“What? Scrub leather and vinyl?” is a question I
frequently hear. I’m not out of my mind, I promise. Leather and vinyl are
penetrable, porous surfaces. They both need to be cleaned and protected
regularly to avoid fading, cracking, peeling and UV damage. The best product in
the world can sit atop the surface doing next to nothing. Help a product work
its way deep into the fibers where it can effectively do what it’s designed to
do--its job! For some reason, many people shy away from scrubbing their product
into vinyl and leather. Spraying and rubbing alone will not yield maximum
results with cleaners, protectants, or conditioners.
Whether your aim is to protect, condition or clean, this
soft, tampico-bristled brush is intended for safe use on leather or vinyl. Its 4
½ x 1 ½ “ size is easily manipulated between seat cushions. When used with a
quality product, you’ll see far greater effects with this brush than you can
imagine. Agitating the leather or vinyl opens the pores and allows your, let’s
say conditioner, to seep into the miniscule individual pores, lubricating and
moisturizing deeply. You will be rewarded with a better, longer-lasting outcome
when you scrub rather than just rub.
I have some favorite products I swear by that seem to
outperform others in their respective classes. Pinnacle Leather Conditioner
is the best I’ve tested in terms of tactile pleasure after the fact. A
luxurious, matte finish that’s so plush you’ll want to stroke it. Meguiar’s
#40 Vinyl & Rubber Cleaner/Conditioner is a nice two-in-one product with a
pleasing finish. Wolfgang Leather Care Cleaner is magical against
frightening spills and smudges. Some stains are impossible to remove, but
applying a protectant regularly and having the right products on hand for
accidents will increase your chances of maintaining flawless, factory fresh
vinyl and leather interiors.