Leather cleaning/conditioning in 2005 E55
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2005 E55 AMG
Leather cleaning/conditioning in 2005 E55
Searched and searched but still have to ask... The owner's manual for the W211 series says not to use any cleaning products on the E55 leather because it's nubuck. By all definitions I've seen, nubuck is a soft suede-like leather with a nap. The only thing with a nap in my car is the headliner (or my 2-year old in her car seat). The leather seats, door panel, etc. all appear to be traditional smooth leather. The seat inserts appear perforated(?) but my car doesn't have the ventilated seats option. I used Lexol on them prior to reading the manual, now I'm hesitant to use it again. The seats are clean, I really just want them to be smooth and soft and restore the natural "oils", with no shine to them. Product recommendations? Leather Master has a huge assortment of products. But which ones? http://www.leatherworldtech.com/Depa...-Products.aspx
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you pretty much have to bake it in the sun.
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Several MB's Superperformance MK III Cobra
I have been using leatherique for over 15 years. Nothing else that I have used works as well as this product. Someone said it is tedious to use but the correct word is time consuming. You first apply the rejuvinator oil let it do its thing, then wipe off the residue with the cleaner and finally clean with water. I have used it on coated and uncoated leather and it works tremendously. I have also used it on leather furniture and the results are mind boggling. Try it --- you'll like it
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2007 E63 AMG
Lexol cleaner if dirty. I use the conditioner for upkeep. Great products! I've used it on my previous two BMW's with napa leather and now on the E63.
Last edited by Boywonda; 04-10-2011 at 06:20 PM.
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I use Leatherique. It is awesome. Check this out. http://www.detailedimage.com/Ask-a-P...r-care-how-to/
Benz-o-rama, I am surprised that you don't use it also, since DJ uses it pretty exclusively.
Nathan
Benz-o-rama, I am surprised that you don't use it also, since DJ uses it pretty exclusively.
Nathan
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2006 E55 AMG --old cars -- E39 M5, 2.7tt Audi S4, E36 M3 **Ducati 996, 748
too many good products -- Just dont forget to wipe the excess off.... and Try to do your car's interior as often as you do the exterior. Dont let that leather get all dry and nasty
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2005 E55 AMG
I'm going a different route. I think the leather is nubuck after all (nubuck side out, suede side in). MB seems to recommend nubuck cleaners/conditioners, so I'm going to try this. Will post my results.
http://www.leathermagic.com/Pages/NuBuckcarekit.htm
http://www.leathermagic.com/Pages/NuBuckcarekit.htm
#17
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Lexol brown almost weekly. I use it on my furniture and other leather items as well.
I've got a friend who works with leather (makes high end belts) and it's the only product he'll use. I figure if it's good enough for his $700 belts...well...it should be pretty good. ;-)
I've got a friend who works with leather (makes high end belts) and it's the only product he'll use. I figure if it's good enough for his $700 belts...well...it should be pretty good. ;-)
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Eurocharged 2004 E500, Eurocharged ECU/TCU 2005 SL600, 2010 Caddy SwaggerWagon
I use Leatherique. It is awesome. Check this out. http://www.detailedimage.com/Ask-a-P...r-care-how-to/
Benz-o-rama, I am surprised that you don't use it also, since DJ uses it pretty exclusively.
Nathan
Benz-o-rama, I am surprised that you don't use it also, since DJ uses it pretty exclusively.
Nathan
Yeah, it's on my list to get. I purchased a big *** container of the Optimum stuff, when it was on sale. Now that it's warming up, I'll start back doing weekly leather conditioning on all the cars. When I run out, I'll try the Leatherique stuff.
I just talked to DJ. I think I'm gonna have him do the SL600, right before Timmayfest.
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2005 E55 AMG
Update on the application of Leather Magic: Wow! My seats were already in great condition, but they now look, feel and smell new again. Highly recommended to use the Leather Magic Nubuck cleaner and conditioner on the E55 leather. Goes on real easy and a smooth streakless finish.
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Porsche 991S, Cayenne S, 1972 BMW 3.0CS E9 Coupe
fwiw, a while back I spoke with someone who's a colleague of the owner of a traditional tanning company in Britain and seems to know all about leather. Napa leather is used as a semi-aniline automotive leather and it's apparently best to use a water based product without any oils and solvents, etc.. They said they use Leather Master only. You can get it in the US here: http://www.leatherworldtech.com/Depa...-Products.aspx
"Leather Master is the leather care ‘bench-mark product, its pH balanced; water-based formula gently cleans without drying leather upholstery. Leather Master Products are used as a ‘benchmark’ by other leather care product vendors. All water-based cleaners will remove any body oil or salts, dirt and grime and wash them from the leather surface. Leather Master leads the industry with over 350 different leather products. All Leather Master Products are manufactured in Montecchio Maggiore, Italy. The world's largest tannery, located nearby, keeps them up to date on the latest changes within the industry."
