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      12-20-2023, 10:18 AM   #1
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Shiny Leather Treatment?

What's everyone using to keep the leather from becoming "shiny"?

I'm 5K in and am starting to see some of it in places I interact with (e.g. steering wheel, driver seat, armrest) - albeit, not bad. Can this be prevented? Is it already too late? I'm not the type to detail my ride every weekend but I'd like to stay ahead of this if I can. Appreciate the input.

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      12-20-2023, 10:24 AM   #2
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mirob View Post
What's everyone using to keep the leather from becoming "shiny"?

I'm 5K in and am starting to see some of it in places I interact with (e.g. steering wheel, driver seat, armrest) - albeit, not bad. Can this be prevented? Is it already too late? I'm not the type to detail my ride every weekend but I'd like to stay ahead of this if I can. Appreciate the input.

Mods, please move if necessary.
You need to clean, and regularly.

You should be cleaning your wheel every 2-4 weeks. Start off with a DAMP microfiber and follow up with dry. Do not oversaturate the leather. Do another pass and another if need be, don't make it sopping wet. Next step, use a mild cleaner. you can even use woolite if you like, but I use Leather Masters or Colourlock. Start with the Mild cleaner. That should keep things in good shape.

if you need more, go to the Strong cleaner or for Colourlock, you could try the degreaser. But honestly a few sessions with the Mild cleaner will probably make it right.

I learned this lesson on my wife's old Cayenne. I thought every 45-90 days cleaning the wheel was enough but it's not. She got that wheel nice and greasey, unfortunately. On her new car, I pretty much wipe it down with water every other weekend and then at least once a month use the mild cleaner and it makes it nice and velvety.

Follow up with something like Leather Masters Leather Protection Cream or Colourlock Leather Shield to keep it from getting dirty as fast. Colourlock is what I'm going to use on my M3.

This sounds daunting, but if you keep a microfiber handy, literally takes 5 minutes.

Last edited by Needsdecaf; 12-20-2023 at 11:07 AM..
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      12-20-2023, 10:25 AM   #3
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I like Gyeon mild leather cleaner.
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      12-20-2023, 10:32 AM   #4
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Gyeon Cleaner w/ Gyeon Ceramic after
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      12-20-2023, 11:11 AM   #5
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Needsdecaf View Post
You need to clean, and regularly.

You should be cleaning your wheel every 2-4 weeks. Start off with a DAMP microfiber and follow up with dry. Do not oversaturate the leather. Do another pass and another if need be, don't make it sopping wet. Next step, use a mild cleaner. you can even use woolite if you like, but I use Leather Masters or Colourlock. Start with the Mild cleaner. That should keep things in good shape.

if you need more, go to the Strong cleaner or for Colourlock, you could try the degreaser. But honestly a few sessions with the Mild cleaner will probably make it right.

I learned this lesson on my wife's old Cayenne. I thought every 45-90 days cleaning the wheel was enough but it's not. She got that wheel nice and greasey, unfortunately. On her new car, I pretty much wipe it down with water every other weekend and then at least once a month use the mild cleaner and it makes it nice and velvety.

Follow up with something like Leather Masters Leather Protection Cream or Colourlock Leather Shield to keep it from getting dirty as fast. Colourlock is what I'm going to use on my M3.

This sounds daunting, but if you keep a microfiber handy, literally takes 5 minutes.
Quote:
Originally Posted by kgelfen360 View Post
I like Gyeon mild leather cleaner.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Berzerker View Post
Gyeon Cleaner w/ Gyeon Ceramic after
I'm looking on Amazon and there are quite a few different kits and stand-alone items for both brands. I'm beyond noob when it comes to this stuff.
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      12-20-2023, 11:15 AM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mirob View Post
I'm looking on Amazon and there are quite a few different kits and stand-alone items for both brands. I'm beyond noob when it comes to this stuff.
Cleaner - https://www.amazon.com/GYEON-quartz-.../dp/B07NS6BLTK

Ceramic (after cleaning) - https://www.amazon.com/GYEON-quartz-.../dp/B01N57S9O6
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      12-20-2023, 11:23 AM   #7
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Hell yeah dude!

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      12-20-2023, 01:27 PM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Needsdecaf View Post
You need to clean, and regularly.

You should be cleaning your wheel every 2-4 weeks. Start off with a DAMP microfiber and follow up with dry. Do not oversaturate the leather. Do another pass and another if need be, don't make it sopping wet. Next step, use a mild cleaner. you can even use woolite if you like, but I use Leather Masters or Colourlock. Start with the Mild cleaner. That should keep things in good shape.

if you need more, go to the Strong cleaner or for Colourlock, you could try the degreaser. But honestly a few sessions with the Mild cleaner will probably make it right.

I learned this lesson on my wife's old Cayenne. I thought every 45-90 days cleaning the wheel was enough but it's not. She got that wheel nice and greasey, unfortunately. On her new car, I pretty much wipe it down with water every other weekend and then at least once a month use the mild cleaner and it makes it nice and velvety.

Follow up with something like Leather Masters Leather Protection Cream or Colourlock Leather Shield to keep it from getting dirty as fast. Colourlock is what I'm going to use on my M3.

