Ventilated seat care question

[!revOevoM]

Hi. Brand new here.

My new '25 Signature is currently in transit. Should arrive in Jacksonville in five days, then another few days to the dealer. I've been reading, reading, reading to prepare. Can't wait.

Along with a full waxing, I think I want to condition the seats right off. I will probably use Leather Honey. (My wife has used it on leather furniture in the house and it's great.) My question is.... Is there any issue using leather cleaning and conditioning products on ventilated seats? While just heated seats warm from inside, ventilated ones have perforations. Just want to make sure any treatment won't affect the cooling performance. It's gonna get hot soon and I'll need a cool butt.

Thanks for any info.

 

[onerpm]

I squirt the stuff on the non-perforated sections of the seats, wipe it in, and then use the wet rag on the perforated parts after that. That system works well to avoid plugging up any of the holes with the leather stuff.

 

[a69mach1377]

If your dealer is like mine, they did a great 'wax' job before delivery. Not sure what they used but it was great while it lasted, lol

 

[!revOevoM]

While I have no experience with my dealer, in general I don't have a lot of confidence. I'm particular and I do a fantastic job cleaning and waxing my cars. No lie. So, I will probably ask them not to touch it. Not even look at it.

 

[wlong01]

While I have no experience with my dealer, in general I don't have a lot of confidence. I'm particular and I do a fantastice job cleaning and waxing my cars. No lie. So, I will probably ask them not to touch it. Not even look at it.

They have to do a pre-delivery inspection. There's a few things they need to do once it hits their lot. You might be able to get them to not wash it but I doubt it.

 

[sm1ke]

While I have no experience with my dealer, in general I don't have a lot of confidence. I'm particular and I do a fantastice job cleaning and waxing my cars. No lie. So, I will probably ask them not to touch it. Not even look at it.

It sounds like you have experience, so I'll simply suggest that you do a iron decontamination and possibly a clay bar treatment before you polish and apply your wax.

I can't speak to leather cleaning/conditioning products - I've never used any on my 2018 CX-9 Signature. It also has perforated nappa leather seats. All I've needed to do to keep them clean is wipe them periodically with a damp, clean microfiber cloth. I think if the pores get clogged, you can use a mild detergent and water solution, along with a detailing brush, to clean out the pores.

 

[GFrosty]

Congratulations on the new ride.

Definitely watch how much cleaner or conditioner you apply to a cloth, when wiping the perforated areas. As suggested, it's oh so easy to plug up those little holes with chemical, then have unsightly plugged-up holes versus regular holes. (Don't ask me how I know this. ) BTW, if you do happen to use too much and you end up with unsightly plugs,the end of a paper clip works wonders ... one by one, hole by hole.

Of course, the perforated areas are going to be where you sweat and exude oils the most. So, it's a balancing act. Just enough to clean or condition lightly, done as frequently as needed in order to keep up with it, but not so much that you risk filling those holes.

 

[jadmt]

And remember the cooled seat function actually pulls air down instead of blowing it up ie vacuum instead of blower. Our last honda had perforated leather and looked fine after 8 years with no treatment and our 23 cx5 turbo seats look new at 35000 miles no treatment…i wish our paint looked the same. Highly suggest paint protection before you hit the freeway

 

[!revOevoM]

I'll simply suggest that you do a iron decontamination and possibly a clay bar treatment before you polish and apply your wax.

Thanks all for the advice and comments. In the past for other vehicles, I have used a clay bar pre-wax. Works great, but a bit of a pain. Hey, you get out what you put in.

Then I switched to Zymöl HD Cleanse. It's a liquid that goes on/off like a liquid wax. Does the decontamination job of a claybar. Much easier process with really great results. Then Zymöl carnuba wax. They make a formula specifically for Japanese paint, but I still have some leftover for dark finishes. It's a little pricey, so I'll just use that. Deep Crystal Blue Mica. Should be fine.

 

[N7turbo]

You're overthinking it. I don't think the coated/treated seats are supposed to take conditioner, anyway.

 

[cz5gt]

This ^^^

 

[Ranman57]

Make sure you check the tire pressure before you drive it away, dealers often don't reset it from the higher shipping pressure.

 

[!revOevoM]

Make sure you check the tire pressure before you drive it away, dealers often don't reset it from the higher shipping pressure.

