I noticed most leather interiors began to show lines, or cracks on the side of the seats, which is probably normal wear and tear. But is there something I can use to increase the life of the leather?

 

Use a leather conditioner. Your local auto store should have several to pick from. Just make sure it will dry clear because you don't want to fill in the perferated seat bottoms with a bunch of residue.

 

Leather clean, conditioner and protectant will help increase the life of leather.

 

i use meguiars leather wipes..works pretty decent. i want to experiment with some other products tho..

 

I use Z9 and Z10. Z9 is Zainos leather cleaner and Z10 is there leather conditioner. If you really like that new leather smell you should check out the Z10. Your car will smell like brand new leather all over again. Mmm i love that smell. Heres their website just incase you were wondering...

http://www.zainostore.com/Merchant2/...ory_Code=Zaino

 

Lexol.

 

All I use is aerospace 303 protectant since our leather is coated leather and hence does not require the use of a leather conditioner, it just sits on the surface and doesn't absorb anyways

 

I use Aerospace 303 to clean and then Zaino Z10 to condition. Z10 is a great conditioner but I mostly use it because I just love the smell of it. You have to remember though that leather is a natural skin so it will definitely wrinkle/crease over time.

 

Lexol cleaner first and then Lexol conditioner.

 

Leather Conditioners:
I have discussed this issue with some people in the leather care products industry and haven't received a definitive answer. My issues are (a) how much conditioner will get through the thick polyurethane top coat on the leather (b) chrome tanned leather hide is sealed at the tannery and then pigmented; what would could a conditioner do for the hide?

Many so called leather conditioners utilize chemical solvents in order to facilitate penetration of the oils into the polyurethane covering or the pigmented leather. Most covered leather finishes are water based and so any solvent or alcohol can begin to cut through them, even if you go over it and you see no colour come off, you have probably compromised the clear protective top coat and possibly the leather’s pigmentation (colour). Solvents will soften the protective covering, which can get tacky very quickly, attracting abrasive dust/dirt and will eventually wear through as it does not have the durability found in the topcoat.

An aqueous emulsion (water / oil for surface lubrication) achieves these objectives: polyurethane penetration and leather re-hydration, absorption and retention in the hide. A water-based product accomplishes this with an emulsion of micro droplets of oil (for surface lubrication) and water that permeate the leather finish and / or the polyurethane as the emulsions molecular structure is smaller than the molecules of the finished leather or the polyurethane covering. Water unlike other organic or hydrocarbon-based solvents, is non-flammable, odourless, non-toxic and non-sensitizing to the skin and it doesn’t impart a greasy or tacky feel to the surface of the leather.

In summary, an aqueous emulsion is readily absorbed into the fibres and provides lasting and effective lubrication without migration, while re-hydration leaves leather feeling silky soft and pliable.

A leather protection product would be far more effective than a ‘conditioner’ Being water-based it helps hydration by balancing the necessary moisture level of all leather types (except Nubuck). Although it’s primary purpose is to act as a barrier between the leather surface and any soils that may settle on it.

The keys to leather care are; keeping leather (a) hydrated (b) clean, as dirt / grit and subsequent friction cause the finish to wear. A leather protection product is essential as it will protect the surface finish and makes dirt easier to clean off.