PDA

View Full Version : Aniline (Full) - How to Clean, Rejuvenate, Repair and Refinish these leather Sofa, Chair and Ottoman – question by Clayton!



Roger Koh
04-16-2010, 12:43 PM
Hi, I am looking to get a sofa; chair and ottoman cleaned, conditioned (some dryness showing on sofa cushions) and re-tinted/re-dyed as it is also faded on wear surfaces.
I would consider trying restoration myself if a service was cost prohibitive but would rather have someone experienced do it rather than experiment.

I would like to get the original color back (maybe a bit darker than what you see on the parts under the cushions).

Here are some detail photos.


Thanks for any information
Clayton

#1
http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/nn4/Rogerkoh/Clayton1of5-Chair.jpg

#2
http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/nn4/Rogerkoh/Clayton2of5-CloseCussion.jpg

#3
http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/nn4/Rogerkoh/Clayton3of5-Sofa.jpg

#4
http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/nn4/Rogerkoh/Clayton4of5-SofaCussion.jpg

#5
http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/nn4/Rogerkoh/Clayton5of5-SofaCussionclose.jpg

Roger Koh
04-17-2010, 10:41 AM
What leather finishing type do you think this leather is?

Pigmented (opaque)
Semi-Aniline (opaque)
Aniline Hybrid (translucent)
Aniline Dye (transparent)

Pigmented – the lowest grade of leather among the four is out.
Picture #5 shows that the leather has been dyed through with aniline dye.
(Pigment Standard-64 + Topcoat Pigment-56Satin)

Semi-Aniline – possible, but since these are opaque color that blocks out the base color it should have a more color consistency among the panels.
Picture #3 armrest front and seat edge shows at least 3 shade of color.
Unlikely then it is a semi-aniline leather type.
(Pigment Micro-54 + Topcoat Micro-72Satin)

Aniline Hybrid – these are the translucent color, that coats the leather surface for more even shade is a likely possibility.
This also provides more resistance to head grease as seen in picture #1
(Aniline Hybrid-22 + Topcoat Micro-72Satin)

Aniline – these are the higher end leathers.
A test on picture #3 worn out seat cushion with Topcoat Aniline-79G will confirm it.
(Aniline Dye-21 + Topcoat Aniline-79Gloss)


How to reduce the surface wear?

When leather surface produces less friction noise it will wear longer.
Therefore by giving it a buttery feel, so to lubricate it prolongs the wear and tear.
Either with Buttery Feel-76 or Leather Scent-B.


Why the Creases?

The leather is not supple enough due to diminishing of its fatliquor (fat, oil & water).
(Periodic fatliquoring with Fatliquor-5.0 helps)


Here are my recommended procedures for this project.

A] Wet Process Stage

1] Preparatory Cleaning
This mandatory cleaning removes all foreign contamination with Prep-7.7.

2] Leather-Safe Cleaning
This cleaning removes all residues with Cleaner-3.8.

3] Acidifier Rinse
This low pH 3.0 rinse stabilizes the leather chemistry with Rinse-3.0.
At this stage the leather should feel squeaky.
Tackiness is a pH problem and should be corrected with a pH 2.0 Acidifier.
This cleaning process includes removing the deteriorated finishes seam to seam with help of Razor-60 + Fine Wet Sanding.

4] Hydrating
To reduce the apparent creases the leather structure has to be completely wet out to relax the crushed fibers within the leather structure with Hydrator-3.3.

5] Leather Rejuvenating
Rejuvenating replenishes the original fatliquor (fat, oil and water) that diminishes through ageing and cleaning.
The fat and oil lubricates the leather so that the leather fibrils slide against one another smoothly with flexibility, while the water evaporates and leaves void so that the leather breathes.


B] Dry Process Stage

1] Surface Wear Repair
A protein compact resin blend impregnator is necessary to fill, tighten and form a smooth surface ready for further coating with Impregnator-26.

2] Adhesion Coating
Adhesion coating prevents peeling and is recommended prior to Pigment Micro-54 or Aniline Hybrid-22 except Aniline Dye-21.

3] Refinishing System
The refinishing system of choice or match to the original applies here.
The original color you like to have has to be match from the basic color.
And the possibility may come from Maroon, Ochre, Tan and Black.

4] Non-stick Protection Feel and Scent.
It’s either a buttery feel with or without the classic leather scent.

You like to do it yourself or someone experience doing it for you, the above recommendation applies.

What do you think?

Roger Koh
Leather Doctor®