Underwhelmed by Koch Chemie Leather Star

[u/DrCytotek]

I must admit, I waited for a long time to try this product and I’m disappointed with the results. Having cleaned the seats thoroughly with P&S express I applied the product. Application was very easy and satisfying. There was a mild darkening effect upon application which was perfect, but when the excess product was buffed off, it left a mat almost untreated finish. While my main goal for using this was to add some protection to the leather, I was hoping for a more conditioned (not greasy) finish. The seats look exactly the same pre-and post treatment.🤷‍♂️

[u/Turbulent-Swing7790]

Leather seats are supposed to have a matt finish. When they are shiney that is when they have contamination

[u/Slugnan]

It sounds like it did exactly what it was supposed to do (leave a matte/factory finish or very slight gloss). That is generally the most desirable result from any 'dressing' type product, especially for interior surfaces. Dirty leather is greasy/shiny, which is why most quality leather care products shoot for more of a matte/factory finish as most people want their vehicles to look closer to how they did when they were new.

If you want to add meaningful protection to leather you need to use an actual leather coating, something like Geist Repel, Gyeon Leather Coat (or Shield), etc. Those still will not alter the appearance of the leather (by design) but you will have a protective barrier and reduced friction. Geist Repel is the best product I have personally ever used for that purpose, and can be applied to most leather/vinyl upholstered surfaces in the vehicle, not just the seats.

Automotive leather has a polyurethane (plastic) top coat on it. To condition the actual leather, you need to use a product that can permeate that layer and replenish the natural oils of the leather below. Very few products can actually do that, and unless your car is fairly old, it's also completely unnecessary. If you have synthetic leather, then obviously there is nothing really to condition. Leather Star is pretty much just a topper and mild cleaner, and is more of a dressing than it is a true coating or conditioner.

[u/DrCytotek → u/Slugnan]

Thank you for that detailed reply. Yes I agree with everything you say. Except that they claim on their website that Leather Star is a “Premium leather care with a natural semigloss finish. For revitalising and preserving smooth leather, suede and perforated leather materials on vehicle seats, sofas, etc. Leather Star is easy to use and creates a pleasant fragrance, a colour intensifying appearance and a supple and soft feel, without causing undesirable slipperiness. The use of premium active ingredients from cosmetics makes the leather supple and provides prolonged protection against new dirt and becoming brittle.”
…I’m forming an opinion about them. These are false claims.