I used Leatherique and Pristeen Clean on my 85 TD and it did, as you say, cause some of the cracks to be more noticeable, but at the same time, it makes the leather much less brittle and likely to split. I refinished my seats and they came out beautiful. I used the dye recommended by Thomaspin on the Diesel Forum. I found the Leatherique on e-bay, and the dye that came with it was dark blue, whereas my seats are palomino.

Important thoughts: use a real bristle (not synthetic brush) the cheap Chinese brushes are fine, so long as they are natural. Thin the dye by about 20%. This makes the brushmarks less noticeable (they disappear after a week or so).

The Conditioner makes the leather smell like leather.

Good luck!

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Semibodacious Transmogrifications a Specialty

1990 300D 2.5 Turbo sedan 171K (Rudolf)
1985 300D Turbo TD Wagon 219K (Remuda)

"Time flies like and arrow, yet fruit flies like a banana"
---Marx (Groucho)