Hadn't crossed my mind. Thanks for the tip.

 

[N7turbo]

If your dealer is like mine, they did a great 'wax' job before delivery. Not sure what they used but it was great while it lasted, lol

Never let the dealer work on the paint. I have always ended up with more problems, from gobs of wax in between the panels to holograms created by an orbital polisher.

 

[GTXT23]

Hadn't crossed my mind. Thanks for the tip.

Its on the PDI checklist -- should be right unless the dealer is slacking

 

[Ranman57]

Its on the PDI checklist -- should be right unless the dealer is slacking

But still quite common. I see it all the time over on Reddit. When I picked up my CX-5 last year as soon as I drove it away I could tell they were too high. Yep, all over 45. We got the wife s CX-30 a month later and I specifically told the idiots to check it before we picked it up. Nope. All high. I know different dealers will be sloppier than others but it's sort of extra important on a 5 since it doesn't have a readout in the car and most people won't think to check it themselves, especially 1st time new car buyers.

 

[GTXT23]

But still quite common. I see it all the time over on Reddit. When I picked up my CX-5 last year as soon as I drove it away I could tell they were too high. Yep, all over 45. We got the wife s CX-30 a month later and I specifically told the idiots to check it before we picked it up. Nope. All high. I know different dealers will be sloppier than others but it's sort of extra important on a 5 since it doesn't have a readout in the car and most people won't think to check it themselves, especially 1st time new car buyers.

Hi. Brand new here.

My new '25 Signature is currently in transit. Should arrive in Jacksonville in five days, then another few days to the dealer. I've been reading, reading, reading to prepare. Can't wait.

Along with a full waxing, I think I want to condition the seats right off. I will probably use Leather Honey. (My wife has used it on leather furniture in the house and it's great.) My question is.... Is there any issue using leather cleaning and conditioning products on ventilated seats? While just heated seats warm from inside, ventilated ones have perforations. Just want to make sure any treatment won't affect the cooling performance. It's gonna get hot soon and I'll need a cool butt.

Thanks for any info.

I've been using leather CPR for years --its been effective - easy to apply ---cleans and conditions - but hey everyone has their favorite products -- Congrats on the new Sig 25 -- Get some stogies-

 

[N7turbo]

Just to add, there is a big difference between a ceramic coating and a ceramic sealant. I applied a real ceramic coating to my CX-5 which creates a measurable layer on the paint. It was a lot of work but pick a good one and do it right and it's 3 years of easier maintenance and a great looking car. The Miata got a ceramic spray sealant.

 

[GTXT23]

Just to add, there is a big difference between a ceramic coating and a ceramic sealant. I applied a real ceramic coating to my CX-5 which creates a measurable layer on the paint. It was a lot of work but pick a good one and do it right and it's 3 years of easier maintenance and a great looking car. The Miata got a ceramic spray sealant.

I used ( obviously ) the turtle wax spray because its a snap to apply and it literally goes on everything - of course I stay far away from the rims due to potential overspray on to the disc brakes which would be a disaster - Can I put a coat of that coating over my sealer or does it need to be the base ? If So I may wait for the next cycle at lay that on then maintain it with the spray - Mind sharing the product you are using - as if they sell as a package then it has the application steps for both -Spray takes time on the CX5 - guessing Miata goes a bit quicker

 

[N7turbo]

I used ( obviously ) the turtle wax spray because its a snap to apply and it literally goes on everything - of course I stay far away from the rims due to potential overspray on to the disc brakes which would be a disaster - Can I put a coat of that coating over my sealer or does it need to be the base ? If So I may wait for the next cycle at lay that on then maintain it with the spray - Mind sharing the product you are using - as if they sell as a package then it has the application steps for both -Spray takes time on the CX5 - guessing Miata goes a bit quicker

I wouldn't worry about the brakes, those ceramic sealants will be scraped off by that kind of physical abrasion almost instantly.

And wheels are one of the best uses for this stuff because they are hard to clean otherwise.

I'm using the Hybrid Solutions Graphene Infused Flex Wax. In fact, because this stuff lasts a long time with such little product, I have had to find other uses for it in order to use it up, including the glass shelving in the refrigerator (a revelation, try it), the glass table top, and the exterior of the fridge and other appliances.