Aniline Sauvage - Conditioning vintage leather couch

Hi -

I have two leather related issues, that I'm posting under different headings. Look forward to getting some advice on how to preserve and restore these leather pieces!

First, a relatively minor issue but one that is very important, is how to care for/restore my vintage leather sofa (not sure of the maker.) It is in great shape, but appears to be drying out in a few places, and also has a spot where the sun is lightening it up some (I've now covered it from the few hours a day when the sun hits it, and can just flip the cushion if it would mess with the leather to correct it.)

My top priorities are to: 1) keep the leather skins intact and in good condition, and 2) to preserve the beautiful patina of this fabulous vintage leather piece. I'm not looking for perfect, "new from the shop". Here are some pics. Mostly there are pics of the surface scratches and dry areas -- I have the other pics but can't upload any more.

I think it just needs some sort of a regular conditioner, but haven't been sure what type of conditioner to use, as it is a totally different feel than any leather I've owned (even my vintage designer handbags.)

Here are the pictures; saved to photobucket and re-posted.

#1
http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/n...therCouch1.jpg

#2
http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/n...h/P1020149.jpg

#3
http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/n...h/P1020150.jpg

#4
http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/n...h/P1020154.jpg

#5
http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/n...h/P1020155.jpg


Roger Koh
Leather Doctor®

Assuming it is aniline leather base on picture #2 and you mentioning about lightening-up by the sun.


1] How to care aniline leathers?
Aniline leathers being absorbent in most cases are considered to be more sensitive than non-absorbent leathers when comes to caring for them.
Besides sensitive to UV lights that fades the aniline dyes; it is pH sensitive as alkaline cleaners will cause bleeding during cleaning and dries with rings or streaks.
In addition alkaline and alcohol cleaners will result the leather drying stiffer as fatliquor is leached out during cleaning due to the breaking of hydrogen-bonding between the protein fibrils and the fatliquor.
Thus it is important to use leather-safe (pH 3-5) system; to preserve the chemistry integrity of the leather during the cleaning process.

Levels of Cleaning:
For used leathers, it is highly recommended that the maintenance cycle starts with Restorative Cleaning; in the restorative cleaning foreign contaminations are stripped with leather Prep; and in this case Prep-4.4 with a leather-safe pH of 4.4 is used.
Follows with a pH 3.8 leather cleaner, using Cleaner-3.8; and follows with a pH 3.0 rinse, using Rinse-3.0.
Stubborn penetrated body oil will require a pH 2.2 degreaser; using Degreaser-2.2 to effective do the degreasing.
While protein based stains requires d’Protein-11.0; besides there are other specialties removers to match stain types.
For Periodic Cleaning, besides spots and stains removal; cleaning with Cleaner-3.8 and rinsing with Rinse-3.0 will suffice.
Routine cleaning, besides dusting and removal of dry soiling; rinse with Rinse-3.0 is recommended.

2] How to preserve and restore?
It is common that when absorbent leathers becomes wet and dry again; most often it becomes stiffer as the fibers becomes stick together; and when massage will feel softer and becomes weaker as fibrils breaks.
Thus it is highly recommended that the natural fat, oil and water (fatliquor) be replenished.
Fatliquor is the lifeblood of leathers; these are anionic fatliquor that carries a negative (-) charge; that hydrogen-bond with the cationic protein fibers that carries a positive (+) charge.
By hydrogen-bonding the fatliquor lubricate the millions of fibrils that slide one against the other smoothly to provide softness and strength with suppleness.
When leathers become too stiff; it is highly recommended that the thickness of the leather is hydrated to relax them prior to fatliquoring.

3] How to restore from sun-fading?
Hydrating with Hydrator-3.3 (pH 3.3) sufficiently besides effectively soften the leather; will bring the color back to the sun-faded areas to a degree.

4] How to keep the leather skins intact and in good condition?
Use leather-safe cleaning system; that the pH value of the leather should be maintained at pH between 3 and 5.

5] How to preserve the beautiful patina?
You may want to think twice about Patina; especially those created from foreign contamination; perspiration stains contains traces of urea that will slowly denature leathers.

6] How to restore surface scratches
Topcoat Aniline-79G is commonly used to restore surface scratches after Hydrator-3.3 and Fatliquor-5.0

7] How to regular condition it?
For absorbent leathers we need to take care of two strata; first the average 1mm leather structure thickness that requires regular Hydrator-3.3 and Fatliquor-5.0 treatment; and second the micron aniline finishes that protects the dyestuff from dry and wet rubs requires a surface non-stick, rub-resistance protector; with a choice of Leather Scent-B (buttery-feel) or Scent-W (waxy-feel); that impart an unforgettable classic leather scent.

I suggest you test out this Leather Care Starter Kit (Aniline) http://www.leathercleaningrestoratio...ead.php?t=4714

And let us know your experience!

Roger Koh
[email protected]