Does the leather in anyone elses car peel when rubbed?

[flinchy]

just curious

i noticed it happened easily with the steering wheel and gear knob, ut figured it was because they were well worn from so much use

then i found some gunk somehow near the front of the D/S arm rest (where nothing ever touches) and VERY GENTLY rubbed it... and it absolutely shredded the arm rest. on the small patch up rubbed

anyone else have this issue?

i have been considering a re-trim for a while for looks

now i also want it so the leather isn't so shit and weak.

[froop]

Originally Posted by flinchy

just curious

i noticed it happened easily with the steering wheel and gear knob, ut figured it was because they were well worn from so much use

then i found some gunk somehow near the front of the D/S arm rest (where nothing ever touches) and VERY GENTLY rubbed it... and it absolutely shredded the arm rest. on the small patch up rubbed

anyone else have this issue?

i have been considering a re-trim for a while for looks

now i also want it so the leather isn't so shit and weak.

I haven't had this issue but then again most of our cars probably aren't the same age as yours. Could it be the leather degrading from UV? Do you park it outside much in the QLD sun? Do you use UV resistant leather protectorant etc?

[perth_vert]

My previous Holden Astra convertible always was left with the hood down and when sold it 12 years later, the leather was just like when it left the factory - no leather treatment, just cleaned once in a while with warm slightly soapy water.

[flinchy]

Originally Posted by froop

I haven't had this issue but then again most of our cars probably aren't the same age as yours. Could it be the leather degrading from UV? Do you park it outside much in the QLD sun? Do you use UV resistant leather protectorant etc?

parked in the garage or under shade MOST of the time

use autoglym leather conditioner and balm, which keeps the seats pretty mint (except for the obvious outer DS bolster lol)

Originally Posted by Ian///M

May have been treated with an incorrect product which has degraded the leather

as above

otherwise only a slightly warm damp cloth to get rid of the dust on it

the top of my gear knob is almost completely smooth from the leather seemingly melting. doesn't even feel like leather, feels like some shitty rubber stuff.

[Smiley1175]

Originally Posted by flinchy

...

the top of my gear knob is almost completely smooth ... doesn't even feel like leather, feels like some shitty rubber stuff.

Are we just going to let this get away!

[Knightelf]

Originally Posted by Smiley1175

Are we just going to let this get away!

I parked my E87 out in the sun for 4 years and the leather was fine. Only gave it a wipe with a damp cloth once in a while.

[froop]

Originally Posted by Smiley1175

Are we just going to let this get away!

Hmmm, do you have sweaty palms? I have sweaty palms and I believe that it's actually quite acidic and causes a lot of premature wear on the leather. On my 2009 vert the steering wheel and and shift knob leather is almost completely smooth. I now resort to wearing driving gloves like a douche when it gets especially bad lol.

[flinchy]

Originally Posted by froop

Hmmm, do you have sweaty palms? I have sweaty palms and I believe that it's actually quite acidic and causes a lot of premature wear on the leather. On my 2009 vert the steering wheel and and shift knob leather is almost completely smooth. I now resort to wearing driving gloves like a douche when it gets especially bad lol.

that would make sense

the next shifter i want to get is a round metal one (probably a bimmian one) so it doesn't wear again ahah

not sure i'm keen to wear driving gloves for the above reason ;P

next steering wheel i get i'd like something a bit hardier at 9+3... my wheel gets sticky between cleans, like the leather is slightly melting. is horrible.

the steering wheel isn't too bad though, just the shifter, it almost completely lacks the perforations

Originally Posted by Knightelf

I parked my E87 out in the sun for 4 years and the leather was fine. Only gave it a wipe with a damp cloth once in a while.

grr, i wish mine was haha

[flinchy]

Originally Posted by Smiley1175

Are we just going to let this get away!

and this is why i'll now call it 'shifter'

[TWD]

How often do you clean & condition the leather?

If it's a daily driver, you really to do it every 4-6 months to keep it in great condition.

Leather is a skin. Imagine not having a shower and moisturising in 4-6 months, your skin would be screwed up too!

When we do some of these cars with old leather that's never been cleaned or conditioned, the wear is more noticeable AFTER the service has been carried out, because some of the leather is so badly degraded.

