Leather Care | FerrariChat

Leather Care

Discussion in 'Detailing & Showroom' started by Hobacks427, May 31, 2015.

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  1. Hobacks427

    Hobacks427 Karting

    Nov 2, 2014
    141
    North Jersey
    Full Name:
    Neil
    I've recently brought home my 2005 F430 and among many things related to the homecoming, I have been reading threads here on FerrariChat regarding leather care since I'd like to keep the surfaces at least as nice as they are now. In the past I have always used Connolly Hide Food (now under a slightly different name) after using their cleaner on the leather surfaces of my German cars. Obviously UV, heat, and thermal cycling are not beneficial to leather's longevity.

    So:

    Is a "lanolin and white spirits" based conditioner (description on the Connolly Hide Conditioner label) appropriate for the leather surfaces in my 2005?
    Is it more appropriate to use an aqueous based conditioner for the purpose of hydrating the leather, if the leather is unsealed?
    If the leather in my 2005 is unsealed aniline leather, will the Connolly conditioner stain the surfaces? Delaminate the layers?
    No matter how the leather is conditioned, does one keep the conditioner off the deviated stiching which happens to be a light color (yellow)?

    Thanks if you've made it this far and can shed some light on the subject.
     
  2. FerRrari

    FerRrari Formula 3

    Jan 11, 2009
    1,227
    WA
    Full Name:
    Fernando
    I was recommended to use leatherique and I love the results. It's a PITA to apply but really worth it.
     
  3. Arnie

    Arnie Formula Junior

    Oct 5, 2011
    465
    New Jersey
    Color Plus leather re conditioner. I use it on all my cars. They mane 2 types one for maintenance and one to repair cracked leather. You put it on with a brush let it sit for 1/2 hour than wipe it in with a cotton cloth. It is used a lot for Porsche concourse events. It is water based so it is not oily. Been using it for 10 years.

    Colorplus.com
     
  4. Hobacks427

    Hobacks427 Karting

    Nov 2, 2014
    141
    North Jersey
    Full Name:
    Neil
    Thanks gentlemen for sharing your experience: very helpful
     
  5. Esoteric Auto Detail

    Esoteric Auto Detail Formula Junior

    Dec 14, 2008
    822
    Columbus, OH
    We have been working with Ferrari leather for quite some time, and even after trying other products, we stick to the proven performance and results of the Leatherique system. It just (far) out-performs anything else out there without exception.

    I'd recommend doing the full 2-stage treatment once per year (twice per year if you have a convertible). Then you can use the Prestine Clean (2nd stage of the system) for your normal routine leather maintenance.

    And for what it's worth, we sell what we use, not the other way around! We can use any products, but we choose to use Leatherique.

    Leatherique Products - Esoteric Car Care
     
  6. Hobacks427

    Hobacks427 Karting

    Nov 2, 2014
    141
    North Jersey
    Full Name:
    Neil
    Thanks Todd.

    If I may ask one more question: do you keep the leather treatments described off the deviated stitching? Since it is light colored, any dirt brought to it will discolor it? Or will the treatment remove dirt from the light stitching?

    Best,

    Neil
     
  7. Esoteric Auto Detail

    Esoteric Auto Detail Formula Junior

    Dec 14, 2008
    822
    Columbus, OH
    We use it on the stitched areas as well. If the leather needs cleaning, then chances are the stitching is dirty as well. So in the process you should find that the stitching will improve, not go backwards!

    Don't forget to use your F-chat discount as listed in my signature!

     
  8. Hobacks427

    Hobacks427 Karting

    Nov 2, 2014
    141
    North Jersey
    Full Name:
    Neil
    Thanks Todd - Done
     
  9. spirot

    spirot F1 World Champ

    Dec 12, 2005
    15,115
    Atlanta
    Full Name:
    Tom Spiro
    Totally agree about Using Leatherique products - I use them all of our cars... and on our leather sofa's ... they work great - and keep the hides supple
     
  10. Hobacks427

    Hobacks427 Karting

    Nov 2, 2014
    141
    North Jersey
    Full Name:
    Neil
    I know this is an old thread but thought I'd take a moment to give the "how it all turned out" story after starting this thread.

    I decided to go with the leatherique products (rejuvenator oil and prestine clean) and got excellent results.

    My twist is that I used time to allow the rejuvenator oil to diffuse into the leather surfaces over a 24-72 hr period at garage temperature (50-75F). I did sections of the interior separately (one seat, dash, headliner, rear shelf, second seat and door panels) over about a month of time as the driving weather here evaporated. I was doing the treatment at the end of the fall and into the winter here in the frozen north: as the temperature went down the time allowed for diffusion of the oil went up. I came back around periodically to touch up spots that were drying up. Then I used a small spray bottle to put the Prestine clean on the surfaces recently treated and buffed it out with white microfiber cloths.

    The surface luster I had going in was retained after treatment and the light colored stitching looked as good or better as well. I made it a bit of a project but the results were worth it.
     

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