I've just had my official order through the post for my new car.

Inside was also a leaflet on GAP Insurance - I'll probably shop around as I think there are better deals to be had.

There was also a leaflet inside for the Auto Glym LifeShine stuff.

Has anybody take this option?

Is it worth it?

I'm having the leather interior, so I would like to protect the upholstery as much as possible.

Planning on keeping this car for a good 4-5 years so would like everything to stay looking new.

Or is it better to not have this and then just treat the interior myself with something?

Cheers.

dont buy it from the dealer

buy the kit online, then apply it yourself or get a valeter to do it for you.

this will be MUCH cheaper

it is worth doing but the dealer will overcharge you.

they quoted me £275 and i bought the kit and had it applied for £125

Don't bother - you can buy the kits from Ebay for about £20-40. Gliptone is good for the leather and treat the paintwork to sealent and Wax and it will be as good (if not better as some valet apprentice monkey won't be applying it to an unprepped surface) as the dealer option.

Thank you for you input - as always much appreciated.

Oh dear Gliptone....

Lifeshine...

This thread is killing me lol.

My best bet would be to find a detailer local via Detailing World, and get a protection detail done.

As for leather get onto www.furnitureclinic.co.uk and get the leather cleaner and protection kit, you dont condition leather you purely protect it.

Absolutely don't get it, 80% of the time they will apply it over the residue left from the transport foam pads.

30 to 35 on eBay for the autoglym kit. £15 for some collonite 476 wax and do it yourself.

We can advise and help.

Just ask.

Oh dear Gliptone....

Lifeshine...

This thread is killing me lol.

My best bet would be to find a detailer local via Detailing World, and get a protection detail done.

As for leather get onto www.furnitureclinic.co.uk and get the leather cleaner and protection kit, you dont condition leather you purely protect it.

Care to elaborate on the Gliptone comment? How is it different to this 'conditioner'? http://www.furnitureclinic.co.uk/Leather_Protection_Cream.htm 'Leather Protection Cream

After cleaning the leather it is necessary to condition it. This product not only feeds and conditions leather but adds a protective layer that repels stains and prevents wear and tear. Infused with a luxurious leather aroma this product also re-instates the smell back into old & new leather'

Edited 22 February, 201115 yr by jrw

Care to elaborate on the Gliptone comment? How is it different to this 'conditioner'? http://www.furnitureclinic.co.uk/Leather_Protection_Cream.htm 'Leather Protection Cream

After cleaning the leather it is necessary to condition it. This product not only feeds and conditions leather but adds a protective layer that repels stains and prevents wear and tear. Infused with a luxurious leather aroma this product also re-instates the smell back into old & new leather'

Keep your leather clean by protecting it with a leather protector and then regular cleaning.

Adding 'conditioners' which generally contain oils and waxes will change the appearance of your leather over time as dirt will build up on the surface and cause a sheen.

Using the correct care methods and products will not alter the factory finish.

Your type of leather is 'coated' leather. This is essentially a 'painted' leather with a clear coat finish over the top. The leather may or may not be dyed through with aniline dyes prior to the finish coating.

Essentially it is this top coating that needs looking after. Cleaning is vitally important as the top coat will wear away if allowed to become dirty. Dirt on the surface will aslo become ground into the finish by constant abrassion.

'Conditioners', balms, feeds etc (traditionally oil and wax based) cannot penetrate this finish so are not worth applying - they can also leave behind residues on the finish which will only attract more dirt if allowed to remain.

A protector will make the finish easier to clean which will also help with friction wear it also inhibits dye transfer etc on pale coloured leathers.

Leather however finished has to remain breathable and it will allow the movement of moisture back and forth (transpiration) so the use of water based cleaners and protectors will keep the leather correctly hydrated which is essential to keeping it in good condition.

The routine for correct care should be

Protect from new

Maintain with a regular clean or maintenance product

Deep clean with a foam cleaner once or twice a year

These simple steps will seriously prolong the life of the finish on the leather.

Pretty much the same as gliptone then - i have been using it for the last 10 years with no problem....The link you posted actually states that it conditions the leather. I valet a Jag for a friend which is now 10 years old and the leather still looks like new.....and also my 3 piece!

Thats up to you, i'm only giving a different option, what ever works for you keep using it

Thats up to you, i'm only giving a different option, what ever works for you keep using it

I know and thats fine, just the way you put it made it sound like Gliptone was the spawn of satan or somthing

Oh dear Gliptone....

Lifeshine...

This thread is killing me lol.

My best bet would be to find a detailer local via Detailing World, and get a protection detail done.

As for leather get onto www.furnitureclinic.co.uk and get the leather cleaner and protection kit, you dont condition leather you purely protect it.

just bought this on your recommendation

its on offer at the moment £20 + postage

seems like a bargain.

thanks

just bought this on your recommendation

its on offer at the moment £20 + postage

seems like a bargain.

thanks

No worrys, i'm not on to preach or sway your decisions etc i always follow a saying in detailing "if you find something you like using then continue to use it"

Is this the kit you talk of?

http://furnitureclinic.co.uk/Leather_Care_Kit.htm

yeh thats it, i personally have this also Leather First aid Kit

Save your self £200 and start a truly loving relationship with your car by pampering it yourself !

All the stuff you need to wash, clay, seal, wax can be had for less than £75 and if you need to know the technique there are lots of you-tube tutorials and it is not difficult.

A lot of this thread focuses on leather seats. What about the standard vrs interior?? I am definitely taking off the lifeshine option after reading this.

I use LTT products, oil free no colouring.

I asked the dealer NOT to use a sponge etc so that I would do it properly myself (starting with claying it, washing it with lambswool etc I even had to clay the windows as they were all rough-probably when transporting it on the ferry), I contacted a company-their details are http://www.polishedbliss.co.uk/ I told him what car I was getting, what colour and he recommended everything from start to finish. They were very helpful and the car is spotless with no swirl marks asociated with machines etc....I have pictures of it but cannot work out hot to upload them on this site. It cost me about £125 which includes everything from the clay bar to the leather feeder.

Edited 23 February, 201115 yr by gatsbys

A lot of this thread focuses on leather seats. What about the standard vrs interior?? I am definitely taking off the lifeshine option after reading this.

I bought some Supaguard fabric protection off Ebay...Same as Scotchguard and really cheap.

I reckon supagard only lasted 4-6 months in my current car. While it was effective it was ace though. Bought 2 tins for the new car for initial treatment then a top up when things no longer glide friction free over the boot carpet, or rain drops no longer bead on the drivers floor carpet

I'm pretty convinced vrs leather just needs cleaning instead of feeding. Will run with regular cleaning only for future.

Where do you live?

I had mine detailed after going through Detailing World (as someone else has said) by Midlands Detailing.

They were quality and I go to them twice a year for top-up protection and thorough paint cleansing, etc.

H

Sorry to drag this old thread back up.

I asked the dealer how much they are charging for the Lifeshine product - the full works, inside and out etc.

I got the impression from posts here that I'd be looking at £300 - £400.

So I was quite surprised when I was told they are doing it for £199.

So considering what the product is - is it still not worth £199?

Thanks again.

For that money you could get a pro detailer to apply it for you rather than an overworked under paid valeter at the dealers. Good product and all that but the end quality still depends on the skill and effort of the guy applying it.

For the same money, I'd rather have a guy who's got the time and the desire to do good work for you rather than the guy who just needs to do good enough for his boss.

Agree with Mute. I actually used to distribute AG in a former life, and preparation, as always, is the key. The product is great, although obviously I've never had reason to try any other products for comparison..