How to clean and protect artificial leather aka vinyl, vegan, faux leather etc
Imitation leather or Artificial leather is also called „faux leather”, “synthetic leather”, "vegan leather" or “leatherette”. Modern day car seats and interiors are increasingly made with artificial leather-like surface. Tesla leather seats are completely made out of vegan leather aka faux leather.
Such surfaces are fairly easy to clean and maintain. Clean soiled surfaces with Geist. Rapid Leather & Vinyl Cleaner which is a plant and algae based cleaner. In case of heavy soling, spray the product and leave it to work for a few minutes. Use Geist. Leather Cleaning Brush to gently scrub and agitate the dirt. Wipe down with a damp cloth. If you have extremely heavy soiling, then use Geist. Rapid Cleaner PRO. However, the plant based cleaner is strong and effective enough to remove most stains especially when the product is left on the surface to work. test in a hidden area first before leaving to dwell. The plant based cleaner has soil lifting properties which lift the dirt from the grain and make it easier to clean without having to exert a lot of manual pressure. Just leave the product to dwell on the surface so it can work and lift soiling. Usually 5-10 minutes of dwell time offers exceptional results.
Protect the surface with Geist. Dye & Friction Blocker for leather & vinyl. Provides an invisible protective film that prevents penetration of dirt, unfixed dyes from jeans and clothing which is common on light coloured artificial leather like Tesla Ultra-white leather seats. It also prevents from friction and abrasion damage. Both these products are also available as a kit - Geist. 3 Minus Care Kit.
Older artificial leather and plastics lose their softening and become dry, brittle and break sometimes. This process can hardly be influenced. Regular cleaning and sealing delays this process. It also reduces the dulling and fading of surfaces.
Some synthetic leather and plastic surfaces tend to fade or soft paint layers on plastic surfaces rub off. Local and little colour damages can be repaired with Geist. Easy Colour Restorer.
Apply Geist. Easy Colour Restorer as per the instructions provided and ensure you prep the surface very well to ensure good adhesion and durability. The prep part includes cleaning the surface to remove traces of dirt and then degrease the surface with Geist. Surface Prep. Use Geist. Leather Sanding Pad to smooth down irregularities.
Little cracks and rips can be filled and repaired with Geist. Easy Filler for leather & vinyl. Then work over with Geist. Easy Colour Restorer for leather & vinyl to adjust colour and gloss level.
Apply Geist. Dye & Friction Blocker a day later to provide additional protection to the coloured and repaired areas.