DEET stain on black leather from Off! bug repellent spray

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starkraven

New member
First post here, long time lurker. I've got a problem that the search button can't help me with.



I just got a 2011 M3 with black leather. I take my daughter to school every morning, right after my wife spritzes her with OFF! insect repellent. I noticed today that there were stains all over the back seat from where my daughter climbs in to her car seat. The only thing I've tried so far is a little Palmolive and water. It may have made a dent in the stains. I'm a little angry at the situation right now, so it is hard for me to tell.



A google search tells me that DEET can stain leather, but that is the extent of what I see out there. Any ideas?
 
Never had that problem, but years ago I spilled some Deet product on some cassette tapes and they melted. So there might be strong chemicals in there.
 
salty said:
Never had that problem, but years ago I spilled some Deet product on some cassette tapes and they melted. So there might be strong chemicals in there.
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Yes, I've done a little more research, and that's the effect of DEET itself. It is a plasticizer, according to the SC Johnson employee I spoke to. It is known to etch leather, including automotive leather. Apparently, there is a warning to this effect somewhere on each bottle. I suspect that it has melted whatever protective coating BMW puts on its leather, just like it melted your cassette tapes.



In any case, if anyone has any ideas on how to minimize the appearance of the damage, I'd love to hear them. Naturally, I am going to clean and condition the spots to see if that helps, but these seats are brand spanking new.
 
starkraven said:
Yes, I've done a little more research, and that's the effect of DEET itself. It is a plasticizer, according to the SC Johnson employee I spoke to. It is known to etch leather, including automotive leather. Apparently, there is a warning to this effect somewhere on each bottle. I suspect that it has melted whatever protective coating BMW puts on its leather, just like it melted your cassette tapes.



In any case, if anyone has any ideas on how to minimize the appearance of the damage, I'd love to hear them. Naturally, I am going to clean and condition the spots to see if that helps, but these seats are brand spanking new.
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Augh. Man I'd so upset.



Try something like 303 aersospace protectant or another protectant that darkens the leather. Perhaps it'll help minimize their appearance. I guess it depends on if the stains appear lighter in color than the rest of the seat?
 
some companies have a top coat product to apply a new top coat. some of them are more durable than the factory coating. the really difficulty with them is you have to remove all the factory coating to apply them.
 
wascallyrabbit said:
some companies have a top coat product to apply a new top coat. some of them are more durable than the factory coating. the really difficulty with them is you have to remove all the factory coating to apply them.
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Now that's interesting. I know that Google is my friend, but do you know the name of any companies that do that? Anyone else out there know?
 
depends were you're at. i know of two who does this type of work for a living. one in canada and one in new jersey. the guy in canada will sell you all the stuff you need to do it your self and the guy in jersey runs a leather refinishing type business (trainings technicians) to do it.
 
wascallyrabbit said:
depends were you're at. i know of two who does this type of work for a living. one in canada and one in new jersey. the guy in canada will sell you all the stuff you need to do it your self and the guy in jersey runs a leather refinishing type business (trainings technicians) to do it.
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I'd be happy to have either person's contact information. Perhaps the NJ guy has trained someone down here in Houston.
 
starkraven said:
I'd be happy to have either person's contact information. Perhaps the NJ guy has trained someone down here in Houston.
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Houston eh? Get in touch with MobileJay here on the forums. He's in your region, perhaps he can help you find someone to help you sort it out or has some ideas himself.
 
starkraven said:
First post here, long time lurker. I've got a problem that the search button can't help me with.



I just got a 2011 M3 with black leather. I take my daughter to school every morning, right after my wife spritzes her with OFF! insect repellent. I noticed today that there were stains all over the back seat from where my daughter climbs in to her car seat. The only thing I've tried so far is a little Palmolive and water. It may have made a dent in the stains. I'm a little angry at the situation right now, so it is hard for me to tell.



A google search tells me that DEET can stain leather, but that is the extent of what I see out there. Any ideas?
Click to expand...



Hi Starkraven, Glad you found Autopia good luck with the seat.
 
Here's an update. My detailer here in Houston worked on it last week, experimenting with a few things and then hit on something. He did the whole area today, at it is at about 97% now. He lifted out the stained aspect and was able to do something that filled in the etched aspect. I am delighted.
 
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