leather lifting color

[HFX Detailing]

How do you tell if you are lifting color from a leather seat? Especially when it is very dirty and you can see a ton of dirt coming off.

[Baron_Von_Awesome]

Find a test spot.  What kind of car is it?

[HFX Detailing]

I'm wondering in general. How does a test spot help. What are you looking for. How do you know if you took color off...

 

For example, if someone says how do you know you are bruised. You can't just say look for a bruise if you don't know what a bruise is

You would say look for a place on your skin that may hurt and can be black/blue.

 

 

[Baron_Von_Awesome]

I'm wondering in general. How does a test spot help. What are you looking for. How do you know if you took color off... For example, if someone says how do you know you are bruised. You can't just say look for a bruise if you don't know what a bruise is You would say look for a place on your skin that may hurt and can be black/blue.

Gotcha. 

 

One of the most effective ways is to start with cloths that have no color - white only, and soft to medium natural bristle brushes.  Apply leather cleaner to your brush and agitate on a small, non-conspicious area.  I like to use the area between the bolster and center console if it is an ACTUAL leather seat (rare nowadays).  Another good test spot is the very front of the driver's seat.

 

Apply the cleaner to the brush, agitate, and gently...with not much pressure...wipe the area with your white cloth and check for any bleeding.  Almost all leather today is vinyl coated, so it is very unlikely you're going to encounter a situation where you would lift color from a seat..

[HFX Detailing]

Alright, thank you.

[Rich]

Personally, I've never used a brush on my leather.  Use a white rag, put some Leather Cleaner on the micro and rub in a circular motion. All you should see on your rag is the dirt. If you're seeing tan, red, black or blue (or any other color) then stop.

You can also just use the Leather Conditioner to clean your leather if you want to skip the cleaning step. It works almost as well, plus conditions the leather at the same time.

BUT if you do use the Leather Cleaner, be sure to follow up after cleaning with the Leather Conditioner. And if you see streaking, or light and dark spots, don't panic. That happens whenever the leather is soaking up the products ...........some spots that are lighter are absorbing more product faster. The darker spots aren't as dry so you'll see the darker areas. Just keep applying in layers until you get a uniform finish.

[ECaulk]

Personally, I've never used a brush on my leather.  Use a white rag, put some Leather Cleaner on the micro and rub in a circular motion. All you should see on your rag is the dirt. If you're seeing tan, red, black or blue (or any other color) then stop.

You can also just use the Leather Conditioner to clean your leather if you want to skip the cleaning step. It works almost as well, plus conditions the leather at the same time.

BUT if you do use the Leather Cleaner, be sure to follow up after cleaning with the Leather Conditioner. And if you see streaking, or light and dark spots, don't panic. That happens whenever the leather is soaking up the products ...........some spots that are lighter are absorbing more product faster. The darker spots aren't as dry so you'll see the darker areas. Just keep applying in layers until you get a uniform finish.

 

^ Solid advise. I rarely use a brush, but sometimes the leather is to dirty and for the textured leather of the late 90s early 2000s can be a pain to get cleaned up without it.