Leather Auto Seat Cover - Custom Leather Seat Covers
Don't let your leather car seat covers crack, tear and fade! Once that happens there is no going back. That is why it is so important to properly maintain your investment. If your leather car seat covers or truck seat covers are new, then they are probably soft and supple with rich color. Here's how to keep them that way.
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A leather car seat cover is usually made out of one of two types of leather. Knowing which type your leather car seat cover is made out of is important to deciding what products to use. Here are the two most common types of leather and how to identify them:
NuBuck - This type of leather is comparable to suede. It is not slick like most leathers but fuzzy and soft. Unfortunately, it scratches easily and will stain. Do not use standard leather cleaner and conditioner on. You will need a special cleaner and conditioner for NuBuck leather. When using the appropriate cleaning and conditioning products, you will usually be instructed to use a sponge and a brush to bring back the nap of the leather.
Protected/Top Coated - This is the most common type of leather used in leather car seat covers. Approximately 90% or more of the leather you see in cars or on furniture is protected/top coated leather. It is very uniform in appearance and color. You will notice that you can't really see any natural leather markings. At the factory, once this leather is top coated, it will also receive a seal or coating with a durable finish.
How to care for your leather car seat cover
The first thing you will want to do is vacuum any crumbs or dirt off of the seats. Pay special attention to the seams and cracks. Once you have done this you can start cleaning and conditioning the leather. There are many fine leather care products out there. Go to a reputable automotive store and read the packaging carefully or ask a sales person to help you decide which cleaner and conditioner is best for your leather car seat cover.
To apply your leather cleaner, just pour some on an applicator and wipe down your seat with it. Try to avoid wiping cleaner in the seams of the leather because these gels and lotions can build up around threads, quickly weakening them. One trick is to wipe the product on the large areas and then wipe the seams when you don't have as much product on your applicator.
When you are finished applying the cleaning product now is the time to buff the leather with a clean, dry towel. This will remove excess cleaner from seams and cracks and prepare your leather car seat cover for the conditioner.
You will apply the conditioner the very same way you applied the cleaner. After applying the conditioner you will again have to buff the leather with a clean, dry towel.
Keeping your leather car seat covers clean and conditioned will help them to resist cracking and wearing. If you do this on a monthly basis, your leather car seat covers will last longer than you car will.
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