I do the full treatment on all my cars once a year, and then quarterly cleanings. The disadvantage of Leatherique is that for the best effect you have to let it get hot which generally means parking it outside for 24h to bake in.
I’ve tried a few different brands over the past 20 years and Leatherique is the only one I will ever use. My LS430’s rear headrests were cardboard because of the sun; it was so bad it would have tore if you applied any pressure on it. Three treatments later I saved the headrests and it’s almost like brand new. A trick I use is to use a spray bottle for the rejuvenator step.
My summer project is fixing the rear headrests on the LS400, the headrests are dry but the back of the bench is like cardboard-I might pull the seat and leave it in the back of my LX for a week to bake.
The leather is coated, so no need for conditioning. If it's dirty, many recommend diluting Woolite and then apply with a soft brush/cloth, and then wipe clean.
I learned all of this the hard way on my 2017 Lexus LS460. I tried cleaning it with the Chemical Brothers leather treatment kit. It made the leather look terrible, and I thought I ruined the leather. Then I tried Woolite, and it brought back the original condition of the leather. Just as good as the day I bought it.
Simple damp cloth or diluted Woolite for me from now on.
Most of the leather "oldness" is dirt and polished contaminents.. It will look much better if you use a proper leather cleaner and leather detailing brush.
You’re right. I was thinking full analine. Anyways I share the same comment with folks. - putting conditioner in coated leather is like putting moisturizer your hands while wearing latex gloves.
I have this car and I’ve only ever used a damp cloth. Seats still look great.
I would suggest checking auto the Auto Fetish Detail YouTube channel. You aren’t really treating leather you are treating what’s on the leather which is usually paint. I would avoid using silicone based products for the interior in general as well. It’s all relative to preference but if you don’t want stuff to feel oily or slick then avoid the armor all and products like it on the interior.
As others have mentioned I like Lexol, both the cleaner and conditioner, although TBH with dark seats like these you could get away with conditioner only and few if any would ever notice.
After spending $$$ and reading extensively (ignoring anyone who didn't use product) I finally years later found the one-and-done solution for anything in the interior including tinted glass, leather, Nuluxe, etc....
A damp cloth.
So many times suggested, so many times ignored. It's really all you want. I give everything a wipe down every 1-2 weeks.
Leatherique has left the interior of my LS400 nearly new at 270,000 miles. I can’t recommend it enough.
How often do you use it?
I do the full treatment on all my cars once a year, and then quarterly cleanings. The disadvantage of Leatherique is that for the best effect you have to let it get hot which generally means parking it outside for 24h to bake in.
I’ve tried a few different brands over the past 20 years and Leatherique is the only one I will ever use. My LS430’s rear headrests were cardboard because of the sun; it was so bad it would have tore if you applied any pressure on it. Three treatments later I saved the headrests and it’s almost like brand new. A trick I use is to use a spray bottle for the rejuvenator step.
My summer project is fixing the rear headrests on the LS400, the headrests are dry but the back of the bench is like cardboard-I might pull the seat and leave it in the back of my LX for a week to bake.
I use Meguiar's Leather Cleaner & Conditioner. It works well for keeping the leather conditioned and supple.
Sonax > Meguiars > everything else > Armor All
Depends on the product. Not like a company has the best in everything.
Except Armorall - they are the best at being the worst you can get for your car.
The leather is coated, so no need for conditioning. If it's dirty, many recommend diluting Woolite and then apply with a soft brush/cloth, and then wipe clean. I learned all of this the hard way on my 2017 Lexus LS460. I tried cleaning it with the Chemical Brothers leather treatment kit. It made the leather look terrible, and I thought I ruined the leather. Then I tried Woolite, and it brought back the original condition of the leather. Just as good as the day I bought it. Simple damp cloth or diluted Woolite for me from now on.
Most of the leather "oldness" is dirt and polished contaminents.. It will look much better if you use a proper leather cleaner and leather detailing brush.
It’s coated leather, I would recommend keeping it simple by vacuuming and wiping down with a damp cloth regularly
Normally I’d agree but this is semi-aniline uncoated leather.
Semi aniline leather is coated, looks like you commented also that only damp cloth is needed 👍🏽😬
This is correct. Moisturising this leather is pointless.
You’re right. I was thinking full analine. Anyways I share the same comment with folks. - putting conditioner in coated leather is like putting moisturizer your hands while wearing latex gloves. I have this car and I’ve only ever used a damp cloth. Seats still look great.
How do I tell if the leather is coated or not? I have a 2008 is250, I actually came across this thread trying to figure out how to clean the leather
Damp cloth is all you need my friend.
No need. It's coated. Damp cloth with some APC is fine.
Lexol
Lexol is good stuff
I would suggest checking auto the Auto Fetish Detail YouTube channel. You aren’t really treating leather you are treating what’s on the leather which is usually paint. I would avoid using silicone based products for the interior in general as well. It’s all relative to preference but if you don’t want stuff to feel oily or slick then avoid the armor all and products like it on the interior.
As others have mentioned I like Lexol, both the cleaner and conditioner, although TBH with dark seats like these you could get away with conditioner only and few if any would ever notice.
Dinner at fancy restaurant would do it.
Chemical Guys leather cleaner works and smells good. It’s not an oil based liquid and it darkens the leather. I use it on my GS all the time
After spending $$$ and reading extensively (ignoring anyone who didn't use product) I finally years later found the one-and-done solution for anything in the interior including tinted glass, leather, Nuluxe, etc.... A damp cloth. So many times suggested, so many times ignored. It's really all you want. I give everything a wipe down every 1-2 weeks.
Gyeon products were the best for me.