New Stingray Interior

Good if you show some pictures, to help you see better!

>>> I would appreciate any guidance on how to best care for (i) the dash,

Dash should be kept “matte” to reduce sunlight reflection – thus recommended care is as follows:
1 Restorative Care – Depending on existing condition unknown, old and deteriorated conditioner or protector need to be stripped by Prep-7.7 > Clean-3.8 > Rinse-3.0 > Protector-D.
2 Routine Care – Dry dusting with Lint-Free Paper Rag > Protector-D.
3 Periodic Care – Dry Dusting > Clean-3.8 > Rinse-3.0 > Protector-D.

>>> door panels

Protector-D is duller than Protector-B+, D is draggy feel and B is buttery feel.
1 Restorative Care – Depending on existing condition unknown, old and deteriorated conditioner or protector need to be stripped by Prep-7.7 > Clean-3.8 > Rinse-3.0 > Protector-B+ (leather scented) / B (scentless).
2 Routine Care – Dry dusting with Lint-Free Paper Rag > Protector-B+ / B
3 Periodic Care – Dry Dusting > Clean-3.8 > Rinse-3.0 > Protector-B+ / B

>>> and steering wheel

Draggy-feel impart a non-slip grip for steering safety.
1 Restorative Care – Depending on existing condition unknown, old and deteriorated conditioner or protector need to be stripped by Prep-7.7 > Clean-3.8 > Rinse-3.0 > Protector-D.
2 Routine Care – Dry dusting with Lint-Free Paper Rag > Protector-D.
3 Periodic Care – Dry Dusting > Clean-3.8 > Rinse-3.0 > Protector-D.

>>> and (ii) the perforated leather seats.

The cross section of the perforated holes are the weak points that the leather drying takes places besides all the stitching rows. Micro cracks develops from these points, thus keeping it hydrated and supple (soft and strong) is vital to keep it from cracking. Products for cleaning has to be residue free from clogging up the pores of the cross section.
1 Restorative Care – Depending on existing condition unknown, old and deteriorated conditioner or protector need to be stripped by Prep-7.7 > Clean-3.8 > Rinse-3.0 > Hydrator-3.3 > Fatliquor-5.0 > Protector-B+ (leather scented) / B (scentless).
2 Routine Care – Dry dusting with Lint-Free Paper Rag > Protector-B+ / B
3 Periodic Care – Dry Dusting > Clean-3.8 > Hydrator-3.3 > Fatliquor-5.0 > Rinse-3.0 > Protector-B+ / B

>>> I live in Phoenix, so I am particularly interested in UV protection for when we hit 120 degrees in the summer. I think I know not to use ArmorAll products (do you agree?), but that's the extent of my knowledge.

Almost most outdoor leathers nowadays are UV strong build-in into the pigment and black is about among the strongest in terms of UV strength, so UV protection is redundant and may interfere with light reflection as well. Products that uses crude silicone when age turn yellow and removing them with solvent based products will turn it cloudy and will be very obvious when contrasting with the black background. What you mention is only good for the rubber tire.

When heat is concern it will dries up the fatliquor from the leather structure through these weak points like the perforated holes and stitching roles. These weak points into the leather structure will need hydrating and fatliquor replenishing prior to hot season and after to maintain the moisture (fat, oil and water) level in the leather from dryness and when flexed leads to cracking.

>>> It has a black napa leather dash and doors panels,

Nappa leather is consider the higher end leathers and should not look more natural than too plastiky as other lower-end leathers.

>>> with white stitching,
The white stitching should be kept white with the above mentioned cleaning and any products used should not discolored it or distort its original appearance. Stitching is where the leather strength is determine, inspect the stiches if you see it slanted (weak) a strong tensile strength leather will retain its round needle holes. Periodic hydrating and fatliquor replenishing will keep it round from tearing.

>>> and perforated napa leather seats that have a heating/ventilation feature.

Heating and ventilation features accelerate the drying of the fatliquor in the leather and will require more regular replenishing to keep is soft and strong, check if the perforated holes retain its round holes and look for micro cracks.

>>> The steering wheel also is leather.

Keep the sweat from fermenting and need to be routinely neutralized or pH balance from denaturing the leather.
Sweat has traces of urea and when ferment from the atmospheric bacteria shifts the pH of the “amphoteric” protein fiber ionic negative (-ve) that repels the other non-amphoteric leather constituents like the tanning agent, fatliquor and dyestuff. It is always a concern of steering becoming tacky and there are two stages of tackiness, one is the finishes that turns tacky rectify by stripping them off. The other is the leather structure itself that turn tacky and this is known as denaturing of the leather or reverting to rawhide due to alkaline over-exposure from sweaty hands. Correcting this denaturing of the leather will require reversing the pH of the protein fiber to ionic positive (+ve) by protonating it with low pH products commonly used with Degreaser-2.2 and Acidifier-2.0 (suffix of products denotes its pH value).

