Griot Series

Leather care for BMW 325i E46?

What brand leather conditioner do you use for your E46 325i?

The 3 series leather is rough and feels like vinyl (I have gray leather) so I don't know if I can use the same product that I use for my coats, shoes, etc.

I'm planning on buying Griot's Garage leather care. I just wanted to see what you guys are using.

You do not need to 'condition' leather with anything other then water so using shop bought products is unecessary.
99% of all auto leather has a coated finish which means that nothing can penetrate it and get to the leather itself.

What you should be doing is protecting the surface coating form dirt and oils (as this is what does the damage) and keeping the surface clean. This should be done with water based products.

Do not use anything containing waxes, oils, silicones and certainly not mink oil.

Leather care is straightforward and if done correctly will keep your leather in good condition for a long time

You need to use a good quality water based foam leather cleaner. (LTT Leather Shampoo) With light coloured leather dye transfer from clothing can be a problem although using a good quality leather protector (LTT Leather Protect) will help inhibit this. Black obviously does not show this problem.

DO NOT use anything containing oils, waxes or silicones. (Most 'conditioners' contain waxes or oils) and furniture polish (pledge) contains silicones which will eventually destroy the finish on the leather. Most car cleaners also contain oils or waxes so should not be used as they leave residues on the surface of the leather which attract more dirt which eventually leads to cracking.

BABY WIPES are the worst thing you can use as they will destroy the finish on your leather. They are very strong alkiline cleaners to neutralise urine (acid) on babys skin so they are not the right thing to use on leather.

Saddle soap should never be usd on upholstery leather or garments it is meant for saddles which are very different from todays finished leathers.

A lot of leather wipes contain chemicals which will also destroy the finish or leave residues on the leather which will damage it. They are not cheap in the long run as you would need a lot to clean. A bottle of foam cleaner should do your car about 3-4 times.

Fairy liquid contains more salt these days to get dishes clean and this will break the finish down on your leather. This has been verified by the manufacturers (as with the baby wipes).

You should also follow cleaning with a good water based leather protector which will act like a 'scotchgard' and inhibit dirt and stains from being absorbed and make cleaning easier the next time.

Dry leather needs rehydrating with water and oils and waxes should not be used as the natural oils do not dry out of leather. Wiping over with a damp cloth regularly will help to do this.

It is important to maintain a regular cleaning regime cleaning dirt off the surface regularly and inhibiting the absorption of body oils into the leather with a protector is the best way of doing this. The only 'moisturizer' a leather needs is from water.

The alternative is a brand new product on the market called Lazy Leather. This is the latest technology in cleaning and combines an effective cleaner with a protector. It is quick and easy to use and should be used as a maintenance product once your suite has been cleaned or from new if you have just bought it.

Using incorrect care products is usually the cause of deterioration in the leather as unfortunately most car care products contain waxes and oils or silicones which do not do the leather any good.

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The Empire of Mali Series: The Griot, Lesson 2

Bethany & Rufus Perform the First Acoustics Concert Series

Folk duo Bethany & Rufus will be performing a show as part of the First Acoustics Concert Series at the First Unitarian Church in Brooklyn, New York. First Acoustics is a Concert Series organized by the First Unitarian Congregational Society in Brooklyn, celebrating its 175th anniversary in 2008.

Saturday, November 15th - 8:00 PM
First Acoustics Concert Series
The First Unitarian Church
50 Monroe Pl, Brooklyn, NY
Box Office: (718) 288 5994
Online Tickets: http://www.firstacoustics.org/tickets/081115.html?height=400&width=500
Website: http://www.firstacoustics.org/events/index.php

Bethany will also be joining her father Peter Yarrow (of Peter, Paul and Mary fame) at the Lincoln Triangle Barnes & Noble in New York City on November 8 to celebrate their new book "Peter Yarrow Songbook: Favorite Folk Songs". Kids will make a joyful noise with these ever-popular classic songs which remind us of who we are and where we come from, so bring your kids and pass on the folk legacy. Lively, warm, and friendly, this illustrated collection - plus a CD with Peter Yarrow, his daughter Bethany, and cellist Rufus Cappadocia - will bring families together to read and to sing.

Saturday, November 8th - 2:00 PM
Barnes & Noble Booksellers
Lincoln Triangle
1972 Broadway
New York, NY 10023
212-595-6859

"The first thing that comes to mind when listening to this fascinating folk duo -- vocalist Bethany Yarrow, daughter of folk legend Peter Yarrow, and veteran five-string cellist Rufus Cappadocia -- is a slightly darker and more gritty Tuck & Patti, mostly due to the sparse production and Yarrow's compelling, low husky tones. But while Tuck & Patti are, at the end of the day, true romantics, Bethany & Rufus edge deeper in the darker spaces between groove, jazz and a gritty approach to traditional folk. With Yarrow's voice shadowing Cappadocia's plucky melodic/rhythmic approach to the bass, the two blend influences from dusty American field recordings to modern jazz (the cheeky "Isn't That So"), from light folk-pop (the snappy title track, "900 Miles") to the griot traditions of Africa ("If I Had My Way (Samson & Delilah)"). Hypnotic pieces like "The Swallow" and "Asturiana" allow Cappadocia to venture into chamber music territory as he creates haunting, sustained notes under his partner's ethereal lead. While these songs may take a few listens to fully resonate, there's no denying that in a world where a lot of fluffy pop passes as folk, Bethany & Rufus, in taking a more original road, have come up with the real deal." --  Jonathan Widran

Websites:
http://www.bethanyandrufus.com/
http://www.myspace.com/bethanyandrufus

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