Hey guys, I bought Lexol leather cleaner and conditioner earlier today and just wanted to know how often you guys clean and condition the leather in your car (if you have any). My 4runner is only a few weeks old but am getting prepared. Can anyone give me a rough estimate of how often you should clean and condition the leather in your car? Thanks

 

I'd recommend at least every 6 months if you want it to last a long time.

 

Forgive me for posting this again (site admin/moderator) but I figured I would get more responses here rather than the maintenance forum since more people view this section more frequently/regulary. I am just trying to get a general idea on how to take care of car leather, I have used the search feature and discovered that Lexol is a quality leather cleaner (from what I derived). Anyways, a quote from the other section in this forum.

 

I condition the leather the day I bring the new car home, and then every couple of months. I use the cleaner as little as possible, usually only on the driver's seat because most of the time I'm solo. That works out to around every 3-4 months. Cleaner dries the leather, so apply more conditioner right after cleaning.

Lexol is the best, most gentle cleaner and conditioner I've used. That includes silicone, petroleum and lanolin based products from Mothers, Meguiars, Proofhide, and the English one I can't remember right now in the small white jar with green label.

 

Sweet, thanks for the helpful advice. If anyone wants to, feel free to add more . Another question though, as I said, I purchased the 4runner about a week ago. Are the seats pre-conditioned upon purchasing or do you have to condition it yourself (as you do) because the dealers/manufacturers don't do it when the car is built/shipped. Or are you doing it just to be safe? Sorry for the handful of questions, but I want to take care of this SUV and keep it looking sharp for years to come

 

Well, in the factory regions the leather cars come in untreated. You're in a private distributorship, SET, and who knows what they apply (and charge through the nose for) at the port. To be safe, I'd reapply conditioner now. You can't overdo the gentle Lexol conditioner, it will only add more protection that's critical in your hot, sunny location.

 

Good idea, I'll probably get right on top of that. Will it matter if I apply the conditioner even though there is a slight presence of dirt layering the leather or should I clean it with the Lexol solution first? The dirt is not that noticeable, you can hardly tell it's there unless you take a close look at the (driver) seat (which I did of course ).

 

If it's embedded dirt, I'd clean it with the Lexol solution. Otherwise, I'd just dust it off.

 

I went to local stores (autozone, target, walmart) and still cannot find this lexol. Where did you guys get it from?

Thanks.

 

Here's a dealer list from the Lexol website. I can get it most anywhere around here. Looks like PetSmart might even have it in TX. There are some mail order places listed on their site, too. Good luck!

 

^my friend is a professional detailer and he sent me to his supply store in SE Portland when he introduced me to lexol. then i found it at fred meyers....

 

Don't laugh...

I use a bar of Dove soap and create a very light lather on a damp wash cloth. Then I just wipe the seats down. I rinse the rag and wipe the seats again to make sure that all the soap has been lifted. I wipe the seat down again with a dry towel and then I rub Meguiar's aloe leather conditioner into the grain. My passenger seats all look new still. The driver seat is showing it's age of coarse.

 

Griot's Leather Care is the stuff I have used since day one.

I'm very proud of my seats and this stuff leaves them very clean and supple.

 

I have used Lexol on my M3 for years before I traded it in. The drivers seat looked a bit worn based on the fact it was ostly the only one used. The other seats were in pristine shape and looked like they just came out of the factory. It was a conv. so the seats got dirty often and needed much care. All I can say is the Lexol products are great and relitively inexpensive. They will make your seats last for years and keep them looking good. I have considered the Griots stuff and no doubt they make a fine product but the added expense is not necessary IMHO. Lexol can be found at Pep Boys, Wallmart, and so on. Now that I am driving a 4runner, I am confident lexol will make the seats last.

 

Me neither, where??? Which one?

 

Unless I am crazy, I got it at WallyWorld. I am in Charlotte, NC.