What do you use for leather protectant?

[madbomber08]

I bought a 5 spd third gen. a little over a year ago. It had the leather wrapped steering wheel and shift knob. They were both in good condition when I drove it home the first day, almost like they were new, but within a year of use, the shift knob is definitely starting to show wear.

Is there a product you all recommend for putting on the leather to keep it looking fresh and wearing through?

 

[T4R_Finally]

You would have to clean and condition it meticulously and often. I have 2 vehicles with leather wrapped steering wheels and they both look like chit and did after a short period of time. I have had to put covers over both of them. The oils and sweat from your hands just eat that leather up. But, for what its worth, i use meguiars leather wipes to go over mu seats and such.

 

[T4R2014]

Zymol and Meguiar's is what I use. The leather was noticeably softer after I used the Meguiar's FWIW. If you have the owner's manual then take a look in that too, I think I remember it saying that you can use a detergent meant for wool to clean your leather. I would use a conditioner after that though. Also, stay away from Armor All.

 

[BrianSD_42]

new new rule: people who luv nickelback are not allowed to ask Qs. JK

I actually use the meguires product.

 

[Clownmeat]

I want the UV with the triple foam protectorant, and the carnauba wax. You know why I had car wash people put cocoa butter smell in there? Because I want prostitutes to feel welcome.

Seriously though, I took a razor blade and cut the leather off the shift knob.

 

[Brilliant]

Home Page | Leatherique Restoration Products

 

[jirehn]

I also use Meguiars, try to use this on your leather steering wheel.

 

[Nunyabiz]

Well number one leather be it on steering wheels and especially seats is not that great to me, in fact I wont ever buy another car with leather seats unless I win the lottery and buy a Rolls or Porsche Turbo.

BUT the best thing you can do is keep as much UV off them as possible.

So get a really good windshield sun shade for when you are not in the truck, do your front door side windows with a 20% tint and then protect it with something like Mequires UV protectant.
But the sun shade and the tint will do more than anything else.

 

[PitbullRescuer]

Leatherique is great but pricey. Like 4R said, the steering and shift knob take a beating from your hands. Dumb as it may sound, one of the best things you can do is wash your hands before you drive it when possible.

When cleaning your leather, take a bucket of super hot water with a little diluted soap (Woolite works too) and wipe them down. Don't scrub, just wipe. Get the leather real soft and then condition the sh*t out of it.

 

[madbomber08]

Thanks for the replies guys. The steering wheel is still in pretty good shape yet, believe it or not, it's the shift knob that is suffering. My dad had some leather lotion back from his harley riding hippie days so I put that on there. It softened my knob up at first but now it feels just as rough as before.

It may even be too far gone now to even condition. Is there any aftermarket shift knobs that you people recommend that won't break the bank?

 

[T4R_Finally]

It softened my knob up at first but now it feels just as rough as before.

It's late and I'm tired, but had to read this twice as it sounded sort of dirty the first time. LOL