Leather restorer, polish and interior cleaner

[ant]

I'm a new Javelin owner and pleased to have a link to so much expertise in the Club.
I'm seeking any advice about the best polish use on the paintwork, about cleaning product to use on the interior trim and on a leather softening product to use on the seats.
Thanks in advance. Anthony

[Tony Fearn]

Hello Anthony.
I don't know much about Javelins, being a pre-war chap, but I'm glad there's another Anthony on JowettTalk. Most members call me Tony, but seeing your name, I'd like to welcome you to JowettTalk.
It's a marvellous archive.
Tony. (also known to the family and close friends outside the JCC as Anthony).

[ant]

HI TONY
Yes, good to know there are others about! I've never been Tony - not sure why? Not so many young ones these days!
Any advice on products very welcome.
Cheers
Anthony

[Nick Webster]

Hello Anthony,
Unfortunately i don't think that the leather used by Briggs for trimming was the most expensive they could find. Even if it was, any leather would be doing well to be faultless after 60+ years. The main problem stems from the fact that compared with other makes, the leather used is very thin. When the creases dry out they are very prone to cracking and tearing - often described as the leather being rotton, but I don't think decay is the real problem. The most important thing is to get some goodness back into the leather.

There are many products on the market for modern leather but in this case you should be aware that most leather used in cars and home upholstery these days is coated with a synthetic protective layer that cannot be penetrated. Hence modern products address the problem of cleaning and maintaining that layer. For older leather you need something to penetrate into the pores, and that will be simple old fashioned saddle soap. You may find people suggesting that saddle soap is much too aggressive for upholstery type leather and should be restricted to use on thick saddle leather. Maybe there is some old witches brew somewhere but in my experience most tubs of this treatment are marketed as "saddle soap / leather treatment." Massage the cream into the leather generously, but firmly enough so that it all sinks in and does not leave cream on the surface of the leather. You will know when the leather is "full" when you can't get anymore into it! There are verious sources for leather dye - perhaps your local shoe repair shop. Just touch in the creases with a small paint brush and then keep it regularly treated with the saddle soap. And that in my huble opinion is it.

You should be able to sort out a whole set of seats for under £20. I have tried some of the specialist leather repair kits available from the likes of "Woolies" and etc. The cleaner was useless, the cream was reasonable and the dye was colour accurate. However the whole thing was very exotically priced. I suggest you Google "saddle soap" and leather dye" to see how readily available my suggestions are. Good luck

Nick

[Forumadmin]

I have given a generous coat of bee's wax every year and rub it in well with a soft cloth. You just need to nourish the leather. Find a bee keeper.
Worth then covering the seat with a sheet before you allow people to sit in them. This will further rub the nectar into your seats. Yes a pun intended.

[Chris Spencer]

Ant - I use a range of specialist products for vehicle interiors supplied by the 'Furniture Clinic' any have only experienced excellent results - I would suggest that you undertake a little reading through their online site - the range covers everything from leather cleaners / reviver's / restoration kits / recolouring kits etc - These I use on a professional restoration basis - I have attached the link below

https://www.furnitureclinic.co.uk/car-i ... oducts?p=1

For paintwork there is a whole range of products & miracle products - most are next to useless - I don't rate the 'Auto Glym' range of products - I use the 3M range within the workshop but 3M tends to be a trade product and not readily available to the man in the street - However, The 'Maguiars' brand is 3M's retail range of polish & cleaning products and are widely available

Should you require any further information or help please don't hesitate to repost and I'll respond accordingly

[ant]

Thank you Chris, Nick and admin
Really helpful advice for a novice like me.
I'm going on the web to explore and buy then I can get to work
Cheers
Ant