

Hello
Just sharing that I've gently rubbed the red nappa leather of my 3 weeks-old Kitty Eos with basic baby care milk (whatever the exact name of that is in English language... It's the sort of cream/milk used for baby cleansing...). Did that yesterday evening with Demak-Up discs, let it dry overnight, and this morning the seats and door covers are all nice and healthy... (and with a sweet smell of aloe vera or whatever scented flower )...My dealer told me to do this after a few days, so as to avoid cracks and wear... He's an experienced salesrep specializing in high end VW and Audi's (Phaeton, A8...) and told me NOT to buy the specialized products sold by VW or other car professionals... The basic baby care milk would do an even better job, he said, proving it with his own 07 Eos and a 06 Touareg, both in red leather...
Fred

 

[karend]

I think in the Uk the alternative is Johnson's Baby Lotion. As well as liquid, it comes preloaded on wipes for Bottoms! and we've been using them for years on our leather sofas! I have used them on my Eos too. Anything good enough for baby bottoms must be good enough for a bit of cow hide!

I am sure the leather specialists will try to put people off using this cheap and easy alternative to their expensive brands, by claiming it damages the leather. Doesn't put me off though!

Karen

 

[eos3]

glad am not the only one

Hi Karen(d)
godo to hear someone else has been doing this and NOT complaingin after a while that it dmaged their seats
yes simple things are so cool (like cruising in an EOS )
fred

 

[dhaider]

I've got the Cornsilk Beige/Titanium Black leather on my Individual EOS. Would you think the baby lotion is a good suggestion for care of this also?

I've been wondering how to best preserve the leather.

 

[eos3]

the colour does not matter...

it's about the fabric... leather likes baby lotion So you can absolutely go ahead and do this... One other tip is to try and use one that has as neutral as possible a fragrance, or your car will smell baby care oil... for a few weeks..
Fred

 

[Scooby Doo]

Great tip thanks - I'd been wondering what the best thing was to maintain my leather seats.

 

[dhaider]

Ok. So I'm going to use baby lotion for maintenance. How often would you suggest? Also, even on the leather steering wheel?

Also, what would you recommend for cleaning for the day to day build up on pale nappa leather.

 

[SoCalMan]

Ok. So I'm going to use baby lotion for maintenance. How often would you suggest? Also, even on the leather steering wheel?

Also, what would you recommend for cleaning for the day to day build up on pale nappa leather.

I use Zaino Leather In A Bottle leather conditioner. Already had it before this post, so....
I like it because it does maintain the leather smell within the car, but that is just my preference.

For day to day cleaning, I just use a slightly dampened cotton cloth. Don't know if you have Lexol products across the pond, but they make a very reputable cleaner also which I use as needed. I have also read on detailing forums that people like using a diluted solution of Woolite to clean their leather.

Lastly, I use the conditioner about once a month in the summer because of the sun's effects. And I also apply it to the steering wheel and leather shift knob. I don't know about the baby lotion, but what I use will not make the steering wheel slippery which could be a safety issue.

I have read some posts elsewhere that using conditioner too often can over-soften the leather causing its own set of problems especially around stitched seams.
Just my two cents.

 

[The Baron]

Red Nappa Leather Care with baby milk

Curiosity got me, so I went out and bought Johnsons "no more tears" baby skincare wipes "extra protection" with "Aloe" today and tried them out. When I first used a wipe it looked like I had smothered the leather with moisturiser but this was very rapidly absorbed and I have to say the results were astounding. Used about half-a-dozen wipes to do entire leather interior, (red nappa, of course) and at less than £3 for a pack of 64 is fantastic value. No sticky residue and the leather feels soft and luxurious. Oh, and I did the steering wheel as well. 'Nuff said!

 

[dhaider]

I bought a 42p bottle of Boots Baby Lotion and have used it on all my leather except the passenger seat on which I used some branded leather treatment I had kicking around.
I'll let you know if I notice a difference.
I've also ordered a bottle of the Lexol leather cleaner that I found in the UK for £10.

 

[Jimmy Jazz]

The key to keeping leather looking good is to keep it clean and free from dirt and oils. You actually need to protect the finish that is on the leather. If this gets broken down (by dirt and oils) then that is when the leather itself will start to deteriorate.

You do not need to 'condition' leather. What dries out is the moisture so use water based cleaners and protectors.

I'm not convinced about Baby Wipes.

I have an individual, and wanted to keep the leather in good condition. I asked about this on the forum detailingworld.co.uk - where there is a big argument on the best leather product.

I was advised

"A good leather protector contains fluorocarbons which will act like a 'scotchgard' and inhibit dirt and oils from being absorbed. This will also make it easier to clean each time as you will just be removing contaminants from the surface.

