BOB's CUSTOM PAINT, Inc. - (623) 937-5724
Bob's Custom Paint & Restoration
  • Home
  • The Shop
    • Gallery of Cars
    • Car Stories
  • Restoration
  • Upholstery
  • Contact

How to Maintain your Car's Leather Interior

11/29/2017

2 Comments

 

4 Tips to Keep your Vintage Automobile's Upholstery Looking Timeless

​When it comes to your leather upholstery for your classic car, proper maintenance is the secret to keeping your upholstery looking good as new. Maintenance can be a hassle, if you aren’t prepared for the task. There are many techniques, and cleaning products, so take the time to research what is best for your specific leather upholstery. This will guarantee, that you won’t risk accidently damaging your upholstery.
interior classic car shot
​The reason why cleaning your interior is worth all the hassle, is because regular light cleaning will help maintain your seats and increase their lifespan.

​Here are a few tips, on how to keep your interior showroom ready. 

1: What Type of Leather?

You need to know if you have finished or unfinished leather. Most car manufactures disclose the type of leather used in car seats, but if you still aren’t sure, test a small dot on an inconspicuous area with water, if it leaves a mark, it is uncoated leather.

Uncoated leather: While unfinished conditions nicely, it doesn’t repel liquids. For this reason, you need to use a quality conditioner in addition to a cleaners. Look for products that are PH-balanced, and safe for uncoated leather, to ensure you restore the leather’s natural beauty.
​
Coated leather: There is no need to use a leather conditioner, because the conditioner won’t be able to be absorbed. So after you are finished cleaning the upholstery, use a high-quality protectant to prevent fading, cracking, or stains.

2: Quick maintenance
​

Dry Brush: Whenever you have a chance, run a dry clean soft-bristle brush rub in circular motion over the leather features. This will help prevent debris from building up, and collecting on your seats which could cause potential damage.
​
Vacuum:  A couple times a month or as often as you deem relevant, use a vacuum to remove all debris fragments from your interior. 

3: Cleaning

Detailing:You can leave the cleaning to an auto detailing expert once a month. They will be able to properly car for your upholstery, and warn you of any potential issues, and can give you a reliable estimate to get the problem taken care of quickly. However, you can also clean your vehicles upholstery regularly yourself.

Cleaning: Leather can be clean with a combination of warm water, and neutral soap, or invest in a cleaner specifically for your leather upholstery. Use a soft cloth to apply the clean solution, as soon as you have given the surface a good cleaning, remove the solution with a dry microfiber cloth. Don’t leave the solution on the leather, dry by itself.
​
If you would like to do regular monthly cleaning, invest in a leather specific cleaning solution. Please beware, that too much water-based solutions will weaken the fabric and color with regular use. However, specifically designed leather cleaning solution, will not damage the fabric in anyway. 

Heated Seats?
​Use the same method, but spray cleaning solution onto microfiber cloth, rather, than directly onto seat.
​
Cleaning tips:
  • Vacuum first. Make sure to use a special upholstery attachment to prevent scratching
  • Always clean a small section at a time.
  • Never let the solution dry up on the leather, always wipe solution up with a microfiber towel
  • When selecting a product solution, always start first with the less aggressive to the most aggressive solution if needed.
  • Least aggressive cleaning: Spray the section you want to clean, clean by using moderate pressure, and wipe dry with microfiber towel
 
Steaming Cleaning:
A steamer will work wonders to exfoliate your seat. Spray some solution of the area, put a microfiber towel over the steamer, applying moderate pressure, work over small areas at a time,and use another towel to frequently dry the finished seat.

4: Condition

Leather conditioner help to keep your seats from getting stiff, and helps preserve their color. Before conditioning:
​
  • Have leather be clean, and completely dry
  • Don’t be afraid of too much conditioner, excess will wipes off with a microfiber towel
  • Let conditioner sit for 20-30 minutes
  • Don’t use cheap product, unless you are certain that the product is reliable
  • Condition your seats every 3-5 weeks
2 Comments
Joel Reeves
12/22/2017 02:32:39 pm

Do you have a new email address, the one on your site info@bcpaz.com doesn't seem to work

I have a question that I would like to ask via email

Reply
Monica Chavez link
4/17/2018 03:13:38 pm

I like your tip to use a vacuum with a special upholstery attachment to prevent scratching when cleaning. My younger brother just bought a used car and the leather seats aren't in their best condition. He wants to figure out how to clean them up and get them looking like new. I think these tips would be great for helping him maintain the integrity of the car. Maybe he'll need to take his car to a professional first though to get things going and maybe even to replace the seats.

Reply



Leave a Reply.

    Bob's Custom Paint
    Car Stories

    We all have a story and so do our cars. Here’s a look into the hearts of some of our featured cars.

    Call Us at
    (623) 937-5724

    Archives

    November 2017
    January 2015
    November 2014
    January 2014
    November 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013

    Categories

    All
    1940 Ford
    Classic Car
    Custom Creation
    Nomad Group
    Open Doors
    Restoration
    Street Rods
    Upholstery

    RSS Feed

Bob's Custom Paint, Inc.

Picture

BCP Home
The BCP Shop
BCP Services
BCP Car Stories
BCP Gallery of Cars
Contact BCP


Bob's Custom Paint, Inc. - 7809 N. 68th Ave Glendale, Arizona 85303 - (623) 937-5724
BCP Shop Hours: Monday to Friday: 7:30AM - 4:00PM - Saturday and Sunday: Closed