This sounds daunting, but if you keep a microfiber handy, literally takes 5 minutes.
I agree. Always start with the most mild action, then proceed from there. The key is staying on top of it regularly so nothing has a chance to build up.

Also, highly recommend the mild cleaner option from Colourlock. I've used dozens of cleaners over the years and this one is by far my favorite. No scent, no residue, does a great job.
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      12-20-2023, 02:32 PM   #9
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I also recommend using Colourlock products. I do enjoy Gyeon products but Colourlock are leather specialists and produce their products in house in Germany.

If you really care, you can check out this video of the Colourlock location
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      12-20-2023, 02:47 PM   #10
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Yeah like others said just have to clean it and maintain. Shiny means it's dirty gets oil from skin.

In my case for maintenance cleaning (like 2 times a month I'd say), I like to use a clean and protect type product, at the moment I really enjoy DIY Detail interior clean protect and for dirtier cleaning, like when I got my car used and detailed it, I use my all purpose cleaner Optimum power clean for dirtier jobs. If I cleaned with OPC, then I'll follow it with some kind of protectant, I like to use CarPro PERL.
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      12-20-2023, 07:33 PM   #11
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question since we're on the topic - I had my interior surfaces ceramic coated when new by the PPF shop using XPEL's ceramic. Currently at 700 miles and I'm seeing some shine on the wheel where I grab it (10 o clock because manual).

Is this to be expected with a ceramic coated leather wheel?
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      12-20-2023, 07:44 PM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by TheMidnightNarwhal View Post
Yeah like others said just have to clean it and maintain. Shiny means it's dirty gets oil from skin.

In my case for maintenance cleaning (like 2 times a month I'd say), I like to use a clean and protect type product, at the moment I really enjoy DIY Detail interior clean protect and for dirtier cleaning, like when I got my car used and detailed it, I use my all purpose cleaner Optimum power clean for dirtier jobs. If I cleaned with OPC, then I'll follow it with some kind of protectant, I like to use CarPro PERL.
This thread is about new cars so youre right, but worth expanding in shiny=dirty…

This is not true for wear. Old leather can become polished smooth to a point where no matter how clean it is it will still have a shiny finish.

I tried to “clean away” the shininess with high quality leather cleaners and microfibers on my 2010 e92 until i wore through the sealant layer and into the colour.
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      12-20-2023, 09:14 PM   #13
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      12-20-2023, 09:15 PM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by nunzo View Post
question since we're on the topic - I had my interior surfaces ceramic coated when new by the PPF shop using XPEL's ceramic. Currently at 700 miles and I'm seeing some shine on the wheel where I grab it (10 o clock because manual).

Is this to be expected with a ceramic coated leather wheel?
Does a ceramic coated car get dirty? Same concept. The dirt is on the coating, not on the wheel. Ceramic is protection. Not God’s creation.
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      12-20-2023, 10:09 PM   #15
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My palms sweat when I'm holding the wheel tightly, so I just wear driving gloves.
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      12-20-2023, 11:06 PM   #16
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this was recommended to be by a reputable detail shop years ago. Still one of the best products for the interior. Leaves the leather looking matte while adding a thin invisible protective layer that isn't sticky



https://www.amazon.com/Leather-Maste...zcF9hdGY&psc=1
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      12-21-2023, 06:50 AM   #17
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mirob View Post
What's everyone using to keep the leather from becoming "shiny"?

I'm 5K in and am starting to see some of it in places I interact with (e.g. steering wheel, driver seat, armrest) - albeit, not bad. Can this be prevented? Is it already too late? I'm not the type to detail my ride every weekend but I'd like to stay ahead of this if I can. Appreciate the input.

Mods, please move if necessary.

My detail shop uses Swissvax. A matte finish.

http://detailwerkz.com/interiorservices.html
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      12-21-2023, 04:51 PM   #18
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Additionally I used the following products to clean and revive a steering wheel & shift knob on a 10 year old car
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      12-21-2023, 08:39 PM   #19
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Originally Posted by Berzerker View Post
How necessary is it to use the ceramic after using the cleaner? Does it make a major difference?
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      12-21-2023, 09:40 PM   #20
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Quote:
Originally Posted by m2for2 View Post
How necessary is it to use the ceramic after using the cleaner? Does it make a major difference?
It prevents things from transferring on to the leather such jeans blue color or other things that can stain leather.
I did the same thing clean it and then apply ceramic from gyeon. U can then use mild leather cleaner without it removing ceramic coat. If u use more heavy duty leather cleaners it will remove coating. Not big deal but just be aware so u not wasting time applying it and then removing during cleaning.
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      12-22-2023, 01:05 AM   #21
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Quote:
Originally Posted by m2for2 View Post
How necessary is it to use the ceramic after using the cleaner? Does it make a major difference?
Not necessary but you're going to notice a lot less discoloration and it'll be a lot easier to clean the next time. I'd take the time to do it. You only have to reapply it every 3-6 months or so, if you clean it regularly.
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      12-22-2023, 02:39 AM   #22
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Alan l. View Post
this was recommended to be by a reputable detail shop years ago. Still one of the best products for the interior. Leaves the leather looking matte while adding a thin invisible protective layer that isn't sticky



https://www.amazon.com/Leather-Maste...zcF9hdGY&psc=1
This one looks great, but DAMN that's expensive!
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