Leather conditioner recommendations | FerrariChat

Leather conditioner recommendations

Discussion in '458 Italia/488/F8' started by rockitman, Jun 18, 2015.

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  1. rockitman

    rockitman F1 Veteran

    May 31, 2015
    5,989
    Upstate, NY
    Full Name:
    Christian
    What do Ferrari owners use to clean and condition their leather interior with ?
    I want to maintain the factory low gloss look. I would bum out if the leather came out shiney or discolored my yellow stitching. I guess speciale owners need not worry as there is no leather in the interior ?
     
  2. Mitch Alsup

    Mitch Alsup F1 Veteran

    Nov 4, 2003
    9,724
    Leatherique.
     
  3. f355spider

    f355spider F1 World Champ
    Owner Rossa Subscribed

    May 29, 2001
    18,044
    USA
    Leatherique is the preferred product, but is more work. For easy wipe on, wipe off maintenance I use Griots Garage Leather Care Spray. Works great at removing light soil and marks. Has a nice leather scent too.

    For deep conditioning, the Leatherique system is the way to go...esp on the dash. Did that a couple times a year to prevent shrinkage.
     
  4. photonut

    photonut F1 Rookie
    Owner Rossa Subscribed

    Nov 16, 2007
    4,080
    Michigan
    Full Name:
    Joel
    my wife says i should try this product! :D
     
  5. justthebest

    justthebest Formula Junior

    May 14, 2014
    319
    Denver, CO
    Chemical Guys' products work well for me
     
  6. Zaius

    Zaius Formula Junior

    May 8, 2014
    863
    Use the factory cleaning kit it comes with a conditioner.

    Part # 70002174
     
  7. koop

    koop Formula Junior

    Apr 30, 2011
    811
    Buy the leather masters kit on Amazon for $30. It's the exact same product as the Ferrari OEM leather kit. Very good stuff.
     
  8. luvair

    luvair Formula 3
    Owner Rossa Subscribed

    Jun 4, 2005
    1,595
    That's what I use. No discoloring on stitches either.
     
  9. RCorsa

    RCorsa Formula 3
    Owner Rossa Subscribed

    Apr 5, 2014
    2,102
    West Coast
    Griots Garage. Just did my 2014 458 last weekend and was VERY nervous about it looking shinny. Applied it let it sit in the sun for an hour or two and then wiped it down with a slightly damn microfiber towel. It looks PERFECT. Totally matte color as when first picked it up but its looks much richer somehow. Hard to describe. No discoloration whatsoever in the leather or the stitching. Had the car 12 months and should have done it last year...
     
  10. rockitman

    rockitman F1 Veteran

    May 31, 2015
    5,989
    Upstate, NY
    Full Name:
    Christian
    Thanks. Good to know. Gloss is a buzz kill for me.
     
  11. ttforcefed

    ttforcefed F1 World Champ
    Rossa Subscribed

    Aug 22, 2002
    19,255
    is leatherique a pain to use? or is there one leather product that is _ maybe im thinking of lexol?
     
  12. koop

    koop Formula Junior

    Apr 30, 2011
    811
    leatherique is too much work especially if your interior is already in pretty good shape.

    the leather masters kit is the same product ferrari rebrands and sells for $200+ and is also the same product that is recommended by poltrona frau, the supplier for ferrari leather. It leaves a perfectly matte finish without any residue.
     
  13. ttforcefed

    ttforcefed F1 World Champ
    Rossa Subscribed

    Aug 22, 2002
    19,255
    I've used the zymol leather stuff for 20 yrs and I love it. worth a try
     
  14. rockitman

    rockitman F1 Veteran

    May 31, 2015
    5,989
    Upstate, NY
    Full Name:
    Christian
    Thanks...going with the leather masters kit.
     
  15. RCorsa

    RCorsa Formula 3
    Owner Rossa Subscribed

    Apr 5, 2014
    2,102
    West Coast
    Seams like a pain as there are several steps. The griots is nice as its only one step. Of course its your ride and your time. There are lots of angles and non leather parts/CF mixed in with my interior so doing the treatment without getting the stuff on those parts is time consuming. For me a one step done perfectly over a few hours is all I have patience for.... good luck and let us know how it goes...
     
