Hello!,
First post. I just picked up a great 1964 Fleetwood, 8/10 maybe. White leather seats are hard... is there anyway to soften them up? Ive searched this forum and wasted way too much time on google trying to see if its a waste of time. Has anyone had any luck? Thanks!
You might like to read the Leatherique site at --- http://www.leatherique.com/ or call them, recommended by the Rolls Royce Owners Club. There are others --- surprised you didn't find anything using the SEARCH function here, this subject comes up often enough. Good luck with your new car.
I have used Leatherique only to detail my 6 liter V12 Brand X. Lots of high end detainers use it. For stiff old (VERY old) , leather , I have used Lexol cleaner , and Lexol conditioner. I can't say from experience which would work better in your case. I am curious. The Lexol worked well. Everyone in the know back then used it. I will generally stay with a product only until someone can prove there is something better. There is nothing better than the best for any given task. That is why I say I am curious. Maybe you can do a side by side test. Please let us know how you get on in any case. - Carl
X2 for Lexol, I had horses. You can get it at any horse supply store.
I always wondered how they made the horses nice and soft. Must use that stuff to "Break them in"?
Bruce. >:D
Quote from: The Tassie Devil(le) on February 26, 2018, 12:35:27 AM
I always wondered how they made the horses nice and soft. Must use that stuff to "Break them in"?
Bruce. >:D
LOL!
\m/
Laurie!
Another vote for Leatherique here. Great stuff, although AFAIK, it’s only available by mail from the source, unlike Lexol, which is available at most auto parts and hardware stores.
Lexol conditioner won’t soften that hard of leather, you might want to use something with heavy amounts of oil that’s going to penetrate deep inside and the only thing that will work is something heavy and thick, such as Griots Garage Leather Rejuvenator.
This stuff has worked great for in my other cars, including my leather couch at home.
https://www.griotsgarage.com/product/leather+rejuvenator+8+ounces.do?sortby=ourPicks&refType=&from=fn
Also , Restoration Supply Company has a specific softening product which seems to be extremely good for your purpose. I have not used it , but think I will give it a try. Call and interrogate them. 800-306-7008. Again , please keep us informed. - Carl
Leatherique didn't work for me, unless I'm doing it wrong, which I don't think I am.
I'll try one of the other products suggested.
The black leather seats in my 1991 Allante were pretty stiff when I bought it. I was able to soften them noticeably using baseball glove conditioner and a lot of elbow grease.
https://www.amazon.com/Wilson-Pro-Stock-Glove-Conditioner/dp/B0000ARCTM/ (https://www.amazon.com/Wilson-Pro-Stock-Glove-Conditioner/dp/B0000ARCTM/)
Yes , baseball glove stuff (neatsfoot oil) , will soften your leather. It will also aid in stretching it. That is what helps it beat a pocket into the mitt. Some folk like to stretch a pocket in the shape of their left ear into their drivers seat. You just lie sideways across the front seat and keep slapping the left side of your head into the seat bottom while occasionally applying another dose of 'foot. Probably better to get a product specifically engineered for your needs. Better living through chemistry. I had a feeling Leatherique was a high end detailing product , not a softener. Give Restoration Supply a call , and ask them why their product is better than all the rest. Hmmmm , ya know , I am getting so curious about this that I think I can spare a dime for a call before the week is out , or I get a detailed report here from one of you. Whichever comes first. Frequent liberal aplications of Lexol , alternately warmed by the sun , has worked for me. But if there is something better for the job , I am always ready for it. - CC
From the Leatherique site about "cardboard hard" leather ---
"REJUVINATOR - Known world wide for its ability to soften even cardboard hard leather. It is a complex blend of animal proteins, collagens, with absolutely no oil fillers of any kind. Totally unlike all other leather products, it will not stain or discolor leather. It is perfectly safe for equestrian use! Simply spray or wipe onto the surface and massage into the leather with your hands. Allow for it be absorbed into the fibers. Rejuvenator has a unique capillary action which forces proteins into the leather and dirt out! Repeated use will keep leather in tip top shape. Use to condition and preserve all your leather cars, saddles, tack, furniture, motorcycle leather and even apparel. Prestine Clean is the perfect cleaner to use after each application of Rejuvenator to remove the displaced impurities on the surface of the leather."
More from the Leatherique instructions page ---
"LEATHER FACTS
We strongly advise against saddle soap, as it has been known to remove the dye from the leather. Avoid products that contain petroleum or mineral oils, as they cause leather fibers to rot prematurely. If your dye is worn away, call about our simple to use Leatherique Leather Dyes. Our cleaner and conditioner have a capillary action. The proteins, cleaners, and conditioners find their way deep into the pores of the leather and force out the dirt, perspiration, air pollution, unnecessary oils, and other toxins that destroy the fibers of the leather, destroying its strength and flexibility, and causing it to deteriorate. For tough, heavier stains, we do make leather cleaner to remove the stain from the surface of the leather. The remainder of the stain will need to be “floated†out of the leather with Rejuvenator Oil. Badly stained surfaces probably need to be re-dyed. Call, email, or fax your specific Leather care questions to us anytime."
Suggest reading all of their instructions page here ---
http://www.leatherique.com/do_it_your_self_instruction/rejuvinator_pc_directions.html
No financial interest here, I do not sell Leatherique products. My only interest is to acquaint those who want to know about leather care with a product that I have had excellent results with and so have owners on Rolls Royce, Ferrari and other prestige car sites.
Quote from: Carl Fielding on February 27, 2018, 09:47:04 PMFrequent liberal aplications of Lexol , alternately warmed by the sun , has worked for me. But if there is something better for the job , I am always ready for it. - CC
Lexol. Total rip off. Doesn't work AT ALL.
I've heard nothing but great things about Connolly Hide Care. It's been around since the late 1800s - for something to survive in a marketplace that long, it's got to be good.