Leather Care - BMW 3-Series Forum (F30 / F32)

carconvert · 04-28-2012, 02:17 PM

Curious to know what products (available in Canada) I can use to protect my leather interior and soft-touch surfaces. I dont like the glossy look on leather... any recommendations?

bcl0328 · 04-28-2012, 02:45 PM

i use griots. not sure if you have it there.

jzcrna · 04-28-2012, 03:24 PM

Zaino leather in a bottle. http://www.zainostore.com

smells awesome. just like leather and not glossy.

KneeDragr · 04-28-2012, 04:29 PM

Well the 3 series leather is coated in vinyl, so products that are made for leather will not reach it and will likely just grease up the surface.

I like a product called Ultima interior guard plus. Its a vinyl/rubber/plastic sealant that seals the surface like a paint sealant seals paint. You can use it on the entire interior and lasts 6 months+. It has zero sheen.

E90Fleet · 04-28-2012, 05:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KneeDragr

Well the 3 series leather is coated in vinyl, so products that are made for leather will not reach it and will likely just grease up the surface.

I like a product called Ultima interior guard plus. Its a vinyl/rubber/plastic sealant that seals the surface like a paint sealant seals paint. You can use it on the entire interior and lasts 6 months+. It has zero sheen.

Only the low end Leatherette option is Vinyl.
The other is real leather with no coating

carconvert · 04-28-2012, 05:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by E90Fleet

Only the low end Leatherette option is Vinyl.
The other is real leather with no coating

yeah my f30 has dakota leather

Quote:

Originally Posted by jzcrna

Zaino leather in a bottle. http://www.zainostore.com

kool thanks!

smells awesome. just like leather and not glossy.

Quote:

Originally Posted by bcl0328

i use griots. not sure if you have it there.

Thanks! Not finding it here but will prolly get a family memeber to ship it up to me

KneeDragr · 04-28-2012, 05:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by E90Fleet

Only the low end Leatherette option is Vinyl.
The other is real leather with no coating

Well I honestly have not seen the F30 to be able to test it, but a good friend and detailer I know who drives a E90 335i has tested his leather and its indeed coated.

The way you test is simple, drip some water on the seat and if it slowly absorbs, its uncoated leather. If the water beads on top or rolls off, its coated.

E90Fleet · 04-28-2012, 05:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KneeDragr

Well I honestly have not seen the F30 to be able to test it, but a good friend and detailer I know who drives a E90 335i has tested his leather and its indeed coated.

The way you test is simple, drip some water on the seat and if it slowly absorbs, its uncoated leather. If the water beads on top or rolls off, its coated.

Most of the BMW leather is Semi-Aniline
It has a light surface coating but still absorbs some.

Propagator · 04-28-2012, 08:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by E90Fleet

Most of the BMW leather is Semi-Aniline
It has a light surface coating but still absorbs some.

Are you certain about this? My understanding is that the lower grade leathers in BMW (Dakota), MB (the non-MBtex base leather), and most other luxury brands are all coated (painted) leather. You can get semi-aniline in some entry level Lexus models, but that is a cost option.

Based on what I've heard in detailing forums and such (although I admit it was quite some time ago), the Dakota leather can be repaired by sanding it, filling it, and repainting it. I don't see how this is possible if it is really a dyed semi-aniline leather.

SCBimmerKid · 04-29-2012, 08:37 AM

The idea of sealing my leather against any bad stuff for 6+ months is very appealing. Anyone know if this can be done? I've got Black dakota leather sport seats.

KneeDragr · 04-29-2012, 01:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SCBimmerKid

The idea of sealing my leather against any bad stuff for 6+ months is very appealing. Anyone know if this can be done? I've got Black dakota leather sport seats.

Ultima seals leather as well.

derekh929 · 04-29-2012, 01:40 PM

Zaino good cleaner as said earlier anything oily will sit ontop of leather on modern car leather, i would seal with Getechniq l1 look at there website

TEAShea · 04-30-2012, 08:46 AM

Griot's leather conditioner does not leave a gloss finish - good stuff but does not smell as good as Zymol Treat.

tcraft · 04-30-2012, 10:23 AM

Do the Zaino products leave the leather looking glossy? I'd prefer no-gloss if possible...

CE750Jockey · 04-30-2012, 12:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tcraft

Do the Zaino products leave the leather looking glossy? I'd prefer no-gloss if possible...

Wipe it on, leave for a while, wipe it off. Great smell! No gloss. This stuff is the closest to "new car leather" smell that I've ever found.

Now some have said "It doesn't smell like BMW new car leather". I really don't know. But trust me, this stuff is the bomb. 100 out of 100 blind-folded people would say "That smells like new car leather".

J1n · 05-01-2012, 11:19 AM

I use meguiars leather cleaner and conditioner will not gloss once it sets

carconvert · 05-06-2012, 12:09 PM

Thanks guys... picked up Autoglym Leather Balm... gonna apply it today

Raspartan · 05-06-2012, 02:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by carconvert

Thanks guys... picked up Autoglym Leather Balm... gonna apply it today

Let me know how that works out. I took a long hard look at the bottle when I was in Cdn Tire yesterday but didn't pick it up.

