Hey guys, I need a little help. Recently bought a 2010 G37S with the original black leather interior. The headrest has a shiny spot apparently from the previous owner's hair product. I didn't think much of it because detailing is a hobby of mine, but it's proving stubborn. I tried a couple things including Lexol cleaner and even took it to the dealer, but no luck. Any suggestions? If it helps to determine what kind of stain it might be, it seems the previous owner that left the stain may have been of Hindu background. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

try a leather cleaner and a brush

 

Try Zaino

 

Try a little Saddle soap.

 

Sorry, but do NOT use saddle soap. That is not what it was designed for, and it can damage automotive leather. Use something specifically for cars.

 

I was looking through the owners booklet and it says to use a cloth wet with a mild detergent to clean the leather and a dry soft cloth to remove any dampness, I didn't see anything that mentioned the use of a leather cream or conditioner. There are so many leather treatments offered for sale for our cars it makes you wonder whats really good for the leather in the cars and whats just marketing bs. I've bought more then my share of these products.

 

Saddle soap contains a mild soap and softening ingredients like lanolin. It also contains beeswax to protect leather. It's been used for cleaning, conditioning and softening all types of leather for many years. Used sparingly on the area that's soiled, everything will be fine.

 

steam is your friend.. thank me later

 

A quality leather product to invest in is Leatherique. You can even use it on leather dress shoes.

 

I have been using Lexol leather cleaner for all my cars and I highly recommend it.

 

Do any of the above cleaners contain alcohol? I have wheat interior and well just about everything shows. Looking for a quality product which will add to the longevity without drying things out.

 

+1 Zaino

 

Mix some Woolite 10:1 with water (10 parts WATER, 1 part WOOLITE [sorry, I edited my blunder, definitely want more WATER than Woolite)). Scrub. If that doesnt work, bump the dilution rate down to 8:1, then 6:1. Try that first because Woolite is cheap and locally available.

If that doesnt work, I like Optimum Power Clean at 3:1 dilution (safe for leather). That got most of the shinyness out of the seats in my wifes car, after the leather was 8 yrs old.

BTW, Lexol = no no, in my book. There are lots of fillers in it and while it will look clean, those fillers will attract dirt making you have to clean the seats more frequently. It might just be the conditioner thats the problem, but I wouldnt use either. Once you get the seats clean to your satisfaction, pick up a good leather product like Leatherique, Leather Doctor (who make a "strong" soap you could try if OPC doesnt work), etc.

 

I agree with the woolite statement above. It actually works wonders on leather. I also use Zaino Z9 with a leather brush and follow up with Z10.

 

Edited my post - I realized I had the dilution reversed. You want more water than woolite, so 10 parts water to 1 part Woolite. I think its safe even the other way around, but just like polishing the paint: least aggressive combination first.