THSCC Forums

Anyone have advice for cleaning really stubborn dirt from leather seats? I picked up some seats (thanks Shawn!) for the blue BMW that are just a little "discolored" in a few spots.

Looking closely it looks like the dirt is in the crvices between leather "cells".

I have tried Lexol leather cleaner, Orange clean wipes, and even tried Simple Green. Nothing seems to be even making a dent.

Suggestions?

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Mike Whitney
whit32@gmail.com, 919-454-5445
V10, V8, V8t, I6, I6, V6, F4t, I4, I4, I4, I4, I2, 1, 1

Sorry about that, I said "Shawn, those look really clean, we should rub some dirt in them"

Did you try something like a nail brush to get in between those "cells"

-Tom

http://www.leatherique.com/

This stuff WORKS. Go get some. It's *way* better than the Lexol stuff. Follow all the directions for best results.

I used it on the X in a similar thing where little lines of grime had formed from three years of wear and tear. I worked the hardest on the driver side and the dirt stains are basically gone.

I would suggest Majestic Solutions at 1310 Corporation Parkway in Raleigh. Their number is (919) 212-1150. I have not needed to clean leather but they have come through on every automotive cleaning or polishing problem I have encountered. They supply a number of the local detailers with cleaners.
BTW They don't take checks.

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George Bright Member # 141
One of the youngest of the old farts.
Yes I voted against you joining the club.

Thanks I'll check them out.

What did you use to apply? Just a regular rag or some kind of brush?

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Mike Whitney
whit32@gmail.com, 919-454-5445
V10, V8, V8t, I6, I6, V6, F4t, I4, I4, I4, I4, I2, 1, 1

The instructions say you can just use your hand to work it into the leather, but that kinda makes a huge mess. If you order from http://www.autogeek.net you can get a kit that comes with a small stiff brush and some buffing pad thingies. I think it was the same price as ordering just the cleaner right from leatherique. Now that I think about it, you might also check bimmerforums, when I ordered there was a discount code for autogeek that paid for the shipping + a few bucks.

Dragging this thread out of retirement....

So the new BMW, Miata, and Silverado all need leather cleaning/conditioning. Is this leatherique still the stuff to use?

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Dustin Fredrickson
-- I'm a nobody --

For all car care solutions, I defer to Mssr. Shultz. Anybody that details a car in grid either knows his stuff or is a little off of his rocker (or both).

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Has no responsibility whatsoever.

Dustin,

I've used Lexol for more years that I can remember and always with great results. However, on our old 850R (even though we've owned since new) I neglected the leather in it. Recently when I tried to bring it back to life, I bought some Leatherique since Lexol wasn't helping too much. The Leatherique treatment really didn't do anything significant to the old, dried leather. I followed their directions exactly. I ended up using Lexol again on it afterward since it was very dry afterward.

Anyway, it's kind of expensive, so you're welcome to borrow enough Leatherique to try it out if you want.

Chuck

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Current stable:
2019 BMW M2 Competition slicktop 6MT
2011 BMW M3 sedan slicktop 6MT
2007 BMW 328i wagon (slushbox for now)
1975 CanAm 125MX2

You're not gonna like my solution, but it works awesome for cleaning light colored leather with a lot of grime in the leather grains ... I make up a solution of 1:5 Simple Green and scrub painstakingly in little circles with a stiff bristled nylon brush. I've done 6 or so seats with this and learned that it just can't be rushed. Probably takes 30 minutes per seat, and it's best to get them out of the car and do it on the bench.

Every seat I've cleaned with diluted simple green and a brush comes out looking new wherever there isn;t wear. I'm still trying to find a simple brush-on/paint-on refinisher for minor worn spots, but I suspect I'd be better off having worn bolsters replaced.

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Mike Whitney
whit32@gmail.com, 919-454-5445
V10, V8, V8t, I6, I6, V6, F4t, I4, I4, I4, I4, I2, 1, 1

Actually, that's exactly what I ended up doing to clean the grime off the plastic seat backs and other "grained" trim pieces. Didn't try the leather this way only because the Simple Green bottle I had explicitely recommended against it - but i suspect it's dependent on leather type, and with my interior the same color as your M3's, I'll probably give it a shot.

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Dustin Fredrickson
-- I'm a nobody --

Bringing this back again myself.....tho for a different reason

Just got some black leather seats that have some wear/surface cracking that show through as white marks. If that makes sense. So was thinking about dyeing them, anyone tried this have any recomendations?

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91 Jetta GLI STS/DSP 111
85 Porsche 944 ASP 11
http://www.blackforestindustries.com

I've used a Sharpie on white cracks on black leather seats. Actually, the BIC version of the Sharpie was blacker -- Sharpies tend to be a little purple.

Ghetto but lasted quite a while when I've tried it!

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Mike Whitney
whit32@gmail.com, 919-454-5445
V10, V8, V8t, I6, I6, V6, F4t, I4, I4, I4, I4, I2, 1, 1

I've used leatherique dyes with great results. It worked great on black leather with small whitish cracks. I diluted it and just rubbed it on in several thin coats. It made thr seats look like brand new. I can't vouch for any of their "colors" though.