Query re leather on Discovery 4

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If you really wanted to test the theory, allow a drop of water to dwell on the surface of the leather for 30 seconds and then wipe it away. Uncoated leather will be left with a wet stain. PU coated leather will not.

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As an aside, that's nonsense. I'll show you my definitely uncoated but properly cared for leather boots if you want, or my (30 year old) work belt: water can sit on them for 30 minutes and be wiped away without a wet stain. A wet stain after 30 seconds simply means you are not caring for the leather regularly. That's the whole point of dubbin, saddle soap, lanolin and silicone creams/balms and waxes.

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Originally Posted by Jpdv

PU coated or not, agree or disagree or not, that link implies 'normal' leather care is appropriate. Likewise, here's an up to date recommendation from a Land Rover main dealer that suggests saddle soap - a very, very traditional leather care product. (That Bowden's specifically warn against...)



(Source: https://www.landrovernorthscottsdale...her-seat-care/ )

My point is, we are all coming at this from personal opinion on 2 fronts:

1. Whether it's real, false, or real and 'coated'.
2. Whether coated or false leather is improved or not by traditional leather care products...

There appears to be at least one US product that works on 'all' combinations - that may be worth a try if one cannot decide exactly what one is sitting on... Specifically recommended for leather and vinyl...

Lexol | Lexol

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What are you defining as normal leather in this context? I am defining normal as what you'll find in the majority of vehicles, PU coated leather. Uncoated leather is not common enough to be even relevant in this conversation.

As mentioned in the article I linked, Saddle Soap is even mentioned in a generation of HSV owners manuals, which shows how pervasive the myth is. The pH alone of a saddle soap is enough to tell you that is totally unsuitable for use on leather, not to mention the rest of the harmful waxes and solvents in there. It's designed for saddles, not car seats.

Something that would work on uncoated and coated leather just simply can't exist. It would be like having a fabric cleaner that also works as garden fertilizer, totally different ingredients are needed to care for each surface.

Those are the facts, not my personal opinion.

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Originally Posted by The Mighty Range Rover

What are you defining as normal leather in this context? I am defining normal as what you'll find in the majority of vehicles, PU coated leather. Uncoated leather is not common enough to be even relevant in this conversation.

As mentioned in the article I linked, Saddle Soap is even mentioned in a generation of HSV owners manuals, which shows how pervasive the myth is. The pH alone of a saddle soap is enough to tell you that is totally unsuitable for use on leather, not to mention the rest of the harmful waxes and solvents in there. It's designed for saddles, not car seats.

Something that would work on uncoated and coated leather just simply can't exist. It would be like having a fabric cleaner that also works as garden fertilizer, totally different ingredients are needed to care for each surface.

Those are the facts, not my personal opinion.

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What qualifies you to make these statements? Not a dig but an honest question? Are you a chemist or fabric developer? I mean I can read Bowdens marketing material, or Meguires or whomever else’s, but …..

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Something that would work on uncoated and coated leather just simply can't exist. It would be like having a fabric cleaner that also works as garden fertilizer, totally different ingredients are needed to care for each surface.

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Research before you make definitive statements.... Epsom salts is used as an organic fertiliser, and as a fabric cleaner/conditioner... Similarly, Potassium Nitrate is a fertiliser. It's also in toothpaste, cleaning your teeth. It's also an ingredient in...wait for it... the preservation of leather hides. There's 2 examples straight off the top of my head.

So different applications do not necessarily require 'totally different ingredients'... I'm grateful for your input, but let's wait and see what I get back from LR.

So Disco 3 and all I’ve ever done is regular wipe them down with a damp cloth (water). The seat tops and backs are all perfect for 14 yrs except for the non leather side panel on drivers seat that has a split where it crushes.

No deep cracks or splits all looking good but it’s garaged and not in sun most days.

Less can definitely be more.

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Originally Posted by Jpdv

Research before you make definitive statements.... Epsom salts is used as an organic fertiliser, and as a fabric cleaner/conditioner... Similarly, Potassium Nitrate is a fertiliser. It's also in toothpaste, cleaning your teeth. It's also an ingredient in...wait for it... the preservation of leather hides. There's 2 examples straight off the top of my head.

So different applications do not necessarily require 'totally different ingredients'... I'm grateful for your input, but let's wait and see what I get back from LR.

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Those were literally the first two things that popped into my head, I'm sure you understand the overall point I was making.

I work in the car care industry testing and developing these kinds of products.

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Originally Posted by Jpdv

As an aside, that's nonsense. I'll show you my definitely uncoated but properly cared for leather boots if you want, or my (30 year old) work belt: water can sit on them for 30 minutes and be wiped away without a wet stain. A wet stain after 30 seconds simply means you are not caring for the leather regularly. That's the whole point of dubbin, saddle soap, lanolin and silicone creams/balms and waxes.

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We are talking about automotive leather, not workboots or belts.

This thread has been great as I'm out of leather care for my car and using the manual I've found out the genuine leather care products from LR are about $50, that's a pretty safe bet. I spent $35 today on a bottle of car wash. So $50 for leather care seems reasonable.
LR023889 is a part number I found.

I should add. I used Bowden's recently. I have a crack in my seat (could be coincidence) and where my elbow sits has worn quite quickly. Before this I was Meguiar's only. It seems the Bowden's has softened the top of the door card. I need to test it on another area before I blame them.

Happy with the way they both looked, but the LR sentiment matches my opinion

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Originally Posted by josh.huber

It seems the Bowden's has softened the top of the door card. I need to test it on another area before I blame them.

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The top of the door cards are vinyl, unless you have the premium leather upgrade. But I have been using Bowdens Leather Love on my vinyl door tops without any issues for the last couple of years.