Find a good leather cleaner and conditioner that won't will restore necessary oils back into the leather. Then stay on top of it every 4-6 months. If it's a weekend toy or garage queen then 8-12 months is fine.

[Knightelf]

Originally Posted by TWD

How often do you clean & condition the leather?

If it's a daily driver, you really to do it every 4-6 months to keep it in great condition.

Leather is a skin. Imagine not having a shower and moisturising in 4-6 months, your skin would be screwed up too!

When we do some of these cars with old leather that's never been cleaned or conditioned, the wear is more noticeable AFTER the service has been carried out, because some of the leather is so badly degraded.

Find a good leather cleaner and conditioner that won't will restore necessary oils back into the leather. Then stay on top of it every 4-6 months. If it's a weekend toy or garage queen then 8-12 months is fine.

Any particular product you would recommend?

[flinchy]

Originally Posted by TWD

How often do you clean & condition the leather?

If it's a daily driver, you really to do it every 4-6 months to keep it in great condition.

Leather is a skin. Imagine not having a shower and moisturising in 4-6 months, your skin would be screwed up too!

When we do some of these cars with old leather that's never been cleaned or conditioned, the wear is more noticeable AFTER the service has been carried out, because some of the leather is so badly degraded.

Find a good leather cleaner and conditioner that won't will restore necessary oils back into the leather. Then stay on top of it every 4-6 months. If it's a weekend toy or garage queen then 8-12 months is fine.

yeah that's about the frequency i do it


actually probably more often, every few times i give the car a solid clean (interior fully too) i'll do the leather.

[flinchy]

Originally Posted by Ian///M

Duragloss has a great leather conditioner

May have been the previous owners neglect?

possibly

the shifter, for one, was in fine condition when i got the car

so i'm somewhat doubting it haha

[TWD]

There are a few good ones I've used....

Duragloss
Swissvax
Einzett 1Z
Zaino

Originally Posted by flinchy

yeah that's about the frequency i do it


actually probably more often, every few times i give the car a solid clean (interior fully too) i'll do the leather.

I'd love to see the leather in your car...have you got any photos??
How many kms on the car? Also what year?

I find it strange for a newish car like yours to suffer from such degraded leather given the time and care you have put in...

What are you cleaning with?

Could also be defect piece of leather? I have seen some strange (inconsistent) things happen in some cars...

Very interesting....

[flinchy]

Originally Posted by Ian///M

If you surf, saltwater is another cause? Also UV damage is not apparent immediately, it breaks down materials which will then start to deteriorate more quickly.

nah, rarely even sees the coast, just a regular DD really.

Originally Posted by TWD

I'd love to see the leather in your car...have you got any photos??
How many kms on the car? Also what year?

I find it strange for a newish car like yours to suffer from such degraded leather given the time and care you have put in...

What are you cleaning with?

Could also be defect piece of leather? I have seen some strange (inconsistent) things happen in some cars...

Very interesting....

i'll grab some pics when i get into it this afternoon

2006, 113,000~km

been using autoglym conditioner and .. balm?

[Eddie135]

Do I need to use leather care products?

I only damp a piece of microfibre cloth and wipe the leather once a month.

Have been very careful with the leather seats.

[Blauweisser]

I use 303 Aerospace Protectant for the vinyl and leather every 4-6 weeks (more frequently in summer), and Zaimo Leather in a Bottle on the leathery bits every so often - it can build up on the seats, so I use the protectant to clean it off in between. The Zaimo gives a great new car smell.

I also use a sunshield when I park the car in bright sun.

Everything looks in fine shape so far after nearly 4 years.

[froop]

Originally Posted by Blauweisser

I use 303 Aerospace Protectant for the vinyl and leather every 4-6 weeks (more frequently in summer), and Zaimo Leather in a Bottle on the leathery bits every so often - it can build up on the seats, so I use the protectant to clean it off in between. The Zaimo gives a great new car smell.

I also use a sunshield when I park the car in bright sun.

Everything looks in fine shape so far after nearly 4 years.

Hmmm, I might have to look at getting this Zaino stuff. I use the BMW leather conditioner, and whilst it works nicely it smells shit... I had new car smell and then after using the BMW stuff the car just smells like product. It's a little hard to describe, maybe a bit like ZF ATF but not as strong.

[Harlequin]

Maybe your car is allergic to you?