Louis Vuitton - how to restore Vachetta leather of this bag from chlorinated pool water – leather becomes brittle then turned dark?

Read your website post and would like to buy the set to restore the color of my bags strap. I damaged the bag by throwing it into my pool! It got dry then turned dark. After it dried the leather started to become very brittle then change color. How can I order?

#1
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#2
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#3
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#4
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#5
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Picture #1
Picture shows handle with sweat, oil and grease contamination. As penetrated accumulation increases the grey color stain will turn darker. Decontamination is done by Degreasing System.

Picture #2
Picture shows a darkening mark, if its oil or grease originated the above Degreasing System applies. Rub-on general soiling is done by Restorative Cleaning System. Scuff marks will eventually blend in with Fatliquor-5.0 and Protection-D+ (Leather Scent-D)

Picture #3
Picture shows accumulating soiling from friction rubs. This will be done with the Restorative Cleaning System.

Picture #4
Picture shows general soiling with darkening stain. As usual general soiling is done with the Restorative Cleaning System. If darkening stain is oil derived, then Degreasing System applies. If is the fugitive vegetable tanning agent that is concentrated then “bleaching” with d’Tannin-3.5 will even the appearance out.

Picture #5
Picture shows rings on the lower right handle would be rectified with d’Tannin-3.5.

Chlorinated Pool Water:
The pH value of pool water could be in the average range of 7 – 8.5, alkaline. Vachetta leathers are at the lower ends of the pH range from 3 – 5, acidic.

Leather Becomes Very Brittle:
The leather becomes very brittle is a combination of pH incompatibility or alkaline overexposure that leaches out the leather constituents including the essential fatliquor thus starts denaturing the leather. The moisture wicking process as the leather dries contributes to the negative effect of stiffening the leather. Caution at this point not to over stress the leather physically or flex it, otherwise it cracks. This structure rejuvenating is done with hydration to relax and plumps it, follows with fatliquor replenishing to restore its original suppleness when dry.

Leather Turns Dark after Dry:
Alkalinity will darken vachetta leathers, the higher the pH the darker it will be. Acidity will lighten the leather. General darkening of the leather due to alkalinity is rectified with a pH 2.0 acidifier (Acidifier-2.0). In this case it has to be sprayed soak to plumps the leather to neutralize the chlorinated alkaline water and towel extracted.

I suggest we go through this Kit V3.ts to familiarize with the available system and how best to synchronize it.

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Leather Doctor® Kit V3.ts : Vachetta Leather Tackiness Removal Kit

Vachetta leather tackiness removal Kit V3.ts - features specialty product Acidifier-2.0 with a pH value of 2.0; recommended for symptoms of alkaline overexposure from alkaline cleaners. Vachetta leather is more pH sensitive than most other leather types, alkaline side effects such as ring and browning may lead to tackiness that eventually denatures the leather; the result of alkaline overworking in the presence of atmospheric moisture. When leather tackiness is detected by tap water finger testing prior to cleaning, it is a sign of alkaline overexposure; neutralizing it with Acidifier-2.0 to a healthy squeaky feel is a mandatory recommendation prior to cleaning.

■ Vachetta Leather Browns, Rings and Tackiness Rectification System
■ Vachetta Leather Restorative Cleaning System
■ Vachetta Leather Degreasing System
■ Vachetta Leather Rejuvenating System
■ Vachetta Leather-Scent Non-Stick Rub Resistant Protection System

■ Vachetta Leather Rings and Tackiness Rectification System
Instructions
1st Phase Rings and Tackiness Rectification:
1] Spray Acidifier-2.0 and towel extract until towel shows clean.
2] When problem persists spray damp and cling wrapped it to dwell 4 to 8 hours or overnight to check by sight and by tactile feel.
3] Towel extract until it shows clean and inspect for satisfaction.
Note:
4] For severe cases concentrate is available to decrease the pH value to 1.0 for extra treatment by cutting with distilled water at a ratio of 1: 4.
2nd Phase Hydrating:
1] Spray Hydrator-3.3 with help of foam brush to penetrate the leather for an even appearance.
2] To further improve color appearance the leather is wrapped with clear cling wrapper to control evaporation for an overnight dwell.
3] Proceed to fatliquoring while the leather has achieved an even appearance.
3rd Phase Fatliquoring:
1] Fatliquor-5.0 follows the same procedure as the Hydrator-3.3, with in between even drying application as moisture evaporates.
2] The rejuvenated leather is left for slow natural drying for extra softness and appearance.
4th Phase Non-stick Rub Resistant Protection:
1] Spray Leather Scent-D, spread with lint free towel for an even appearance and it’s ready to use when dry.

