Bicast leather – 12 yrs old develop major tackiness problem!

>>> Please let me know if this can be restore?

This problem is permanently restored with a new fresh cross-linked urethane clear topcoat that matches the original.

>>> what products to use and the steps for best results

In most cases the coloring is still intact after restorative cleaning of all foreign contamination including all unwanted fibers from the blankets with Degreaser-2.2 > Acidifier-2.0. Any dye stains remaining may require Prep-7.7 to remove entirely as an add-on to the Leather Doctor Kit-B7 prior to topcoat application.

In the dry preparation, the deteriorated urethane finishes is recommended be lightly sand (2000grit) off until color shows and is ready for a new topcoat application.

A 10% Crosslinker-25 is added to BicastTop-76G and applied between drying coats until the original shines is restored. And this is done with 8 hrs or before the products cures and becomes unusuable.

Protector-B+ is a non-stick protector and use as a routine maintenance thereafter for a buttery feel. Ask to switch to the scentless if leather scent is not your liking.

Roger Koh
Leather Care Consultant
[email protected]

For further readings:

Bicast / Bycast leather is split leather with a layer of polyurethane applied to the surface and then embossed. Bicast was originally made for the shoe industry and recently adopted for use by the furniture industry. The result is a slightly stiffer product that is cheaper than top grain leather but has a much more consistent texture and is easier to clean and maintain. The use of terms like "leather", "genuine leather" or "100% leather" in relation to this bicast treatment is considered a misrepresentation and therefore not permitted in some countries. Furniture made with bicast exhibits none of the characteristics associated with aniline leather. With constant use, the polyurethane layer may crack and split free of its backing. Other common problem is the finish becomes sticky

Attachment 4210
Leather Doctor® Kit-B7, bicast leather sticky topcoat refinishing kit is an innovative system developed for bicast leather to restore finishes sticky problem. The sticky problem is often described from owners as follows. The finish gone dull on the seating areas and any material comes in contact sticks to it. The finishes feels a bit rubbery but after 5mins of sitting clothing were stuck to it. The location that suffers tackiness also reveals roughness to the touch. When sitting down and getting up, there is the sound of tape pulling and you can actually see a pattern on the couch from the jeans. If these experiences sound familiar then this kit is the answer. Stripping the surface contamination is done with Degreaser-2.2 and the help of Eraser-4 for better traction to removed surface materials. Suspended soiling is towel extracted and rinse with Acidifier-2.0. 2000-grit sandpaper is used to smoothen rough surface. A 10% Crosslinker-25 is added to the BicastTop-76G for extra finish strength from stickiness. Protector-B+ imparts a non-stick buttery-feel against sticky soiling; a rub-resistant against friction wear and diffuses a leather scent that enhances leather sensuous and luxuriously.
Instruction

Wet Preparation:
1. Protect floor with plastic covering from overspray and drips prior to stripping accumulated soiling.
2. Shake the Degreaser-2.2 to gel prior to use.
3. Transfer to the Eraser-4 on the sponge side for normal cleaning and the crepe side for an extra scrub.
4. Apply with agitation onto the leather finish to remove surface soiling.
5. Suspended soiling is extracted with a lint-free towel or cleaning sponge until towel shows clean.
6. Spray Acidifier-2.0, agitate with Eraser-4 and extract until towel shows clean again.
7. When dry, sand surface roughness and ensure free of foreign material with 2000-grit sandpaper.
8. Speed dry with hair dryer, free of residue and is ready for topcoat application.

Refinishing:
1. Crosslinker-25 10% is added into the BicastTop-76G to control existing stickiness. Empty the entire 7gm of Crosslinker-25 into the 70ml half filled bottle of BicastTop-76G and stir or swill it well. Once the topcoat is cross-linked, it is best to used within 8 hours, otherwise it will be cured hard and be useless.
2. Apply by foam brush lightly to avoid streaks or use soft varnishing brushes for streaks free result or airbrushing for professional result.
3. Steaks are corrected by fine 2000-grit sanding when dry.
4. Use a hair dryer for speed drying in-between coats to satisfaction.
5. Let it overnight cure before non-stick protection.

