Cleaning Ferrari Leather | FerrariChat

Cleaning Ferrari Leather

Discussion in 'California/Portofino/Roma' started by charliem561, Jan 18, 2014.

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  1. charliem561

    charliem561 Guest

    Jun 4, 2013
    10
    I would like to know, from someone with experience, which products to use to clean the interior leather on a 2010 Cal, without changing the finish from flat to shiny. Thanks
     
  2. ebobh15

    ebobh15 F1 Rookie
    Silver Subscribed

    Nov 18, 2012
    3,074
    I use Meguiar's Gold Class Rich Leather Cleaner/Conditioner (liquid). I also have their wipes, but those don't seem to work very well for me. I drive with the top down most of the time, and get carbon soot on the rear deck and rear seats along the top. I use 6" foam round applicators, and then use a soft microfiber cloth to wipe dry. I do this about every 3 months or so (mostly due to the soot). Ferrari San Diego uses the wipes when they service the car, also.

    If you want to explore your options, go to autogeek.net's leather care page (Leather Cleaning and Care: clean and condition leather seats with premium leather care products. leather care, leather cleaner, auto leather cleaner, ) and you can find any number of products. The site is great for general info on taking care of your car (it's the "F-Chat" for detailers) so I'm sure you will find something you like if the Meguiar's doesn't suit you.
     
  3. Noblesse Oblige

    Noblesse Oblige F1 Veteran

    Nov 7, 2011
    6,114
    Three Places
    By coincidence, I just got my new FF back from my detailer of choice. I noticed how great the leather felt and looked: No shine or greasy surface, just soft and natural. I asked him what he used, and it turned out to be Einszett Leather Care. So I got some.
    1Z Einszett Leather Care
     
  4. 430maybe

    430maybe Karting

    Oct 12, 2012
    112
    Northern England
    Full Name:
    Full Name
    I use Johnson's Baby Wipes. They work a treat.
     
  5. ebobh15

    ebobh15 F1 Rookie
    Silver Subscribed

    Nov 18, 2012
    3,074
    Yeah, but what about for the leather in your car??
     
    SoftwareDrone likes this.
  6. BluNart

    BluNart Karting

    Jul 2, 2013
    125
    New England, USA
    Full Name:
    Blu
    To clean and keep the OEM matte finish I recommend using Leatherique Rejuvenator Oil followed by Leatherique Prestine Clean. Winter months takes quite a bit more effort to heat up the leather during the Oil clean/bake process but worth the effort if it cannot wait.
     
  7. RickLederman

    RickLederman F1 Rookie
    Rossa Subscribed

    Sep 18, 2007
    2,829
    Swanton Ohio
    Full Name:
    Rick Lederman
    I have used Lexol Conditioner and Lexol Cleaner on all three Ferrari's since 2009. The products seem to work well and add to the 'leather smell'. It removes the blue jeans stain from the Crema center of my seats in my FF.

    Rick
     
  8. ferraripanoz

    ferraripanoz Formula 3
    Silver Subscribed

    Sep 24, 2004
    1,409
    Full Name:
    Mark
    That's what I recommend using, great results!
     
  9. Sr.Pininfarina

    Sr.Pininfarina Formula Junior

    Mar 3, 2006
    413
    LTT ultrafoam. The best.
     
  10. mjc_123

    mjc_123 Formula Junior

    Oct 16, 2010
    512
    NYC - Long Island
    hahaha
     
  11. Sr.Pininfarina

    Sr.Pininfarina Formula Junior

    Mar 3, 2006
    413
  12. AndrewJM

    AndrewJM Formula Junior

    Jun 18, 2012
    383
    Norfolk, VA
    Leatherique Pristine Clean or 1z Einszett Cockpit. Then condition with either Leatherique Rejuvenator Oil or Leathermaster Vital.
     
  13. RandyS

    RandyS Rookie

    Jan 13, 2006
    2
    I've tried a lot of different leather conditioners. Zymol is the best. It soaks in, does not streak and does not make the leather look shiny. It's expensive but worth it.
     
  14. davebuchner

    davebuchner Formula 3

    Jun 1, 2005
    2,487
    London UK
    Full Name:
    Dave Buchner
    I have black leather with red stitching on my 360 - a friend has black with red stitching on his 458.
    We are both investigating how to best clean / preserve the leather.

    Do you need to cover the stitching with tape or something before applying these leather treatments. We don't want our stitching to become discolored.
     
  15. Sr.Pininfarina

    Sr.Pininfarina Formula Junior

    Mar 3, 2006
    413
    always neutral ph (for leather) foam...
     
