Dye transfer on driver seat

[Sea Warrior]

I typically clean and re-condition the leather seats about every 6 weeks when I wash and wax.

I took the car into the dealer for a state inspection five weeks ago. I finishing detailing the vehicle a week before taking it in.

I just now was about to detail the car again when I noticed a red dye transfer on the seat back of the driver side. I'm the only one who drives the vehicle and since no one else could've caused it, I know it wasn't my shirt because I don't wear red shirts. The mechanic had to have done it.

 

I went on Autogeek and they mentioned a bunch of different products to use. But the product they list to actually remove the dye transfer is for A & P (Analine plus Pigment) leather. Now I'm not a newbie when it comes to leather but correct me if I'm wrong here that  Bridge of Weir leather in cars do not undergo the same tanning process as leather used in furniture. So I'm also familiar with this product line of leather cleaners and conditioners mentioned on AutoGeek because I'm been using Leather Master on my leather sofa's for years.

 

Has anyone found any success with Leather Master leather dye transfer cleaner on their MKZ ? I don't care how well it removed a dye transfer on a sofa. I need to be certain that its safe for the seat. If no one's tried this product, what safe product has been tried that won't remove the finish and ruin the seat?   

 

   

Edited August 24, 2021 by Sea Warrior

[bbf2530]

5 hours ago, Sea Warrior said:

I typically clean and re-condition the leather seats about every 6 weeks when I wash and wax.

I took the car into the dealer for a state inspection five weeks ago. I finishing detailing the vehicle a week before taking it in.

I just now was about to detail the car again when I noticed a red dye transfer on the seat back of the driver side. I'm the only one who drives the vehicle and since no one else could've caused it, I know it wasn't my shirt because I don't wear red shirts. The mechanic had to have done it.

 

I went on Autogeek and they mentioned a bunch of different products to use. But the product they list to actually remove the dye transfer is for A & P (Analine plus Pigment) leather. Now I'm not a newbie when it comes to leather but correct me if I'm wrong here that  Bridge of Weir leather in cars do not undergo the same tanning process as leather used in furniture. So I'm also familiar with this product line of leather cleaners and conditioners mentioned on AutoGeek because I'm been using Leather Master on my leather sofa's for years.

 

Has anyone found any success with Leather Master leather dye transfer cleaner on their MKZ ? I don't care how well it removed a dye transfer on a sofa. I need to be certain that its safe for the seat. If no one's tried this product, what safe product has been tried that won't remove the finish and ruin the seat?   

 

   

 

Hi Sea Warrior. Automotive leather seats have a clear plastic/synthetic protective micro coating. I am not sure about home furnishings. So whatever you use, make sure it specifies it is safe for micro coated automotive leather.

 

I use Meguiar's Automotive Leather Cleaner/Conditioner (an all-in-one product). And also use Tanners Preserve Automotive Leather Cleaner and Tanners Preserve Leather Conditioner. Never had any issues removing dye transfer, regular old dirt, etc., from my leather seats.

 

And essentially any major name brand automotive leather cleaner and conditioner will do the job. Meguiar's, Mother's, Lexol, Tanner's Preserve, etc. etc.

 

Even simple mild soap and water will do. Followed by a good automotive leather conditioner mentioned above.

 

The key is rubbing/scrubbing lightly, so as not to damage the clear synthetic protective micro coating that automotive leather has. Lots of light elbow grease. Rubbing soft and long, not hard and short. Let the cleaners in the product do the cleaning by slowly dissolving and emulsifying the dye/contaminants, not hard rubbing.

 

Let us know how you make out and good luck.

Edited August 25, 2021 by bbf2530

[drolds1]

There's already a thread dealing with this topic here.  You can follow the suggestions therein.  It's always a good idea to search the archives before posting so that we don't end up with multiple threads for the same topic.

 

WRT Leather Master dye transfer cleaner,  as you mentioned, it's sold on the Autogeek website as well as other auto detailing product sites.  These sellers would not carry the product if it harmed automotive leather.  In fact, when I got my first MKZ with Bridge of Weir leather in 2010, Lincoln sent me a complimentary set of Leather Master products and recommended them for use on Lincoln's Bridge of Weir leather seats.

[Sea Warrior]

10 hours ago, bbf2530 said:

I use Meguiar's Automotive Leather Cleaner/Conditioner (an all-in-one product). And also use Tanners Preserve Automotive Leather Cleaner and Tanners Preserve Leather Conditioner. Never had any issues removing dye transfer, regular old dirt, etc., from my leather seats

 

10 hours ago, bbf2530 said:

 

 

Edited August 25, 2021 by Sea Warrior

[Sea Warrior]

Many Thanks bbf2530.

I forgot to mention the seat color is light tan (Cappucino ). The general consensus on various sites say that the dye probably would've came off more easily if it had been addressed right after it happened. Now that the dye is set in, I'm expecting more of a challenge.

