>>> More like dirt and also handle is the same way...see below?
Handles that have a darkening effect are the accumulation of body oil, grease and sweat.
Leather stiffness that leads to cracks is mainly caused by the sweat.
When sweat ages or ferments, it will shift the amphoteric leather protein fiber ionic negative (-ve) that breaks the hydrogen bond with the other ionic negative (-ve) non-amphoteric leather constituents like the tanning agent and the fatliquor, thus leads to tackiness from the tanning agents and cracks from the fatliquor. A holistic degreasing is perform with Degreaser-2.2
http://www.leatherdoctor.com/degreaser-2-2/
follows with Acidifier-2.0
http://www.leatherdoctor.com/acidifier-2-0/
General soiling without the sweat components that produce darkening effect is alternatively removed with VachettaPro-1.2
http://www.leatherdoctor.com/vachettapro-1-2/
Browning discoloration is usually due to pH related solution that comes in contact and even water with a pH value of average 7 will cause a discoloration and pH value above 7 will accelerate the browning discoloration. So always check the pH value of cleaning products before using on pH sensitive Vachetta leathers. Browning or sun-tanning effect is due to UV light and just like our skin turns darker when exposed to the sun. Both this common discoloration and browning effect is rectified with Vachetta-2.8
http://www.leatherdoctor.com/vachetta-2-8/
Note:
It is always recommended to rejuvenate the leather after the Degreaser-2.2 > Acidifier-2.0 system with
Hydrator-3.3
http://www.leatherdoctor.com/hydrator-3-3/
and follow with Fatliquor-5.0
http://www.leatherdoctor.com/fatliquor-5-0/
and any surface fatliquor residue is removed again with Hydrator-3.3
>>> Any advise on how to fix the little tear on the Vachetta?
Tear, rip or in this case is worn-through or abraded with some missing fiber.
To build the missing fiber you will need some donor (that is scrape the suede side of another piece of vachetta) and fill bond with Bond-3D.
http://www.leatherdoctor.com/bond-3d/
However, such repairs will leave a darkening effect looks like scar mark with just Bond-3D + Donor Suede Fiber.
Matching opaque pigment from Micro-54
http://www.leatherdoctor.com/micro-54/
with Shading Examples
http://www.leatherdoctor.com/color-pigment-shading-examples/
will help camouflage the repairs.
Thereafter the coloring will need to be seal with a matching satin or matte luster from MicroTop-54
http://www.leatherdoctor.com/microtop-54/
Protector-D
http://www.leatherdoctor.com/protector-d/
will help to conceal and protect the other non affected areas including the repair areas as well.
Kit-V4 – Vachetta Leather Browning/Oil/Grease/Sweat Removal Kit is recommended to be used on the handle treatments.
http://www.leatherdoctor.com/kit-v4-vachetta-leather-browning-oil-grease-sweat-removal-kit/
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Other stains and problems may be reference from this Vachetta (V) Leather Problem Solving Matrix or Instructions
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Roger Koh
Leather Care System Formulator
Consultant / Practitioner / Instructor
web: www.leatherdoctor.com
forum: www.leathercleaningrestorationforum.com
email:
[email protected]