Shop Crawling at Katzkin Leather

The Skinny on Custom Leather

If you’ve ever wondered how custom leather interiors get made, check out this BTS clip from Katzkin Leather and see how they go from leather to interior in under than 12 hours.

Now, if you go through all of the trouble to have Katzkin make you a killer interior set for your car, truck, etc, you’ll want to take good care of it. Here are some tips they have for doing just that.

Katzkin materials have received a protective treatment during the manufacturing process, which will protect the surface from the soiling and staining of everyday use throughout the life of your Katzkin interior. They recommend the following procedures for cleaning:

For Spots and Spills: Blot any excess liquid immediately with a clean absorbent cloth or sponge. If necessary, use clear, lukewarm water and dry with a clean towel and then air dry. Do not dry wet areas with heat dryers, hair dryers, etc. as this will damage the material.

For Stubborn Spots and Stains: Use a mild solution of Ivory bar soap (not dishwashing liquid) and clear, lukewarm water. Apply the soap to a clean, wet sponge and blot the affected area. Do not apply force or pressure, as the heat and friction of rubbing will damage the surface over time. Rinse and allow to air dry naturally.

For Disinfecting: Katzkin recommends using only botanical-based disinfectants on vehicle seating surfaces used in accordance with the directions on the product label. Alcohol or ammonium-based disinfectants could damage your interior when used consistently over time.

Do Not Use: Saddle soaps, oils, abrasives, cleaners containing detergent (such as dishwashing liquids), solvents (mineral spirits), any products containing alcohol (hand sanitizers), household disinfecting sprays or wipes, varnish, ammonia water or any products containing bleach, as these types of cleaners will cause damage to the protective top coat of the interior and use of listed products may void your warranty.

Note regarding Blue Dye Transfer: Some clothing items (such as darker jeans) contain dyes that may transfer to lighter color upholstery surfaces, including lighter color automotive leathers. This dye transfer occurs naturally over time and does not reflect a defect in the finish of the leather. If you are concerned about the possibility of blue dye transfer, Katzkin recommends that you consider a darker color for your leather interior.