  16. dwb360

    dwb360 Karting

    Aug 22, 2010
    65
    Champaign, IL
    Full Name:
    Dave Barr
    zymol is outstanding. I've tried Lexol and Macquires - zmol better.
     
  17. RickLederman

    RickLederman F1 Rookie
    Rossa Subscribed

    Sep 18, 2007
    2,829
    Swanton Ohio
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    Rick Lederman
    After all of these answers, try one but stay the heck away from Armor All! I had a Porsche 928, sold it to a guy that had his Fiat totally Armor All'd and I warned him not to use it on Porsche leather (mine was perfect on this 928). A month or so later he called to ask if the dash leather was pealing on it ... I asked him if he ArmorAll'd it and I heard silence ... so I did a quiet Told You So. He destroyed its leather.

    Rick
     
  18. Brannon

    Brannon Rookie

    May 28, 2009
    46
    University Park
    Full Name:
    Brannon
    I have three cars with this leather my mondial t, my modena spider and my new 911 (with super premium upgrade). I learned that you need a water based leather cleaner for cleaning and a very light conditioner a couple of times a year specifically for this type of leather. This information comes from the people who process the leather whom I finally called because I was tired of having streaking and a film with other leather products. Leatherique is phenomenal for restoring very dry old leather (used it in my modial), but was overkill for supple new leather. So, leather masters makes a line of cleaners for this type of leather (as well as for many others) and I have the best results with their water based gentle cleaning solution and a biannual leather master protection cream. Additionally, foam applicators and not rags minimizes the amount of product applied and seems to improve the results. The products are made in Italy for those who care and are apparently non-toxic. I really like the fact that neither of them discolor the beautiful contrast stitching in the car. Yellow contrast stitching is easy to soil. Hope this helps.
     
    Piper likes this.
  19. AndrewJM

    AndrewJM Formula Junior

    Jun 18, 2012
    383
    Norfolk, VA
    Say it aint so! I hate hearing about a 928 being damaged. But yes, always stay away from Armor All.
     
  20. Brannon

    Brannon Rookie

    May 28, 2009
    46
    University Park
    Full Name:
    Brannon
    I too have tried a bunch of stuff. For the normal sealed leathers in most cars meguiar's works fine. But, for the top grain aniline dyed in the Ferrari and upgraded premium leather in porsche's the leather masters is by far the best. Zymol is also descent. But leather masters is water based, can get out almost any grime, leaves the color and sheen unchanged and brings back some of the original leather smell. I use their standard cleaner whenever it gets dirty and the conditioner about every 6months since it's so hot in Texas. It worked well on my leatherique restored 1980's leather and my f430 as well.
     
  21. charliem561

    charliem561 Guest

    Jun 4, 2013
    10
    Thanks for the input !
     
  22. MalibuGuy

    MalibuGuy F1 Veteran

    Sep 18, 2007
    5,280
    I've had pretty good results just using warm water to clean the leather on my 360, California and 458 spider.

    The leather used in the 360 and older was more delicate and from a different supplier.

    The leather in the Cali and 458 is sourced from Poltrona Frau, an Italian furniture company.

    The Poltrona Frau is much more durable and better to my eye in all respects.

    I don't like shiny looking leather which is what you tend to get using aftermarket products.

    You can buy stuff specifically designed to use on Poltrona
    Frau leather directly from PF or indirectly sold by Ferrari Imterior care which is sourced from PF.

    BTW LDM is a major shareholder in PF
     
  23. dalundin

    dalundin Rookie
    BANNED

    Aug 23, 2007
    43
    USA
    Anyone use griot garage leather care? Thinking about it for new 458...
     
    Project JF360 likes this.
  24. luvair

    luvair Formula 3
    Owner Rossa Subscribed

    Jun 4, 2005
    1,495
    I've used it on a daily driver years ago with OK results. I would not use it on Ferrari leather as there are better products available. As you know, it always best to clean the leather, even with mild soap and warm water, let it dry overnight, then apply the conditioner.
     
  25. Nospinzone

    Nospinzone F1 Veteran

    Jul 1, 2013
    7,348
    Weston, MA
    Full Name:
    Paul
    I got it recently based on a recommendation in another car forum. It was suggested for the arm rest that gets really dirty from hand marks. It works better than anything else I've tried on my Lexus, but I wouldn't use it on my 612. It doesn't get as dirty and I prefer Zaino leather care for conditioning, and I still use Zaino on the Lexus.
     

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