Non-Stick Protection:
1. Protector-B+ is applied evenly with either foam brush or paper towel and is ready for use when dry.
2. For routine application, a paper towel is recommended to simultaneously extract soiling.

Attachment 4211
Leather Doctor® Kit B8.cl, Bicast leather color refinishing kit is design for a holistic restoration approach to not only the finishes but also rejuvenating the leather crust for suppleness. Most of these repairs are for abrading damages into the leather split-suede crust.
Most of these exposed areas may be contaminated with foreign soiling that includes conditioners, protectors, body oil, grease and sweat or alkaline overexposure from non leather-safe cleaners.
A comprehensive repair for a long-term lasting solution will require a holistic approach to deal with both the exposed leather split-suede for structural integrity and surface finishes for aesthetic.
A leather-safe restoration system begins with removing foreign contamination from the penetrated leather structure and from the surface with the proven Degreaser-2.2 follows with Rinse-3.0 to a healthy squeaky feel.
A pH in-balance leather structure with alkalinity overexposure will manifest as tackiness, stickiness or in extreme cases sliminess. The ionic strength of such denaturing leather will need to be strengthen by protonating its ionic positive (+ve) with the help of Acidifier-2.0 until the leather is revert back to a healthy pH chemistry integrity.
Penetrated soiling may be further moves with the help of Hydrator-3.3 by successive wicking process with optional reverse transfer technique and erase off with Eraser-4 for a satisfactorily inspection.
Leather rejuvenating system for softness and strength is accomplishes with Hydrator-3.3 follows with Fatliquor-5.0.
Surface uneven absorption is seals with Adhesor-73 to smooth out the suede and restore a skin to reduce the need for color over-coating thus increase its flexibility and stretchability from coating premature cracking.
With Adhesor-73 as a base for adhesion promotion as well, it is ready for color coating with Bicast-32 an opaque pigment coloring to block out the unwanted based color. Bicast-76 is an aniline transparent color that gives the beauty of depth as the secondary coloring to simulate the appearance of aniline leather. And BicastTop-76 is a gloss topcoat that seals the coloring from bleeding, crocking and resistant to cleaning during the course of the leather useful life.
Protector-B+ imparts a non-stick rub-resistant surface with a buttery feel, reduces noises that translate into less friction wear. As the leather surface is well lubricated it reduces compression when comes to heavy body contact thus reduces compressed creases, wrinkles thus prolong the useful life of the new finishes.
Note the products suffix numbers denotes the pH value of the product.

Attachment 4212
Leather Doctor® Kit-B2, bicast leather care kti is an innovative system developed to keep the leather at the highest level of appearance while reducing the potential stickiness problem. Practically most stains are removed by using Prep-7.7 that includes the ballpoint ink and dye transfer from the common new blue jeans. Sticky food substances like chewing gum as easily removed as well. Periodic cleaning is done with Cleaner-3.8 follows with Rinse-3.0 to a healthy squeaky clean. Protector-D+ imparts a non-stick draggy-feel against sticky soiling; a rub-resistant against friction wear; filling and concealing scuff marks and diffuses a leather scent that enhances leather sensuous and luxuriously.

Instruction:

Preventive Maintenance
1. Spray Protector-D+ and wipe to spread, leave dry and is ready to use.

Stain Removal with Prep-7.7
1. Apply Prep-7.7 onto the stain agitate with horsehair brush and let dwell 10 to 30 minutes.
2. Extract with towel until towel shows clean.
3. Stubborn stains like dye transfer and ink, apply and squeeze through a paper towel and let t dwell for a 24 hours inspection.
Stains are reverse transfer to the absorbent paper towel for easy removal.
4. Sticky residue is removed with Cleaner-3.8 follows with Rinse-3.0 to a healthy squeaky feel.

Periodic Cleaning
1. Spray Cleaner-3.8, agitate with horsehair brush and towel extract until it shows clean.
2. Spray Rinse-3.0 and towel extract until towel shows clean with a healthy squeaky feel.
3. Spray Protector-D+ or B+ and wipe to spread, leave dry and is ready to use.