Leather cracking on recliners. Unknown leather type

>>> My recliner is only four years old
Leather is identified as aniline finishes.

>>> and is already starting to crack/craze.
Damage is the typical body sweat that shift the leather protein leather fiber ionic negative (-ve).

>>> We have used the cleaner and conditioner supplied by the supplier but only a couple of times.
Like to know what cleaner and conditioner you have used, if the cleaner pH value is above pH7, it has accelerated in the leather denaturing process that leads to stiffness and when pressure is put on it develops into cracking.

>>> I do not want to affect the colouring but would like to overcome the "cracking/crazing" affect.
The sequence of Degreasing, pH balancing, leather rejuvenating needs to be done prior to sequences of repairs. The repairs will be shown as dark healing scars. Option to camouflage the repairs is either with a darker transparent dyestuff like Aniline-76 system or an opaque coloring pigment to hide the repairs with Micro-54 system. Note: Using Aniline-76 system retain the original finishes thus retain its value. Using a matching Micro-54 system have a better hiding power, but looses it value. You have to decide and we can go from there.

>>> and also treat the other recliner (same age) so that it does not occur there.
Sweat is destructive to leather, as it ages it shift the leather protein fiber ionic negative (-ve). So thus any liquid that has a pH value above the leather pH neutral of 3 - 5. So even tap water will makes the dyestuff runs and denatures the leather. Always used leather-safe products (products that has a pH range of 3 - 5 otherwise extreme ends pH values need to be pH balanced accordingly.

>>> Hope you can give me some assistance/advice please.
For care of aniline leather used this Kit-A3
Attachment 7849
Leather Doctor® Kit-A3, aniline leather, care kit is an innovative leather-safe (pH 3 - 5) system designed for keeping leathers at their highest level of appearance, maintaining its pH chemistry integrity, enhancing their suppleness and prevents premature ageing. Leathers that faced the sun, closed to fireplace and heaters dries out the fatliquor (fat and oil) that keeps it supple sooner than the non-heat exposed areas. The diminishing of the fatliquor through evaporation results in the leather fibers being stick closer together that results in stiffness and when flexed during used will lead to cracks. Periodic use of Hydrator-3.3 to plumps the stick together fibers prior to fatliquor 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 with friction noise reduction. This is preventable with a rub-resistant Protector-B that imparts a natural buttery-feel. Periodic cleaning and rinsing with Clean-3.8 follows by Rinse-3.0 to the bare body contact areas like headrest and armrest helps reduce greasy soiling build-up. Restorative cleaning and occasional dye stains removal from new blue jeans is accomplished with Prep-4.4. Note that the mentioned product suffix number denotes its pH value in this leather-safe holistic care system. Shipping Weight Options are available as kit 'Fill-0.6kg' to save on shipping, thus all the 250ml spray bottles have to be cut and filled with distilled water prior to use. Kit 'RTU-1.7kg' is ready-to-use straight from the bottle.
Leather-Safe System Cycle of Care - Preventive, Routine, Periodic & Restorative . . .

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 ability reduces friction noises that translate into less friction wear. 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. Protecting: Instruction . . . 1- Mist sprays Protector-B spread with lint free towel and is ready for use when dry (leather-scented version is available as Protector-B+).

Routine Care:
Routine care includes procedures such as general dust cleaning, attending to spots and stains as required especially the pH balancing 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 by . . . 1st step – Rinsing: Instruction . . . 1- Spray Rinse-3.0, horsehair Brush-1 agitates and towel extract until it shows clean. 2nd step – Protecting: Instruction . . . 2- Mist sprays Protector-B 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. Body contact areas would require more frequent attention than the unused areas. While the leather headrest, hand rest, handles etc gets the most of body oil and sweat contacts by . . . 1st step – General Cleaning: Instruction . . . 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. Hydrating is essential to relax and separate the stick together collapsing fibrous structure. Moreover, it is used to check for surface tension from blotchiness prior to fat and oil replenishing by . . . 2nd step – Hydrating: Instruction . . . 1- Spray Hydrator-3.3 to check for an even appearance. Fatliquor evaporates as VOC (volatile organic compound) when temperatures rises especially from exposed surfaces. Periodic fatliquoring maintains the leather’s structure integrity and pliability thus strengthen these exposed leather from cracking by . . . 3rd step – Fatliquoring: Instruction . . . 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 and let to natural drying. 4th step – Protecting: Instruction . . . 1- Mist sprays Protector-B 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. Accumulated soiling that fills creases is often mistaken for cracks. Using Prep-4.4 performs restorative cleaning. It works by chemical reaction to emulsify soiling through its penetrating, lubricating and suspending power. 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 by . . . 1st step - Restorative Cleaning: Instruction . . . 1- Apply Prep-4.4 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 Clean-3.8 with gentle brush agitation and towel extracts until it shows clean. 4- Remaining residues are spray rinse with Rinse-3.0 and towel extracts to a squeaky-clean. 5- Let dry and inspect for satisfaction, otherwise repeat cleaning process as necessary or proceed to hydrating. Hydrating is essential to relax and separate the stick together collapsing fibrous structure. Its surfactancy helps check for surface tension of blotchiness prior to fat and oil replenishing. 2nd step – Hydrating: Instruction . . . 1- Spray Hydrator-3.3 to saturate with an even appearance to soften up the leather. 2- Let dwell 10 to 30 minutes and towel extract wick up soiling until it shows clean. Fat and oil replenishing maintains the leather’s structure integrity and pliability thus strengthen these exposed leather from cracking. 3rd step – Fatliquoring: Instruction . . . 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 step – Protecting: Instruction . . . 1- Mist sprays Protector-B spread with lint free towel and is ready for use when dry.

A guide to the leather problem solving guide use this “Aniline (A.fs) Full Sauvage”
Attachment 7850

Roger Koh
Leather Care System Formulator
Consultant / Practitioner / Instructor
web: www.leatherdoctor.com
forum: www.leathercleaningrestorationforum.com
email: [email protected]