The Disappointment Thread!

[HoosierDaddy]

We just had issues with Fleas on my dog and the vet said wash them in Dawn..Said it drowns them.

I can confirm that works. But after I was done, I realized I really didn't need to wash the fleas once I got them off the dog.

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[shogun32]

IF you absolutely want to get all the wax, grease, asphalt, tar, coatings, road grime off your car...

Gets you this

a visit from Animal Abuse Hotline? I mean we used to simonize one's baby, but to scrub your car with a duckling dipped in Dawn seems taking it a tad far, no?

https://www.billharley.com/song-lyrics/the-billboard-song/

 

[markayash]

a visit from Animal Abuse Hotline? I mean we used to simonize one's baby, but to scrub your car with a duckling dipped in Dawn seems taking it a tad far, no?

https://www.billharley.com/song-lyrics/the-billboard-song/

Just don’t use the platinum

 

[MACHtobers Very Own]

I'm half disappointed with car pro dark side.

I love the way it looks when applied and I'll admit it last longer then I think just standard dressing

but that 3 month claim of "dark rich tires" I think is complete horse shit.

 

[radar]

Meguiar’s Leather Cleaner & Conditioner

An expensive disappointment.

This purchase was in response to me picking up more paid details during the pandemic. I wanted to have a leather product that would be simple, easy and cost effective. While I did already have a couple of leather cleaning and protecting products that I loved using, they were on the higher end of the scale and would be eating into the profit margin. This lead me to Meguiar’s.

Meguiar’s have an extensive range, in fact they have several different product lines within the greater line up. The “Detailer” line is focused on professionals that need bulk product without the fancy bottle or label. This line covers most detailing needs, from APC to wheel cleaners, iron removers to spray waxes and everything in between. I was already using, and liking, Last Touch as a drying aid and the rather excellent Quick Interior Detailer. So, it ended up being a natural progression to choose their Leather Cleaner and Conditioner.

Meguiar’s Leather Cleaner & Conditioner, as the name suggests, is “designed to safely clean and restore leather’s original look and suppleness”. It’s also said to offer a non-oily finish with a “pleasant” scent.

Well, what a monumental mistake that was! This would have to be the worst product purchase I have ever made, mainly because I absolutely hated it and ended up with a gallon of the stuff sitting in my cabinet for the better part of two years.

First, the scent is atrocious, like a very bad simulated leather scent mixed with wool wash detergent. Despite the claims, it was the greasy, slick, shiny and slippery finish it left behind that I detested so much.

I tried using this product a couple of times, but just could not warm to it. As mentioned earlier, it sat unused at the back of my chemical cabinet for far too long. I finally relented and threw the remaining part of the gallon in the trash earlier this year.

I have had plenty of time to think about this product and it’s place in the Meguiar’s line up. Being a combined cleaner and conditioner, it’s clearly designed to provide an efficient processing of leather in a professional environment, one where time is money. The way it applies thick and heavy covers up the dirt with a layer of slickness, rather than cleaning and removing it. The finished result is a dramatic change in appearance that will not go unnoticed by a customer. Most people seem to associate leather with gloss, hence the finish left by Meguiar's Leather Cleaner & Conditioner.

All that goes against the grain for me. Clean leather is typically soft and smooth to touch with a matte to satin sheen. NOT shiny, slippery, slick or oily feeling. Returning a car to a customer like that requires more effort, typically a two-step process that involves safely deep cleaning, then followed with an appropriate protector.

50/50 shot showing uncleaned (top) and clean (bottom) -

In defense to Meguiars, leather care products sold by the majority detailing companies are like Leather Cleaner & Conditioner. I don’t like these products for a couple of reasons, the above-mentioned shiny appearance, but also the thicker consistency makes application harder, especially if you have perforated leather. These products are often designed for leather, well derr, but automotive leather is either vinyl or split grain leather (vinyl coated leather), so they have little to no effect.

Companies like ColourLock, NV and Bowden’s take the above into account and are designed for automotive applications, effectively cleaning and protecting to achieve a soft, matte finish.

