>>> I just bought a new 2014 Acura MDX, which has leather interior seats (I cannot seem to confirm what type--best guess is pigmented or semi-aniline, but I can't find this in writing anywhere).
Post some good pictures both close-up and overall view and I shall help you positively identify it.
>>> what care/protection/products, if any, should be applied now to the brand new vehicle to help protect the seats?
When one take a look at the seat when used after a while, one can see that the most friction wear areas – especially the drivers seat booster – we see abrasion wear through the topcoat, pass the colorcoat and into the leather grain and further into the leather structure that suede. Friction rub is the most common problem that needs to be prevented to prolong the usage and aesthetic of the leather. This is done with a non-stick, rub-resistant, non-film forming, and buttery-feel protector with a classic leather scent or scentless. Product use is Leather Doctor® Protector-B+.
>>> Any particular products/brands? (I've read such conflicting things...from oily conditioners to water-based fluorocarbon protectants to nothing).
Basically there are 2 categories of conditioners, “surface conditioners” or protector and “structure conditioners”.
Surface conditioners takes care of the leather finishes, protects the topcoat from friction rubs, that protects and seals the colorcoat for cleaning durability and integrity, that also impart aesthetic with choice of luster reflection from gloss, satin, matte to dull. These surface conditioners are applied during “routine care” which is recommended from weekly to monthly especially on heavy wear areas.
Protector-B+ protects the leather from surface wear, besides imparting a non-stick surface that keeps the appearance longer.
Structural conditioners takes care of the leather structure that provides the leather with softness from stretching and compressing without collapsing into un-natural creases and wrinkles. Once creases develop it may become an eyesore when soiling starts to accumulates. Creases and wrinkles with uneven surface become more evident with uneven wear. The leather tensile strength depends on the structural conditioner as well, when leather is new the stitching holes and perforated holes when scrutinized will reveal an almost perfect round holes. These are the weak part of the leather as well. As the structural conditioners dries or diminished the round holes slowly becomes elongated and will eventually split or cracks. Preventive periodic care is recommended to these weak exposed leather without any protection (the cross section is suede), from monthly to 4-monthly depending on humidity, exposure to direct sunlight and wet cleaning. When these holes are subject to wetness during cleaning it is recommended that they be hydrated prior to conditioning.
Hydrator-3.3 > Fatliquor-5.0 system protects the leather integrity of the leather keeping it soft from cracking and prevents elongation or stitch tearing and perforated holes cracking.
>>> the vehicle will be equipped with child seats, which are strapped down under high tension, compressing the seat cushions to some extent. Aside from seat covers (which my wife is not cool with for safety reasons), is there anything specific you would do to protect the seats?
Recommended that the contact areas be well protected with extra “rub-resistant” protection to prevent premature wear. Choice of protector without scent is to use Protector-B (without the “+” sign).
>>> what should be done in the future to clean/protect? when should this be done?
Use this Pigmented Auto (P.a) problem solving guide and initial care system is found in this Kit Ap3 from this link: http://www.leatherdoctor.com/servlet...Kit-Ap3/Detail
Roger Koh
Leather Care Consultant
www.LeatherDoctor.com
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.
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 reduce 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 commences 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 gearshift 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 rise 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 rise 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 gearshift knob after shaking well spread with lint free towel and is ready for use when dry.