Leather Restoration Project for a 1952 Morris Oxford Car

Roger, I also have a leather restoration project coming up and I would be very interested and appreciative of your advice. It is very old and damaged leather on a 1952 Morris Oxford car. I will try send some photos to you if you need, but the damage involves some very bad cracks but unfortunately, the damage involves areas where the top layer has completely peeled away, leaving the "suede" underneath. Do you think it could be restored? I would love to restore it if you thought it was possible, but I realize that sometimes you need a miracle!!
The pictures are a little mis-leading. Two of the smaller panels on the driver's seat are worn very, very thin. Like tissue paper. My feeling is that I need to get some sort of long sub-patch underneath and glue it there so that it offers more support in preventing a tear. What do you think?
Can you provide me with a quote for a kit that includes the products that I need? Apart from the seats, there are also four large door-cards as well. Also, there is a leather runner at the base of the rear seat that goes to the floor all the way around. Lots of leather to treat and colour!!


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This project calls for a double restoration both to the leather structure and the finish including repairs to rip areas.

First is the Preparation Cleaning:
As the leather finished is wear in most areas; it is now also becomes obviously absorbent.
Therefore it is wise to use all leather-safe products to harmonize with the leather constituents not to breaks the hydrogen-bonding of the tanning agents, preservatives and especially the fatliquors from denaturing the leather.
The entire panel of worn pigment is recommended to be stripped clean avoiding the use of solvent as it will further leach out the fatliquors.
Products recommend for this preparation phase are: Prep-4.4, Cleaner-3.8 and Rinse-3.0.

Second is the Structure Leather Rejuvenating:
Hydrating is required to further relaxed stiff leathers and separates the stick-together fibrils prior to effective fatliquoring to soften and strengthen it.
Products required for the rejuvenating are: Hydrator-3.3 and Fatliquor-5.0.

Third is the Leather Repairs:
All highly absorbent and weak leathers need reinforcement in the leather internal structure to strengthen and tighten up the loose in-between the inter-fibrillary spaces.
Product recommended is Impregnator-26.
Bonding repairs rather than gluing with solvent products is recommended.
Leather Bond-3D is water-based and becomes part of the leather even as it ages; versus solvent glue that deteriorates and give way after a period of time.
Leather Patch is a super thin 0.04mm thickness full grain leather that reduces the appearance of the patch from view.
Leather Stucco may be replaced by leather fibers to mend the gaps stronger against constant flex without cracking.
Products need for this repair stage is: Leather Bond-3D & 7A with Leather Patch-4S.

Last is the Leather Refinishing:
Micro-Pigment used for semi-aniline leathers is recommended for finest and strength.
You see more pigment cracking than semi-aniline leathers cracking.
As for refinishing uneven wears a fine micro-pigment that coats by micron layers is easier to control where we want more and where we want less; to even out the micron thickness of the overall finish.
For better flow control a thickener is recommended to add to the micro-pigment to reduce streaks on vertical panels.
Products for this phase are: Adhesor-73, Thickener-48, Pigment Micro-54, Topcoat Micro-72S and Leather Scent-B.

The above are the recommended phase of restoration processes and products; we shall go into detail when you are ready to proceed.

Product description and instruction can be found in this thread:

http://www.leathercleaningrestoratio...read.php?t=360

Roger Koh
[email protected]

Hi Roger,

Can you please let me know the instructions for your leather pigment application. Does spraying give the best result or do you recommend a manual application of several thin layers?

Thanks for the help.

Brian

Prior to the pigment application it is wise to have an “Adhesion Coat” in the refinishing system.

There are two results that are both as important; namely Adhesion and Appearance.

For adhesion and better anchorage it is recommended that the first coating is applied by padding to ensure that it is micro-pile deep into the pores.

For appearance it is recommended that they are fine spray a panel at a time; and several thin layers is better than one thick layer.

Thereafter a matching topcoat applies.

I would recommend using the Semi-Aniline Refinishing System that uses Micro-Pigment for a finer finish.


Roger Koh
Leather Doctor®

Hi Roger

Sorry for the delay getting back to you. Judging by the amount of leather in the photos, along with four door-cards, the rear of the front seat and a leather "skirt" along the base of the seats, how much pigment would I need and how large a kit?

Thanks
Brian

The below is the rough estimate close to the packing size of the product, Some would be just sufficient, some excess and some would be a bit short. Especially the worn areas that become absorbent that will take up many times more than the panels that the finishes are still intact.


Wet Preparation Cleaning:
Prep-4.4 = 250ml RTU
Cleaner-3.8 = 30ml Concentrate makes 2.06 quarts
Rinse-3.0. = 30ml Concentrate makes 2.56 quarts

Structure Leather Rejuvenating:
Hydrator-3.3 = 60ml Concentrate makes 1.64 quarts
Fatliquor-5.0. = 250ml Concentrate makes 1.58 quarts

Leather Repairs:
Impregnator-26. = 250ml
Leather Bond-3D = 30gm
Leather Bond-7A = 30gm
Leather Patch-4S. = 6 x 4 inches

Leather Refinishing:
Adhesor-73 = 250ml
Thickener-48 = 120ml
Pigment Micro-54 (Maroon) = Quart
Pigment Micro-54 (Black) = 250ml
Topcoat Micro-72S = 2 x 250ml
Leather Scent-B. = 120ml (RTU)

Roger Koh
[email protected]