Pigmented (Mono-Tone) - Cause of sticky aniline

>>> I'm trying to clean my 2year Gamma cream aniline leather sofa.

A semi-aniline or micro-pigmented better describe this leather finishes type. The leather crust may have been aniline dyed-through but mind you there is no white dyes, the lightest color dyestuff is yellow. You may like to see the reverse suede side what color it is. A bluish greyish color is the color from chrome tanning and not necessary from dyestuff. We will see to determine if it is actually dye-through as claim, only of academic interest and may not be an issue related to your case of stickiness.

>>> and i'd like some advice on the likely cause of stickiness

Heat and humidity have direct bearings on the leather topcoat. Perspiration or sweat when combine with heat and humidity accelerate the deteriorating processes. Sweat with traces of urea when ferments with the natural bacteria from the atmosphere emits ammonia like smell and at this stage, shifting from slight acidity to alkaline, may reach the potential of ~pH 10.

>>> Some cleaning with harsh chemicals (on poor advice from store). I have recently tried cleaning some of the sofa with the only Aniline friendly cleaner I could find in Singapore (HG deep cleaner) but that seems to have made the sofa even stickier.

Trying to solve “stickiness” in leather with products of unknown pH value that are high in alkaline or solvent content often escalate and exacerbate the sticky problem, compounding or intensifying it. pH value is measured by the factor of 10. Therefore, between pH 5 and pH 10, there is a difference in molecular ionic strength by a massive 100’000 times. And the result you have experienced “made the sofa even stickier”.

>>> and the simplest solution.
All foreign contamination that remains on the leather original surface have to be removed and pH balanced for an inspection. If stickiness still persists, the deteriorated topcoat needs repairs.

Stickiness Rectification Kit:
See this link for solution to the problem, the topcoat of this Kit B7 has to be replaced with MicroTop-54S (satin luster) to match your existing finishes luster level.
http://www.leathercleaningrestoratio...her-and-sticky!

On-line store (indicate that you wish to make a switch of the topcoat to MicroTop-54S.
http://www.leatherdoctor.com/servlet...-Kit-B7/Detail

Stickiness Preventive Kit:
For preventive care and reduces stickiness Protector-B+ helps to impart a non-stick buttery-feel surface with this Kit P3 and the leather stickiness problem will be under control.

We will go into more details to walk you though when you are ready to do so!

Roger Koh
Leather Care Consultant
[email protected]

Attachment 3626
http://www.leatherdoctor.com/servlet...-Kit-P3/Detail
Leather Doctor® Kit P3, pigmented leather care kit is an innovative leather-safe (pH 3 - 5) system developed for keeping leather at their highest level of appearance besides maintaining their structural chemistry integrity and enhancing their suppleness. Pigmented finishes develop micro crazing as it ages and heat dries out the fat and oil from these weak point and stitching holes. The diminishing of the fat and oil empties the leather that results in creases and wrinkles. Stiffness to the leather is another sign of fat and oil diminishing that collapse the inter fibrillary spaces making the fiber becomes stick together and when flexed during used will lead to cracks. Periodic use of Hydrator-3.3 to hydrate the stick together fibers prior to fat and oil replenishing with Fatliquor-5.0 will keep the leather supple and strong. Thus, reduce the premature ageing of the leather against stiffness and cracking. The surface wear of the leather is greatly reduced when friction noise is kept low. The noise reduction is accomplished with rub-resistant Protector-B+ that imparts a natural buttery-feel. Periodic cleaning and rinsing with Cleaner-3.8 follows by Rinse-3.0 to the body contact area helps reduce greasy soiling build-up. Removing of unwanted stains such as ink or the common new blue jeans is accomplished with Prep-7.7. Note that the mentioned product suffix number denotes its pH value in this leather-safe holistic care system.

Instruction

Preventive Care
A non-stick, rub-resistant protection is recommended to be in place before putting the leather to daily use. Protector-B+ imparts a soft natural buttery-feel that enhances the leather luxuriously to the sense of touch. The non-stick surface shields the leather from sticky soiling thus prolonging the high level of appearance. Rub-resistant abilities reduce friction noises that translate into less friction wear as one slide and shift body weight around the seat with less stress to the finish. This leather-scented protector diffuses a classic leather scent that boost the sensuous leather more appealing to the leather lover. This preventive care is kept in place at each level of routine, periodic or restorative cleaning cycle. A simply spray and wipe prolongs the need for cleaning heavy soiling.
1. Apply Protector-B+ after shaking well spread with lint free towel and is ready for use when dry.

Routine Care
Routine care includes procedures such as general dust cleaning, attending to spots and stains as required especially the neutralizing of sweat stains from shifting alkaline. Thus prevents leather from tackiness. A routine non-stick rub resistant protection after neutralizing rinse helps keep leather in a more attractive and healthy state while preventing premature wears.
1. Spray Rinse-3.0, horsehair Brush-1 agitates and towel extract until it shows clean.
2. Apply Protector-B+ after shaking well spread with lint free towel and is ready for use when dry.