The product I already tried that I had on hand was Pinnacle leather and vinyl cleaner. I ever so gently rubbed for two long intervals with a microfiber being very mindful of not removing the protective micro coating. The product did nothing to remove any dye.    

I'll try your suggestion of Meguirs (all-in-one product) followed by Tanner's Preserve Automotive leather cleaner and Tanner leather conditioner. 

I'm skeptical about the Leather Master product though. Its primarily marketed for leather furniture. So I think I'll keep your advice and look for products specifically stating as being safe for micro coated car leather.

[Sea Warrior]

 My apologies drolds1

Actually, I did do a search under the Interior forum prior to posting. I think I recall searching posts as far back as 2019. I don't know how I missed the one you included.

 

From my own personal experience using Leather Master's cleaner and conditioner (not on auto leather) but on several leather sofa's, was that their cleaner dried out the leather on one sofa after approx 2 -1/2 years.  When a leather re-storer came to repair the cracking, I was told to only use Leather Master cleaning and conditioning products going forward.  What he couldn't answer when I told him that's all I ever used, was why the same problem didn't occur on a different leather piece of furniture.        

Edited August 25, 2021 by Sea Warrior
readability

[drolds1]

There's no need to apologize.  We all miss stuff.

 

Odd story about the one sofa.  Go figure.  I once called Keurig about a coffee maker that died just past the warranty.  The rep said you should only ever use bottled water in their machines.  I replied that only bottled water had ever used in it.   Umm, uh, duh.....

[bbf2530]

4 hours ago, Sea Warrior said:

Many Thanks bbf2530.

I forgot to mention the seat color is light tan (Cappucino ). The general consensus on various sites say that the dye probably would've came off more easily if it had been addressed right after it happened. Now that the dye is set in, I'm expecting more of a challenge.

The product I already tried that I had on hand was Pinnacle leather and vinyl cleaner. I ever so gently rubbed for two long intervals with a microfiber being very mindful of not removing the protective micro coating. The product did nothing to remove any dye.    

I'll try your suggestion of Meguirs (all-in-one product) followed by Tanner's Preserve Automotive leather cleaner and Tanner leather conditioner. 

I'm skeptical about the Leather Master product though. Its primarily marketed for leather furniture. So I think I'll keep your advice and look for products specifically stating as being safe for micro coated car leather.

 

Hi S W. Oh...Oooops, first, need to clear up a miscommunication. I use the Meguair's Cleaner & Conditioner all-in-one product (a cream) for lighter work.

Or...I use the Tanners Preserve Cleaner (a spray) and Tanners Preserve Conditioner (a cream) for tougher work.

No need to use all three at once. Sorry for the confusion.

 

Now...Yes, you are correct that the sooner the leather contamination is cleaned (whatever the cause), the easier it is to remove.

 

That being said, take a look at some of the leather cleaning/care videos here: https://www.google.com/search?client=firefox-b-1-d&q=Meguiar's+cleaning+leather+seats

Even the very marketing/product oriented ones have some good tips. Just take a look through a bunch, for good, common sense automotive leather cleaning tips.

 

Key in your case may now be to liberally apply whatever leather cleaner you intend to use, and letting it sit for 5 -10 minutes to soak in and help loosen the dye transfer, as opposed to simply applying it and then immediately wiping it. The dye transfer will come off, it will just take some time and light elbow grease. Only do this while the car interior is cool and the car is parked in the shade, so the product does not dry on the leather.

 

My blind Internet guess on your leather couches? Possibly, one was not micro-coated, and the other was. The one that is not micro-coated requires far more care and frequent conditioning (moisturizing) to avoid drying out. Especially after cleaning, but still often otherwise. Micro-coated leather requires far less care and conditioning (moisturizing). Again, just a blind, Internet guess.

 

This is the reason micro-coated leather is used in the relatively hostile environment of a car interior. While it will not feel quite as soft and luxurious as natural/un-coated leather, it will stand up to more abuse.

 

Keep us updated and good luck.

Edited August 25, 2021 by bbf2530

[Sea Warrior]

@bbf2530 and @drolds1,

Well, I didnt have the success that I wished and hoped for after trying to remove the red dye from the driver side seat back. I'm afraid that I've removed all that can be removed. There's still a pretty good portion of the dye that can't be removed. It's too set in. 

So whenever it begins to bother me, I'm just going to block it from my mind.

Thank you both for all the suggestions and responses. They were really appreciated. 

 

Edited September 5, 2021 by Sea Warrior
Readability

[drolds1]

Sorry it didn't work.  Silly question:  It's probably too late now, but did you ever bring this up with your service manager?

[Sea Warrior]

drolds1. This might sound silly to people who are more observant than I am.  But I just don't pay attention to the bottom of the seat back when I j get in and out of the car.   I jump in and out without looking there. The light pink on cappucino tan wasn't noticed until I parked it on the driveway to clean and condition the leather on a bright day (around 5 weeks after they had the vehicle). . . Pretty difficult to argue a case after that much time elapsed.