Trommel wrote:

googsy2 wrote:

I read that conditioner on our kind of leather does not absorb into the leather and cleaning the leather with a damp cloth or leather cleaner and finishing protectant is better

Yes, it can't do anything but attract dirt on any surface-treated leather.

Sorry nice theory but clearly contradicted by the experience of pretty much everybody on this thread, and a lot of the forum who've found gliptone to nourish and massively improve the appearance of our leather. I guess it ages precisely because the surface treatment wears off.  Range Rover-less at the moment - Pining!

And I would agree with the above, I've been detailing cars since I was 15 and I know when something doesn't work.

There is nothing different about the leather in a FFRR to any other car (other than quality). It is still a living breathing material that requires help now and then.

If you could see my interior in the flesh (photos never do it justice) you would appreciate just how good a 4 year old car can look.

If you don't want to do yours then its personal choice  Discovery 4 HSE
1998 110 TUM HS FFR Hard Top XD WOLF
1982 Series 3 Hard Top

*Gone:L462 D5 HSE LUX, L663 Defender 110 HSE, Discovery 3 HSE, 2014MY Range Rover Sport 5.0 Supercharged AB Dynamic; L405 Exec Vogue SE 4.4, 5.0 Supercharged Autobiography, Defender TDCi XS CSW, Defender TD5 HT, Vogue SE TDV8, Vogue TD6, RRSport SC 4.2V8, Classic 3.9 Vogue Auto, Land Rover Series 3 SWB

bozmandb9 wrote:

Sorry nice theory but clearly contradicted by the experience of pretty much everybody on this thread, and a lot of the forum who've found gliptone to nourish and massively improve the appearance of our leather. I guess it ages precisely because the surface treatment wears off

RRUK wrote:

There is nothing different about the leather in a FFRR to any other car

Of course you're entitled to your opinion, and if you can convince yourself it doesn't make any difference then don't do it. However many of us have seen for ourselves what a difference it makes, I don't think you'll manage to convince us to ignore the evidence of our senses of sight, touch and smell. If you could, then you would still have the problem that most of us have also been told by everybody who sees the treated interior that it looks like new!

So as above, if you feel it doesn't work, don't do it, but it does for me, so I will!

P.S. On the subject of treated leather, my leather suite was treated from new with gliptone, all except for a small bit which I missed. All of the treated parts have been fantastically stain resistant and have not faded, the one bit I missed is very faded and stained! Also the furniture store recommended the leather treatment (although they tried to sell their own package). Range Rover-less at the moment - Pining!

Click

I don't see the relevance of that web link to our conversation? Discovery 4 HSE
1998 110 TUM HS FFR Hard Top XD WOLF
1982 Series 3 Hard Top

*Gone:L462 D5 HSE LUX, L663 Defender 110 HSE, Discovery 3 HSE, 2014MY Range Rover Sport 5.0 Supercharged AB Dynamic; L405 Exec Vogue SE 4.4, 5.0 Supercharged Autobiography, Defender TDCi XS CSW, Defender TD5 HT, Vogue SE TDV8, Vogue TD6, RRSport SC 4.2V8, Classic 3.9 Vogue Auto, Land Rover Series 3 SWB

I do, it explains a lot.

Trommel, if you're looking for a great investment I've got a great bridge for sale in Central London, it's a clearance offer due to budget cuts!  Range Rover-less at the moment - Pining!

On the basis of the very positive comments regarding Gliptone, I ordered up a bottle of cleaner and conditioner and my initial thoughts are very favourable!

It certainly make the leather look and feel much nicer, and that smell......................

Of course there are those who will always remain sceptical in spite of overwhelming evidence to the contrary!  Got - 2017 SDV8 Autobiography in Loire Blue
Had- 2008 TDV8 Vogue SE in Java black
Had - 2007 S/C in Stornoway Grey

Trommel wrote:

You're right - the leather is like the leather in every other car. It is a processed, surface-coated product. The oils and other gunk in these products cannot penetrate the leather (unless the surface finish is damaged)

Facts are facts, which is why there has been a move away from old-fashioned wax and oil-based leather treatments to water-based cleaners.

It's entirely wrong to suggest modern automotive leather needs "feeding", as the leather manufacturers themselves will confirm.

Better tell Land Rover to stop selling their own kit to clean and condition the leather!

http://www.landroverpartsshop.co.uk/catalo...cts_id=465

 Range Rover-less at the moment - Pining!

Been using Gliptone for more years than I care to remember. Best cleaner and conditioner on the market

alanm_3 wrote:

Of course there are those who will always remain sceptical in spite of overwhelming evidence to the contrary!

bozmandb9 wrote:

Better tell Land Rover to stop selling their own kit to clean and condition the leather!

http://www.landroverpartsshop.co.uk/catalo...cts_id=465

Fragranced lanolin...hmmm.

Quick google:

'Lanolin's role in nature is to protect wool and skin against the ravages of climate and the environment – it also seems to play a role in integumental hygiene.[1] It is therefore not surprising that lanolin and its many derivatives are used extensively in products designed for the protection, treatment and beautification of human skin.'

Yeah, I guess I will rub it into my seats, sounds good to me!

The only problem with your knowledge, is that it's contradicted by so many of our direct experience! I guess if any of us had experienced sticky leather attracting dirt after using us, or no beneficial effect, then we would agree with you, however despite your sounding very knowledgeable, it's difficult to accept expert opinion which is directly contradicted by ones experience, however you're probably right, we're probably imagining the benefits and in denial about the problems.

You've got me very worried now about the potential damage i've done to my interior! When I got it it was dry, cracked and very faded,a and now it looks dark (it's Jet so that should be a good thing), and looks and smells new, so I've probably inadvertently ruined it in some way, can't quite figure out how though, maybe they forgot to coat my leather with urethane in the factory? Range Rover-less at the moment - Pining!

As I said, feel free to do as you wish.

A link to one of many sites explaining what automotive leather is and how it should be maintained - http://www.bowdensown.com.au/leather-care-blog (yes, it's selling a product, but I think it spells it out fairly clearly).

In these vehicles is a non sealed, ‘Aniline’ type dyed leather, which requires old world skills and products to look after them. You can tell if your car has this type of leather quite easily, put a drop of water on the surface of the seat, if it gets absorbed into the seat and leaves a mark, it is certainly an uncovered type (don’t worry, the drop mark will disappear and not damage the seat), if water beads on the surface, you’ve most likely got the pigmented PU coated leather. Another test is scratching it with your finger nail, if it changes colour to a darker or lighter shade it is not protected and would be an Aniline type. Some super expensive exotics and luxury transports still use this leather. But due to its hard to care for nature it has been slowly phased out of the cockpit. With nothing on the surface protecting them, the use of special cleansers, protectants, oils, balms and even some waxes can be used to clean and maintain them.
Quoted from Bowden's website and based on this evidence my wife's Volvo V70 T5 has coated leather , my Range rover dose not . 2008 MY Supercharged
Rimini Red / Jet
four zone climate
remote park heater
and no ugly kid windows.
magnus satis quod turpis satis

Ahaa, thanks Axle, now we're getting somewhere!

A little googling shows that the current Vogue SE has semi aniline leather, so this is almost certainly the case for the earlier ones.

I believe some users have reported finding the leather in Vogues and Vogue SE's very different, or rather referring to the seating as being much 'harder' in one than the other. Is it perhaps that the Vogue has treated leather, whilst the SE has semi-aniline?  Range Rover-less at the moment - Pining!