Wild M · 05-06-2012, 03:27 PM

I have been buying my car care products from eShine.ca. I use RaggTopp convertible leather care kit (separate cleaner and protectant) on my Z4M Roadster. I'll probably try it on my new 335i as well.

yerffejleahcim · 05-12-2012, 01:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jzcrna

Zaino leather in a bottle. http://www.zainostore.com

smells awesome. just like leather and not glossy.

I purchased this today and applied just a few minutes ago. Wow it does smell so good! Softens the leather and no gloss at all. Love it! Thanks for the recommendation!

Puri1 · 05-29-2012, 11:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by carconvert

Thanks guys... picked up Autoglym Leather Balm... gonna apply it today

Bump++

I'd also like to know how it worked.. I'm looking for something as well.. Thanks

Feanor · 05-30-2012, 09:59 AM

What's wrong with the BMW branded leather care products? Is it just over-priced like most BMW accessories? I kind of assume that although their leather care products might not be the best, they're the easiest choice as they're made specifically for their leathers. But maybe I'm just being naiive.

I'm just curious as I keep meaning to get some leather care stuff.

04-28-2012, 02:17 PM	#1
carconvert Private First Class Drives: 2012 328i Luxury Line Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Toronto Posts: 144 iTrader: (0)	Leather Care Curious to know what products (available in Canada) I can use to protect my leather interior and soft-touch surfaces. I dont like the glossy look on leather... any recommendations? Last edited by carconvert; 04-28-2012 at 02:41 PM.
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04-29-2012, 08:37 AM	#10
SCBimmerKid Lieutenant Drives: Mineral Grey F30 Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Hilton Head, SC Posts: 581 iTrader: (0)	The idea of sealing my leather against any bad stuff for 6+ months is very appealing. Anyone know if this can be done? I've got Black dakota leather sport seats. __________________ NO LONGER ON ORDER *'12 328i* Mineral Grey Metallic w/black leather/aluminum&black gloss trim/ZSL/ZPP/Xenons

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04-28-2012, 02:45 PM	#2
bcl0328 Captain Drives: 2012 328i Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Abingdon, MD Posts: 952 iTrader: (0)	i use griots. not sure if you have it there.

04-28-2012, 03:24 PM	#3
jzcrna Captain Drives: 2012 BMW 335i Sedan Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Florida Posts: 751 iTrader: (0)	Zaino leather in a bottle. http://www.zainostore.com smells awesome. just like leather and not glossy.

04-28-2012, 04:29 PM	#4
KneeDragr Second Lieutenant Drives: No BMW's Yet - Hopefully Soon Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Arlington VA Posts: 211 iTrader: (0)	Well the 3 series leather is coated in vinyl, so products that are made for leather will not reach it and will likely just grease up the surface. I like a product called Ultima interior guard plus. Its a vinyl/rubber/plastic sealant that seals the surface like a paint sealant seals paint. You can use it on the entire interior and lasts 6 months+. It has zero sheen.

04-29-2012, 01:40 PM	#12
derekh929 Captain Drives: F31 330d M Sport on Order Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Scotland Posts: 706 iTrader: (0)	Zaino good cleaner as said earlier anything oily will sit ontop of leather on modern car leather, i would seal with Getechniq l1 look at there website

04-30-2012, 08:46 AM	#13
TEAShea Private First Class Drives: 2012 328i Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Nebraska Posts: 179 iTrader: (0)	Griot's leather conditioner does not leave a gloss finish - good stuff but does not smell as good as Zymol Treat.

04-30-2012, 10:23 AM	#14
tcraft New Member Drives: 2012 BMW Melbourne Red 328i SL Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Raleigh, NC Posts: 29 iTrader: (0)	Do the Zaino products leave the leather looking glossy? I'd prefer no-gloss if possible...

05-01-2012, 11:19 AM	#16
J1n Major Drives: F30 328 MSport Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Melbourne Posts: 1,249 iTrader: (0)	I use meguiars leather cleaner and conditioner will not gloss once it sets

05-06-2012, 12:09 PM	#17
carconvert Private First Class Drives: 2012 328i Luxury Line Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Toronto Posts: 144 iTrader: (0)	Thanks guys... picked up Autoglym Leather Balm... gonna apply it today

05-06-2012, 03:27 PM	#19
Wild M Private Drives: 2006 Z4M SuperCharged Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Mississauga Posts: 83 iTrader: (0) Garage List 2012 BMW 335i Sport ... [0.00] 2006 Z4M Roadster [3.25]	I have been buying my car care products from eShine.ca. I use RaggTopp convertible leather care kit (separate cleaner and protectant) on my Z4M Roadster. I'll probably try it on my new 335i as well.

05-30-2012, 09:59 AM	#22
Feanor Second Lieutenant Drives: BMW Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: United Kingdom Posts: 294 iTrader: (0)	What's wrong with the BMW branded leather care products? Is it just over-priced like most BMW accessories? I kind of assume that although their leather care products might not be the best, they're the easiest choice as they're made specifically for their leathers. But maybe I'm just being naiive. I'm just curious as I keep meaning to get some leather care stuff.