Bicast - used couch purchase has strange melted looking damage around head area

I just bought this couch from craigslist and didn't see it had these markings on it. I would be very happy with the couch and price i paid if i can fix them. they look like the leather is almost dripping down on itself. i'm not sure how the markings came to be but here are some pictures:

Attachment 2100
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here's the back side of the leather:

Attachment 2102

there is also this part, but it just needs some oil right?

Attachment 2101



anyways if someone knows how this damage came to be and especially how to fix it I would be so grateful.
thank you
b

>>> they look like the leather is almost dripping down on itself.

Pictures show “Bicast” leather and it is typical for the laminated finishes to deteriorate in such a manner.

To stabilize the “dripping” finishes a 10% of Crosslinker-25 is to be added to the BicastTop-76G for re-application.

Prior to topcoat refinishing any surface contamination is to be removed with Degreaser-2.2 follows with Acidifier-2.0.

Surface unwanted texture is improved with sanding after the new finishes stabilized and reapplication thereafter.

Protector-B+ retards stickiness, rub-resistant and improves the buttery-feel of the leather thus prevents finishes distortion.



Roger Koh
Leather Care Consultant
www.LeatherDoctor.com


Product information:

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 Bicast was originally made for the shoe industry and recently adopted for use by the furniture industry.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 2105
Leather Doctor® Kit B7, bicast leather sticky refinishing kit is an innovative system developed 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.
http://www.leatherdoctor.com/servlet...-Kit-B7/Detail

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 and apply with agitation onto the leather finish.
4. Suspended soiling is extracted with a terry towel until towel shows clean.
5. Spray Acidifier-2.0, agitate with Eraser-4 and extract until towel shows clean.
6. Sand surface roughness and ensure free of foreign material with 2000-grit sandpaper.
7. Speed dry with hair dryer and 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 and be useless.
2. Apply by foam brush very lightly to avoid streaks with hair dryer speed drying.
3. Steaks are corrected by fine 2000-grit sanding in between dry coats until satisfaction.

Non-Stick Protection:
1. Protector-B+ is applied to the leather with either foam brush or paper towel.
2. For routine application, a paper towel is recommended to extract soiling simultaneously.

Kit Content and Product Description:

Leather Doctor® Degreaser-2.2 (120ml)
This is a waterbased pH 2.2 high viscosity formulated leather degreaser. It is for degreasing leather of penetrated oil, grease and sweat stains from skin and hair contact. Emulsified contamination is rinse with Rinse-3.0 to a squeaky-feel.

Leather Doctor® Acidifier-2.0 (250ml)
This is a waterbased pH 2.0 leather acidifier to rinse and neutralize tackiness from alkaline contamination.

Leather Doctor® BicastTop-76G (70ml)
BicastTop-76 is a heavy-duty gloss topcoat design for bicast leathers. This is a waterbased fine particular size urethane-resin emulsion to protect bicast finishes with excellent toughness and flexibility. To rectify sticky or tacky finishes problem, an up to 10% of Crosslinker-25 is added prior to application.

Leather Doctor® Crosslinker-25 (7ml)
This is an auxiliary for refinishing topcoats to improve adhesion properties and increase top coat film strength. This is a high solid, polyaziridine crosslinker, without the VOC (volatile organic compound). It is super-concentrated and when incorporating a 10% to the topcoat it will significantly boost adhesion. By creating a tougher film that also ties up some of the hydrophilic elements.

Leather Doctor® Protector-B+ (120ml)
This is a leather scented, non-film forming, non-stick, rub-resistant protector that impart a natural buttery-feel. Its non-stick breathable barrier is essentially to shield the detrimental effects of sticky soiling. Its natural buttery-feel protection increases the leather resistance to wet and dry rubs, thus reduce stretch, scuff and abrasion. It reduces friction squeaks that wear the finishes when one slides in and out of leather seats.

Leather Brush-1 (1pc)
This horsehair detailing brush is designed ergonomically to be an extension of our hand with a sturdy grooved grip. It is designed to produce effective result easily and efficiently. It is recommended for all smooth leather for a soft and scratch-free cleaning. Its length is 7 inches with a three-row bristle 1½ inches cleaning head.

Paper Towel Rags (5 pc)
This rag works like cloth, lint free, highly absorbent and washable. General application is for extracting suspended soiling or for spreading hydrator, fatliquor or protector. It is used for both dye and topcoat padding for smooth leathers.

3 inch Poly-Brush (1 pc)
This is a dense foam that resists tearing and shredding and carries more material. It has a solid wood handle that allows greater control for quality results. It is used for controlling and spreading fatliquor for a more even distribution.

2000-grit wet and dry Sandpaper (1 pc)
This sandpaper is selected specially for its ability to smoothen rough finish. Sanding is aim at the finish for better anchorage during refinishing. It is for smoothen finishes in between coating when necessary.

Leather Eraser-4 (1 pc)
This is a 2½ x 2¼ x ¾ inch foam rubber sponge block with a crepe side for effective dry/wet traction soil removal.

>>> there is also this part, but it just needs some oil right?

No oil of any kind – only takes care of the finishes – and finishes does not need any oil!
Bicast is half leather and only the top artificial or laminated finishes to take care of (Additional to the topcoat is the color coatings – see guide)

Bicast (B) Leather Problem Solving Guide

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Quote:

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Originally Posted by Roger Koh

>>> they look like the leather is almost dripping down on itself.

Pictures show “Bicast” leather and it is typical for the laminated finishes to deteriorate in such a manner.

To stabilize the “dripping” finishes a 10% of Crosslinker-25 is to be added to the BicastTop-76G for re-application.

Prior to topcoat refinishing any surface contamination is to be removed with Degreaser-2.2 follows with Acidifier-2.0.

Surface unwanted texture is improved with sanding after the new finishes stabilized and reapplication thereafter.

Protector-B+ retards stickiness, rub-resistant and improves the buttery-feel of the leather thus prevents finishes distortion.

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so first i use the degreaser-2.2 and then the acidifier-2.0 and sand the surface?
then afterwards apply bicastTop-76G with 10% Crosslinker-25.
then use Protector-B+ so that it doesn't happen again?

if i were to buy 1 or 2 of these products which are the most important?

thanks so much for your answer!

>>> so first i use the degreaser-2.2 and then the acidifier-2.0 and sand the surface?
then afterwards apply bicastTop-76G with 10% Crosslinker-25.
then use Protector-B+ so that it doesn't happen again?

Degreaser-2.2 is to penetrate, lubricate and suspense any soiling contamination and Acidifier-2.0 acts as a rinse to remove suspended contamination.

Sanding to reduce unwanted lumpiness is immediately after the rinse to correct surface texture (when the finishes is not manageable during this stage due to its instability then it is left alone until after the top refinishing for better sanding another time. If so the after sanding has to be refinished again).

Wait till the crosslinker topcoat cures a day or two before applying the Protector-B+

This is a permanent solution to the problem!


>>> if i were to buy 1 or 2 of these products which are the most important?

Both processes are equally important – removing the contamination that is the cause of the problem including deteriorated finishes. Topcoating without the crosslinker may not solve long-term problem.
Individual refills are available as add-on item to the kit.


This holistic system is for permanent solution to the finish problem and yet to have feedback to the contrary.



Roger Koh
Leather Care Consultant
www.LeatherDoctor.com