[yang_bang]

maybe its me, but it seems my leather seats in my sx are cracking. i dont understand how because i barely drive it....its my baby. could it be from sunlight? could it be from the seat warmers? what could it be? is there anything i can do to prevent it?

 

[gripphard]

How long have you had the SX?
Did you have them conditioned when you bought it?

 

[TampaBear67]

It's All About Conditioning the Leather and Keeping It Oiled and Hydrated, Especially with the heated seats. Zymol is the best product on the face of the planet for conditioning your leather. It's very expensive but it's the best. Lexol is probably the second best, it's really good, and easier to find. They also offer a product to treat your vinyl, which is what the sides and backs of the seats are covered in, as well as the dash, door panels etc.

You can also use Saddle Soap to Clean it if it gets dirty (But Use It Sparingly, don't Clean It A Lot, that tends to dry the leather out) Then condition it with Mink Oil . This is the process I used for 5 years on my Mom's 87 T-Bird Turbo Coupe and the leather in it looked as good the day she traded it as the day she bought it. But you have to use the mink oil AT LEAST twice a month, and don't use it sparingly. Rub a Good Amount into the leather and then let it sit for a couple of hours in the sun so it penetrates the leather, then just buff it off with a clean cloth.

Here's the link to Zymol's website, but you can find it at some auto parts stores.

ZYMOL TREAT 8.5 oz

Here's the link to Lexols website. Most Auto Parts Stores Carry it as well as Walmart etc.

Lexol Leather Care Including Vinylex and Kozak Products

 

[TampaBear67]

HOW TO CLEAN WITH LEXOL

Keep this thought in mind: leather is skin. Cleaning and conditioning leather upholstery is very similar to bathing yourself out of a bucket on a camping trip. You need water to do the job, and you need to use the right amount to do the job right.
Supplies you'll need:

• Lexol-pH Leather Cleaner
• Two large washcloths
• Lexol Leather Conditioner
• Two medium size towels
• One bucket luke-warm water (never use hot)

Clean one manageable section of the interior at a time. For example, with bucket seats, clean the seat back, and then move on to the seat cushion, and so forth.

Wet a washcloth in the bucket of water and wring it out, leaving it as damp as you would if you were going to wash your face with soap and water.

Put 2 or 3 half-dollar sized spots of Lexol-pH Cleaner on the wet cloth or spray it directly on the leather, and begin to wash the seat back or cushion with the washcloth as if bathing. Don't forget to clean the stitch lines. Dirt can cut through upholstery thread over a period of time, but proper cleaning with Lexol-pH will extend thread life.

After bathing each section, rinse the washcloth to clear it of dirt, wring it out, wipe away Lexol-pH Cleaner from the section you've cleaned, and towel it dry. Continue with the whole interior in this fashion: cleaning, rinsing and drying.

The average sedan usually takes 30 minutes to clean and condition. This thorough treatment should be a 6 to 8 week regimen, depending on your use of the car and the climate where you live. Because of their exposure to the elements, convertible interiors tend to need more care. But as a Lexol user, you'll be able to tell at a glance or touch when it's time to clean and condition again after you've gone through the application process a couple of times.

One thing's for sure. After treatment, the leather always looks alive, fresh, and is softer to the touch.

So, play it smart, protect your investment with Lexol!

HOW TO CONDITION WITH LEXOL

Conditioning leather after cleaning is like applying a moisturizing lotion to your dry skin after a bath.

Start by lightly dampening a clean washcloth so that it doesn't absorb too much conditioner. (No need to waste a good thing).

Pour or spray on a little Lexol Conditioner...about 2 or 3 half-dollar sized spots...and wipe it onto the leather. A little Lexol goes a long way, and multiple coats are better than one heavy application, unless the leather is very hard and dry.

The entire leather interior of your car should be treated and then allowed 20 to 30 minutes to absorb the oils and preservatives. After this time, use the clean dry towel to vigorously rub down all of the leather surfaces and stitch lines to remove any excess conditioner.

