Since I don't have "the power" to post in "Do It Yourself" section, I put it here.


For those of us with leather seats, what do you use to clean & protect them?


I use Mequiar's One Step Leather Care. http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Approve.gif

I use Zaino's leather spray cleaner Z-9 and the leather in a bottle conditioner Z-10.


Bob

Liquid saddle soap. I've been using it on the Jeep for three years and the seats look fine.


I figure if the regular saddle soap has taken care of all my horse tack all these years, it certainly ought to work for vehicle seats. The liquid variety is just easier to use on seats.

Zainohttp://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Big Smile.gif

Lexol leather cleaner and leather care are also very good. I use it on my saddle bags as well. The leather on the bags was stiff and dirty. After using lexol for a few weeks the leather became soft and pliable and water resistant as well. http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Big Smile.gif I have been using lexol for about ten years. Lexol also makes quality vinyl cleaner and vinyl care as well. Keeping leather clean is most important. Don't use anything with alcohol/silicone base.

Where is Lexol sold?

And where is Zanio sold? I've not heard or seen these two products in my part of the country.

http://www.zainostore.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc

Where is Lexol sold?


Where ever you might find horse tack should have Lexol products. Around here you can get them at the local IFA (Intermountain Farmers Association) stores, or even the local PetSmart store has an equine section with tack, feed, and care products.

You can buy Lexol from Eastwood IIRC. That's what I have used on this truck. I have used saddle soap as well, but not on a vehicle. I guess my brain didn't make that change over.

I have used both Zaino leather seat cleaner followed by Zaino conditioner. It gives it almost a new car smell again. I also started using Blackfire cleaner followed by Zaino conditioner.


But--I am disappointed in the seats--and I keeping them very clean. On the drivers side seat--on the outer edge(door side)--the leather shows ugly crease marks. I am sure it is from getting out of the truck--but my 99 Tahoe never did that--I think the seats are cheaper today than the seats in the old body style.


I think there was a member who had his seats redone a local upholstery shop--at GM's expense. IT fixed the problem.


Anybody else notice those crease marks/lines.


Ron

Yep. Mine seem to absorb the blue from my jeans on the edge too.

I have this marks too (but on my wifes Avalanche). This is only on the drivers side on the outer edge - not nice to see. The truck is one year old. Can we do anything against it - hold GM responsible?
Regards
MK

I have those creases also on the drivers side. Is the Lexol keeping the seats soft for a while? I really like the results of the Zaino, but the softness goes away quick on the drivers side. Maybe this strain of leather doesn't hold REAL leather care products too well.

I have the creases as well on the drivers side. Not much and the pass side, due to limited use. I do love the smell of freshly Zaino'd leather. Makes it seem like day 1 again!

It is clear from members who have the crease marks--that it is not for lack of care.


Several members use: Zainlo(my favorite)/Lexol..and still the seats have this problem in the one area.


I forgot to mention that I had a new body style 2000 6.0l that not only had it--they began to tear before the truck was traded in for the D/A. I thought it was me--but after seeing those crease lines in the first week after owning this truck--it is clearly the seats. I think one of the moderators--Mackin-- had a tear because of the seat belt wearing against the seat in the same area.


I may sound picky here--but leather seats are suppose to me more durable--not look like they are several years old in the first week.


The fix is to put better leather on--but who is going to pay. I guess this is up to how well you can negotiate/complain at the dealer.


I am open to any suggetions.

Not too much blue jean residue on my seat since getting step bars and using them to keep from sliding on/off the edge of the seat when getting in/out of my 4x4.

X


Where the hell you been,


Geno------- The Uni Cop

Guess I’m being a bit redundant here…….Zaino

I guess I will be redundant--Zaino is good stuff but--does not fix the problem.

Yep, the Zaino is good stuff inside and out. BUT no it does not fix the problem. I religiously Zaino the seats, but still looks marginal on the drivers side and I too have the small tear from the seatbelt. I put the leather in the same catagory as the paint...cheap. Edited by: motovet

My truck's only 2 months old and I've been wondering what to use to keep the leather clean, soft and supple. After only 1500 miles, my seats are already showing signs of the creases that everyone else is seeing!

Hi Geno,


Just lurking soaking in all of this good info. Scary to see Victory Red have injector problems after all the precautions he has been taking...

Well, Thanks for all the reply's. It would seem that Zaino is the most popular here to date. (Anyone know where Zaino can be found in Calif.?)


For everyone's info, my previous 03 Chevy LT K1500 Z71 had leather seats just like my 04 Dmax. After only 1 year and 8K miles the drivers seat was terrible and my dealer (small outfit) did not have the expertise to do anything about upholstery, so I had to go to the big city (Reno, NV) to an upholstery shop. He told me he sees this problem all the time with leather seats (not only Chevy) and it's because of CHEAP STUFF. He said years ago when you got leather seats they lasted much longer cause it was better stuff and "thicker" leather. His only recommendation was to get them replaced by the dealer just before your warranty goes away or put out your own money for them to put better leather on instead of factory junk!!


Edited by: SteveNorCal

Where is Lexol sold?

You can get Lexol products at DC Car Care.
This is their website (http://www.dccarcare.com/lexol2.html)

hth,

T.

Well, Thanks for all the reply's. It would seem that Zaino is the most popular here to date. (Anyone know where Zaino can be found in Calif.?)





It's only sold online...http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Confused.gif


http://www.zainostore.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc


I just ordered one of their kits to try out. The Jeep is an '01 and red to boot, so I'm going to try the clay route as well as try some of the polish on the GMC.


There's a kit above the one I ordered with the leather care stuff in it as well, or you can get just the leather care stuff. From all the feedback about their products, I figured it would be worth a look.