Leatherique - Before and after

[Oregoniangrown]

I just purchased a 96 Land Cruiser. As part of the baseline process, the leather was high on the priority list behind the typical fluids, etc). Although this FJ80 was very well cared for, I believe the leather was conditioned with less than optimal products, ultimately doing more harm than good. After researching products both on this website and others, I ordered some Leatherique.

The driver seat had the normal wear on the left hand side where you slide in and out of the vehicle. in addition, it had some cracking, although not all the way through. The very top panel of leather on the back rest was very soft, and got progressively stiffer as you descend to the seat cushion. The front most panel on the seat cushion was what I imagine "cardboard stiff" leather feels like. Basically one stiff plane. The thin strip separating the two panels was as rigid as sheet metal. The dip seen in the picture was permanent. The passenger seat was close in condition, but less cracking. The second row seats were in "good" condition, but some minor wear where some black was showing through. I'm not sure what this wear was from. The back row was in excellent condition, seemingly never used.

Friday night, I picked up a 6 pack, a spray bottle, and started the process. I live in Denver, so I had to run the vehicle and heater to make sure the temp was appropriate. In addition, I put a space heater in the vehicle overnight to avoid freezing (I'm aware of the safety concerns, and I don't promote this)

basic spray, spread, and massage. all leather surfaces.

Attached is a before picture of the drivers seat. Although I regret it now, these are the only before pictures I got.


I plan on letting it sit all night and through until Sunday (roughly 36 hours) with a reapply and massage tomorrow afternoon.

After pictures will be posted Sunday with an evaluation of the results.

 

[Toyoland66]

For a 17 year old vehicle this one is exceptionally clean. Can't wait to see the after.

 

[bcarney]

Huge fan of this stuff. I've used it on the 911's I have been restoring. Amazing what it will do on a hot day with a seat covered in a black trash bag - seat out of car in sunlight. It seems that the more you can heat the oil while it is on the seats, the results increase accordingly. Just ordered some for the LX450 I just picked up.

 

[scrowley]

Stuff is amazing. Used it many times. A blow dryer can also be used with the plastic bag if you don't want to wait as long for the sun.

Op. Did you use the pristine clean first? Before the rejuvenation oil.

 

[CruiseOrlando]

Another chiming in to say how great this stuff is.

I need to do this on my Infinity as well... but this stuff is amazing at its ability to bring leather back to an amazing condition.

 

[floridan surfer]

Where can you get it?

Pat

 

[Danimal92sport]

Can anyone compare this product to Griot's Leather Rejuvenator? I've had good luck with that on other cars.

 

[CruiseOrlando]

I bought mine online... can't remember if it was Amazon or not now.

 

[Toyoland66]

Stuff is amazing. Used it many times. A blow dryer can also be used with the plastic bag if you don't want to wait as long for the sun.

Op. Did you use the pristine clean first? Before the rejuvenation oil.

You use the oil first to push dirt, etc out of the leather pores and the cleaner afterwards to clean and remove the excess oil, it is backward from most other leather products.

http://www.autogeek.net/leatherique--rejuvenator-oil-prestine-clean-instructions.html

Curious why you ask? Does it help to remove previously used products?

 

[Oregoniangrown]

You use the oil first to push dirt, etc out of the leather pores and the cleaner afterwards to clean and remove the excess oil, it is backward from most other leather products.

http://www.autogeek.net/leatherique--rejuvenator-oil-prestine-clean-instructions.html

Curious why you ask? Does it help to remove previously used products?

Toyoland66 is correct, although it is not intuitive. I did wipe down the entire inside, including seats and dash, with a diluted carwash mix last week. As for the hair dryer and plastic bag, i haven't used that approach. It's been parked for 18 hours now with a space heater keeping it about 90. Plus the sun is out today. I've reapplied and massaged once on top of the tacky oil. I'll do that one more time this evening before it sits overnight again.

And I bought mine off amazon. I got the larger bottles, but have used less than half with liberal application

 

[e9999]

Leatherique gives / used to give a good discount to Mudders.

 

[oversteerdawg]

I find using one of these to be very effective at heating the leather.

 

[scrowley]

You use the oil first to push dirt, etc out of the leather pores and the cleaner afterwards to clean and remove the excess oil, it is backward from most other leather products.

http://www.autogeek.net/leatherique--rejuvenator-oil-prestine-clean-instructions.html

Curious why you ask? Does it help to remove previously used products?

I did use it before and after. Just lightly the fist time. Just gets off heavy soiled areas first. On semi clean leather to start I guess I would not do it first.

 

[Oregoniangrown]

Results

I spent the majority of this morning completing the detailing of the 80. I will say, Leatherique seems to be an impressive product. Unfortunately, my findings were disappointing, however unrelated to the quality of Leatherique.

It appears that the PO has used some sort of plastic leather impersonator on the front two seats to combat wear, rather than maintaining the leather with proper oils. It is painted on and covering the majority of the seat surface. I only discovered this after I started to remove the leatherique, and some of the immitaion leather started to peel off, revealing the natural leather underneath. In retrospect, the front leather condition was significantly different than the rear seats, which I had attributed to wear from heavier usage in the front.

That all being said, the Leatherique worked great in the back two seats, leaving the leather feeling smooth and pliable. I only wish that the front seats did not have the imitation leather spayed over the top of the leather.

I'll edit the first post with smaller pictures so I can upload the afters as well as the fake leather pictures.

Does any one have experience with the fake leather, or any advice for removal without damaging the leather underneath?

 

[scrowley]

Its most likely a dye like leatherique sells. Call them. They have always been helpful to me when I had questions. I am sure they have a remover. Then you can re dye yourself for better results.
Btw with dye it never seems to get the feel of the original leather although it will look perfect by eye.

 

[John E Davies]

In my experience, really thorough cleaning before attempting any leather treatment will make the seats look wonderful. Especially the lighter colors like gray or beige.

Vacuum first, especially the seams and joint between the bottom and back.

I use Griot's Interior Cleaner with a new toothbrush. Scrub parallel to the seams and wipe with a dry rag. Repeat a couple of times and then wipe down all the flat surfaces with cleaner and cloths. You will be amazed how great the seat looks after it dries.

THEN you can start treating the leather.

John Davies
Spokane WA USA