[Hiddenknife]

Hello everyone,

I own a 20k mile X4 m40i 2020 model with black vernasca leather. I decided to do a cleaning of the seats but im not sure of what is the correct process.

I am unaware if i should apply any conditioner on the seats apart from cleaning the seats with a foam like solution and wipe them dry with a towel. I bought OEM BMW leather cleaner & bmw leather conditioner. I tried to apply to a small portion the leather conditioner after cleaning the seats but they seem to look shiny instead of that matte new look finish. The thing is that i think those seats are heavily coated so the conditioner doesnt go through the leather but rather stays up on top of the coating.

I ve done some good ammount of research about this subject but nobody gives a clear answer or solution to this matter. Some say its enough just to clean it with a foam solution, other tell to apply a Protectant rather than a conditioner, others seem to apply conditioner and say its good.


On OEM BMW leather conditioner product sticker says that its not suitable for faux or full grain leather types. Per my observations Vernasca/Dakota BMW leather types seem to have some sort of grain to them. So i guess i shouldnt apply it?

Also i noticed after i made the cleaning with the OEM BMW Leather cleaner( the foam solution) the seats started looking abit "dry" than they were before.

Im really looking to what should i apply after the cleaning process is done or if i should just leave them as they are. Please help.

[Jolbex]

Its covered with urethane so will not absorb anything. Use damp cloth. Thats it.

[fdpxfunix]

Recent conversation here...

https://x3.xbimmers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2099804

Although I clean my seats with a cleaner, I don't apply any conditioners/protectors afterwards. The seats come up as a matt finish, although after 6 years of use the leather has signs of wear and doesn't look brand new anymore. The steering wheel comes up a lot better than the seats, but again wear and tear is visible, and the leather is much smoother than a new steering wheel.

Everyone finds their own way to clean 'stuff'. My neighbour always laughs at me when I snow foam the car and use a gloss enhancing shampoo (Dodo Juice Sour Power), but my car always shines like a diamond compared to his.

J.

[avi66]

Originally Posted by Hiddenknife

Hello everyone,

I own a 20k mile X4 m40i 2020 model with black vernasca leather. I decided to do a cleaning of the seats but im not sure of what is the correct process.

I am unaware if i should apply any conditioner on the seats apart from cleaning the seats with a foam like solution and wipe them dry with a towel. I bought OEM BMW leather cleaner & bmw leather conditioner. I tried to apply to a small portion the leather conditioner after cleaning the seats but they seem to look shiny instead of that matte new look finish. The thing is that i think those seats are heavily coated so the conditioner doesnt go through the leather but rather stays up on top of the coating.

I ve done some good ammount of research about this subject but nobody gives a clear answer or solution to this matter. Some say its enough just to clean it with a foam solution, other tell to apply a Protectant rather than a conditioner, others seem to apply conditioner and say its good.


On OEM BMW leather conditioner product sticker says that its not suitable for faux or full grain leather types. Per my observations Vernasca/Dakota BMW leather types seem to have some sort of grain to them. So i guess i shouldnt apply it?

Also i noticed after i made the cleaning with the OEM BMW Leather cleaner( the foam solution) the seats started looking abit "dry" than they were before.

Im really looking to what should i apply after the cleaning process is done or if i should just leave them as they are. Please help.

Vanasca is a modern automotive leather that has an impervious durable painted top coat, which has more in common with the paint on the outside of your car.

Vernasca has an matt finish when new, and unless the leather surface is damaged i.e. cracking or worn through, do no not use a “leather conditioner” as this will not be absorbed, and will sit on the surface attracting crap and adding a sheen. Don’t take the advice of your grandad about what was used back in the day lol.

Depending on the amount of soiling use a mild leather cleaner such as from ColourLock or Dr Leather. Use a sponge to apply and dry with a soft microfibre cloth. Don’t rub too hard are too vigorously, as this can create shine, which you don’t want.

Once dry, apply an anti transfer coating to help prevent transfer and aid future cleaning. It’s easy to apply, just like wiping a water like substance across the leather and wiping off to a leave a matt finish.

More info can be found here from a company that specialises in automotive leather technology - https://www.drleather.com/leather-cl...oduct-benefits

[Hiddenknife]

Originally Posted by avi66

Vanasca is a modern automotive leather that has an impervious durable painted top coat, which has more in common with the paint on the outside of your car.

Vernasca has an matt finish when new, and unless the leather surface is damaged i.e. cracking or worn through, do no not use a “leather conditioner” as this will not be absorbed, and will sit on the surface attracting crap and adding a sheen. Don’t take the advice of your grandad about what was used back in the day lol.

Depending on the amount of soiling use a mild leather cleaner such as from ColourLock or Dr Leather. Use a sponge to apply and dry with a soft microfibre cloth. Don’t rub too hard are too vigorously, as this can create shine, which you don’t want.

Once dry, apply an anti transfer coating to help prevent transfer and aid future cleaning. It’s easy to apply, just like wiping a water like substance across the leather and leaving to dry.

More info can be found here from a company that specialises in automotive leather technology - https://www.drleather.com/leather-cl...oduct-benefits

Some people recommended to coat them with protectant, how does that differ from a normal conditioner? Does it still preserve the matte look?

[avi66]

Originally Posted by Hiddenknife

Some people recommended to coat them with protectant, how does that differ from a normal conditioner? Does it still preserve the matte look?

It is a completely different product.

Dye bock/transfer protectant is an invisible sacrificial chemical coating bonded to the painted leather surface without changing its matte appearance. It typically last around 3 to 6 months be pending on soiling level.

See the Protectant tab on the Dr Leather link above.

[BigMart]

I use Koc Chemie POL STar diluted 10:1 through a foaming trigger spray to clean my seats which takes them back to the matt finish.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Koch-Textil...A3NIBP8O9HNCK0

I use a top layer from Labocosmetica called DERMA.
https://labocosmetica.co.uk/product/...ng-protection/
still leaves the leather matt finish but blocks dye transfer / dirt / etc.
Smells nice and deffo easier to clean afterwards. I'm on my second bottle.

[Leem40i]

Originally Posted by Hiddenknife

Some people recommended to coat them with protectant, how does that differ from a normal conditioner? Does it still preserve the matte look?

Dye block or one of the other ceramic Coatings made specifically for leather will help prevent the colors from clothing and other stains from getting into the leather itself and becoming permanent. I highly recommend this especially if you have light colored leather however for cleaning all you should need is a damp cloth and maybe a very light interior cleaner that's also good for leather. Yes there is a urethane coating on just about all leather seats in vehicles now but it is not as impervious as the ceramic Coatings are.

I previously used a different product but the next time I order I'll be getting this. You typically have to reapply it about every 6 months to the seats that you're using the most.

https://www.autogeek.net/gyeon-q2-leather-shield.html

[LostInSpace]

I had mine detailed at the dealer, and they used something on the vernasca that makes the interior smell like a glazed donut.

It's pretty weird. Seats look good though.

[satz]

I use warm/hot water on a microfibre with some handsoap. Then dry it off (not buffing) with another microfibre. That gets rid of the shine (like on the steering wheel), without adding its own sheen.

Having said that, I do find that using my old Zaino (Z10 I think?) actually does result in a softer feel to the vernasca. I noticed this before on my E90's similar leather.

What do people use to clean the white leather stitching?