Leather Cleaning & repair

[Stangkiller]

I just bought used leather seats for my truck on Craigslist for $150, (power heated memory seats for the front & bench for the back). The two captains chairs show the most wear, the drivers side is the worst.

Before I install these seats I'd like to work on them a bit, has anybody successfully repaired cracks (with dirt in them) in leather? Is it worth the effort? Or should I just clean/condition and install the seats and replace leather panels as necessary?

[lspencer534]

Go ahead and replace the damaged panels. Any upsholtery shop can do it. If you must try to clean the seats, use only saddle soap. Products like Lexol are good for preserving leather, not so good for cleaning leather. I've seen leather seats that actually looked worse after using such leather cleaners--shinier but dirtier looking in the cracks.

One thing about cracked leather: It can still last a long time before it splits.

[GRN ENVY]

Originally Posted by lspencer534

Go ahead and replace the damaged panels. Any upsholtery shop can do it. If you mist try to clean the seats, use only saddle soap. Products like Lexol are good for preserving leather, not so good for cleaning leather. I've seen leather seats that actually looked worse after using such leather cleaners--shinier but dirtier looking in the cracks.

One thing about cracked leather: It can still last a long time before it splits.

Get a soft brush, enough to agitate it, but not scuff the surface. I would then recommend using the Zaino leather cleaner and conditioner at least 3 times a month. It is the best stuff I have found to keep the leather looking new

[Millenium Vette]

Do a forum search over at www.autopia.org in the forums for Leatherique.