>>> I am trying to find out how best to care for the interior of my new car, but am getting conflicting information.

Information should check against the science and logic practice in modern tannery worldwide – they (the leather chemist) all speak the same principle and logic to produce leather out of multitude of rawhide consistently could not be wrong.

When leather care is also based on the same science and logic practice worldwide, we prolong its utility and beauty much longer than conflicting information from hearsay.

Roger Koh
Leather Care Consultant
www.LeatherDoctor.com

Use this problem solving guide for other than solution to Perforated Leather Care
Attachment 2061

Product information relevant to the questions asked:

Attachment 2062
Perforated leather car seats are easily recognizable by the tiny holes placed at regular intervals, which add pattern and texture to the leather. Leather becomes breathable and sitting comfort increases as air easily flow through it. Leather-safe system products are specially formulated to free the perforations from clogging thus preserving their appearance, breathability and sitting comfort. Hydrating and fatliquor replenishing these perforated leathers including the stitching holes at periodic intervals ensures long-term suppleness that prevents leather stiffness and cracking.

Attachment 2063
Leather Doctor Kit Ap3 – Auto Pigmented (perforated) Leather Care Kit
Leather Doctor® Kit Ap3, auto pigmented (perforated) leather care kit is an innovative leather-safe (pH 3 - 5) system designed for keeping leather interior at their highest level of appearance while maintaining their structural chemistry integrity and enhancing their suppleness with needle holes tear strength. Auto leathers are often under hot sun and those exposed to thermal heating during cold season dries out their fat and oil sooner. The first place to check for leather dryness is the stitching holes, if they are perfectly round the leather is healthy, dried out leathers will show signs of elongation or splits. The diminishing of the fat and oil will results in stiffness to the leather and when flexed or stretched during used will lead to cracks or rips first to the stitching holes. Periodic use of Hydrator-3.3 to hydrate the stick together fibers in these weak points prior to fat and oil replenishing with Fatliquor-5.0 will keep the leather supple with increase tensile strength. Thus, reduce the premature ageing of the leather against stiffness, tearing and cracking. Protector-B+ impart a non-stick rub resistant protection with a buttery feel that makes sliding in and out of seat smoothly. The rub-resistant abilities reduce friction noises that translate into less friction wear especially to the side bolster. Periodic cleaning and rinsing with Cleaner-3.8 and Rinse-3.0 respectively to the steering wheel leather helps reduce greasy sticky soiling build-up. Removing of unwanted stains such as the common new blue jeans is accomplished with Prep-7.7. Note that the mentioned product suffix number denotes its pH value in this leather-safe holistic care system.
http://www.leatherdoctor.com/servlet...ers/Categories

Instruction:

Preventive Care:
A non-stick, rub-resistant protection is recommended to be in place before putting the leather to daily use. Protector-B+ imparts a soft natural buttery-feel that enhances the leather luxuriously to the sense of touch. The non-stick surface shields the leather from sticky soiling thus prolonging the high level of appearance. Rub-resistant abilities reduces friction noises that translate into less friction wear as one slide in and out of auto seats effortlessly with less stress to the seat bolsters. This leather-scented protector diffuses a classic leather scent that boost the sensuous leather more appealing to the leather lover. This protection care commence at the end of each level of routine, periodic or restorative cleaning cycle. A simply spray and wipe prolongs the need for cleaning heavy soiling.
1. Apply Protector-B+ to the seats and Protector-D to steering wheel including the gear shift knob after shaking well spread with lint free towel and is ready for use when dry.

Routine Care:
Routine care includes procedures such as general dust cleaning, attending to spots and stains as required especially the neutralizing of swear stains from shifting alkaline. Thus prevents leather from tackiness. A routine non-stick rub resistant protection after neutralizing rinse helps keep leather interior in a more attractive and healthy state while preventing premature wear.
1. Spray Rinse-3.0, horsehair Brush-1 agitates and towel extract until it shows clean.
2. Apply Protector-B+ to the seats and Protector-D to steering wheel including the gear shift knob after shaking well spread with lint free towel and is ready for use when dry.

Periodic Care:
Periodic care is recommend before soiling causes damages to the finishing. This keeps leather consistently clean and healthy at all times. Driver’s seat would require more frequent attention than the other less frequent used seats. While the leather steering wheel and the gear shift knob get the most of body oil and sweat contacts.