I always wondered why they call it Napa leather (or sometimes incorrectly called Nappa.) I found out that the tanning process was originally invented by a guy named Emanuel Manasse who worked for the Sawyer Tanning Company in 1875 in Napa, CA http://nvmarketplace.wordpress.com/2...le-april-2006/
EDIT: I see the OP already found Leather Master..... the E63 is a semi-aniline Napa leather (so use the aniline versions of Leather Master), not sure about the E55 leather (?) I assumed it was also Napa. The S Class has Napa, too.
"Leather Master is the leather care ‘bench-mark product, its pH balanced; water-based formula gently cleans without drying leather upholstery. Leather Master Products are used as a ‘benchmark’ by other leather care product vendors. All water-based cleaners will remove any body oil or salts, dirt and grime and wash them from the leather surface. Leather Master leads the industry with over 350 different leather products. All Leather Master Products are manufactured in Montecchio Maggiore, Italy. The world's largest tannery, located nearby, keeps them up to date on the latest changes within the industry."
I always wondered why they call it Napa leather (or sometimes incorrectly called Nappa.) I found out that the tanning process was originally invented by a guy named Emanuel Manasse who worked for the Sawyer Tanning Company in 1875 in Napa, CA http://nvmarketplace.wordpress.com/2...le-april-2006/
EDIT: I see the OP already found Leather Master..... the E63 is a semi-aniline Napa leather (so use the aniline versions of Leather Master), not sure about the E55 leather (?) I assumed it was also Napa. The S Class has Napa, too.
Last edited by 220S; 04-14-2011 at 05:27 PM.
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2005 E55 AMG
taurran: Are you sure the door panel inserts are leather? I assumed they are vinyl replicas. Look closely and you'll see that the stitching is decorative and fake.
220S: yes, I found another post from somebody at AMG who thought that the owner's manual reference to Nubuck was a mis-translation from the original German (!). She indicated that the leather is most likely Napa. But it does seem to absorb moisture, so be careful with cleaners/conditioners, and use only those specifically designed for "naked" leathers. The Leather Magic Nubuck did the trick for me and it's safe.
220S: yes, I found another post from somebody at AMG who thought that the owner's manual reference to Nubuck was a mis-translation from the original German (!). She indicated that the leather is most likely Napa. But it does seem to absorb moisture, so be careful with cleaners/conditioners, and use only those specifically designed for "naked" leathers. The Leather Magic Nubuck did the trick for me and it's safe.
Last edited by BootieNH; 04-14-2011 at 10:23 PM.
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220S: yes, I found another post from somebody at AMG who thought that the owner's manual reference to Nubuck was a mis-translation from the original German (!). She indicated that the leather is most likely Napa. But it does seem to absorb moisture, so be careful with cleaners/conditioners, and use only those specifically designed for "naked" leathers. The Leather Magic Nubuck did the trick for me and it's safe.
I know for certain the E63 has Napa tanned aniline (semi-aniline) leather...
I've been through all this before with leather experts..... Leather Master is the industry choice for aniline and semi-aniline Napa leathers.
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2008 E63AMGP30
I've used Meguiars. It's ok. My first choice is Zanio "Leather in a Bottle". It gives the car a really good new car smell as well as cleaning. The Zanio smells kind of medicinal, but makes the cabin smell good. Meguairs smells kind of like apples or something. Can't put my finger on it. Both are good choices.
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E55, Supercharged Z4 (sold)
Leatherique is amazing stuff. I love putting it on my leather. More work then most leather cleaner/conditioners and it takes 24-48 hours making it impractical for detailers but the results are amazing. I've used it on my shifter which was stiff like construction paper and after 2-3 treatments it's like new. Amazing. I've used zaino, lexol and some meguiars stuff. No comparision whatsoever.
Best part is how it brings back the softness and suppleness of old leather. It pushes out the old dirt which is nice for cleaning but the softness it leaves behind is ridiculous. Just had great experiences with leatherique. Any car I get with leather gets a few leatherique treatments as soon as the weather warms up.
Never tried leather master so I can't comment on that but from what I read it's good as well.
Best part is how it brings back the softness and suppleness of old leather. It pushes out the old dirt which is nice for cleaning but the softness it leaves behind is ridiculous. Just had great experiences with leatherique. Any car I get with leather gets a few leatherique treatments as soon as the weather warms up.
Never tried leather master so I can't comment on that but from what I read it's good as well.