Looking to Detail my car.
Any recommendations on the absolute best product for leather, and body?

I just bought a crap load of this stuff called Auto GLYM for leather, vinyl, rubber, shampoo, wax, everything, so far the leather stuff made my passenger side look duller than my driver side. I even used a handheld buffer to really massage it in. Stuff was pretty expensive too..

now I'm worried about using this product on the body.

 

I am not familiar with this line of product. Assume you are referring to Autoglym Leather Care Balm.

Description on Amazon reads "A blend of soaps and natural oils in purified water to gently clean and moisturise the leather in your car".

The Dakota leather in your BMW is pigmented leather, which is leather that is painted with an opaque die, sealed with a sheet of protective vinyl (urethane) and then pressed together under pressure and heat to raise a simulated grain pattern. This type of leather is used in 98% of automobiles today and is very durable, stain resistant, durable and easy to take care of. Rather than choose expensive unblemished leather hides, less expensive hides can be painted and then coated to provide cost effective leather for autos.

But unlike aniline leather (which is uncoated and will stain if a drop of water is applied), pigmented leather does not need oils or "moisturizers" to maintain the suppleness of the leather. The urethane coating prevents any moisturizers from reaching the actual leather. Instead, simply protecting the plastic urethane coating will keep the leather looking great.

To protect the urethane coating of pigmented leather, vacuum the surface regularly to remove dirt, sand and small abrasive grit that when ground into the surface will dull the urethane. Wipe it down regularly with a clean cloth and clean water to remove more dirt. Occasionally apply a vinyl protectant to protect the urethane, especially one that contains UV blockers that prevent sun damage.

Most leather protectors available today are designed specifically for pigmented leather and are designed to protect the urethane coating. You can avoid any leather conditioner that talks about oils or moisturizers that feed the leather. They will simply sit on top of the urethane coating until they are worn away by your clothing.

If you have an older automobile and the water spot test indicates that the leather is uncoated then by all means use the moisturizers, but for the Dakota leather in BMW E60s you will only be sliding around on a greasy surface and do nothing to protect the urethane leather coating.

 

Thanks BimmerFan52. Great info.

 

Thanks....very informative. Just what I needed to know.

The sanding sounds a little scary but ill try it. What kind of sand paper?

Is the door panel leather the same leather you are talking about?

When I got my windows tinted the guy taped the window buttons to prevent me from opening them by accident. When I moved the tape it left the glue from the tape on the button and leather or vinyl above the button. I tried rubbing it out with no luck...the only thing that came off was the coated surface around the button which now looks like shit.

I think sanding would be the next option

 

Any product that great for waxing the outside? So far I.ve used just basic car soap I clipped into the hose. I sponge it, and dry.

I have a hand held buffer I'm dying to use. Is there anything I should know before I buff the Crap outta my car?

I use WD40 to clean all the water spots on the chrome trim...works perfect!

 

autoglym product is amazing

 

opticoat for body and wheels...but make sure you perform a thorough detail including paint correction before OC application...