J30 Manuals & Leather

[professordesign]

In month two of my wonderful '96 J30.Are repair manuals, including interior finishing, available for the '97 J30?Other than the rigid plastic and the obvious cloth, is the remainder of the interior of the J30 all leather like the seats? I'm finding it hard to tell what's what.

[Eswift]

the steering wheel has leather skin. everything else is leatherette.

[professordesign]

What is "leatherette" and how should I maintain it? To be clear, are the seats "leatherette" or leather.

[Mayhem_J30]

thet seats are leather. i think Eswift was referring to the dash and all the feux leather like stuff. I just use armor all on the dash. Then I use a leather cleaner and conditioner on the seats. I'm curious what some of the material on the doors are made of. I've used armor all on the door and it hasn't damaged anything yet!

[911/Q45]

Leatherette is vinyl and Armor All, etc just makes it shiny. The best way to make your vinyl last forever is to cover the car from the sun, either in a garage or with a well fitted car cover.

[greg_atlanta]

Lexol makes a product called Vinylex (or something like that, blue bottle) that's good for anything in the interior that's not real leather, including the dash and plastic trim.

Armor All is generally BAD BAD BAD because it makes everything dry out and eventually crack (even tires).

[Mayhem_J30]

Lexol makes a product called Vinylex (or something like that, blue bottle) that's good for anything in the interior that's not real leather, including the dash and plastic trim.

Armor All is generally BAD BAD BAD because it makes everything dry out and eventually crack (even tires).

i've heard that before. i guess i've been lucky because the car is usually in a garage or under a car cover ...that and windows tinted dark as can be.

I'll look for some Vinylex next time i'm out. Why would armor all make something that actually destroys interiors? what about all that 'shine and protect' stuff?

[greg_atlanta]

Why would armor all make something that actually destroys interiors? what about all that 'shine and protect' stuff?

It's about looks, not longevity.

I think some of their premium, specific-use products are better, but consensus is that basic, all-purpose armor-all is BAD BAD BAD. Of course may take a long time for damage to show up... but have heard horror stories from very hot climates like AZ (cracked dashes, dried out tires/hoses, etc.).

[qship96]

For the best protection of rubber and vinyl,try 303 aerospace protectant,easily found in marine supply houses,check out their web site for very informative info on taking care of surfaces and protecting from harmful uv rays.I have used this product on my 94 g and 96q for years with great results.http://www.303products.com

[Eswift]

i 2nd the lexol, both their leather conditioner and the vinyl product. neither has ever failed me, unlike armour-all.