Leather finish - from shiny to matt

[Gaz]

Is there any handy and safe way of removing a shiny sheen from leather and restoring it to the original matt finish? Previous owner of my car obviously liked his leather to shine a lot and must have cleaned it with something which left it very shiny. This looks grand but I personally prefer the matt finish, and I also prefer the seats a little less slippy. I've seen a thread on a USA car forum ages ago where a guy used something to take the sheen off the dash and seats of a car he had purchased, but I can't find the thread now. I'm wary of using something too strong which may remove the leather dye or damage the seats.

All advice appreciated

 

[pablo]

ive stuff Gaz you can try a bit of, liquid leather I think its called. its 2 stage cleaner then conditioner. The cleaner should hopefully take the old stuff off.

 

[Boydie]

Autosmarts leather care leaves a lovely matt finish on the leather!!

If you are in belfast this afternoon I can meet you and lend you mine for a trial?

 

[Coog]

Aye I use that stuff too Pablo, cleans leather brilliantly.

 

[Amos]

Gliptone leather cleaner, and a soft nail brush...... It should remove all the old dressing that where put on the leather.....!

 

[Coog]

Gliptone that's it!!! Smells eeeemmense too.

 

[Gaz]

@ Pablo - no need for a sample, I'll take your word for it if it works - who sells it though? Would like to buy a full bottle.

@ Boydie - I'll look into that too, however does it clean the leather first? I presume whatever layer of stuff is currently on the seats needs to be removed first

 

[pablo]

Think I have some Gliptone too Gazzle.

 

[Boydie]

It will clean as well - I remember my cloth being minging afterwards!

 

[BangorGav]

Gliptone

 

[Gaz]

So just Gliptone by the sounds of it? Do I need to add anything beforehand or afterwards to condition it etc?

 

[Amos]

Gliptone do a cleaner, and a conditioner..... BUT the conditioner might make the leather shiny again, it just depends on the leather...

But for the sake of the cost, get both... Oh and a soft nail brush to really clean the seats....

"clean your car", sells it all....

Cheers

 

[Gaz]

Ignore my last post, just read up on it and it seems 2 Gliptone products do everything. Sounds like good stuff.

Managed to buy a bottle of the cleaner and a bottle of the conditioner (250ml each) for £8.99 all in on ebay

 

[PJS]

Your leather won't need the "conditioner" - like your paintwork, it has a clearcoat protective layer over the colour.
All that'll get through it is water molecules, not the emollients and other 'beneficial' oils and whatnot.

Spend 5 mins and chat with the young lady at Leather Care Products | Leather Furniture Repair if you want to learn the truth about modern car seat leather - and by modern, I'm referring to the last 10-12 years.

 

[pablo]

I think he just wants clean matt seats, not a science lecture

 

[ewok]

i wouldnt use anything else but gliptone

 

[pablo]

Gliptone = Liquid Leather checked at lunchtime there.

 

[PJS]

No lecture - information to understand that a lot of conditioners on the market are unnecessary for car seats, with their emollients, etc, trapping dirt debris making it effectively sandpaper.
The link above is where you'll get a protector which enhances the clearcoating on the leather, in much the same manner as a wax/sealant enhances the protection of the paintwork that bit more than leaving the clearcoat to do all the work.

You should by now Pablo - I can't abide seeing FUD being spread, just because that's the way other members have always done things, and never looked beyond that.

I'm surprised no-one's mentioned baby wipes as a remedy for cleaning the leather - unless that's reserved just for alcantara!

 

[Graham2]

I've 2 barely used bottles of the Gliptone stuff here if anyone wants it.

 

[Gaz]

I'd have taken one Gee but just ordered and paid for one before lunch there

 

[Paul RS]

I've 2 barely used bottles of the Gliptone stuff here if anyone wants it.

I'll maybe take one from ye

 

[Gaz]

My Gliptone arrived today. Some people recommend using a small brush to work the leather, what kind of brush would be suitable - is a nail brush too harsh?

 

[Boydie]

A small brush from raceglaze would do the trick - go see davey at procar!

 

[Big Pimp]

nail brush will be fine Gaz, but I also use like a soft-ish pastry brush for getting into deeper cracks and crevices with my Gliptone

 

[Gaz]

Good call, will get me one of those today.

£8.95 for the cleaner & conditioner ..... can't be dear!