How to Soften these Recaro Leather Combo Seats to avoid cracking of a 2011 Cadillac CTS-V Coupe

Absorbency Test on Major Leather Crease Line:
Put a drop of water on the crease line as seen on picture #2 and it may just pool on the surface, until such time where it develops micro cracks – our naked eyes may not detect it, it will slowly seep through. Thereafter leather hydrating and fatliquoring has to be done periodically to keep it soft and supple to prevent it from cracking.

Absorbency Test on Seams and Stitching Holes:
A drop of water on these weak points will see the water absorbing by the leather through the cross section. These non coated cross sections of the leathers are where the original fatliquor will evaporate as VOC (volatile organic compound).

Dryness by Heat that Leads to Linear Cracks:
Dryness takes place from these weak areas and when stress will crack the leather edge of the holes. The round hole becomes linear, that’s the sign of leather weakening out of dryness.

Cracks cause by Leather Wetting and Drying:
When leather is wet during cleaning or water damage and dry again it tends to stiff up. As water wicks in between the fibers structure it caused the leather fibrils to become stick together stiff and when stress or flex from usage it cracks. Again on the weak stitching holes it becomes elongated.

Leather Softening Recommendation:
The initial phase for leather care is to keep it soft and prevents them from cracking is to pay attention to the needle holes. Until such time when the leather surface develops micro cracks that similar attention is required to the entire surface.

A Restorative Cleaning Recommendation:
Since you bought it used, I suggest you remove all foreign contamination including any protector or condition that is on the surface down to the original OEM finish in these sequences of process.

Step 1]
Restorative Cleaning – Prep-7.7 > Cleaner-3.8 > Rinse-3.0
See below - Restorative Cleaning System

Step 2]
Leather Rejuvenating – Hydrator-3.3 > Fatliquor-5.0
See below - Leather Rejuvenating System

Step 3]
Non-Stick Rub Resistant Protection – Leather Scent-B
See below - Leather Scent Non-Stick Rub Resistant Protection

More details can be seen from the recommended kit instructions:

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Leather Doctor® Auto Perforated Leather Care Kit-AP3

Auto Micro Pigmented Leather Care Kit-AP3 goes beyond taking care of basic surface appearances through stain removal, cleaning and protection. It features a leather rejuvenating system that restores suppleness and prevents premature aging. Thus dryness and stiffness that lead to cracks along exposed stitching seams, perforated panels and creases often seen on neglected leathers are preventable.

 Dye and Ink Stain Removal System - a leather-safe dye and ink stain removal breakthrough in the leather care industry
 Restorative and Periodic Cleaning System - a leather-safe cleaning system that returns the leather to its neutral pH of 3 to 5/6 chemistry integrity
 Leather Rejuvenating System - a rejuvenating system using modern tannery principle of imparting leather with suppleness
 Leather Scent Non-Stick Rub Resistant Protector - a classic leather scent protector with options for a draggy feel for the steering and buttery feel for the seat.

Dye and Ink Stain Removal System
Remove stubborn stains through the penetrating, lubricating, and suspending power of Prep-7.7 to solve common problem stains found on pigmented leather seats like dye transfer from clothing including blue jeans and leather belts; not forgetting the newsprint and the tougher ballpoint ink.
Instructions
1. If the stain is a failed attempt from using other products, it’s recommended to use tap water for a wet finger test for tackiness or sliminess. If it is, acidifying it with Acidifier-2.0 found in Kit AP3.T to return the leather to a squeaky feel is highly recommended prior to Prep-7.7 application.
2. Apply Prep-7.7 to the stain and let dwell for ½ to 1 hour until stain begins to run.
3. Blot the suspended stain and check if the leather color is removed at the same time, especially where the topcoat has already worn out prior to application; protective matching satin or matte luster Topcoat-72 is recommended to further protect the colorcoat after Rinse-3.0, even though color may remain intact. Stain removal needs to be continued and completely removed; otherwise it will eventually wick up through the new finishes too.
4. Repeat application for older penetrated stains and allow for a longer 4 to 8 hours dwelling time to exhaust the stain, then repeat blotting and checking the stability of the leather finish until satisfactory.
5. Sticky residue is removed by Cleaner-3.8 with gentle brush agitation into creases and towel blot until towel shows clean.
6. This removal system completes with Rinse-3.0 spray and towel blot to a squeaky clean.