Periodic Care
Periodic care is recommended before soiling causes damages to the finishing. This keeps leather consistently clean and healthy at all times. The sitting areas would require more frequent attention than the other less frequent used outer side and back. While the hand rest and headrest gets the most of body oil and sweat contacts.
1st phase – Periodic Care
1. Spray Clean-3.8 and agitate with horsehair Brush-1; ensuring a uniform application over the entire surfaces a section at a time.
2. Towel extract until it shows clean.
3. Remaining residues are spray rinse with Rinse-3.0 and towel extract to a squeaky-clean.
4. Let dry and inspect for satisfaction, otherwise repeat cleaning process as necessary or proceed to hydrating.
2nd phase – Hydrating
Although pigmented leathers surfaces are usually non-absorbent until micro crazing develops it is the stitching rows that are usually vulnerable. These weak areas when wet and dry again have the tendency for the fibrils to become stick together resulting in stiffness and when stressed may lead to premature cracks. Hydrating is essential to relax and separate the stick together collapsing fibrous structure besides charging it ionic positive for a more effective hydrogen bonding with the negative ionic fatliquor.
1. Spray Hydrator-3.3 control and spread with foam brush to hydrate especially the stitching rows.
2. Let dwell 10 to 30 minutes depending on severity of dryness with optional plastic cling wrapping to control evaporation for a longer dwell time to plumps the leather more effectively.
3rd phase – Fat and Oil Replenishing
Fatliquor evaporates as VOC (volatile organic compound) when temperatures rises especially from exposed micro-crazing, perforation and stitching rows. Periodic fat and oil replenishing maintains the leather’s structure integrity and pliability thus strengthen these exposed leather from cracking.
1. Spray Fatliquor-5.0 in like manner as Hydrator-3.3 and let dry naturally.
2. Repeat application in between drying until saturated.
3. The leather is left for slow natural drying for extra softness.
4. Surface strays are wiped with Hydrator-3.3 to free of sticky residue.
4th phase – Preventive Care
1. Apply Protector-B+ after shaking well spread with lint free towel and is ready for use when dry.

Restorative Care
This is the ultimate restorative or salvage care system that removes accumulated soiling including aged conditioners to its original finishes. Accumulated soiling that fills creases is often mistaken for cracks. Restorative cleaning is performed by using Prep-7.7. It works by chemical reaction to emulsify soiling through its penetrating, lubricating and suspending power. Its thick as honey viscosity facilitates coating the surface for effective dwell time. Horsehair detailing Brush-1 is recommended to worked into heavily soiled areas sufficiently to avoid excessive agitation that might damage already weaken finishes especially on heavily used areas.
1st phase - Restorative Cleaning
1. Apply Prep-7.7 and agitate with horsehair Brush-1, ensuring a uniform application over the entire surfaces a section at a time.
2. Allow a dwell time of 10 to 30 minutes or before it dries prior to towel extraction until it shows clean.
3. Sticky residue is removed by Cleaner-3.8 with gentle brush agitation and towel extraction until it shows clean.
4. Remaining residues are spray rinse with Rinse-3.0 and towel extract to a squeaky-clean.
5. Let dry and inspect for satisfaction, otherwise repeat cleaning process as necessary or proceed to hydrating.
2nd phase – Hydrating
Although pigmented leathers surfaces are usually non-absorbent until micro crazing develops it is the stitching rows that are usually vulnerable. These weak areas when wet and dry again have the tendency for the fibrils to become stick together resulting in stiffness and when stressed may lead to premature cracks. Hydrating is essential to relax and separate the stick together collapsing fibrous structure besides charging it ionic positive for a more effective hydrogen bonding with the negative ionic fatliquor.
1. Spray Hydrator-3.3 control and spread with foam brush to hydrate especially the stitching rows and perforated sections.
2. Let dwell 10 to 30 minutes depending on severity of dryness with optional plastic cling wrapping to control evaporation for a longer dwell time to plumps the leather more effectively.
3rd phase – Fat and Oil Replenishing
Fatliquor evaporates as VOC (volatile organic compound) when temperatures rises especially from exposed micro crazing and stitching rows.
Periodic fat and oil replenishing maintains the leather’s structure integrity and pliability thus strengthen these exposed leather from cracking.
1. Spray Fatliquor-5.0 in like manner as Hydrator-3.3 and let dry naturally.
2. Repeat application in between drying until saturated.
3. The leather is left for slow natural drying for extra softness.
4. Surface strays are wiped with Hydrator-3.3 to free of sticky residue.
4th phase – Preventive Care
1. Apply Protector-B+ after shaking well spread with lint free towel and is ready for use when dry.