If anything, Meguiar’s Leather Cleaner & Conditioner taught me that it’s much smarter to buy a small bottle to try first. If you like the product, then order the gallon size. If not, you won’t end up throwing a large quantity into the trash like I did.

Hi DFB, doing my daily scroll through in Philippines and came across this thread.
I like the fact here you’ve mentioned three alternatives. May I suggest for each disappointment we can further impose on your great efforts and provide your favourite/recommended and value for money alternative.
When I got the blue convertible in 2027 I was using a lot of Bowdens. I see you’ve kinda shouted out their Leather cleaner here.
On return to Melbourne in September I’m looking forward to attacking my new red hardtop.
I plan to get to Waxit and Detailing shed asap for CarPro Perl and Reset.
My NV Snow is running out. I only want a “clean car” inside. You reckon the diluted PERL will be ok? My cars are stored 8 months a year. I’m keen to try the PERL inside and see how it compares to Meguairs on the tyres.
As you know I love NV Boost V2 - based on your advice, especially for its apparent durability, application in any weather (Melbourne), gloss and the way rain water cascades off. Also I use it as a drying aid.

I seem to recall PS Beadmaker was one of your recommendations and Pan the Org raves about it. I
Is it worth trying? Is it better than NV Boost V2? Do you have another alternative that will surpass NV Boost?

As always, Thankyou for your timely and considered replies.

I fear I’m starting to miss that red manual as much as my blue vert. The active exhaust and 6speed is mesmerising.

 

[DFB5.0]

Hi DFB, doing my daily scroll through in Philippines and came across this thread.
I like the fact here you’ve mentioned three alternatives. May I suggest for each disappointment we can further impose on your great efforts and provide your favourite/recommended and value for money alternative.
When I got the blue convertible in 2027 I was using a lot of Bowdens. I see you’ve kinda shouted out their Leather cleaner here.
On return to Melbourne in September I’m looking forward to attacking my new red hardtop.
I plan to get to Waxit and Detailing shed asap for CarPro Perl and Reset.
My NV Snow is running out. I only want a “clean car” inside. You reckon the diluted PERL will be ok? My cars are stored 8 months a year. I’m keen to try the PERL inside and see how it compares to Meguairs on the tyres.
As you know I love NV Boost V2 - based on your advice, especially for its apparent durability, application in any weather (Melbourne), gloss and the way rain water cascades off. Also I use it as a drying aid.

I seem to recall PS Beadmaker was one of your recommendations and Pan the Org raves about it. I
Is it worth trying? Is it better than NV Boost V2? Do you have another alternative that will surpass NV Boost?

As always, Thankyou for your timely and considered replies.

Bowden's Leather Love is a combined leather cleaner and mild protectant. Actually, they also sell Leather Guard, which is a dedicated leather protectant. I love both of those because of the clean, matte finish they leave behind. For a value combo, they are an excellent option, especially when on sale.

Perl is a pure dressing, so don't use for "cleaning". If you need some decent cleaning ability, check out P&S Xpress or Koch Chemie Pol Star, both can function as a general interior cleaner and as a safe deep cleaner for leather. For light cleaning, check out Carpro InnerQD. Perl on tyres I prefer at 1:1 dilution, for interiors you need to thin it down further, try 4:1 to 5:1.

Boost v2 and Bead Maker? If you want longevity, then stick with Boost. If you want unmatched gloss and slickness, go for Bead Maker. Considering the car sits for most of its life, product longevity should not be a concern for you, so I would say buy a small bottle and see what you think. Bead Maker is certainly not a perfect product, but you will love the gloss and slickness it creates.

 

[DFB5.0]

Are there any of these that can be bought at a physical shop in the US? I need a good leather cleaner for my recaros.

I'm fairly passionate about leather cleaning in that clean leather should be matte in finish, NEVER shiny. 90% of the leather products on the market produce a shiny result, in effect hiding dirty leather with gloss.

If you have access to Griots, then their interior cleaner is brilliant. It's safe for all interior surfaces and does not have any color or scent to mess with the finished result. Adam's Leather & Interior Cleaner is likewise very good for the same reasons. Team those with a soft to medium brush, wipe away with a towel.

