[ksavostin]

Hello, when I got my car 5 months ago, I covered all seats with leather shield. The "butt" area cleans great, but the "back" section has these dark spots that I can't get rid of no matter what I do. I tried to use gyeon leather cleaner and BMW leather cleaner. I'm not sure what else to try. I even wondered if I had forgotten to put a leather shield on the back of the seats.

[silver_metallic]

If you're using the Gyeon mild leather cleaner, it likely will not remove that dye transfer. Gyeon strong leather cleaner and a Gyeon leather brush (or similar) to slightly agitate and then wipe with a damp then dry microfiber might do the trick.

I've also had excellent experience with using CarPro Inside to remove dye transfer from BMW leather seats.

Since you have perforated leather, I would also use a vacuum cleaner to gently pull out any remaining cleaner from the holes on the surface.

[motherkin]

What is leather shield?

[silver_metallic]

Originally Posted by motherkin

What is leather shield?

It's a ceramic coating for leather.

https://gyeonquartz.com/product/leather-shield/

They also have a less intensive sealant called leather coat.

[Davis1888]

Dr leather - https://www.drleather.com/ - is a fantastic cleaner, that should come off with just a micro fibre, but may need some agitating with a soft leather brush and the Dr leather cleaner. I would look at something like Gtechniq L1 leather guard to protect ongoing - https://www.gtechniq.co.uk/shop/auto...ther-guard-ab/

[GrussGott]

Originally Posted by ksavostin

Hello, when I got my car 5 months ago, I covered all seats with leather shield. The "butt" area cleans great, but the "back" section has these dark spots that I can't get rid of no matter what I do. I tried to use gyeon leather cleaner and BMW leather cleaner. I'm not sure what else to try. I even wondered if I had forgotten to put a leather shield on the back of the seats.

maybe you've figured it out already, but for anyone else in the same boat this might work:

I'm gonna be honest though, I've never had to do this, even with white leather, and it look scary compared to how I maintain my leather ... that said, he's using good products, and for my money, Colourlock are the best leather specialists, so if I had this problem I'd go with Colourlock & a detail brush.

[Laura413]

Originally Posted by GrussGott

maybe you've figured it out already, but for anyone else in the same boat this might work:

I'm gonna be honest though, I've never had to do this, even with white leather, and it look scary compared to how I maintain my leather ... that said, he's using good products, and for my money, Colourlock are the best leather specialists, so if I had this problem I'd go with Colourlock & a detail brush.

How do you maintain your leather? I just ordered new X5 with Ivory White Merino and want to make sure I start off taking care of them so they stay in great condition.

[omasou]

Is that dye transfer from blue jeans?

Leather Master brand was recommend to me by the specialist that serviced my leather couch.

Manufacture's web site, listing all products

Autogeek sells some Leather Master products but not all

There is some confusing overlap between products and after reading, I purchased...

• Leather Dye Transfer Cleaner (I have other gentler cleaners too)
• Leather Barrier Cream

You may want to consider the bundle or separate products...

Leather Master Dye Transfer Cleaning Bundle

Specifically...

Leather Dye Transfer Cleaner

Dye Transfer Cleaner is a specialized cleaner and stain remover designed to eliminate color and dye transfers on light types A (Aniline) and P (Protected) leathers and fabrics. The types of stains you will want to try using this product first before any other would include blue jeans transfer, newspaper print, fresh ballpoint ink, paint, shoe polish, and permanent marker. Typically, a dye or color transfer penetrates through the surface of the leather or fabric rather than remaining on top of the finish. For this reason, it is important to follow the product instructions and allow enough time for the Dye Transfer Cleaner to penetrate the surface and thoroughly clean and eliminate the color transfer.

Apply Leather Barrier or Protection Cream after the cleaning process.

or

Leather Master Car Interior Ink Lifter

Once clean you may want to consider... Leather Master Leather Barrier with Leather Master Ink Stop

Ink Stop is designed to be used in the prevention of "Ball point " pen ink. It was design to prevent "Ball point" pen ink from penetrating the top surface of the leather.

Ink Stop provides excellent protection against water-based, oil-based and alcohol stains; it protects leather against wear and tear, perspiration and greasy skin marks.

Ink Stop (if used in the recommended frequency cycles) will also block ink and dye transfers from penetrating the top surface of the leather making the longevity of the leather extremely cost effective and attractive.

Ink Stop should be used in conjunction with Leather Barrier or Protection Cream after they are applied.

[GrussGott]

Originally Posted by Laura413

How do you maintain your leather? I just ordered new X5 with Ivory White Merino and want to make sure I start off taking care of them so they stay in great condition.

It depends on how abusive you're gonna be; like how much you wear blue or black jeans, especially if they get wet, and how much you slide around in your seat, especially getting in/out.

Here's my Opal seats after 3 years in a convertible with dusty conditions - but the thing is, mostly shorts, not jeans too often, and, even though I'd get in the car full of sweat & dust after outdoor fun, it was all fine:




For this, every few months I just:

(1.) Thorough vacuum w/ soft bristle brush

(2.) Use a *white* microfiber rag damp with distilled water heated to warm in the microwave, 1 / seat, wipe down the seats cleaning off any surface dirt (I typically had a lot on the leading edge of the thigh bolster due to hiking dirt)

That's it!

Auto leather doesn't need any products, and if used too often (and wrong) can cause damage (the goop mixes with dirt, creates a rubbing compound, and abrates off the leather's surface coating). I've seen a lot of damaged leather from people putting lexol or other goop directly onto their seats every week to "condition" - auto leather doesn't need conditioning.

That said, I've got the white/blue leather on the way, and this time I'm going to go with Colourlock's new leather kit - they're the premier auto leather care experts out there (IMO ) and their stuff is made in Germany.

After that, though, I'll do the same as above.

[bandersen]

Originally Posted by GrussGott

It depends on how abusive you're gonna be; like how much you wear blue or black jeans, especially if they get wet, and how much you slide around in your seat, especially getting in/out.

Here's my Opal seats after 3 years in a convertible with dusty conditions - but the thing is, mostly shorts, not jeans too often, and, even though I'd get in the car full of sweat & dust after outdoor fun, it was all fine:




For this, every few months I just:

(1.) Thorough vacuum w/ soft bristle brush

(2.) Use a *white* microfiber rag damp with distilled water heated to warm in the microwave, 1 / seat, wipe down the seats cleaning off any surface dirt (I typically had a lot on the leading edge of the thigh bolster due to hiking dirt)

That's it!

Auto leather doesn't need any products, and if used too often (and wrong) can cause damage (the goop mixes with dirt, creates a rubbing compound, and abrates off the leather's surface coating). I've seen a lot of damaged leather from people putting lexol or other goop directly onto their seats every week to "condition" - auto leather doesn't need conditioning.

That said, I've got the white/blue leather on the way, and this time I'm going to go with Colourlock's new leather kit - they're the premier auto leather care experts out there (IMO ) and their stuff is made in Germany.

After that, though, I'll do the same as above.

Beautiful pics...and, may I add, the quintessential interior color for Newport Beach!

[GrussGott]

Originally Posted by bandersen

Beautiful pics...and, may I add, the quintessential interior color for Newport Beach!

ha, thanks Bandersen ... fun to roll up into Fashion Island in it as they'll leave it out front, but it's the worst car there

[ksavostin]

Originally Posted by omasou

Is that dye transfer from blue jeans?

No these dirty spots are on the driver seat back where it touches a lumbar. I have ordered CarPro Inside and a brush, will try to clean it and report soon.

[ksavostin]

Originally Posted by silver_metallic

I've also had excellent experience with using CarPro Inside to remove dye transfer from BMW leather seats.

This didn't help, brushed it 3 times for few minutes each, black spots are still there. Should I try Gyeon strong leather cleaner? Will it help?

[GrussGott]

Originally Posted by ksavostin

This didn't help, brushed it 3 times for few minutes each, black spots are still there. Should I try Gyeon strong leather cleaner? Will it help?

But I'd use Colourlock products - those guys are the best auto leather people in the business - nobody is even close.

[M_Sugi]

+1 for colourlock it doesnt give that super glossy slimy feel after and it actually holds up really well against dirt (from my everyday use atleast) Ive recommended it to a few friends and everyones been super happy with it after and I definitely will continue to use it

[Coolhand92]

Audi sells a leather cleaner kit that is pretty good. Believe it’s made by an Italian company (or used to be). I used it on NAPA leather seats with great success. You can get the kit from any Audi parts

https://parts.audiusa.com/p/Audi__S5...096372015.html

[Hansn]

I ordered a bottle of the Gyeon coating planning to put it on my Merino leather. But after reading the instructions it says in big letters warning to not put it on aniline or semi aniline leather.

So i decided not to do it. I have been sceptical about locking the merino leather with a coating, lucky i read the instruction paper before applying it.

I am new to this kind of leather, and there very little info on caring for it online. And most info is contradicting.


Safest way to keep it nice seems to be wiping it off with water only. I ordered the leatjerique system, but i doubt i will need to use that in a while.

What do people use on the leather to add moisture/keep it from cracking and how often? Seems like a real minefield with potential mistakes you can do if you apply the wrong products.. I want the seats to stay matte and not turn glossy.

[nh50i]

I have always had good results with lexol leather products. Have been using their cleaner on my merino seats that are identical to yours.