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Valcona or silk nappa leather wear - any tips?


Milo
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Are there are tricks to stopping the above leathers looking creased?

I've got Valcona leather in the A4 which is the smooth one, like silk nappa. It looks fantastic but 6 months on, there is a distinct difference in appearance between parts of the driver's seat and the passenger's.

The outer seat bolster in particular is looking a bit creased. It's not wearing but just looks a a bit crumpled.

It doesn't help that I can be in and out of the car 10+ times a day some days but even my best efforts not to slide in don't seem to have helped.

I have been applying Meguiars cleaner/conditioner every 4 weeks from new so it's not as if I haven't been looking after it.

Any ideas or tricks of the trade would be most welcome 169144-ok.gif

Ta.

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I think the best thing is to keep problems out and away from the seats with a good leather cleaner and then keep topped up with a good leather conditioner.

Different people use different brands depending on quality of leather etc. I know you can get (and prehapes yours is??) the more expensive type. I would highly recommend the Meguiar 2 stage system if you on a budget they run at about £7-£8 per bottle and you would require both.

Or head over to Ron @ www.motorgeek.co.uk he has both Pinnicle and Wolfgang. They are owned by the company and these products are similar but both very very good.

The Wolfgang one would be my choice, the cleaner and conditioner will set you back around £24. Make sure you get both!! Its the condition oils that will help stop the creases and dried out patches and the cleaner that will remove the everyday stuff that damages leather. But using leather alot can cause extra wear and tear!!

If you choose GIFTS AND KITS from the main page and head on to the second page of GIFTS AND KITS. They have the WolfGang Wolfgang Leather Care Cockpit Kit. This has everything to leave your car looking great. It has the applicators and MF cloths for removing and applying. It also has a leather scrubber which is great if someone makes a mess of our car + some interior detailing gear.

The beauty of a two stage system is that you dont over clean and you have the advantage of dedicated products. You use these the Wolfgang and be amazed by the feel and texture of the seats again!! And after a week of heavy use of the car you might feel its time to apply the conditioner again. While with a one step system you are always cleaning when you are wanting to condition.

OPTIONS OPTIONS OPTIONS!!

Hope that helps.

Geoff

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Hi

Is the nappa leather basically like Suede??

If so this the protecter for you:

http://www.motorgeek.co.uk/high-tech-fabric-guard-p-93.html

It can be used on suede which i know is often referred to as "napped leather".

The Wolfgang bottle suggest its not for delicate leathers like napped ones. The link abover says it great for those kind of leathers though.

Geoff

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Unfinished leather:

Some cars have untreated leather; soft, full grain leather made from an un-split sheepskin, lambskin, or kidskin, usually tanned with alum and chromium salts and dyed throughout.

The easiest way to tell is to sprinkle a few drops of water onto the leather, if the water is absorbed into the leather and looks like a stain, it's untreated if the water is not absorbed then it's treated.

Clean the surface with 303TM Cleaner & Spot Remover it removes even stubborn stains, including oil, grease, ink, berry juice, wine and blood. It contains no soaps, detergents, phosphates, nitrates, caustics, toxic organics, enzymes or volatile organic chemicals (VOC)

Using a soft upholstery brush or a Rubber Suede Brush - http://www.shoestringuk.co.uk/ to raise the `nap' of the skin then apply cleaner by spraying onto a 100% cotton towel (do not saturate) allow to air dry. The surface of these leathers has no protective barrier to protect them. As a result these leathers are very prone to soiling and staining. To protect unfinished leathers including suede, deerskin and unfinished dyed leathers, use 303â„¢ High Tech Fabric Guard.

Use on new or newly cleaned leather, spray on (but do not saturate) and let dry, it creates and maintains water repellence, resists soiling and helps protect against both water and oil based stains.

Identifying characteristics- very soft to the touch will scratch or scuff very easily; water drops will darken the leather but it returns to its original colour after drying.

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I had a similar problem with my R32, very high bolsters were exhibiting signs of "cracking" despite regular (2-3 months) application of Meg's Gold Class all in 1 leather cleaner/conditioner.

I bought some AG leather conditioner while I posted on here.

I was advised to try some Liquid Leather which I ordered. Unfortunately (?) they sent me the cleaner rather than the renovator.

I cleaned the seats (top stuff) & applied the AG a few times this seems to have really helped & it seems the renovator is really for more damaged leather so all seems to have worked out well in the end !

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Yes Tims site is good. I took a delivery of an order of stuff this morning.

The thing is with the suede and i belive the nappa stuff too you need to be careful, its more fragile then standard leather.

Then again i am sure are lot valet's may just treat it with product X and you might not even know!!

But 303 is fine on delicate leathers and suede. They have spot cleaner is suppose to be good on delicates aswell. Anywhere you can water you are suppose to be able to use it.

Geoff

Geoff

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