[blue-e92]

When should you really use leather conditioner/cleaner?

I wouldn't mind using it for the preservation benefits of leather cleaning products but the car is barely 1 month old and I dont want the products to dilute the "new car" smell/look.

[xsb00st]

Look-wise, shouldn't effect it. Smell... depending on what you use, most likely will alter it. I have the BMW cleaner/conditioner and it doesn't even come close to that patented BMW leather smell. mmmmm.....BMW Leather.

[nhhiep]

use Zaino z10. it smells just like real leather (even better than BMW leather smell). I use it every 6 months just for the smell. once in a while, I get this question "is this car new?" or "did you just get this car? "

[LEDZEP]

Today. Never too early to start good habits. The cleaner and conditioner will keep it clean and new. My philosophy is that it is much easier to KEEP something clean than it is to GET something clean.

[Malek@MRF]

Originally Posted by LEDZEP

Today. Never too early to start good habits. The cleaner and conditioner will keep it clean and new. My philosophy is that it is much easier to KEEP something clean than it is to GET something clean.

Right on the money with this.

Once your leather starts to see wear and so on, its hard to reverse back, even with products like Leatherique.

I have habitually conditioned the leather on all of my cars every 4 months. I feel it was worth the work.

[Raz335]

I've heard so many different opinions regarding leather conditioning, I don't know which one to believe any more. Some say that it's important to condition leather, some say that because modern automotive leather is coated, conditioners don't penetrate and it's a waste of time. The only consistent thing I hear is to clean the leather with water based products. Woolite and water works well.

[Malek@MRF]

Originally Posted by Raz335

I've heard so many different opinions regarding leather conditioning, I don't know which one to believe any more. Some say that it's important to condition leather, some say that because modern automotive leather is coated, conditioners don't penetrate and it's a waste of time. The only consistent thing I hear is to clean the leather with water based products. Woolite and water works well.

ALWAYS condition the leather if it is real leather. Leatherette need not worry so much.

BMW leather for ages has known to become brittle fast, so get into the habit of conditioning.

For general wipe downs every time you wash the car, a slightly damp MF towel works well. Make sure the tower is not too wet because if it is, you leave undried water on the leather. As the water air dries over the leather, this can dry out the leather a bit too. Think of it this way.. its cold out, and you keep licking your lips and you leave the moisture you left off with your tongue to dry on its own. Result = chapped lips.