Uh oh...problem with Zaino leather cleaner

[Interactive]

Folks: I'm concerned about what appears to be damage to my leather caused by Zaino's leather cleaner. I just bought my 2002 530 and the leather seats clearly haven't been well cared for. So I bought some Zaino cleaner and conditioner and went out to work on my drivers seat tonight. The directions state to spray the cleaner on and use a soft brush to remove soil from the leather, then wipe off with a soft towel. I did exactly as described (I used a brand new horse hair brush) and it appears to have actually removed the leather dye (is this possible) in little spots!! I've attached two high res pictures so you can see what I mean...

When I looked at my rag, it looks like grey color has transferred to the white rag!!

I'm completely afraid to do anything else until I know what's going on here. Has anyone seen this before?

[TOGWT]

Folks: I'm concerned about what appears to be damage to my leather caused by Zaino's leather cleaner. I just bought my 2002 530 and the leather seats clearly haven't been well cared for. So I bought some Zaino cleaner and conditioner and went out to work on my drivers seat tonight. The directions state to spray the cleaner on and use a soft brush to remove soil from the leather, then wipe off with a soft towel. I did exactly as described (I used a brand new horse hair brush) and it appears to have actually removed the leather dye (is this possible) in little spots!! I've attached two high res pictures so you can see what I mean...

When I looked at my rag, it looks like grey color has transferred to the white rag!!

I'm completely afraid to do anything else until I know what's going on here. Has anyone seen this before?

What you are seeing on the leather surface are wear marks, your ststement"I just bought my 2002 530 and the leather seats clearly haven't been well cared for." If leather is not cleaned/conditioned/UVR protected it will dry out and crack. With no oils in the leather it will start to show signs of wear, just like your photos.I would suggest you clean/ dye/condition the leather.(leatherique.com)

FWIW- Zaino leather cleaner did what it was formulated to do, clean the dirt that was filling the cracks that are now so obvious.
JonM

[Interactive]

I would suggest you clean/ dye/condition the leather.(leatherique.com)


I'm not sure that I'm up to the task of dying leather in my car. Sounds like plenty of room for error for a newbie project. Can anyone share their experience with this...any before/after pictures to share. (I checked their website and don't see many good pics there)

[Bill-SD]

What you are seeing on the leather surface are wear marks, your ststement"I just bought my 2002 530 and the leather seats clearly haven't been well cared for." If leather is not cleaned/conditioned/UVR protected it will dry out and crack. With no oils in the leather it will start to show signs of wear, just like your photos.I would suggest you clean/ dye/condition the leather.(leatherique.com)

FWIW- Zaino leather cleaner did what it was formulated to do, clean the dirt that was filling the cracks that are now so obvious.
JonM

That sure looks like dye on that rag to me. Leather cleaner shouldn't take the color off of the seats. It does look like re-dying the seat is the way to deal with it though.

[MikeCTM2]

you know what, the first thing you should have done is condition the leather. Leatherique explains it at their website. in fact, they have a .pdf doc that's downloadable there called Why Leather Goes Bad that you should read. learn more and use only Leatherique products for every aspect of your leather care before you continue with anything. the first step when encountering uncared for leather is to treat with Rejouvinator Oil before anything. i could re-write it all here, but you should just read it.

all the best. you may have to re-dye your driver's seat. coincidently, i just received my leatherique re-dye kit this week. i plan on touching-up my driver's seat this weekend.