Adam's Polishes Leather & Interior Cleaner | Interior Cleaning Product (adamspolishes.com)
Interior Cleaner - Safe & Effective - Griot's Garage (griotsgarage.com)

Adam's Cockpit Interior Cleaning Brush | Interior Cleaning | Leather Cleaner (adamspolishes.com)
Auto Interior Horse Hair Brush | Deep Cleaning - Griot's Garage (griotsgarage.com)

This is where it gets tricky because as I said, most leather "conditioners" on the market simply slather the surface with sticky crap and actually do very little for the vinyl and PU coated leather they are supposed to protect. If you want to something readily available, try 303 Protectant. I know this is a for plastic and rubber, but automotive leather is plastic anyway, be that the vinyl or the PU coating used on the real leather. This will help protect the surface and not instill gloss.

Amazon.com: 303 Automotive Protectant - Provides Superior UV Protection, Helps Prevent Fading and Cracking, Repels Dust, Lint, and Staining, Restores Lost Color and Luster, 16oz (30382CSR) Packaging May Vary : Automotive

 

[GrabberBargeCaptain]

I'm fairly passionate about leather cleaning in that clean leather should be matte in finish, NEVER shiny. 90% of the leather products on the market produce a shiny result, in effect hiding dirty leather with gloss.

If you have access to Griots, then their interior cleaner is brilliant. It's safe for all interior surfaces and does not have any color or scent to mess with the finished result. Adam's Leather & Interior Cleaner is likewise very good for the same reasons. Team those with a soft to medium brush, wipe away with a towel.

Adam's Polishes Leather & Interior Cleaner | Interior Cleaning Product (adamspolishes.com)
Interior Cleaner - Safe & Effective - Griot's Garage (griotsgarage.com)

Adam's Cockpit Interior Cleaning Brush | Interior Cleaning | Leather Cleaner (adamspolishes.com)
Auto Interior Horse Hair Brush | Deep Cleaning - Griot's Garage (griotsgarage.com)

This is where it gets tricky because as I said, most leather "conditioners" on the market simply slather the surface with sticky crap and actually do very little for the vinyl and PU coated leather they are supposed to protect. If you want to something readily available, try 303 Protectant. I know this is a for plastic and rubber, but automotive leather is plastic anyway, be that the vinyl or the PU coating used on the real leather. This will help protect the surface and not instill gloss.

Amazon.com: 303 Automotive Protectant - Provides Superior UV Protection, Helps Prevent Fading and Cracking, Repels Dust, Lint, and Staining, Restores Lost Color and Luster, 16oz (30382CSR) Packaging May Vary : Automotive

I like their interior detailer as well which is lower strength and has a uv inhibitor.

My mustang has cloth seats but my wife’s 2021 CX5 with leather was looking a little tired. I tried leatherique on a VERY hot day and the seats and steering wheel soaked it up like a sponge which was surprising since as you say these automotive leathers have a plastic outer coating. And after using their cleaner to get the leftover oil off the seats look great, and steering wheel looks MUCH better. Impressive albeit messy product. Good to know that plastic coated leather still benefits from moisturizing oils and such.

 

[DFB5.0]

I like their interior detailer as well which is lower strength and has a uv inhibitor.

My mustang has cloth seats but my wife’s 2021 CX5 with leather was looking a little tired. I tried leatherique on a VERY hot day and the seats and steering wheel soaked it up like a sponge which was surprising since as you say these automotive leathers have a plastic outer coating. And after using their cleaner to get the leftover oil off the seats look great, and steering wheel looks MUCH better. Impressive albeit messy product. Good to know that plastic coated leather still benefits from moisturizing oils and such.

I can't speak specifically about Letherique, but I do know ColourLock and Geist leather conditions have the ability to penetrate the PU coating on modern leather, which is just one of the reasons I use them.


