How to get your leather looking new! Write-up!

[Jason B]

How to get your leather looking new! Write-up with pics!

Not a home cleaning tip, but I thought I would share... I have a 97 limited with tan leather seats that I take very good care of. I am meticulous about it and clean it weekly. Over the years the tan leather seats have developed lines and have have embedded dirt that I have never been able to get out.

I've tried many leather cleaners, (Lexol, Meguiar's, etc) and none have touched the embedded dirt. So, the other day I youtubed some leather cleaning. Of course there were many that just said to clean with a leather product and then condition. Well, nope! I have been doing this for 10+ years with no results. I pulled up a You Tube video that was like a miracle. The guy on the video had a leather ford seat, half was uncleaned, the other half cleaned with Scrubbing Bubbles and a soft brush. The difference was amazing. He did state that this is not to be done often, just for a good clean every so often. I have Scrubbing bubbles. I went out to my car with the bubbles and a toothbrush. First target, my drivers seat. The dirt just poured out of the pores and cracks. I was shocked at how much dirt came out. My seats now look amazing! Sure, the wear lines on the sides are still there, but you cant see them. Of course you want to follow up with a conditioner, which I did.

I just had to pass this tip along. Hope it helps someone who is as fussy about their 4Runner as I am.

Below you will see the incredible before and after photos:

 

[BrianSD_42]

Thanks for the tip.

I'd advise that after using the hash cleaner you do a wipe down with water then leather conditioner.

 

[Jason B]

That's exactly what I did after. It's like a new truck.

 

[airmax233]

Nice

 

[Troybylt]

The long term effects of bathroom cleaner make me nervous. Most leather cleaners you find at autozone etc. are too mild and are truly conditioners even if labeled as cleaners.

I have gotten much the same results as posted using Mothers Leather Wash, it even lifted some heavy grease and gunk stains from when I did my clutch. (Rear was filthy with it I sat in the drain off from blasting my bell houseing with brake clean and wiped of hands back there from grease gobs, then sat in the drivers seat.) It is a PH balanced leather CLEANER. The brush I use is a kiwi horse hair shoe brush. I figure the brush is ment for leather boots so it will be safe for leather seats and more gentle than a plastic bristle brush. Most auto detailers recommend boar brushes though.

The instructions state to wipe dry with a microfiber and fallow up with a conditioner.

Mothers 06410 Leather Wash Foaming Cleaner - 8 oz.:Amazon:Automotive

 

[470SNC]

damn good looking leather for a 3rd gen! thanks for the write up!

 

[bufferdan]

Magic Mender flexible leather dye will totally make your stuff look like new. You can even take care of those age cracks too!

 

[amalik]

Thanks for the tip.

I'd advise that after using the hash cleaner you do a wipe down with water then leather conditioner.

wipe down with water? Can you elaborate?

 

[Jason B]

wipe down with water? Can you elaborate?

After using the scrubbing bubbles, I wiped down the seats with water just to be sure they were clean and there wouldn't be a chance of any residue. Then, follow-up with a leather conditioner.

 

[T4R2014]

Good tip. FWIW, the owner's manual actually recommends using Woolite to clean the leather. I actually searched it up and many detailers actually say its is quite effective. I will be looking into a horse hair brush as well.

 

[mendozer]

I just cleaned mine with Lexol cleaner and conditioner. I don't feel it did a damned thing at all! I might have to try this scrubbing bubbles stuff.

 

[jgue467]

Lexol is Very good on New leather yet is is very gentle. :cowboy:

 

[MSRP.]

Good tip. FWIW, the owner's manual actually recommends using Woolite to clean the leather. I actually searched it up and many detailers actually say its is quite effective. I will be looking into a horse hair brush as well.

+1 to woolite, something your wife likely already has in the laundry.
Dilute it 1:6 (woolite to water), and with a MF towel and soft brush, you would have had similar results.

Woolite is like magic, as it is very effective on just about every vinyl/leather surface. Some like the residue it leaves, some don't. I'll typically leave it as is if I'm lazy, but another wipe with water + your personal choice for conditioning is the standard process.

 

[mendozer]

Well I don't have woolite (we use Costco's perfume free detergent). I have scrubbing bubbles. I feel like it needs a DEEP clean. I need to get a brush as well. If I follow up the SB with a conditioner, should be ok right?

I have Lexol now, my boss has and recommends leather honey.

 

[Jason B]

This deserves a good bump!

 

[MSRP.]

Well I don't have woolite (we use Costco's perfume free detergent). I have scrubbing bubbles. I feel like it needs a DEEP clean. I need to get a brush as well. If I follow up the SB with a conditioner, should be ok right?

I have Lexol now, my boss has and recommends leather honey.

Scrubbing bubbles MIGHT work.. but YMMV, and definitely test on an inconspicuous spot if you do end up trying that.

My $0.02: I would NOT try that when you can just pickup a bottle of the "marketed as right stuff" for $10-20. Or a bottle of woolite that will last your lifetime.. and can be used to clean the now dirty MF towels after you clean your leather!

 

[Toyojay]

Nice, I just picked up a used leather steering wheel for my daily. Thanks for the tip!

 

[APhelps]

Wouldn't it just be better to buy new seat covers now? If your front seats are in good shape, that thing must be really well cared for!

 

[metallitera]

I am going to venture to say that the brush had more to do with the seats getting cleaned than the scrubby bubbles. I have had similar results with simple green and a brush. It was on vinyl seats, but their physical texture was quite similar to this leather.

 

[Jason B]

I am going to venture to say that the brush had more to do with the seats getting cleaned than the scrubby bubbles. I have had similar results with simple green and a brush. It was on vinyl seats, but their physical texture was quite similar to this leather.

I tried that beforehand and it didn't cut it. A detailer friends of mine who's detailed for 40 years told me this trick. It's amazing.

Wouldn't it just be better to buy new seat covers now? If your front seats are in good shape, that thing must be really well cared for!

It's mint, but the seats do get dirty over time.