Got my 2005 4-WD, V-8 Limited yesterday. A few questions about leather seats.

[raider]

I took delivery of my 2005 4-WD, V-8, black Limited 4-Runner yesterday. I think I am really going to like this vehicle. I traded in a 1998 Ford Exploer Sport with 165,000 miles on it when I ordered the Limited.

I've never owned a vehicle with leather seats before. What advice does anyone have regarding the care of the leather seats.
Is there anything I should do to them immediatley. I would appreciate learning aobut any products that anyone has found to be useful for leather seats.

Thanks.

 

[T?@\7]

im no expert, but I would try and keep them nicely cleaned and conditioned to prevent the leather from drying out and fading/cracking.........

 

[tkr128]

Check out this site:
http://www.ocdpharmacy.com/leathercare.html

It's a very good guide to caring for leather. I'd recommend cleaning and conditioning often right from the start. I've seen WAY too many 4th gens with worn leather after a very short time.

 

[raider]

Thanks so much tkr128 for the advice.

TKR128, do you have a favorite brand among the leather care products listed on www.ocdpharmacy.com web site?

I want to have some window tinting done to help protect the interior and want to get one of those folding type shading devices that you can put above the dashboard behind the windshield.

I also believe that I need to buy some rubber mats for the floorboard.

 

[Bluto]

Re: Thanks so much tkr128 for the advice.

TKR128, do you have a favorite brand among the leather care products listed on www.ocdpharmacy.com web site?

I want to have some window tinting done to help protect the interior and want to get one of those folding type shading devices that you can put above the dashboard behind the windshield.

Congrats on the new 4Runner!

My previous vehicle had leather. My windows were tinted and I used a window shade.

I alternated between Lexol Cleaner/Conditioner and 303 Protectant.

It may sound silly, but wearing blue jeans can be harsh on leather seats. Some jeans can be rather abrasive, and have metal buttons and rivets. Try not to drag your rear entering/exiting the truck.

 

[tkr128]

Re: Thanks so much tkr128 for the advice.

TKR128, do you have a favorite brand among the leather care products listed on www.ocdpharmacy.com web site?

I want to have some window tinting done to help protect the interior and want to get one of those folding type shading devices that you can put above the dashboard behind the windshield.

I also believe that I need to buy some rubber mats for the floorboard.

You're welcome! I haven't used any of the ones listed on the site, but I've heard very good things about the Four Star and Lexol products. I currently use Zaino Z9 and Zaino Z10 on all our cars with leather.

 

[iFORCE]

Just keep it clean... don't put sharp objects in your pants... or on the seats... and use Meguiars Rich Leather cleaner/conditioner every once in awhile to get that nice shiny/clean look.

 

[Pansa]

I have been using Lexol cleaner and conditioner, which the dealer recommended and heard good reviews about. These products are supposed to have the correct PH balance to use for leather.

It has been working great. I am happy that it doesnt leave the leather with that shiny, armor all look.

I have used this product 3 times this past year, which seems like a good schedule to keep the leather well maintained.

 

[pat161]

Zymol leather cleaner every time you clean the interior, then the Zymol conditioner a few times a year. Just make sure the leather is warm when you condition, it helps more get into the material to really keep it from drying out. I added a leather interior into my 2000 froma salvage yard down south, it was in worse shape than I thought but once I left the seats in the sun for a while then cleaned and conditioned them with Zymol they came right back. They feel much softer and nicer than when I removed them from the crate.

 

[Northof49]

I've had great luck over the years with Lexol cleaners and protectants, you really can't go wrong with their leather products.....

 

[EDGE]

The leather in my 03 has been cleaned with water and a terry cloth towel, then I use a Conditioner on them, the seats look just like new but get dirty pretty fast but clean up easy with water

Since I always judged leather seats by other peoples cars who always neglected them I always though leather was just a headache and was gonna crack and rip cause thats how it is but after owning several vehicles with leather, leather is better then cloth if you take the time to clean the seats and condition once in awhile, not weekly but my leather seats feel softer now then when new, they still look new though

I've also found that since the front seats see the most use, the back seats I can clean and condition half as much: