For car owners, leather upholstery poses a serious challenge. Few car owners know the right way to keep the leather parts in their cars in prime condition. When you consider the fact that caring from the interior of your vehicle is as important as taking care of the engine in terms of maintenance, it is easy to see why a good number of car owners are conscious about their upholstery. This piece takes a look at some vital things you need to know when it comes to keeping your car’s leather upholstery in prime condition.

Determine if you have finished or unfinished leather in your car

Bulk of the leather upholstery in American and Asian cars are plastic coated and the surface layer is made of vinyl. If your car is European however, there is a good chance that it will have naked leather. Naked leather means the surface is original hide without any form of protection.

If you are still not sure what kind of leather your car is made of, simply look for a small part of the leather upholstery where you can apply a small drop of water. If the water leaves a spot after drying off, the upholstery in your car is uncoated.

Taking care of Vinyl-Coated leather

The protective nature of vinyl coated leather makes it care-free. There won’t be any need for a leather conditioner as it won’t be absorbed. Instead, you should maintain your car’s seats in the same manner as you would maintain any vinyl upholstery. The best way to do this is to use quality protectants to prevent fading, cracking and stains.  If the upholstery is already faded, you can consider using vinyl paint to restore it to its former glory. Good vinyl paint jobs will equally ensure the integrity of your car’s interior is left intact.

Taking care of uncoated leather

Naked leather easily absorbs conditioners but liquids are not repelled as efficiently as is the case with vinyl-topped upholstery.  This is why taking care of your uncoated leather should be done with quality leather conditioner in addition to a cleaner.  Focus on products that are PH-balanced and safe to use on uncoated leather. This ensures you will be able to restore the natural beauty and smells of your leather without removing its colour.

With these tips, you can ensure adequate maintenance of your car’s leather interior regardless of type of leather used.