Leather can have different degrees of gloss. Modern automotive and car leather is mostly matt, whereas classic car leather usually has a glossy/shiny look. 

Friction, abrasion and accumulation of dirt due to use makes the leather shiny. Friction on seats and steering wheel means the area inadvertently gents polished. This can be compared by observing the difference in the driver's seat of a vehicle versus the passenger seats or by comparing a used and brand new steering wheel.

Occasionally, some of our customers express a desire to change the original degree of gloss. For example, parts of the leather are replaced but the original degree of gloss is not available on the market.

To remove unwanted gloss on pigmented leather, we recommend the following options.

Option 1: It is always best to reduce the gloss level by regular cleaning first. Clean with Geist. Rapid Leather & Vinyl Cleaner and Geist. Leather Cleaning Brush. Apply Geist. Dye & Friction Blocker after the cleaning to maintain the leather and keep the matt look.

Option 2: Use a stronger cleaner like Geist. Rapid Cleaner PRO and Geist. Leather Cleaning Brush to ensure the surface is really clean and spotless. Apply Geist. Dye & Friction Blocker after the cleaning to maintain the leather and keep the matt look.

Option 3: Will require cleaning and prep'ing the surface first and then spray Geist. Top Coat Matt to permanently alter the gloss level. In order to ensure the gloss grade is accurate, test in a hidden area or panel first. If required, mix the Top Coat Matt with Top Coat Gloss. Add Geist. Crosslinker to the mixture and filter the solution.

PLEASE NOTE: Geist Top Coats MATT & GLOSS must be sprayed and cannot be applied using a sponge or brush. Spraying the product helps achieve a uniform and even result.

The preparatory work is extremely important if you decide to do this yourself!

STEP 1: Clean as per options 1 or 2 above. Degrease the surface thoroughly with Geist. Surface Prep

STEP 2: Spray Geist. Top Coat Matt/Gloss mixture with Crosslinker evenly in thin layers. Use a spray gun or an airbrush to spray the product in thin layers and dry between layers with a hair dryer or heat gun. 

STEP 3: Recommendation for future maintenance: Protect new dull or matt leather using Geist. Dye & Friction Blocker.

Interesting fact: A leather is dull, when it looks like a mountain and valley landscape in cross-section under the microscope. The reflection produces the dullness and the matt appearance. The light is scattered on rough surfaces. Smooth surfaces reflect parallel and this looks shiny. Hence, when a dull surface is polished, it gets shinier.