Restorative Cleaning System
This is the ultimate restorative or salvage cleaning system that removes accumulated soiling including the unwanted aged old conditioners to its original OEM finishes. Accumulated soiling that fills creases is often mistaken for cracks. This restorative cleaning is also achieved by the strength of the Prep-7.7 to effectively deflocculates those tough soiling with the help of the detailing horsehair Brush-1.
Instructions
1. It is recommended to use tap water for a wet finger test for tackiness or sliminess. If it is, acidifying it with Acidifier-2.0 found in Kit AP3.T to return the leather to a squeaky feel is highly recommended prior to Prep-7.7 application.
2. Apply Prep-7.7 and agitate with horsehair Brush-1, to a panel at a time and let dwell for ½ to 1 hour to deflocculate tough soiling.
3. Towel extract the suspended stain and check if the leather color is removed at the same time, especially where the topcoat has already worn out prior to application; protective matching satin or matte luster Topcoat-72 is recommended to further protect the colorcoat after Rinse-3.0, even though color may remain intact. Stain removal needs to be continued; otherwise it will eventually wick up on the new finishes too.
4. Sticky residue is removed by Cleaner-3.8 with gentle brush agitation and extract until towel shows clean.
5. This restorative cleaning system ends with Rinse-3.0 spray and towel extract to a squeaky clean.

Periodic Cleaning System
Periodic cleaning is recommended before soiling causes damages to the finishing. This keeps leather consistently clean and healthy at all times.
Instructions
1. Spray Cleaner-3.8 and agitate with horsehair Brush-1, to 1 panel at a time.
2. Towel extracts the suspended soiling until towel shows clean.
3. This periodic cleaning system ends with Rinse-3.0 spray and towel extract to a squeaky clean.

Leather Rejuvenating System
Rejuvenating system is the process of restoring the original fatliquor diminished through aging and cleaning to return to its characteristic suppleness. Leathers, when wet and then dry again, have the tendency for the fibrils to becomes stick together - known as the Van der Waals or London force phenomenon. This results in stiffness and when flexed, may lead to premature cracks, as often seen on neglected leathers. It is recommended to hydrate these exposed leather structure and replenish the diminished fatliquor while it is still damp. When dry thereafter, the leather fibrils will be well separated and lubricated to slide over one another smoothly during practical usage.
Instructions
1. Apply Hydrator-3.3 with the foam brush to the exposed absorbent areas, especially the stitching seams and perforated panels.
2. Semi-absorbent panel is best applied through a layer of paper towel acting as reservoir, to allow a slow seep through the micro cracks.
3. The entire seat is thereafter wrapped with clear plastic sheet, to control evaporation for an overnight dwell.
4. A visual and hand massage inspection are to ensure thorough hydrating, with structure softness without blotchiness.
5. Fatliquor-5.0 follows the same procedure as the Hydrator-3.3, with in between drying application as water evaporates.
6. When dry the surface is check for strays from milky to clear, using the hydrator to further drive the fatliquor into the leather structure.
7. The rejuvenated leather is left for slow natural drying for extra softness.

Leather Scent Non-Stick Rub Resistant Protection
This non-stick rub resistant protector keeps leather at its high level of appearance at all times. It not only protects against the detrimental effect of sticky soiling, but also features rub-resistant protection that is incorporated to reduce surface friction wear, often caused by sliding in and out of auto seats. Thus prolonging the life of the finishes. This elusive, unforgettable, classic leather scent much sought after by leather lovers, is infused into these non-stick rub resistant protectors. Leather Scent-D with its draggy feel is designed for the steering wheel and the gear shift knob for a non-slip grip. Leather Scent-B with its smooth buttery feel is designed for the seats. Both these non-stick rub resistant protectors can be mixed to produce the desired tactile feel and luster effect for discerning owners.
Instructions
1. Shake well, mists spray, brush spreads, leave to dry and ready for use.
2. For easy routine care mists spray and wipe with towel.

The contents of this kit include:

Leather Doctor® Prep-7.7 in 60ml.
This is a pH 7.7 aqueous high viscosity leather preparatory cleaner for pigmented leather types. It is developed to strip foreign soil accumulation to the original finish. It works by dwell-time of ½ / 4 / 8 / 24 hours intervals to exhaust especially stubborn dye and ink stains, allowing its’ superior penetrating, lubricating and suspending power to do the work. Successive dwell-time with towel blotting is followed through until the stain is exhausted. It has proven to work safely on: grease based ink stains like ballpoint ink; water based ink stains like stamp pad ink; dye transfer stains like blue jeans, leather, ink print and newsprint. It is highly recommended that the remaining sticky residue is thereafter removed in conjunction with Cleaner-3.8 and Rinse-3.0 as a holistic leather-safe system to a squeaky feel.

