17k miles - Carbonstructure Bolster wear - before & after leatherique - normal use

[SROC3]

I used Zaino leather conditioner on my seats for 5 years in my 335i. I kid you not....my seats looked a year old when I traded it in. However....I did treat my leather about 2 times a month hehe......kinda was OCD about it.

[JoeFromPA]

Cloth doesn't require any treatment. Just keep it clean.

I did all my front leather all at once. Door grabs, armrest, shift knob, handbrake, everything

If you want a before and after on color look at the first two and last two photos. The lighting conditions are identical and it is without them with flash.

[aboulfad]

My side bolsters look the same after 3000km, I have extended SO interior, thought it was normal wear. Great to know that Leatherique can restore it. Thanks for sharing

[Bluex]

Looks good. Your before pics looked liked they showed appropriately normal wear for 17K worth of use, but excellent to see that your leather treatment restored it to new condition.

FWIW, I am using Blackrock Conditioner/Cleaner for my full leather interior that I initially bought for an Lambskin B3 Bomber jacket at US Wings. It's a Caranuba based conditioner/cleaner that applies on very thick (with your hands). You buff it in/out with a microfiber pad and maintains the nice matte finish of the leather. Another very excellent option, and the price is pretty damned good. It's meant for "exotic" leathers, so I assumed that it would work nice on our leather. I haven't been disappointed.

http://www.uswings.com/product/black...eather-n-rich/

[aboulfad]

Originally Posted by RocketBoots

Leatherique is great stuff.

Man that side bolster is such a high wear/tear area. And I believe with the carbon structure, the leather is more tough/durable. I have SO leather, and the stitching is beginning to wear slightly. I've cleaned/conditioned it about 2 or 3 times with Leather Master's products, but I have my bottles of Leatherique waiting for their turn

How does your SO seat look? Mine at 3000 km. I think it's normal for leather to develop this stuff but it's pretty amazing that JoeFromPA brought back to new! And yes please don't comment on the dirt trapped between the seams, can't get it out :

[JoeFromPA]

Dirt between seams/stitching is really difficult because rubbing it pushes it in.

The BEST option I've seen is a M owner (of another series with an older model) used a VERY SOFT toothbrush with a water + oxyclean powder paste to lightly scrub the tri-color stitching on his steering wheel. This really brought it back to new - the colors were vibrant again. He then cleaned it with a damp rag and re-conditioned the leather.

Remember you basically need to pull/scrub dirt out and scrubbing leather has a high risk of wearing it. Be very wary of scrubbing your leather.

[dan99]

Ya love the product but very tedious work

[aboulfad]

Originally Posted by JoeFromPA

Dirt between seams/stitching is really difficult because rubbing it leather.
...

Thanks. Vacuuming sometimes pull them out or using an interior detail brush w light motions. But they come back so quick that I rarely do it now.

[AYTifosi]

Leatherique is the way to go. It actually hydrates the hide versus coating the leather, which is why the Lexol didn't help the OP and the Leatherique did. Visit their site and download the "book". It's a quick read and worth the look. Yes, it is a pain to put on and take off, but worth it in the long run.

[whoflungdo]

I have the product and will use it in the next month, question for you is.. Does it keep the leather smell intact? I only have 4k on the car but am enjoying the leather smell of the seats and don't want to loose that. Thanks for your initial post and look forward to using the product.

[adc]

Another ringing endorsement for leatherique.

It brought back to life the red leather seats in my 2004 Z4, absolutely fantastic product. I've treated with it so far a Boxster, a Z4 and an E90 with leather/cloth, and still have a little less than half left over.

What it can do with an old steering wheel is just magic...

[AYTifosi]

I think you can buy stuff that makes the new car smell. Leatherique has a scent, but it is a leather'ish one. In other words, it is not a chemical smell that will make your car smell weird. It will be a finely cared for deep leather smell. I doubt you'll be disappointed.

Put on a glove, use the little sponge to apply it liberally but then massage it into the leather, including the stitching. You are trying to get the Rejuventor into the hide to hydrate it - not using it to wipe dirt off. Leave the car shut and in the sun for 4-5 hours. Then start using the Pristine Clean with the towel.

Where the leather is tacky, use more Pristine Clean. Eventually you can use damp towel you will keep having to soak and wring out. First though, use the Pristine Clean to get the Rejuvenator off. It's a bit tedious, so take your time.

The Leatherique guy(s) are awesome if you have a question. They are No BS about caring for leather properly.

[JoeFromPA]

FYI, I chose to use leatherique in my garage (approx 85-90 degrees that day) and NOT in the sun. Previously I've used it in the sun.

It was MUCH easier to clean off later on, and I don't see any downside into how much my leather absorbed.

[aboulfad]

The results that Joe posted are not deceiving... Unless of course he photoshopped the pics

[JTmarlin]

Thanks for the info!

We have an E39 M5 in the family, original owner from 2001, and the leather is in impeccable condition with only 1 thorough leather condition. Sounds like BMW has moved down to a lower quality leather.....