You can Armor-All your seat and sidewalls!

[SwampNut]

Ok, not Armor-All of course.  These products give a nice low sheen and protect the surfaces, but they fully cure so they don't run and are not slippery.  You can't feel it on the seat/dash/etc.

 

[blackhawkxx]

As far as seats, I take it you are you talking about vinyl type car/bike, not leather?

[SwampNut]

14 minutes ago, blackhawkxx said:

As far as seats, I take it you are you talking about vinyl type car/bike, not leather?

 

Actual leather surfaces are super rare any more.  So yes.  Even "leather" seats almost always have a PU coating.

 

 

Most car leather seats have a coating, typically made of polyurethane (PU) or similar clear coats, for several important reasons:

• Protection: The coating shields the leather from spills, stains, dirt, body oils, and friction. It makes the leather much more resistant to wear and tear from daily use, as well as scratches and abrasions that would otherwise penetrate the natural material.

• UV Resistance: The coating helps guard the underlying leather against UV rays, which can cause fading, discoloration, and cracking over time. This is especially important in automobiles, where seats are often exposed to direct sunlight.

• Easier Cleaning and Maintenance: The coated surface becomes nearly impervious to liquids, so spills tend to stay on the surface and can be wiped off easily. Dirt and grime have a harder time penetrating the coating, making routine cleaning less complicated—no need to deeply condition the actual leather underneath.

• Durability: Modern coated leathers are far more durable and last longer, as the clear layer keeps the leather supple and minimizes exposure to damaging elements.

• Uniform Appearance: The synthetic coating also ensures a more consistent color and texture between seats, masking any natural imperfections in the original leather.

Because of these factors, almost all automotive “leather” seats today—even in luxury cars—are not simply bare, natural leather but rather leather that is painted and then covered with this protective layer. This also means that traditional leather conditioners don’t penetrate or nourish the actual leather, since you’re mainly treating the outer coating.

[blackhawkxx]

Learned something new today.

[DaveK]

I love the Hydroshield product on my tires.  Low sheen and lasts through multiple drives in the rain. 

[SwampNut]

Weren't you using the Adams in the past?

 

Before:

 

 

 

Also I've really figured out that the cleaning part is even more important than the coating.  I got a good tire brush, and I've been using the tire cleaner 3-5 times until the water finally looks semi-clean.  So much shit comes off.

 

This is on the THIRD pass!

 

 

 

 

 

[SwampNut]

Might as well turn this into a full detailing thread...

 

I love this thing for spraying lots of liquid.  The tendons in my arm start to bother me with too much sprayer squeezing, and I need almost a whole bottle for a full 3x cleaning.

 

 

 

 

Also one of these is complete garbage, useless, and the other is amazingly great.  But I forgot which.

 

 

[CBR-RR-XX-CESS]

Put some dam shoe's on mister Carlos.  

[SwampNut]

2 hours ago, CBR-RR-XX-CESS said:

Put some dam shoe's on mister Carlos.  

 

Never.  Well, in the dead of winter, I'm forced to since frostbite sucks.  Otherwise, no.  Stay grounded.

 

[superhawk996]

21 hours ago, SwampNut said:

This is on the THIRD pass!

I wonder if that's actually grime still coming off or if it's actually rubber.  Maybe it's oxidized rubber, which I guess is 'grime'.

[CALCXX]

On 8/25/2025 at 5:54 PM, SwampNut said:

 

 frostbite

 

 

😆😆😆😆🤣 LMFAO

[DaveK]

On 8/25/2025 at 1:22 PM, SwampNut said:

Weren't you using the Adams in the past?

 

Before:

 

 

 

Also I've really figured out that the cleaning part is even more important than the coating.  I got a good tire brush, and I've been using the tire cleaner 3-5 times until the water finally looks semi-clean.  So much shit comes off.

 

This is on the THIRD pass!

 

 

 

 

 

I was. But like the matte finish of tue hydroshield. I also like that the hydro is thinner versus the thick Adams. 
 

Chemical guys also run better sales. I’m debating what ceramic I’ll be using on the Y. 

[googus]

I used Chemical guys stuff too. Love most of product but their plastic application run if it rains after a day or so after application