How to use Colourlock Elephant leather preserver on smooth leather

Colourlock Elephant Leather Preserver is a leather grease for smooth and greased leather. You use it to feed and protect dry, stiff or weathered leather. Clean the leather first, rub in a thin layer of grease with a soft cloth, let it soak in and buff off the excess. The leather stays supple and is better protected against sun, heat and moisture. Below you can read how to use Colourlock Elephant step by step.

What is Colourlock Elephant leather grease?

It is a deeply nourishing leather grease with a fully synthetic formula. It is acid-free and odourless and contains no animal fats. The grease soaks deep into the leather structure, which keeps the leather supple and less prone to cracking or fading. Because it also protects against sun, heat and moisture, it suits older or weathered upholstery that could use some extra feeding.

Prefer small portions? There is also the Colourlock Elephant Leather Preserver 10-pack with ten 15 ml sachets. Handy if you only want to treat a steering wheel or a few spots, or take the grease with you.

Which leather is the preserver for?

Colourlock Elephant is meant for smooth leather and for greased leather. Think of car seats, the steering wheel, leather furniture, bags, belts, saddles and motorcycle suits. On car leather you work thinly and evenly, and on older, weathered pieces the grease brings back the natural sheen. Not sure about a special leather type or finish? Test the grease first on a spot that is out of sight.

How to use Colourlock Elephant

1. Clean the leather first. Remove dirt, skin oils and old residue with a leather cleaner, for example the Colourlock ALC Allround Leather Cleaner. Grease on top of dirt locks the dirt in. Let the leather dry properly afterwards.

2. Test on a hidden spot. Apply a tiny amount somewhere you cannot see, such as under the seat, and check that the colour and feel of the leather are what you want. It takes a minute and prevents surprises.

3. Work at room temperature. Cold grease is stiff and hard to spread. Warm the grease and the leather slightly, for instance with a hairdryer on a low setting, and avoid working in direct sun or in the cold.

4. Apply a thin layer. Put a small amount on a clean, soft cloth and rub it into the leather in small circles. Thin is the key word: a lot of grease at once only means more buffing and a shiny, greasy seat.

5. Let it soak in. Give the grease time to sink into the leather. Very dry leather takes up more than leather that is still reasonably nourished. If the grease disappears quickly, you can apply a second thin layer.

6. Buff off the excess. Use a clean, lint-free cloth and wipe the leather until it feels even and not greasy. That way nothing is left to transfer onto clothes later.

7. Protect the result. Do not leave freshly treated leather in freezing cold or strong heat while it is still soaking in. Repeat the treatment when the leather starts to feel dry or dull again.

Common mistakes and tips

• Applying too much. One thin layer that you rub in well works better than a thick layer you have to wipe away.

• Skipping the clean. A clean surface is the basis, otherwise the grease sinks into dirt instead of the leather. Our guide to the Colourlock Mild Leather Cleaner helps here.

• Starting cold. The grease is hard to spread when cold. Warming it briefly makes the job far easier.

• Leaving excess grease. Always buff afterwards, especially on seats and the steering wheel, so the leather feels dry and not slippery.

• Expecting one product to do it all. A leather grease feeds, a cleaner cleans. Treat them as two steps that complement each other. You can read more about the whole approach in our guide on cleaning, conditioning and repairing leather.

What to combine Colourlock Elephant with

For cleaning, use the Colourlock ALC Allround Leather Cleaner or, for visible build-up, the Colourlock Strong Leather Cleaner. If you prefer a non-greasy care product for everyday upkeep, the Colourlock Protective Leather Lotion fits well. A complete package is the Colourlock Smooth Leather Care Kit. Everything for leather and interiors is in our leather cleaning category. A worn steering wheel is dealt with in the guide to the Colourlock leather steering wheel repair kit, which includes the Elephant Leather Preserver itself.