Best Way to Clean and Condition Leather Seats?

[Gary G.]

I am looking for the best way to clean and condition the leather seats for my 81 corvette. I have some grease marks and spots were the seat belt has rubbed against the seat. Does anyone have any recommendations for what I need to use or any tricks of the trade. Any feedback is greatly appreciated.

Thank you,
Dawn Goodyear
81 Bowling Green Vette
#66059

[Michael J.]

Re: Best Way to Clean and Condition Leather Seats?

I have used saddle soap to clean and recondition my '64 Corvette's leather seats. Works great.

[Paul Y.]

Re: Best Way to Clean and Condition Leather Seats?

Dawn, saddle soap is good, I am a Lexal products fan, have also used woolite on grease and hard to remove stains. Best to keep all leather lubed and moisturized in our semi arid climate in Colorado. Paul

[Mark E.]

Re: Best Way to Clean and Condition Leather Seats?

Here's what GM recommends in Tadge Juechter's words:

https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums/ask-tadge/4042389-answered-corvette-seat-care.html

Vintage Corvette leather is treated and coated differently... Maybe someone knows when these changes occurred and how this affects cleaning methods.

[Dick W.]

Re: Best Way to Clean and Condition Leather Seats?

Lexol cleaner and then their conditioner

[James G.]

Re: Best Way to Clean and Condition Leather Seats?

Lexol cleaner and then their conditioner

I used the same LEXOL products on ''real saddles'' back in my Cowboy riding days.

[Dick W.]

Re: Best Way to Clean and Condition Leather Seats?

I used the same LEXOL products on ''real saddles'' back in my Cowboy riding days.

Ever tack and saddle shop I have ever been in has Lexol on the shelf..

[Mark E.]

Re: Best Way to Clean and Condition Leather Seats?

We're missing the point.

Leather in automobile interiors is not like your favorite baseball glove or horse saddle. Automotive leather is painted then sealed with a non-permeable coating to protect it. So the leather underneath is not affected when cleaned or conditioned (unless the coating is compromised). That's why GM recommends a mild soap and water- to clean the COATING. And that's why special cleaners and conditioners are a waste of money on this type of leather. Often all they do is leave the surface with a greasy look and feel.

Here's an interesting post on a detailing blog: http://www.detailingspot.com/?page_id=308

[Curt S.]

Re: Best Way to Clean and Condition Leather Seats?

In my opinion, during the time that your car was produced and probably now also , Gm purchased their leather from the same tanneries that supplied the home furnishings industry. There are many topical treatments( mostly paint products) and also many other types that involve oils and dyes of many types. Topical or paint treatments are the most prevalent in the automotive industry because they are durable and less expensive. All topical treatments are then followed be polyurethane treatments of various types all of which are sprayed on the Hyde after the topical process. In my opinion, cleaning should be with a mild detergent, Ivory liquid is my choice. In my opinion with 38 years in the furniture business, softness of your leather will depend upon how much work was done to a specific Hyde to repair imperfections ,brands , insect bites, etc. Keeping your seats clean and vacuumed will help the most. Hope this helps Curt