■ Vachetta Leather Restorative Cleaning System
Restorative cleaning is the general removal of accumulative surface soiling with the penetrating, lubricating and suspending power of Prep-4.4 prior to specialty stain removal. It is through the result of this 3 steps process of prep, clean and rinse that the appearance is reevaluated for the necessary next round of specialty cleaning that matches the severity of soiling type, as found in the Vachetta Leather Problem Solving Guide-V9
Instructions
1st Phase Restorative Cleaning:
1] Apply Prep-4.4 to the entire surface, agitate with a horsehair brush-1 or lightly scrub with Eraser-4 and towel extract.
2] Reapply Prep-4.4 to the remaining soiling and let dwell 10 to 30 minutes or longer overnight, lightly brush or scrub and towel extract until towel shows clean.
3] Sticky residue is removed by Cleaner-3.8 with gentle brush agitation and towel extract until towel shows clean.
4] Spray Rinse-3.0, brush agitates and towel extract to a squeaky clean and check for satisfaction when dry.
2nd Phase Hydrating:
1] Spray Hydrator-3.3 with help of foam brush to penetrate the leather for an even appearance.
2] Proceed to fatliquoring while the leather has an even damp appearance.
3th Phase Fatliquoring:
1] Fatliquor-5.0 follows the same procedure as the Hydrator-3.3, with in between drying even application as moisture evaporates.
2] The rejuvenated leather is left for slow natural drying for extra softness.
3] Inspect for even appearance and remove wicks up residue with Eraser-4 prior to Leather Scent-D application.
4th Phase Non-stick Rub Resistant Protection:
1] Spray Leather Scent-D, spread with lint free towel for an even appearance and it’s ready to use when dry.

■ Vachetta Leather Degreasing System
Degreasing process involves two steps; first is the sufficient penetration of Degreaser-2.2 to react with the grease and second is to bring out the grease with Rinse-3.0. This process may be repeated depending on the depth of grease penetration. An advance technique is to cling wrapped to control evaporation for a more effective dwell time for the both steps.
Instructions
1st Phase Degreasing:
1] Warm up and shake very well until it turns to an opaque gel.
2] Apply direct and agitate with horsehair Brush-1 to penetrate into the stain.
3] Let dwell 5 to 30 minutes or before it dries for chemical reaction to occur, follows with towel extraction.
4] Suspended residue is to be rinse with Rinse-3.0 and towel extract until towel shows clean.
5] Let dry and inspect:
5a] Dark spots can be lightened with stretching from the reverse side with leather Spatula-6 or a tip of a teaspoon.
5b] Wicks up residue can be erased with Eraser-4.
2nd Phase Hydrating:
1] Spray Hydrator-3.3 with help of foam brush to penetrate the leather for an even appearance.
2] Proceed to fatliquoring while the leather has an even damp appearance.
3th Phase Fatliquoring:
1] Fatliquor-5.0 follows the same procedure as the Hydrator-3.3, with in between drying even application as moisture evaporates.
2] The rejuvenated leather is left for slow natural drying for extra softness.
3] Inspect for even appearance and remove wicks up residue with Eraser-4 prior to Leather Scent-D application.
4th Phase Non-stick Rub Resistant Protection:
1] Spray Leather Scent-D, spread with lint free towel for an even appearance and it’s ready to use when dry.

■ Vachetta Leather Leather Rejuvenating System
Rejuvenating system is the process of restoring the original fatliquor diminished through aging and cleaning to return to its characteristic suppleness. Leathers, when wet and then dry again, have the tendency for the fibrils to becomes stick together - known as the Van der Waals or London force phenomenon. This results in stiffness and when flexed, may lead to premature cracks, as often seen on neglected leathers. It is recommended to hydrate these exposed leather structure and replenish the diminished fatliquor while it is still damp. When dry thereafter, the leather fibrils will be well separated and lubricated to slide over one another smoothly during practical usage. A fully rejuvenated leather with sufficient fat and oil is less susceptible to liquid stains besides keeping the leather structure healthy from stiffness that leads to cracks.
Hydrating Instructions:
1] Spray Hydrator-3.3 with help of foam brush to penetrate the leather.
2] A visual inspection is to ensure even appearance is achieved and ready for fatliquoring.
Fatliquoring Instructions:
1] Fatliquor-5.0 follows the same procedure as the Hydrator-3.3, with in between drying even application as moisture evaporates.
2] The rejuvenated leather is left for slow natural drying for extra softness.
3] Inspect for even appearance and remove wicks up residue with Eraser-4 prior to Leather Scent-D application.
3rd Phase Non-stick Rub Resistant Protection:
1] Spray Leather Scent-D, spread with lint free towel for an even appearance and it’s ready to use when dry.