  16. rockitman

    rockitman F1 Veteran

    May 31, 2015
    5,989
    Upstate, NY
    Full Name:
    Christian
    I am not looking forward to the complex dash. I'm thinking with leather master, if my leather is already clean, go directly to cream conditioner (1 step). I may buy a bottle of Griots to compare with. I had zaino for one of my old Porsches and it added gloss from what I remember.
     
  17. koop

    koop Formula Junior

    Apr 30, 2011
    811
    #17 koop, Jun 20, 2015
    Last edited: Jun 20, 2015
    I have used griots and it's also very good. I do like the smell especially. I'd suggest just trying both and see which you prefer, perhaps on a different car first.
     
  18. rockitman

    rockitman F1 Veteran

    May 31, 2015
    5,989
    Upstate, NY
    Full Name:
    Christian
    I bought Griots too for comparison...thanks
     
  19. bigblock737

    bigblock737 Formula Junior

    Dec 19, 2013
    711
    Germany
    Full Name:
    Andy B.
    I use SurfCity Garage Voodoo Leather Rejuvenator. Very easy to use, leaves a matte look. Works on both old or new leather.
     
  20. koop

    koop Formula Junior

    Apr 30, 2011
    811
    When the car is fairly new and the leather is still in good condition, I prefer not to use "conditioners" at all. Most automotive leathers are topcoated and the conditioners really just build up on the surface over time. They also mask the natural leather smell. In my opinion, it's best to just clean regularly and then apply a protection product like the Leather masters protection cream. This just helps prevent dirt and stains. I find that the cars with the best looking leather are usually the ones that haven't had numerous products applied and also have been kept indoors as much as possible away from direct sunlight.
     
  21. Randyslovis

    Randyslovis Formula Junior

    Jul 7, 2011
    897
    Atlanta, GA
    Full Name:
    Randall J Slovis
    My dealer's detail guy has his own product that I have used to great success. I will try some of the recommendations above to compare.
    One tip however has to do with the dash area where it meets the windshield. That leather area in addition to being hard to reach, certainly takes a beating from the sunlight. To reach this area and minimize the amount of conditioner you get on the window I found a simple and quick method of applying your product. I found that if you go to your local Ace Hardware or home improvement/paint store, you can pick up a sponge trim brush for @ $2. Use that to apply the conditioner and you will find less gets on window. To clean the actual glass, I have this great long handled paddle with microfiber pad ("as seen on TV type product") that allows you to clean inside of windshield without contorting yourself or having to resort to paying a child to try and get into and reach this area with their tiny hands.
    Best
     
  22. rockitman

    rockitman F1 Veteran

    May 31, 2015
    5,989
    Upstate, NY
    Full Name:
    Christian
    Nice tip on getting to the dash piece near the bottom of the windshield.
     
  23. Arnie

    Arnie Formula Junior

    Oct 5, 2011
    465
    New Jersey
    Yeah that strip of leather at the base of the windshield. I tried the disposable paint sponge brush but the stick was too short and I got it on the windshield no matter how hard I tried. I used the micro fiber paddle but even with that it is hard to remove the leather solution from the windshield.

    So I came up with this idea which works great. I got some poster board and cut it into 3 pieces and slid it between the base of the window and the leather strip. As i added the leather conditioner I just moved the poster board some more. The real trick is to go to an art store and Buy a 18" to 2 foot artist brush with a 1/2 inch brush and just start painting the leather with the leather conditioner. This works great no conditioner on the windshield and you can put a lot of conditioner on the strip. Much easier than trying to see what your doing when using a disposable short brush and it is easier to prevent getting conditioner on the plastic parts of the top of the dashboard.

    It was just hard to stretch my arm to the windshield and see what I was doing.
     
  24. Randyslovis

    Randyslovis Formula Junior

    Jul 7, 2011
    897
    Atlanta, GA
    Full Name:
    Randall J Slovis
    Better still!
    Thanks Arnie
    Randy
     
  25. Arnie

    Arnie Formula Junior

    Oct 5, 2011
    465
    New Jersey
    Thanks Randy!

    Are you going to get a 488? I tried to get a Speciale but I refuse to pay 75,000 over sticker.

    I did not have enough pull to order a Speciale because I had not bought enough Ferraries from my dealer.

    I am on the list for a 488 but not sure I will go through with it.
     

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