"..........penetrating conditioner designed to overcome the surface tension of leather topcoat and wax."
Geist. Leather Conditioner 500 ml / 16.75 fl.oz | www.leathercare.com

 

[kilobravo]

You folks are doing a fine job of spending my retirement. <grin> So, I ordered some Geist, NV Nova Jet, and some InnerQD. Hell, I still haven't tried KC Pol Star. <laughing>

Never been obsessive about the cockpit other than keeping it swept and glass cleaned. Usually just wipe down everything with a damp towel but, I do need to take better care of the pseudo-leather seats.

 

[markayash]

I'm fairly passionate about leather cleaning in that clean leather should be matte in finish, NEVER shiny. 90% of the leather products on the market produce a shiny result, in effect hiding dirty leather with gloss.

If you have access to Griots, then their interior cleaner is brilliant. It's safe for all interior surfaces and does not have any color or scent to mess with the finished result. Adam's Leather & Interior Cleaner is likewise very good for the same reasons. Team those with a soft to medium brush, wipe away with a towel.

Adam's Polishes Leather & Interior Cleaner | Interior Cleaning Product (adamspolishes.com)
Interior Cleaner - Safe & Effective - Griot's Garage (griotsgarage.com)

Adam's Cockpit Interior Cleaning Brush | Interior Cleaning | Leather Cleaner (adamspolishes.com)
Auto Interior Horse Hair Brush | Deep Cleaning - Griot's Garage (griotsgarage.com)

This is where it gets tricky because as I said, most leather "conditioners" on the market simply slather the surface with sticky crap and actually do very little for the vinyl and PU coated leather they are supposed to protect. If you want to something readily available, try 303 Protectant. I know this is a for plastic and rubber, but automotive leather is plastic anyway, be that the vinyl or the PU coating used on the real leather. This will help protect the surface and not instill gloss.

Amazon.com: 303 Automotive Protectant - Provides Superior UV Protection, Helps Prevent Fading and Cracking, Repels Dust, Lint, and Staining, Restores Lost Color and Luster, 16oz (30382CSR) Packaging May Vary : Automotive

Interesting, I will try the 303 on my back seats which nobody ever uses

 

[skinnyb]

I'm half disappointed with car pro dark side.

I love the way it looks when applied and I'll admit it last longer then I think just standard dressing

but that 3 month claim of "dark rich tires" I think is complete horse shit.

Truth. I like it but not 3 month like it. Of course I usually scrub mine down and reapply something every couple weeks anyway. And its way too goopy for me... My favorite is Koch Chemie PSS. Its extremely water like, but with a Microfiber sponge applicator, it goes on really easy and smooth..

 

[skinnyb]

You folks are doing a fine job of spending my retirement. <grin> So, I ordered some Geist, NV Nova Jet, and some InnerQD. Hell, I still haven't tried KC Pol Star. <laughing>

Never been obsessive about the cockpit other than keeping it swept and glass cleaned. Usually just wipe down everything with a damp towel but, I do need to take better care of the pseudo-leather seats.

I like Inner QD. Its the only one listed I have tried. Its great for a quick wipe and go. No shine at all, and leaves some UV protection behind for a while.. Not quite as much protection as a dedicated protector, but for an all in one, I like it. Stays in my car trunk detail kit for the quick touch up at a cars and coffee or whatever.

 

[DFB5.0]

You folks are doing a fine job of spending my retirement. <grin> So, I ordered some Geist, NV Nova Jet, and some InnerQD. Hell, I still haven't tried KC Pol Star. <laughing>

Never been obsessive about the cockpit other than keeping it swept and glass cleaned. Usually just wipe down everything with a damp towel but, I do need to take better care of the pseudo-leather seats.

Oops, sorry about that.

Nothing wrong with a damp towel on interiors, in actual fact, that's all most need......................but its fun having a scented product for this role.

 

[kilobravo]

Nothing wrong with a damp towel on interiors, in actual fact, that's all most need

That has always been my thinking D for a vehicle that hardly gets driven.

.but its fun having a scented product for this role.

And that's why I ordered it, I wanted to smell the smell. <grin>

Oops, sorry about that.

<smiling> No apology necessary old buddy, buying things is almost as therapeutic as vehicle detailing. <BSEG>

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