What is Best? Leatherique, Lexol, or Zaino

Plenty of info here on Leatherique (my choice) and Lexol. I think there is a thread farther down about them. As far as Zaino, IMHO, it stinks for anything other than paint. I've tried the leather/vinyl cleaner, the glass cleaner, etc and none of them worked at all well for the price. I love their paint products and they do a fantastic job on good paint (IE: not a badly swirled car) and for me, I haven't used anything better for really making the car look good.

M2C, YMMV.

 

For leatherique to be its best you need to allow the oil to dwell for hours in the hot sun, the warmer the better. The open cell leather of a Ferrari will respond well when warm. Use the pristine clean and very clean MF, you may have to use two cleanings.

I've used the stuff on my couch and the difference is HUGE, my once cardboard leather is now supple and the color is richer.

Cheers,
GREG

 

I clean with the Lexol cleaner and then Leatherique. As told to me, use your bare hands and leave it in the sun for a week or more.

Works amazing.


Jay

 

For me ist's Leatherique. It have worked the best for me.

 

Hi. I am very anal about detailing my truck and as far as leather cleaners/conditioners are concerned I usually stick with:
http://www.zymol.com/zymolsprayleathercleaner8oz.aspx
+
http://www.zymol.com/zymoltreat85oz.aspx

The cleaner has never failed me, but since I just had my interior done with a sealant, I have not had the time to try the conditioner but knowing the brand it has to work.

As far as all the ones you've mentioned I have heard good things about all of them, Zaino even has a fan base that's probably bigger than F-chat. Although I need to try leatherique, I've seen some posts on it and it seems to be top notch stuff.

 

leatherque is very good but I only use it 4x a year. I use more pedestrian cleaners like Zymol cleaner ($6.99 at Target) and Meguairs Gold Class. The latter has sunscreen which is helpful on the dash...

 

Here is a post I did on the review of Leatherique.

http://truthindetailing.com/Forum/showthread.php?t=233

Out of the one's listed I would go like this....

Lexol- A great entry level product in my experience, very nice!
Zaino- I find it a little better to use then Lexol, and like the scent better.
Leatherique- The best out of three mentioned, and amazing on uncoated leather such as a Ferrari's.

Another amazing detailer turned me on to a product called 'Leather Therapy' and I have just begun to sample there products. I am VERY impressed so far. Also Gloss-It makes very very nice leather products as well.

 

I have used all three products and would put them in that order as well.
Lexol is great in a pinch as you can pick it up easily. But the cleaning and
conditioning is unsurpassed with Leatherique rather it is new or old
leather. Multiple apps. show amazing results and a great finish. Not
too shiny or oily.

 

Leatherique has been outstanding for my cars and leather couch.

The seats in the car look great.

 

+1. I have been using it for years. I would also like to recommend the use of Griot's Garage Leather Cleaner in for in-between applications of Leatherique. IMO, it is better than the others mentioned, is reasonably priced, and has a wonderful "leather" aroma.

 

Leatherique I believe is the bestfor overall protection esp in dry climate. Have used all 3 in the past. Leatherique is the most expensive, takes the longest ,but protects etc the best. It is unusual however in that you put the conditioner on first, then @ it is completely cured you apply the cleaner to lift out the dirt, silicone etc.

 

+1. LOL! I thought the same thing also, when I used it for the first time. I would assume the conditioner both re-hydrates the hides and allows the pores of the leather to open, thus allowing the subsequent cleaner to remove the dirt, debris, and the like. It really is great stuff. BTW, they also manufacture a water-based dye which they can custom color-match to your interior (handy if you have a sun-faded area you're trying to match).

 

After many years in Combined Driving where your leather is what connects horsepower to vehicle, I can say there's better specialised leather conditioners and cleaners available amongst harness products than these three.
Still if you're choosing amongst these three marketed at the auto user Leatherique seems best.
If neglected look for a harness leather food product to restore internal moisture levels. Then switch to Leatherique for your routine feeding and cleaning.

 

I've used Leatherique for years.

The thing about it is, you really do have to apply the Rejuvinator Oil and let it sit for some time, in some heat. You get much, much better results that way.

If leather is dry, you also need to do the Rej. Oil at least twice.

I don't bother using it unless it is hot outside.

Also, I find it is easier to remove the seats from the car, if at all possible. The seats pop out in less than 10 minutes each in most cars.

I just did some seats this weekend. We had 80+ degree weather. I took the seats out of the car, coated them with Rej. Oil, but trash bags over the seats and put the seats in the back of an SUV parked on the street all day. Got at least 110 degrees in the thing, baked all day. The next day, I recoated and let sit another day. Cleaned them up with Pristine Clean in the late afternoon while they were still nice and warm.

Beautiful!

Very clean without lifting up any dye or coloring, and they are more supple now, too.

Really a fantastic product, and I've used them all over the past 25 years. I won't use anything else in any car I care about.

Again, got to use it when you have a way to heat the seats up and keep them that way for many hours or a couple of days. Really.

 

I have tan seats with red stitching - would this be a problem for any of these products (i.e. discoloring the stitching)? Thanks in advance.

 

That's interesting. I used the Oil (rubbed in with bare hands on my Ferrari - didn't tell the wife, she might get jealous)with garbage bags as well to nice results. Althouygh never did this in super warm weather. Interesting - the Prestine Clean usually takes some (a little) dye off. Wonder why, after reading your post?

 

I have used over a gallon on my cars. Wonderful product. Apply a coat then go back and do it again thirty minutes later. A 3" foam paint brush and 3/4" let you get in all the places. Paint it on. The neater you put it on, the easier it is to "pristine clean" it off. You will be pleased.

 

i can join in and agree with the group. leather---- is just wonderful my old dried out scaley ugly Bora seats now look and feel new!

 

I just tried something a little different with Leatherique Rejuvenator Oil that seemed to help out the soaking in process.
I poured about a cup in a tupperware container and microwaved it for 1 minute. It was bubbling hot when removed and just steaming hot when I applied it with a cheapie 1" paint brush. It definately warmed the leather, and I assume improved the transfer process. No harm was done to my black Dino seats at all.

When I was in college I had a pair of leather work boots on their third soles. I loved them. One night at a pig roast I accidentally stepped one foot into the pig fat drain hole dug into the ground next to the roaster. It was a warm goopy mess, kind of like gravy. A year later the leather on one boot was completely dried out and shot, and the other was in fantastic shape by comparison. I had to pitch them both. Had I known then what I know now, I would have jumped in with both feet.

 

I have been using Zaino and its the best pack of products I have come across and pleased to have this used on my car.
I can't stand the smell of some of the other products...

 

I hope some of you have tried Concorso Leather Soft! If not, try it. CLS is outstanding on Ferrari, Maserati, Aston Martin and Lamborghini leather. It work on other types too.

 

The whole Zaino or Zymol thing came up over on NSXPrime a while back and I thought people were going to draw weapons over it.

 

Interesting. What exactly makes it better on Lamborghini/Maserati/Aston Martin/Ferrari leather? I am assuming you are referring to analine leather vs. the more common top coated leather?

The reason I am interested is because I have been studying leather care very closely. What exactly makes your product perform better on alanine leather vs. top coated? Is it water based or oil based? Is it permeable when used on top coated leather, or does it only treat the coating?

Thanks in advance,

Todd