Hey guys-

I have an 06' Aston Martin Vantage that is beginning to show some wear in the black leather (creases and some light cracking). Does anyone know if the leather is uncoated?

Also, what would be the best leather care for these seats? I have heard good things about leatherique. A quick search on this forum showed that many feel its the best for repairing uncared for leather as long as its unconditioned.

Please let me know your thoughts.

Thanks
Eric

 

I do not know the answer myself and I do not feel asking someone at a dealership would necessarily get an accurate answer.

So, I directly emailed AM on your behalf to get an accurate answer. If I hear back from them I will let you know what they say.

 

In 1980 the US Government began to get involved with the paint process used by auto makers, namely the volatile organic compounds (VOC) content of the petroleum based paints and solvents being used. The allowable emission limits of VOC were subjected to dramatic cutbacks.

In order to comply with these regulations the finishes now used for US, Asian and European automotive leather upholstery have a water-based pigmented finish to produce a uniform colour and are protected with a urethane covering. Modern automotive leather upholstery is classified as finished leather, which means that the surface has a urethane covering that cannot absorb wax, lanolin or oil-based 'conditioners'.


Three Step Care


All finishes have to allow '(evaporation and hydration) ' - the flow of moisture back and forth, the important considerations for proper leather care; is as much about (a) the state / condition of the leather you are dealing with (b) methodology used (c) product. Cleaning is a combination of all these

(a) Clean - as dirt / grit and subsequent friction cause the finish to wear.

(b) Hydrated - use water-based products that do not contain oils and/or waxes, check the label if they do then don't use them. Clean surfaces with a damp towel.

(c) Protected - is essential as it will protect the surface finish and makes dirt easier to clean off and an ultra violet protective product (UVR) will preserve the finish.

Leather is very dynamic with respect to its moisture content; the leather hides needs to be kept supple.The purpose of rehydration is to restore moisture lost through evaporation, so whatever the surface finish, it has to allow the movement of moisture back and forth (evaporation and hydration). So the use of water- based cleaners and protectors will maintain hydration, which is essential to keeping it in pristine condition.

For many, finding the best leather care product is as simple as using what is the most popular. While popularity can sometimes be a reliable barometer, it isn’t always the correct choice. Some even make their decision based on new car’s leather fragrance alone. My best advise; research other options and products, test them and then make an objective decision based upon factual information, not hype or brand loyalty.

After all, how can you fully understand and properly use any product unless you have all the facts? I would also strongly suggest that you verify any information that I or anyone else shares with you. Remember you are dealing with a thin water-based pigment layer on the leather and not with the leather hide itself.

 

very detailed, plus 1, thanks

 

Thank you for the detailed response. I have noted that the leather on my wifes Lexus and my old BMW had the treated layer, but the Aston Martin seems to have no layer on it.

Do you know this to be true?

 

Leather's major attribute is its ability to breathe, which it does even better than wool. This means not just its permeability to air but its permeability to water vapour, so allowing the absorption of moisture, perspiration and warmth.


Thus it feels warm in winter and cool in summer, yet doesn't become hot and sticky. On the other hand, whilst it absorbs water vapour it doesn't readily absorb liquid, so rain drops (but do not allow over saturation) will not harm it and a damp cloth can be used to keep it clean


To provide a uniform colour water-based pigments are applied, after two or three base coat applications a clear top coat is applied.
Pigments require a binding system to improve flexibility, fastness and adhesion to the leather. The top coat is the final stage of the finishing process, and is designed to protect the hide from abrasion from clothing as well as the dust / dirt introduced by the vehicle’s AC system.


Dependent upon age the covering could be wearing thin due to the friction of entering / existing the vehicle

 

do you have any recommendations? i've been using 303 but i don't know if that's what's best. i'd like to start keeping my leather in as best shape as possible. i know i should probably be using 3 products instead of 1, but what 3 products do you use? thank you!

 

Yes, the leather is coated.

I have worked on two Astons (07 and 09 Vantages). While Leatherique is great, and I do keep it stocked, I only used the Zaino twins on the Astons (Z9/Z10). It smells like leather and I felt that should hold true once the Aston interior was complete. After all, very few cars have leather lined cup-holders.

The leather is ultra premium and should clean up just fine. The creases are completely normal.

 

leatherique is the shiznit

 

See “Oil and oil-based leather products” – An excerpt from The Art & Science of Detailinghttp://togwt1980.blogspot.com

 

Your blogs are extremely informative.

 

Glad you found the info useful DetomasoGTS74

Knowledge unshared is Experience wasted

With detailing advice you should always consider its source; commercialism brings with it concerns of honesty and true representation. In other words, it’s difficult to know what is true when someone is motivated by income, i.e. directly targeted at product sales, more so than an unbiased opinion. Marketing often has little if anything to do with the truth

 

I think the leatherique products are really good, I use them on my M3

 

hey eric,

i too had the same questions. Found the following post to be useful: http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/showthread.php?t=237033

cheers,

eric

 

Thanks Eric,
Good thread. Have you used the Leatherique on your Aston?