Leather Doctor® Cleaner-3.8 in 250ml.
This is a pH 3.8 all purpose leather-safe anionic cleaner that is particularly effective in emulsifying oily soils and in suspending its particulates. It works by penetrating, lubricating and suspending soiling safely and effectively through gentle chemical reaction; working in perfect harmony with all leather constituents that include the tanning agent, preservative, dyestuff and especially the fatliquor. It's safe for all leather trims including; aniline, vachetta, nubuck and suede. This product is always followed through with Rinse-3.0 as a system to a healthy squeaky feel.

Leather Doctor® Rinse-3.0 in 250ml.
This is a pH 3.0 aqueous anionic leather-safe rinse to neutralize harmful alkaline and perspiration residues; for stabilizing and strengthening leather to its neutral pH valuel of 3 to 5/6 chemistry integrity. It's safe for all leather trims including; aniline, vachetta, nubuck and suede.

Leather Doctor® Hydrator-3.3 in 250ml
This is a pH 3.3 aqueous leather-safe hydrator for hydrating dried, stiffed or shrunk leathers, often seen as creases and wrinkles; to separate the crushed, stick together fibrils and relax them prior to softening and strengthening with Fatliquor-5.0. It’s to reduce the surface tension in the inter-fibrillary leather structure for effective distribution of the fatliquor. It’s to charge the leather protein fibers below its iso-electric point positive, in order to hydrogen-bond with the ionic negative charged fatliquor. It’s safe for other leather trims that may include aniline, vachetta, nubuck, suede, hair-on-hide and woolskin.

Leather Doctor® Fatliquor-5.0 in 250ml
This is a pH 5.0 anionic charged micro emulsion fatliquor leather rejuvenator. It’s for replenishing original fatliquor that has diminished thru sun-bleaching, ageing, heat and alkaline exposure or cleaning. It penetrates and lubricates the leather fibers so that after drying, they are capable of sliding over one another smoothly. Besides softening the leather with stretchability, compressibility and flexibility; fatliquor enhances its rip tensile strength greatly thus reduces split or tear to the stitching and perforated holes. It relaxes coarse breaks, creases and wrinkles to provide drapes, suppleness and prevents cracking. It helps to keep leather at its optimum physical performance and prevent premature ageing. It’s safe for all other leather trims including; aniline, vachetta, nubuck, suede, hair-on-hide and woolskin.

Leather Doctor® Leather Scent-B in 120ml.
This is a non-film forming, non-stick rub resistant protector that enhances a soft natural buttery-feel with an unforgettable classic leather scent. It’s for imparting a non-stick breathable barrier essentially to shield the detrimental effects of sticky soiling including the nasty ballpoint ink. It is effective to release those tenacious dye-transfers stains especially on light colored leathers easily, without resorting to unnecessary color refinishing. Its natural buttery-feel protection increases the leather resistance to wet and dry rubs, thus reduces stretch, scuff and abrasion. And it reduces friction squeaks that wear the finishes when leather is rubbed against during movement or the characteristically sliding in and out of the seat.

Leather Doctor® Leather Scent-D in 120ml
This is a non-film forming, non-stick, rub resistant protector that enhances a draggy-feel with a classic leather scent especially for the steering wheel and the gear shift knob for a non-slip grip. It imparts a non-stick breathable barrier essentially to shield the detrimental effects of sticky soiling including the nasty ballpoint ink. And it does help to release those tenacious dye-transfer stains especially on light colored leathers easily without resorting to unnecessary color refinishing. Its natural draggy-feel protection increases the leather resistance to wet and dry rubs, thus reduces stretch, scuff and abrasion. It is also used as a scuff repairer, filling and concealing surface scuffs to improve appearance. The drag produces an unforgettable familiar sound sweet to the ears when leather is rubbed.

Horsehair Detailing Leather Brush-1
This horsehair detailing brush is ergonomically designed to be an extension of our hand with sturdy grooved grip, designed to produce an effective result easily and efficiently for many years to come. It’s recommended for all smooth leather, to deliver a scratch-free agitation cleaning. The length is 7 inches with a three row 1½ inches bristles cleaning head.

PolyBrush®
This is the 3” made in USA washable foam brush that last. It’s used for spreading the Prep-7.7, rinse clean and thereafter used for the leather Scent-B and Scent-D application to prevent overspray.

Washable Rags
This rag works like cloth, lint free and highly absorbent for extracting suspended soiling or for wiping the leather Scent-B and Scent-D during routine easy cleaning-protection application.

Refills are available...for more information email [email protected]