Condition and Cleaning Colored Seats

[SimplyRandom]

I just got a 2002 NB with yellow and black leather heated-seats. I read some of the other threads about conditioning leather but didn't see anything about colored leather. What products are best that will not change the color? How often should it be cleaned or conditioned and with what?

It also has a couple scratches on one side of the outside. Very minor. What should I put on this to keep it from rusting?

[MyOtherRidesAVette]

As to the seats, "Lexol", my favorite seller for detailing and cleaning supplies, and running a 20% off Spring Sale with Free Shipping right now
http://newbeetle.org/forums/miscella...ring-sale.html
Know that you have to physically check any product for suitabilility in a non visible location before use.

As to the scratche(s), they are not minor if they are through the clear coat, base coat, and primer. If not, they will not rust. Also, many of the body parts are not metal and you don't say where the damage is. For simple DIY touch-up, touch-up paint is available from a lot of places, including many Corner Parts Stores. Google should answer this for you. You need the paint code, which is found on the mini-build label, usually found in both the original Owner's Manual and in the spare tire well. To know the proper name of the color, although all paint is bought by code, you can go here
Volkswagen Paint Color Codes - Volkswagen Paint Cross-Reference

For the extreme DIYer, here is a touch-up DIY by two different professionals with the correct way to DIY.
DIY - Chip and Scratch Repair

MORAV

[SimplyRandom]

Thanks, what color is the metal underneath the paint? One chip is on the side of the car. And you can see black. The other is on the back just above the license plate area. And a few more on the lower left of the front bumper. You can see black on all of the scratches.

[dnyed]

I want to say - Sounds like you have a Double Yellow Color Concept! Those seats give it away!

[MyOtherRidesAVette]

Originally Posted by SimplyRandom

Thanks, what color is the metal underneath the paint? One chip is on the side of the car. And you can see black. The other is on the back just above the license plate area. And a few more on the lower left of the front bumper. You can see black on all of the scratches.

The black is the primer. If your concerned, use a magnifying glass to see if the primer is compromised. The scratches on the bumpers may be unsightly, but those are on a plastic type material, no worry about rust here.

And Ditto Evanrude above abt the "majic eraser". Those type of cleaners are not designed for dyed leather. Leather cleaners only, and even then with care. Not all dye products are the same. And btw, your door panels should be colored matched leatherette (man made) and not leather. To the best of my knowledge leather is only used for the colored wrap on the assist handle and the console cover, the shifter and e-brake boots, and the leather wrapped steering wheels (if yours is so equipped).

M.

[SimplyRandom]

Thanks everybody! This really is a nice, helpful place. Mine is exactly like yours, Evanrude.

Okay, so Lexol is the best to use. Do I need to clean/condition the seats once a month? The seats are in decent condition but not great. If I condition them will the current state get better or will the seats just remain in the condition they are in?

So if the primer is the black, what color is the metal? I don't really know much about cars and am kinda new to the whole thing.

[MyOtherRidesAVette]

Originally Posted by SimplyRandom

Thanks everybody! This really is a nice, helpful place. Mine is exactly like yours, Evanrude.

Okay, so Lexol is the best to use. Do I need to clean/condition the seats once a month? The seats are in decent condition but not great. If I condition them will the current state get better or will the seats just remain in the condition they are in?

So if the primer is the black, what color is the metal? I don't really know much about cars and am kinda new to the whole thing.

Read all you can on www.autogeek.net about leather cleaning and condtioning. There is some really good info there. Read the other mfr info also, but Lexol has my vote. You can condition the leather, but you can't restore damage such as cracking, you will only soften it back up.

As to scratches into the metal, it is steel, it will be a silver color until it begins to rust and then it will take on the rust color ( a ruddish brown). You probably don't have that issue, if your not seeing rust and the scratches have been there any length of time.

M.