Thread: Best all around Leather/Vinyl UV protector

I just bought my daughter who is still in college, a new 2011 honda accord with leather interior. She's at SDSU and her car sit's in the sun 24/7. Although I tinted the windows, I need to provide her with a good UV product. Any suggestions? I was considering the Mequiars Gold Class Rich Leather wipes

Feedback is apprecaited.
Thanks
Todd

I use mothers leather cleaner and conditioner. I have a 2011 Mustang 5.0 with saddle color leather and it does a great job.

I really like Leather Masters system. For UV protection their protection creme is your best shot. It's easy to use and very durable. Although Meguiar's makes tons of GREAT products in their professional line, their consumer line of products aren't the most durable.

http://www.detailersdomain.com/Leath...ner_c_115.html

If you want to get really fancy, Swissvax leather milk is VERY good as well!

I was talking to a detailer the other day who was actually hired by Bugatti during Monterey week and asked the same question. He told me that unless you have a high end car most leather interiors on Honda's etc come with a coating on the leather which doesnt allow leather conditioners to penetrate the leather so in theory it just sits on top of the leather and doesnt do anything.

that is true!

real leather needs conditioners, coated leather needs protecting

With that said, I use leatherique and 303 aerospace

Interior wise, I use Aerospace 303 on everything except leather or clear plastics like gauges. If you have exterior vinyl (like an old school) tonneau cover on a pickup I have used Lexol Vinylex with some succes before.

I am not comfortable making a leather care recommendation, perhaps others can help.

Originally Posted by rossii

I was talking to a detailer the other day who was actually hired by Bugatti during Monterey week and asked the same question. He told me that unless you have a high end car most leather interiors on Honda's etc come with a coating on the leather which doesnt allow leather conditioners to penetrate the leather so in theory it just sits on top of the leather and doesnt do anything.

Thanks for posting that! I had no idea, you learn something new everyday.

Ultra violet penetration of auto glass; UV radiation is present in the sun’s rays throughout the year in varying amounts. Ordinary glass is partially transparent to UV-A but is opaque to shorter wavelengths, auto window glass filters out about 95% of the UV-B radiation, the cause of photosynthesis (fading) and approximately 35% of infrared (UV-A) (heat ) radiation that causes the plasticizers in vinyl and the moisture in finished leather to dry out and crack

Surface protection - is essential as it will protect the surface finish (Leather Master™ - Protection Cream) as a sacrificial layer; this way you are not actually cleaning the Leather's original surface, but cleaning from the surface of the protection. It also makes dirt easier to clean off

Leather Master™ - Protection Cream (a Scotchgard™ type product specifically formulated for lather) the polymers penetrate the surface of finished leather and cross-link to form a durable protective film that is breathable and keeps the leather supple.

Being aqueous (water- based) it restores moisture to finished leather and provides a protective sacrificial barrier against all kinds of soiling, water, oil, alcohol-based stains and perspiration marks, so you are cleaning the protective layer

I use Zaino bro's leather protectant. It's actually got a UV protection on it.

I would also get a windshield heat blocker for $10. They reduce heat and dashboard cracks very well.

The key here is apply the protectant often, like every 6-12 months. An easy way to do that is Lexol wipes. No residue.

Leatherique Rejuvinator Oil applied a couple (maybe more if it's in the sun all the time) times a year should keep the hides nourished.

I'm a big fan of Prima's Nourish for week to week touchup cleaning/conditioning.

D!