Hello,

New to forum...had to buy a car out of necessity....fell in LOVE w/Audi A3. We knew we always wanted one since we saw it last year, but was planning to save a little more. Good to know that '07 is the 3rd generation, had BAD luck w/my other car w/it's numerous quirks being a first generation of a new series.

Does anyone have suggestions for leather & dash upkeep? The care package w/Audi coats the leather w/mink oil, we're still thinking. Anyone thought of doing this on their own or use any other products?

thank you!

sc

Audi A3 w/tan leather

 

I recently got some advice from a guy that has been detailing show cars for years to use saddle soap and Pledge. I know it sounds strange, but he swears by it. I checked out a friend's car that had been done the day before and it was great. The car smelled of new leather and nothing else. I'm going to probably hit mine up this coming weekend.

 

i've just used armorall leather cleaner and protecter and that seems to be working fine for the seats. nice leather smell again.
the dash is another story. i have a convertible, so it gets dusty and dirty. can't have an oily surface there.

oh, sorry......
and welcome to the forums!

 

[Deleted by Admins]

 

FYI......that's playa's way of saying...."welcome to the forums"

 

hi I just got an A3 08 w/ leather seats, it is the 1st time I have a car with leather and maybe i need to get use to the smell but my senses take me back to saliva smell. The feel is great but unless my seats and upholstery is dirty I think the car smell like saliva. Any advice? is this normal in all leather seats?

 

I've used Lexol spray cleaner and separate conditioner with a foam wax application pad with good results. The conditioner is a bit slick so use sparingly.

Rather than recapturing the leather smell I'm fond of new car smell products. The off brand red colored liquids in a spray pump gives a better scent than name brand or higher priced products. I think a subtle cherry scent is pleasing without being too perfumy.

All these can be purchased at big box auto parts stores.

 

Leather requires more and more frequent attention than vinyl and some vinyl products [particularly the one s used by VW adn M-B] are quite comfortable and retain their appearance and feel much longer.

Clean the leather first with a damp cloth then use 'spirit of wine' [diluted grain alcohol] followed by a good leather conditioner. [There are several] After 10 to 20 minutes buff with a clean dry soft all cotton cloth. Do it quarterly.

Be careful not to scuff the seat bolsters sliding in and out as the leather dye will be scraped away. If this happens the leather will need to be redyed after conditioning.

When given the choice, I no longer buy leather if good perforated vinyl seating surfaces are available.