■ Vachetta Leather Leather Scent Non-Stick Rub Resistant Protection
This non-stick rub resistant protector keeps leather at its high level of appearance at all times. It not only protects against the detrimental effect of sticky soiling, but also features rub-resistant protection that is incorporated to reduce surface friction wear. Thus prolonging the life of the finishes. This elusive, unforgettable, classic leather scent much sought after by leather lovers, is infused into these non-stick rub resistant protectors. Leather Scent-D with its draggy feel is designed for a non-slip grip.
Instruction
1] Spray Leather Scent-D, spread with lint free towel for an even appearance and it’s ready to use when dry.

Contents:

Leather Doctor® Acidifier-2.0 in 250ml
This is a pH 2.0 aqueous leather acidifier; developed for dye bleeding control and neutralizing alkaline exposure that cause marks, streaks, brightness, tackiness or sliminess from spills or cleaners. It's safe for leather trims that may include; aniline, vachetta, nubuck and suede. This product is also available in concentrate to be cut with distilled water at a ratio of 1: 25. For severe cases the concentration can be increase to pH 1.0 by cutting with distilled water at a ratio of 1: 4.

Leather Doctor® Prep-4.4 in 60ml
This is the leather-safe milder version of Prep-7.7 with a pH value of 4.4. It’s high viscosity; designed to be painted on neatly; with a foam brush onto the leather. It works by allowing sufficient dwell-time; to penetrate, lubricate and suspense foreign soil contamination; prior to extraction with towel. It’s is used to strip foreign soil contamination prior to refinishing. Also as stains remover for: Grease based ink stains like ballpoint ink.
Water based ink stains like stamp pad ink. Dye transfer stains like blue jeans, ink prints and newsprints.

Leather Doctor® Degreaser-2.2 in 60ml
This is a pH 2.2 high viscosity aqueous formulated leather degreaser. It’s primarily for degreasing leather of penetrated oil and grease stains from skin and hair contact. It’s also used in assisting in the removing of solvent based stains like permanent marker, paint and nail-polish. Oil and grease based stains like crayon, wax, ballpoint ink and lipstick.

Leather Doctor® Cleaner-3.8 in 250ml.
This is a pH 3.8 all purpose leather-safe anionic cleaner that is particularly effective in emulsifying oily soils and in suspending its particulates. It works by penetrating, lubricating and suspending soiling safely and effectively through gentle chemical reaction; working in perfect harmony with all leather constituents that include the tanning agent, preservative, dyestuff and especially the fatliquor. It's safe for all leather trims including; aniline, vachetta, nubuck and suede. This product is always followed through with Rinse-3.0 as a system to a healthy squeaky feel.

Leather Doctor® Rinse-3.0 in 250ml.
This is a pH 3.0 aqueous anionic leather-safe rinse to neutralize harmful alkaline and perspiration residues; for stabilizing and strengthening leather to its neutral pH value of 3 to 5 chemistry integrity. It's safe for all leather trims including; aniline, vachetta, nubuck and suede.

Leather Doctor® Hydrator-3.3 in 250ml
This is a pH 3.3 aqueous leather-safe hydrator with active surfactantcy for lowering the interfacial tension between the protein leather fibers and its constituents. It’s for hydrating dried, stiffed or shrunk leathers to separates the crushed, stick together fibrils and relaxes them in the inter-fibrillary leather structure for effective distribution of the Fatliquor-5.0. It’s for charging the leather protein fibers below its iso-electric point positive to hydrogen-bond with the ionic negative charged Fatliquor-5.0. It’s for facilitating colloidal water movement within the leather structure during the wicking process to move soiling particulates to the surface.
It’s for reactivating the dormant dyestuff to resurface thus reducing the contrast between the color coat and the leather crust. It’s for reducing or eliminate blotchiness when dry especially absorbent leathers. It’s for facilitating better finish penetration during refinishing thus providing good surface properties, especially the uniformity of surface dyeing during aniline refinishing. It’s safe for other leather trims that may include aniline, vachetta, nubuck, suede, hair-on-hide and woolskin.