1st phase – Periodic Care:
1. Spray Cleaner-3.8 and agitate with horsehair Brush-1; ensuring a uniform application over the entire surfaces a section at a time.
2. Towel extract until it shows clean.
3. Remaining residues are spray rinse with Rinse-3.0 and towel extract to a squeaky-clean.
4. Let dry and inspect for satisfaction, otherwise repeat cleaning process as necessary or proceed to hydrating.

2nd phase – Hydrating:
Although pigmented leathers surfaces are usually non-absorbent until micro crazing develops, it is the stitching rows and perforated holes that are usually vulnerable. These weak areas when wet and dry again have the tendency for the fibrils to become stick together resulting in stiffness and when stressed may lead to premature cracks. Hydrating is essential to relax and separate the stick together collapsing fibrous structure. Besides, charging the protein fiber ionic positive for a more effective hydrogen bonding with the ionic negative fatliquor.
1. Spray Hydrator-3.3 control and spread with foam brush to hydrate especially the stitching rows and perforated sections.
2. Let dwell 10 to 30 minutes depending on severity of dryness with optional plastic cling wrapping to control evaporation for a longer dwell time to plumps the leather more effectively.

3rd phase – Fat and Oil Replenishing:
Fatliquor evaporates as VOC (volatile organic compound) when temperatures rises especially from exposed micro-crazing, perforation and stitching rows. Periodic fat and oil replenishing maintains the leather’s structure integrity and pliability thus strengthen these exposed leather from cracking.
1. Spray Fatliquor-5.0 in like manner as Hydrator-3.3 and let dry naturally.
2. Repeat application in between drying until saturated.
3. Leave the leather for slow natural drying for extra softness.
4. Wipe surface strays with Hydrator-3.3 to free of sticky residue.

4th phase – Preventive Care:
1. Apply Protector-B+ to the seats and Protector-D to steering wheel including the gear shift knob after shaking well spread with lint free towel and is ready for use when dry.

Restorative Care:
Restorative care is the ultimate corrective or salvage care system that removes accumulated soiling including aged conditioners to its original OEM finishes. Accumulated soiling that fills creases is often mistaken for cracks. Restorative cleaning is performed by using Prep-7.7. It works by chemical reaction to emulsify soiling through its penetrating, lubricating and suspending power. Its thick as honey viscosity facilitates coating the surface for effective dwell time. Horsehair detailing Brush-1 is recommended to worked into heavily soiled areas sufficiently to avoid excessive agitation that might damage already weaken finishes especially on heavily used areas. For extreme cases, the Prep-7.7 can stay continuous for up to 72 hours to do its work safely.

1st phase - Restorative Cleaning:
1. Apply Prep-7.7 and agitate with horsehair Brush-1, ensuring a uniform application over the entire surfaces a section at a time.
2. Allow a dwell time of 10 to 30 minutes or before it dries prior to towel extraction until it shows clean.
3. Sticky residue is removed by Cleaner-3.8 with gentle brush agitation and towel extraction until it shows clean.
4. Remaining residues are spray rinse with Rinse-3.0 and towel extract to a squeaky-clean.
5. Let dry and inspect for satisfaction, otherwise repeat Prep-7.7 application with a longer dwell time as necessary or proceed to hydrating.

2nd phase – Hydrating:
Although pigmented leathers surfaces are usually non-absorbent until micro crazing develops it is the stitching rows and perforated holes that are usually vulnerable. These weak areas when wet and dry again have the tendency for the fibrils to become stick together resulting in stiffness and when stressed may lead to premature cracks. Hydrating is essential to relax and separate the stick together collapsing fibrous structure besides charging it ionic positive for a more effective hydrogen bonding with the negative ionic fatliquor.
1. Spray Hydrator-3.3 control and spread with foam brush to hydrate especially the stitching rows and perforated sections.
2. Let dwell 10 to 30 minutes depending on severity of dryness with optional plastic cling wrapping to control evaporation for a longer dwell time to plumps the leather more effectively.

3rd phase – Fat and Oil Replenishing:
Fatliquor evaporates as VOC (volatile organic compound) when temperatures rises especially from exposed micro-crazing, perforation and stitching rows. Periodic fat and oil replenishing maintains the leather’s structure integrity and pliability thus strengthen these exposed leather from cracking.
1. Spray Fatliquor-5.0 control and spread with foam brush to hydrate especially the stitching rows and perforated sections.
2. Repeat application in between drying until saturated.
3. The leather is left for slow natural drying for extra softness.
4. Surface strays are wipe with Hydrator-3.3 to free of sticky residue.

4th phase – Preventive Care:
1. Apply Protector-B+ to the seats and Protector-D to steering wheel including the gear shift knob after shaking well spread with lint free towel and is ready for use when dry.