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Honda Accord Leather Care

34 messages,  Last post on Jul 25, 2009 at 9:01 AM

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What is this discussion about? Honda Accord, Interior, Sedan

Messages Page 1 of 4

#2 of 34 EX-L leather conditioner and wet looking seats by cb2k

Aug 27, 2007 (11:17 am)

Ok, I applied Meguiar's Gold Class Rich Leather Cleaner and Conditioner Wipes to the rear leather seats of our 2007 EX-L. It seems to condition well, but...it leaves the seats looking wet (glossy) even after it has dried (it's been a couple of hours).
 
The problem is that I don't want the gloss on the seats.
 
So, I guess I have two questions:
 
- How long can I expect this wet look to last and can I do anything to get the matte finish back quicker (wipe it with a moist rag, apply a different product). I much prefer the matte look that our front seats have from the factory (haven't applied it there yet, so they look mismatched at this time). I hope I am not stuck with the glossy finish.
 
- Does anyone have a recommendation on a leather cleaner/condition product that is easy is apply but does not leave the seats looking glossy after drying?
 
Thank you to anyone who can help me get the nice matte finish back on our rear seats.

#3 of 34 Re: EX-L leather conditioner and wet looking seats [cb2k] by tallman1

Aug 27, 2007 (11:46 am)

Replying to: cb2k (Aug 27, 2007 11:17 am)
- Does anyone have a recommendation on a leather cleaner/condition product that is easy is apply but does not leave the seats looking glossy after drying?
 
The two that I've been happy with are Leather Master and Griot's Garage. You will want to clean the seats first. The Leather Master kit comes with a cleaner and I highly recommend the Interior Cleaner from Griot's. It works on much more than leather.
 
You may also want to check this thread here on Edmunds: Cleaning Leather/Cloth Interiors

#4 of 34 Re: EX-L leather conditioner and wet looking seats [cb2k] by elroy5

Aug 27, 2007 (3:02 pm)

Replying to: cb2k (Aug 27, 2007 11:17 am)
Honda actually recommends using saddle soap on the leather. It will not make the leather shine, it will actually clean the leather, (which I found no other product could do), and it's even cheap ($5.00/can). You can't beat that with a bat. Too bad I wasted $$$ on a lot of other products, before I found some saddle soap at the local feed store.

#5 of 34 Re: EX-L leather conditioner and wet looking seats [elroy5] by tallman1

Aug 27, 2007 (3:48 pm)

Replying to: elroy5 (Aug 27, 2007 3:02 pm)
Yes, saddle soap is great for cleaning. Everyone gets to decide if they want to put some sort of protectant on.

#6 of 34 Re: EX-L leather conditioner and wet looking seats [cb2k] by cb2k

Aug 27, 2007 (4:40 pm)

Replying to: cb2k (Aug 27, 2007 11:17 am)
Tallman1, Elroy5 --
 
Thank you both. I guess I might be hunting for some saddle soap this coming weekend.
 
Now, does anyone know a good way to take the gloss off or how long it would take to come off on its own (clean with saddle soap?)?
 
I need to figure out which of the following actions to take next:
 
 - apply the Meguiar's conditioner to the front seats as well to get them to match the looks of the rear seats, even though I do not want a glossy look. Then, use a different conditioner on both seats the next time once the gloss is off.
OR
- wait for the gloss from the rear seats to come off (how long would this take?) or try to take off myself, and then apply a non-glossy conditioner to both seats to make the looks match.
 
(Right now the rear seats have a glossy deep black look they got after the conditioner treatment, and the front seats have a matte dark gray look as they came from the factory)
 
Also, what is the best way to apply saddle soap to leather - is this in the owner's manual or the instructions that come with the product?
 
Thanks a bunch - you guys are great.

#7 of 34 Re: EX-L leather conditioner and wet looking seats [cb2k] by elroy5

Aug 27, 2007 (5:43 pm)

Replying to: cb2k (Aug 27, 2007 4:40 pm)
The directions are on the saddle soap can. I basically apply it like you would apply a paste wax (a damp micro fibre towel, and rub it in). It will probably take the shine off. It leaves the leather soft (not shiny) to prevent drying and cracking. There is no need for a conditioner. Easy, and effective, the best of both worlds. I guess that's why Honda recommends it.

#8 of 34 Re: EX-L leather conditioner and wet looking seats [elroy5] by mrbill1957

Aug 27, 2007 (6:08 pm)

Replying to: elroy5 (Aug 27, 2007 5:43 pm)
Here are a couple of links on saddle soap
 
http://www.properautocare.com/leatmytofsad.html
 
http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/74308/saddle_soap_truths.html
 
Do a general Google search on SADDLE SOAP. I get the impression that it's a cleaner for natural leather and not the finished leather used in auto seats.
 
I'll stick with my $7 bottle of Lexol
 
Just my 2 cents.
 
Mrbill

#9 of 34 Re: EX-L leather conditioner and wet looking seats [mrbill1957] by elroy5

Aug 27, 2007 (7:04 pm)

Replying to: mrbill1957 (Aug 27, 2007 6:08 pm)
What is Lexol, and what is it designed for? Since Saddle Soap works great, and Honda recommends it, I need some good reasons to try Lexol. My seats were very dirty when I finally found the Saddle Soap, and none of the so called conditioners. did much to remove the dirt (and I tried a bunch of them). The few things that would have taken the dirt out would also take the color off (remove the dye). Saddle soap does not remove the dye, and just leaves the leather soft and clean (no shine).

#10 of 34 Re: EX-L leather conditioner and wet looking seats [mrbill1957] by cb2k

Aug 27, 2007 (7:45 pm)

Replying to: mrbill1957 (Aug 27, 2007 6:08 pm)
Mrbill, I came across a couple of other recommendations for Lexol while searching the web but I am not sure if it is specifically meant for leather (it was not described in those postings) - since you are using it, can you tell me if it is designed to clean or condition leather and if it leaves the seats with a glossy finish or not? Also, what color are your seats?
 
In the meantime, I will be looking at my owners manual to see what honda has to say about saddle soap.
 
Thanks.

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