Leather Doctor® Fatliquor-5.0 in 250ml
This is a pH 5.0 anionic charged micro emulsion fatliquor leather rejuvenator. It’s for replenishing original fatliquor that has diminished thru sun-bleaching, ageing, heat and alkaline exposure or cleaning. It penetrates and lubricates the leather fibers so that after drying, they are capable of sliding over one another smoothly. Besides softening the leather with stretchability, compressibility and flexibility; fatliquor enhances its rip tensile strength greatly thus reduces split or tear to the stitching and perforated holes. It relaxes coarse breaks, creases and wrinkles to provide drapes, suppleness and prevents cracking. It helps to keep leather at its optimum physical performance and prevent premature ageing. It’s safe for all other leather trims including; aniline, vachetta, nubuck, suede, hair-on-hide and woolskin.

Leather Doctor® Protection-D+ Leather Scent-D in 120ml
This is a non-film forming, non-stick, rub resistant protector that enhances a draggy-feel with a classic leather scent for a non-slip grip. It imparts a non-stick breathable barrier essentially to shield the detrimental effects of sticky soiling including the nasty ballpoint ink. And it does help to release those tenacious dye-transfer stains especially on light colored leathers easily without resorting to unnecessary color refinishing. Its natural draggy-feel protection increases the leather resistance to wet and dry rubs, thus reduces stretch, scuff and abrasion. It is also used as a scuff repairer, filling and concealing surface scuffs to improve appearance. The drag produces an unforgettable familiar sound sweet to the ears when leather is rubbed.

Leather Doctor® Leather Eraser-4
This is a 2½ x 2½ x ¾ inch foam rubber sponge eraser with a crepe side for effective dry/wet soil removal.

Horsehair Detailing Leather Brush-1
This horsehair detailing brush is ergonomically designed to be an extension of our hand with sturdy grooved grip, designed to produce an effective result easily and efficiently for many years to come. It’s recommended for all smooth leather, to deliver a scratch-free agitation cleaning. The length is 7 inches with a three row 1½ inches bristles cleaning head.

PolyBrush®
This is the 3” made in USA washable foam brush that last. It’s used for spreading the Prep-7.7, rinse clean and thereafter used for the leather Scent-B and Scent-D application to prevent overspray.

Washable Rags
This rag works like cloth, lint free and highly absorbent for extracting suspended soiling or for wiping the leather Scent-B and Scent-D during routine easy cleaning-protection application.

An add-on to the Kit V3.ts is this product d'Tannin-3.5 with explanation as follows:

■ Vachetta Leather Browning Treatment System
A dual action leather-safe system that works with penetrating, lubricating and suspending action in conjunction with reduces bleaching effect.
Instructions
1st Phase Browning Treatment:
1] Shake d'Tannin-3.5 very well, spray, horsehair Brush-1 agitate and extract with towel until it shows clean.
2] Repeat spray and let natural drying for chemical reaction to take effect.
3] Use Erase-4 to remove residue and inspect for satisfaction; otherwise repeat as necessary.
2nd Phase Hydrating:
1] Spray Hydrator-3.3 with help of foam brush to penetrate the leather for an even appearance.
2] Proceed to fatliquoring while the leather has reached an even damp appearance.
3rd Phase Fatliquoring:
1] Fatliquor-5.0 follows the same procedure as the Hydrator-3.3, with in between drying even application as moisture evaporates.
2] The rejuvenated leather is left for slow natural drying for extra softness.
3] Inspect for even appearance and remove wicks up residue with Eraser-4 prior to Leather Scent-D application.
4th Phase Non-stick Rub Resistant Protection:
1] Spray Leather Scent-D, spread with lint free towel for an even appearance and it’s ready to use when dry.

Leather Doctor® d’Tannin-3.5 in 250ml
This is a pH 3.5 leather-safe tannin remover for reducing browning due to sunlight exposure. It’s also use for removing cellulose stains such as coffee, tea, wine and some dyes. Including tannin stains that derive from plants will probably be removed with this product.

I believe you have questions to ask...before we start...

I live in Greater Vancouver, where are these products available? I have a Louis Vuittion bag I bought off ebay that needs a little TLC.

Please show some pictures to recommend you the most suitable kit to match your leather problems.

See this Guide what you will need. . .

Attachment 1998

Kits for all Vachetta leathers are found in this link:

http://www.leatherdoctor.com/servlet...ers/Categories

Roger Koh
Leather Care Consultant
www.LeatherDoctor.com