Vinyl / Leatherette restoration

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slowworm

Full Member
May 8, 2008
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Devon
Maybe a bit off topic for the site but anyways. I picked up a small wooden trunk for a project and it is covered in a black fake leather. I'd like to give it a little clean and then try and look after the covering some how. I don't want it recovered or made to look like new, just for it to not get any worse.

It seems a clean with a damp cloth is the way to go then it is suggested to use a 'conditioner'. Would some simple leather cream do the job or do I need to find something more specialised?
 

Toddy

Mod
Mod
Jan 21, 2005
38,937
4,570
S. Lanarkshire
Might not be 'approved' now, but when I was a broke teenager in my first job, and ladies leather gloves were really expensive, I had a pair of the faux stuff.
Hand cream was what was recommended to keep them looking good. We rubbed in on (while wearing the gloves) then kind of buffed it up with a soft polishing cloth.

I think though that there are different types of faux leather though....polyurethane and polyvinyl chloride, iirc.
Maybe they don't react the same way ? :dunno:

Anyhow, so long as it's not split and cracking, I think just giving it a wash with well diluted fairy and then cleaned off and dried gently should get you a decent base to start from.
Me ? I'd try the handcream :) but they do sell conditioners for "man made leather" (funnily enough that's not human skin :rolleyes:) in the shoe repair shops.
Avoid UV light though, it really does dry it out and crack the stuff.

M
 

Janne

Sent off - Not allowed to play
Feb 10, 2016
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Grand Cayman, Norway, Sweden
You will find products suitable for that material on websites catering for the vintage car hobby.

But, if you want to take a cheaper ‘shortcut, any quality car (leather) seat wash and conditioner will be fine.

Leather car seats have in reality a thick coat of Vinyl. You can say your nice car seats are Vinyl on a leather base.

I use Mequiars products myself.
 

slowworm

Full Member
May 8, 2008
1,982
934
Devon
Thank you both. Interesting idea with the had cream Toddy, I'll remember that. I did see lots of people suggesting a vinyl conditioner for car seats but didn't know what they contained. I'll have a look in the local car shop and shoe shop to see what's available cheaply.
 

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