Interior materials

[cjmasterdiver]

I need some direction on the detailing of the interior. Since the products for vinyl and leather care are different, how do you know where to use what? Obviously the seats are leather, but what else is leather? Arm rest, center console, door panels, dash,etc...........need some direction. Are is there a product that can be use on all?

[Highflyer]

I use 303 on the viny and on the leather. Works great. :) :)

[MTI]

Usually only the seating/armrest/wheel/shift knob & boot are leather, while the dash, door panels and other trim are vinyl.

[dolebludger]

Like Highflier, I use 303 on my leather and vinyl, and it does work great. It is particularly problematic in my case, as our C 320 has "leather insert" seating --- meaning that the cushions and backs of seats are leather, but the bolsters are MB-Tex. the No.1 enemy of both leather and vinyl is UV rays, which dry both materials causing cracking and splitting. 303 protects with a rating of SP 40. I've never heard a bad word about it!

Thanks,
Richard :) :) :)

[tiggerfink]

The CEO of Optimum told me that most cars since 1990 are polyurethane coated. That is why you can use 303 on the vinyl and on the leather.

If you have nappa and suede you will need a different product to clean them because they are Aniline leathers. Most Mercedes Designo packages will have anilina leather.

http://www.leatherworldtech.com/LeatherIdentification.aspx


Dear Mr. Fuquay:

There are two types of automotive leather; tanned, and polyurethane
coated
(which is very similar to the vinyl). Products rich in oils work well
with
tanned leather since the oils penetrate into it. However, with
polyurethane
coated leather, which comprises about 90% of automotive leather, the
oils
stay on top of the coating and get rubbed off.

Optimum Protectant Plus works far better than traditional oils for
urethane
coated leather since it adheres to the surface providing long-lasting
protection. The sealant oils in Optimum Protectant Plus are also used
by
manufacturers of tanned leather for lasting protection and to keep it
supple. Therefore this product works great on either type of leather as
well
as vinyl.

Please let me know if I can be of any assistance. Thank you.

Best Regards,
David Ghodoussi, CEO
Optimum Polymer Technologies, Inc.
Phone: (901) 363-4955

[Roger St.Pierre]

Another good product I use is Meguirs' Leather Cleaner/Conditioner. I use it on vynil and it works very well and has UV protectants in it also.
Roger

[D.L. SWINFORD]

Howdy All;
My '85 300dt with MB TEX is as new.
Makes no difference what I've used for the past 18 years.
BUT, a tip to the wise.
ALWAYS clean the sewn seams.
Vac down deep and then clean with a mild soapy sulution followed by a second wet/dry vac.

Happy Trails Beep Beep from the Spiderman on the Gulf Coast, Don :p :p :p

Until Then JOY

Chairman of the Board
Your Moderator

'85 300dt 288Kmiles DonkaII (CHARACTER)
'87 300e 2xxK miles Donka I (put out to pasture)

[dolebludger]

I must cinfess that I have no udea of how to clean and protects suede. 303, which is recommended for leather and vinyl, is not recommended for suede.

Thanks,

Richard ;) ;) ;)

[tiggerfink]

Suede is in the Aniline leather family. Goto link below and look at the cleaner for Aniline leathes.

http://www.leathermagic.com/Secure/ecommerce/Catalog.asp?prdc=33

[drdeech]

I noticed the statement most cars since 1990 are polyurethane coated and 303 can be used on both the leather and vinyl. I just bought a 1998 CLK320. Am I safe to use the 303 on the leather in this car? Thanks Stephen