Dakota leather care

[CreedBratton]

There are some products which are just insanely over priced, which could just be marketing and then you get the cheap shield leather care and cleaner for R50

I was wondering what would you recommend?

Obviously I don't mind paying a bit more for quality and since its an expensive car and expensive seats I wont want to get cheap crap that will just ruin it, its not worth it, my question is more around is there actually real value and difference and what brand and kind is the best.

 

[deanbenn]

Autoglym Leather Cleaner and Leather conditioner works for me..Just over R200 for both.

 

[Calvin_Raju]

I agree.........I personally find Autoglym products very competitively priced and awesome products....visit www.crazydetailer.co.za

 

[Justin1979]

An effective yet cheaper alternative is dove soap or Johnsons baby shampoo as a cleaner and Wynns leather creme which retails for about R100 as a conditioner.

 

[NavZ]

Lots of tips on this online.
Important point to remember is that this leather is treated so it's not the same as say a leather jacket (which could be coated as well).
Lots of diff types of leather and Dakota is quite resilient.

 

[CreedBratton]

Lots of tips on this online.
Important point to remember is that this leather is treated so it's not the same as say a leather jacket (which could be coated as well).
Lots of diff types of leather and Dakota is quite resilient.

Thanks yes, I did some searching and read some opinions, it seems the leather in the cars like dakota which is specifically coated and sealed so a lot reckon that the products like the conditioners etc dont really do much since they cant penetrate the coating. The coating apparently is quite durable so all you really need to do is keep it clean.

Im assuming that the important thing is to use gentle cleaners without any harsh chemicals that can damage the coating.

But other than that I also wanted to hear some opinions from this forum esp the local products.

 

[Veteran]

Fwiw, I use a microfiber and wynns leather care with water 50/50 or even thinner.
I soak the microfiber and use as a damp rag to wipe down the seats etc. it takes off all the dirt and dries quickly and non oily.
Never had a problem and people I have taught it to say it works

 

[Rotinaj]

It's plastic leather. Warm water will do just fine.

 

[NavZ]

Let the leather heat up by being parked in the sun for a bit.
Wash with warm water and mild/diluted cleaner.
If you want, treat with the product of your choice and call it a day.

I'd say a MF cloth is too soft for the rough finish of Dakota, a sponge would work better.
Nappa is soft/smooth and wants a gentle approach ie. MF cloth

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My E90 & E60 had Dakota.
It was much easier to clean and tougher than the E46 and Z4M's leather.

 

[MikeR]

Let the leather heat up by being parked in the sun for a bit.
Wash with warm water and mild/diluted cleaner.
If you want, treat with the product of your choice and call it a day.

I'd say a MF cloth is too soft for the rough finish of Dakota, a sponge would work better.
Nappa is soft/smooth and wants a gentle approach ie. MF cloth

---

My E90 & E60 had Dakota.
It was much easier to clean and tougher than the E46 and Z4M's leather.

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:withStu: Make it simple I have Bike leather jackets that are older than some of the guys on the forum and a simple warm soapy water wash and Dubin has always kept the leather supple and clean.

 

[Rotinaj]

Let the leather heat up by being parked in the sun for a bit.
Wash with warm water and mild/diluted cleaner.
If you want, treat with the product of your choice and call it a day.

I'd say a MF cloth is too soft for the rough finish of Dakota, a sponge would work better.
Nappa is soft/smooth and wants a gentle approach ie. MF cloth

---

My E90 & E60 had Dakota.
It was much easier to clean and tougher than the E46 and Z4M's leather.

---

:withStu: Make it simple I have Bike leather jackets that are older than some of the guys on the forum and a simple warm soapy water wash and Dubin has always kept the leather supple and clean.

---

Not the same.

Modern car leather very very few cars have true proper leather, and all modern automotive leather is so chemically treated it needs very little care to last ages.