After cleaning and conditioning, the interior should be allowed one to three hours drying time, depending on temperature and h

 

[blkkoup]

Thanks Tampabear67.....good post!

 

[Adragontattoo]

If your leather is already cracking there is a bigger issue in place or you are living in an area that has extremely low humidity plus a ton of high intensity sunlight exposure. Even cheap leather will last longer then a few months without any care.

 

[yang_bang]

i got it on the 8th of february and sadly, i dont have a garage to park in. so i park it outside, where the sun hits it like crazy. thanks for all the help, but i think there is no solution to the problem becuase i wont be able to take it out of the sun and park it inside. but i suppose if i just....use the conditioner? it might help right?

 

[blackwatch]

Less than a month and the seats are already cracking, should be under warranty?

 

[[email protected]]

i got it on the 8th of february and sadly, i dont have a garage to park in. so i park it outside, where the sun hits it like crazy. thanks for all the help, but i think there is no solution to the problem becuase i wont be able to take it out of the sun and park it inside. but i suppose if i just....use the conditioner? it might help right?

A sunshade should help with the hot sun and also use seat covers and also flip your seats forward when not using them then the sun will hit the backs of the seats instead.

 

[TampaBear67]

If you've had it less than a month and they are cracking take it back to your dealer. That's covered under the 5 year 60 thousand mile warranty. As for parking it outside, My Mom's 87 T-Bird Turbo Coupe was NEVER parked inside, and we live in Florida where it's HOT and SUNNY most of the year. If you just do as I suggested and Clean and Condition it on a regular basis your leather will stay soft and in great condition. Also get Your Windows Tinted with a High UV rated film. It doesn't have to be dark, just make sure it has a High UV Protection rating. The Sun is the worst enemy your leather has. That's why Lexol has UV Inhibitors formulated into it as well. I have to Disagree with Michael above though on the seat covers, they tend to rub abd wear on your leather and trap heat because most have a foam stiched into them for added cushioning. Besides, You Bought Leather for a Reason, to Enjoy It, why cover it up? Anyway, I hope I've been of some help and encouragement, Good Luck with your Koup.

 

[TampaBear67]

By the way, I forgot to mention, DO NOT, I Repeat DO NOT!!! USE products such as Armor All on your leather. They Contain Petroleum Products that when left in the Sun BURN your leather. The Mink Oil is an Animal Derived Oil that Penetrates the Leather. Both Lexol and Zymol Use Natural Oils similar to that, not harsh chemicals like Armor All. That's why I posted the information from Lexol and Zymol for you Vang. Also I'm not sure where you are from, but if it is a Low Humidity, High Heat area you will have to treat and condition your leather more often. But you'll know when it needs it. Just don't put it off, because once the damage starts, the only way to fix it is to have the leather replaced.

 

[KiaTech]

God Bless Canada - for all our snow and cloud and low angle sunlight and cold... leather lasts nearly forever without much more maintenance than just sitting on it. Clean and condition is a 'twice a year' thing, for most people.

 

[roknrolr]

God Bless Canada - for all our snow and cloud and low angle sunlight and cold... leather lasts nearly forever without much more maintenance than just sitting on it. Clean and condition is a 'twice a year' thing, for most people.

Amen to that... I don't think I'd have the patience to clean and condition the leather twice a month. I'll probably still do it every month during the summer though.

 

[BigE]

Is the leather cracking or just creasing? I know my driver seat does show crease marks which is perfectly normal even with proper conditioning.
Well worn leather will always show "Character Lines", look at any leather jacket or shoes, that will never stay perfectly smooth but they sure last a long time and actually get more comfortable as they get broken in.

 

[yang_bang]

ya i live in vancouver bc canada.we had a warm winter....as hot as 19 degrees?
it wasnt a good winter considering we held the olympics.