Rejuvinating Leather seating

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Highland enthusiast
Posts: 3
Joined: Thu Nov 20, 2025 2:19 pm

Rejuvinating Leather seating

Post by Highland enthusiast » Thu Nov 20, 2025 3:19 pm

Good afternoon , I am a new member and I took delivery of a 1935 Austin 12/4 Ascot yesterday in a wild blizzard which was a good start :lol:
Thank you very much for accepting me into your group and look forward to getting involved.
I would love opinions on how to refurbish the leather seating . Its all in very good condition , ie no tears or sewing coming undone . It does need slight cleaning and "feeding " to make it more subtle . I imagine Saddle soap for cleaning ?
not sure on something to soften the leather though . Any idea's please ?
I do remember coating my Lewis racing leathers with Neatsfoot oil just before a motorcycle race at Cadwell Park . What a disaster , it didn't soak in and I ended up covered by dust from the paddock area . lol

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peter_winney
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Location: BATH

Re: Rejuvinating Leather seating

Post by peter_winney » Thu Nov 20, 2025 3:58 pm

I now use Auto Glym products including on my leather jacket. The do a Leather Cleaner for stained or soiled leather and a Leather Care Cream as a feeder and preservative for the leather.
I also have Renapur Leather Balsam, and Avel "Savon Nettoyant Regenerant". RM Williams Saddle & Leather Dressing from Australia claims to protect leather against the harshness of the Oz climate and contains tallow, neatsfoot oil, and waxes (unspecified). Probably more suited to the Brooks saddle on the puchbike than the leather seats of an Austin. My dad & brother used Connolly Hide Food on the seats in the Mk VI
Whatever you use I think it is a good idea to apply regularly as part of the service schedule of the car.
Member since July 1972
Reconnaissance is seldom wasted

Highland enthusiast
Posts: 3
Joined: Thu Nov 20, 2025 2:19 pm

Re: Rejuvinating Leather seating

Post by Highland enthusiast » Thu Nov 20, 2025 4:48 pm

Many thanks for these recommendations , I didn't know Autoglym did these products . Thank you very much

phil_taylor
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Joined: Thu Nov 21, 2019 10:49 am
Location: Hampton Hill, Middlesex

Re: Rejuvinating Leather seating

Post by phil_taylor » Thu Nov 20, 2025 4:51 pm

I've always used Neatsfoot Oil which works well but leave it a few days to soak in. Best to get the stuff from a saddlers or similar. Bought mine many years ago but have plastic seats on my current Austin so doubt I will use it again!. Most products are expensive in my view.
Cheers

matt_coles
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Location: Cardiff
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Re: Rejuvinating Leather seating

Post by matt_coles » Thu Nov 20, 2025 5:53 pm

Welcome :D

I've had good results from the Simoniz stuff (link below). It's cheap, decent results and smells quite pleasant too. Easy to come by, I've seen it on the shelf in the 'car section' at most supermarkets.

https://www.simoniz.uk/products/leather-cream/

Highland enthusiast
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Joined: Thu Nov 20, 2025 2:19 pm

Re: Rejuvinating Leather seating

Post by Highland enthusiast » Thu Nov 20, 2025 7:46 pm

Thank you everyone , some interesting suggestions and may try them all . Will let you know how we get on .

6350_William_French
Posts: 207
Joined: Wed Nov 20, 2019 10:27 am

Re: Rejuvinating Leather seating

Post by 6350_William_French » Sun Nov 23, 2025 5:44 pm

Hi

I use Connolly Hide Food which I was given by a relative in the leather upholstery trade. It works well but best applied in warm weather and left for a few days to soak in.

from Bill French

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