Any leather workers here?

[bigbadbrother]

I just got some new old leather seats for my jeep and I need to clean them before changing the color from light brown to gray. Anyways I know I need a leather cleaning brush but I don’t know what cleaner to use. Reading up on this gives no real info since the cleaner goes from Ajax to 7up and everything in between.
Thanks

[TLG]

Leather is skin bud ,, much like your own skin ,,, mild soap and water should suffice
After drying,, seal with a leather spray ,,,, should be able to get a can of sealer at any
"better" shoe store

Changing the color might be a little trickier ,,, after changing the color, the seats need
to be sealed with something that won't allow the new color to rub off on your clothes
after sitting on them ...

We used to use different colors on "white" leather shoes ,,, (to match the dress)
But never tried changing the color on garments or seats

[TLG]

Semi-aniline leathers or aniline plus pigments (AP) are dyed in vats with aniline dyes that penetrate throughout the hide so that the color goes all the way through the hide. However, the processing of semi-aniline leathers is taken a few steps further. After the leather is aniline dyed, a pigment color is applied to the top of the hide to guarantee a consistent color on the top surface of the hide. Next, additional finishes may be applied to the leather by hand or by machine to impart an antique look or some other special effect. Finally, a clear protective coating is applied to make the leather stain repellant and sun resistant. The sheen of this protective coating can be varied to give a matte finish or a high gloss finish.

This is why changing the top layer of leather is tricky ,,,, after stretching the bottom color will show through
Take a look at the seats wrinkles and imagine the tan or brown showing through the new gray color

[bigbadbrother]

The color is so close that im keeping it the same and don't you know the rear seat have zipped on cover. Not sure where I can hide the cover for the big seat.

[TLG]

If they are very soiled ,, you may choose to steam clean them

Use lukewarm water and vacuum dry real quick so as to not
saturate the leather,,, let dry before use and then use a leather
sealer moisturizer

Saturated leather deteriorates and breaks down much like a
Car shammy