Pale leather is also susceptible to dye transfer from clothing and a good leather protecotr will help inhibit this.

Do not use 'conditioners' that contain oils/waxes or silicones as these can leave residues on the surface which will attract more dirt and oils. Leather does not need 'natural oils' replacing (feeding) this is a common myth.

So, use water based foam cleaners and good leather protector and your leather will look good and last for a long time."

From that I am convinced to invest in a 'proper' product. The most recommended seem to be Glipton and LTT Leather Protect.

I'll try some and report back !!!!

 

[Jimmy Jazz]

Or in a less random order - I was advised

"The key to keeping leather looking good is to keep it clean and free from dirt and oils. You actually need to protect the finish that is on the leather. If this gets broken down (by dirt and oils) then that is when the leather itself will start to deteriorate.

You do not need to 'condition' leather. What dries out is the moisture so use water based cleaners and protectors.


A good leather protector contains fluorocarbons which will act like a 'scotchgard' and inhibit dirt and oils from being absorbed. This will also make it easier to clean each time as you will just be removing contaminants from the surface.

Pale leather is also susceptible to dye transfer from clothing and a good leather protecotr will help inhibit this.

Do not use 'conditioners' that contain oils/waxes or silicones as these can leave residues on the surface which will attract more dirt and oils. Leather does not need 'natural oils' replacing (feeding) this is a common myth.

So, use water based foam cleaners and good leather protector and your leather will look good and last for a long time."

 

[GOgg]

A good leather protector contains fluorocarbons which will act like a 'scotchgard' and inhibit dirt and oils from being absorbed. This will also make it easier to clean each time as you will just be removing contaminants from the surface."

Perhaps you could use Krytox on the leather, it fits the bill here. LOL

 

[SKIDOO]

Did anybody on this thread ever suss out what was the best product to use then? Before I go buy the Baby Wipes !

 

[Stephb]

my mum has used baby wipes on her leather sofa for years and its still like new my dads car has full leather and he's used baby wipes on his too and its still new. With my eos its coming with scotch guard on the seats so not sure if i have to use baby wipes?

I dont really recommend putting the oil on the steering wheel as when i was younger and more obsessed with cars i polished my dads steering wheel and he nearly crashed the car because of it!

Stephb xx

 

[SKIDOO]

Yes Steph not a good idea to put anything on the steering wheel I think. I'll try the baby wipes but having said that my EOS also came with the seat protection already on it, so not sure if I didn't ought to just leave it alone !

 

[Stephb]

maybe a little wipe with a damp cloth will do it then instead of possibly wiping the protection off

Stephb xx

 

[alphane]

Hello
Just sharing that I've gently rubbed the red nappa leather of my 3 weeks-old Kitty Eos with basic baby care milk (whatever the exact name of that is in English language... It's the sort of cream/milk used for baby cleansing...). Did that yesterday evening with Demak-Up discs, let it dry overnight, and this morning the seats and door covers are all nice and healthy... (and with a sweet smell of aloe vera or whatever scented flower )...My dealer told me to do this after a few days, so as to avoid cracks and wear... He's an experienced salesrep specializing in high end VW and Audi's (Phaeton, A8...) and told me NOT to buy the specialized products sold by VW or other car professionals... The basic baby care milk would do an even better job, he said, proving it with his own 07 Eos and a 06 Touareg, both in red leather...
Fred

Not an expert in leather, but it would appear according to the LTT Leather Care Products company :

DO NOT USE

Baby wipes - these are one of the worst thing you can use on a leather as they break down the finish which will over time cause peeling and more serious problems.

Milk or Toothpaste – these are silly ideas that will leave sticky residues on the surface which will help to break down the finish on your leather.

Magic erasers – these usually remove finish and pigment along with the ink. These have been well tested by leather specialists who have found that they work like a very fine sandpaper which permanently damages the top finish on the leather.

Silicones/furniture polish - these should never be used on leather as they will form a coating on the surface of the leather which will not allow any moisture to get to the leather and will eventually break the finish down.

Leather should be cleaned gently and not scrubbed so ‘elbow grease’ will only damage the finish.

Hide food will not remove ink and will leave residues on the leather which will attract dirt and oils.

Sure they do not have an interest to promote a cheaper product that may work as well, hoever there seems to be some logic to theire warning. I am mainly concerned about protection against water and I can see that having some kind of petroleum based additives makes sense. This would deffinitely not be the kind of additive you'd want to put in baby skin care products as it would most likely case irritation ... IMHO the two skins and purpose for protection etc are quite different to warrant a specific product for industrially treated automotive dead cow-hide coloured leather.

Cheers, M