Assessment:
The only information we have that cause this damage is from a leaking roof.
Evaluation:
What could the damage be depends on what’s in the water and how best to restore it to pre-damaged condition.
Categories of Water in Water Damage:
We can categorize it as a “Clean Water” damage that may not pose discomfort or sickness when salvaged cushion is thereafter exposed to humans. However when clean water contact structural surfaces it may dissolved and becomes contaminated that causes stain to the leather; wood and metal derive stains are common in this type of water damage.
Stains Identification:
1] White Lines – these could be from the fugitive fatliquor.
2] Dark Lines – these could be from the leather constituents like the tanning agent and dyestuff; possible from contaminated water that contains cellulose tanning and/or metal tarnish.
3] Darken Water Damage Areas – same as 2]
4] Rings – same as 2]
5] Scratches - pre-existing condition
pH Phenomenal:
The pH of leather averages between 3 and 5; when contaminated water becomes alkaline; the alkalinity in the solution will shift the protein fiber anionic (-) from its original (+) ionic charge; thus repelling the hydrogen-bonding of the other leather constituent that is also anionic in nature; behaving like magnet – “like poles repel”. Resulting from staining by these fugitive leather constituents; from within the leather structure itself.
Tannin & Tarnish Stains:
All coloring that derives from vegetation and plants ranges from yellowing to dark brown. Likewise metallic stain may range from rust to brass tarnish color.
Remedies:
1] Acidification:
To acidify the leather protein fiber back to its cationic positive charge use Acidifier-2.0 to trail all those contaminated areas through its thickness – extract until towel shows clean and may require a cling wrapping dwell until the stain areas is well saturated to prevent evaporation.
2] Hydration:
To redistribute the leather structure contamination and evenly hydrate the entire leather structure; purging all foreign contamination at the same time in the wicking process to extract with terry towel until towel is clean; to produce an even appearance through the hydrating overnight with tight tissue layer to trap wick-up stains under cling wrapping to reduce evaporation. Product recommended Hydrator-3.3
3] Foreign Stains from Cellulose or Metal:
Remaining stains to be further treated with d’Tannin-3.5; follows with d’Tarnish-1.3.
The above 3 steps is best done while the leather is in a damp condition; and only when the appearance is without color variation or stains present that it is allow to have its natural drying process to take place; recommended to extract at interval to extract any staining that is wicking up.
4] Leather Rejuvenating:
When the stains are gone; it’s time to rehydrate with Hydrator-3.3 prior to fatliquoring with Fatliquor-5.0 to return the leather to its original suppleness.
5] Scratch Rectification:
Refinish with Topcoat Micro-72S (satin) with in-between fine sanding with 1500grit will eliminate those whitish scratches.
Pictures of recommended products:
http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/nn4/Rogerkoh/LeatherSpecialtyCleaner7.jpg
Leather Specialty Cleaner (7)
Acidifier-2.0 as seen from this Specialty Cleaner range of 7.
http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/nn4/Rogerkoh/LeatherSpecialtyRemover8.jpg
Leather Specialty Remover (8)
d’Tannin-3.5 and d’Tarnish-1.3 as seen from this Specialty Remover range of 8.
http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/nn4/Rogerkoh/Rejuvenator5.jpg
Leather Rejuvenating Conditioner (5)
Hydrator-3.3 and Fatliquor-5.0 as seen from this Rejuvenator range of 5.
http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/nn4/Rogerkoh/Micro-Pigment12.jpg
Semi-Aniline Leather Coloring System (12)
Topcoat Micro-72S (satin) as seen from this Micro Pigment system
Questions are welcome!
Roger Koh
[email protected]