Pigmented (Micro or Semi-Aniline) - Refinish Semi aniline sectional

>>> Hi Roger. We refinished this sectional in February. We Prep cleaned it, cleaned, hydrated and Fatliquored it.

By appearance, the original faded leather looks absorbent (water droplets darkens it when remain on the leather).
If this is the situation then all oil or greasy soiling would also likewise being absorbed, thus the prep cleaning would be by degreasing it with Degreaser-2.2 > Rinse-3.0 or Acidifier-2.0 to control bleeding if any. Otherwise you end up with adhesion problem with the surface is subject to friction wear.

>>> Then applied Aniline dye, it didn't darken leather enough

There are two version of Aniline dye, Anilne-21 and Aniline-76. Anilne-21 is for staining into the leather crust and Aniline-76 is for coating over existing topcoat. When staining with Aniline-21 becomes ineffective change product to Anilne-76 to coat over existing topcoat and prior coating, to ensure proper adhesion; rub, brush and extract excess Adhesor-73 over existing finishes making sure it reaches to creases and wrinkles. This process seals and smooths the rough or suede abraded leather crust if any. Then apply the coating Aniline-76 by airbrushing. High volume air with low volume feed ensures proper atomizing the spray bloom with less streaks on vertical panels.

>>> so we used some matching Micro-54.

Micro-54 is the last choice for this leather finish types, anyway before any coating coloring, Adhesor-73 step should always be in place to ensure proper adhesion that saves the redo in this case. Antique-27 with its “translucency” a hybrid would be the next choice if “transparent” Anilne-21 or Anilne-27 have difficulties of hiding unwanted blemishes. This Antique-27 translucency, unlike the opacity of Micro-54 allows most of the leather natural beauty to show through and in most cases the beauty is further amplify or magnify with a “Gloss” topcoat or “Satin” to hide some blemishes. When using Micro-54, the topcoat is usually starting with “Satin” for semi-aniline and “Matte” for pigmented.

>>> We are ordering 1 quart of Micro54.

Suggest you try Antique-27 moving a level finer up instead, two level for Aniline-76 may not be able to hide some of existing blemishes.

>>> We plan on using stripper, lightly sanding.

Remember that sanding is meant for the finishes and not to the leather crust (it will becomes rougher).

>>> Mix dye with impregnator and apply to worn areas.

Impregnator-26 is design to go below surface to tighten up the loose leather fiber structure through its thickness to be effective any remaining on the surface is to be wipe off when damp with Hydrator-3.3 or Rinse-3.0. Only use Aniline-21 for coloring the impregnator, use it during the last treatment for evening out appearance if any.

>>> Apply Adhesor-73, Micro-54 then top coat.

Adhesor-73 is to be work onto the leather and excess towel extracted; any uneven feel may be work with sanding prior to color coating it. Suggest switch from opacity to translucency to maintain the quality (higher-end) appearance of the original. Start topcoat with Gloss, which is the strongest amount the range, and then adjust the luster to the best matching appearance with Satin luster as an option.

What do you think?

Note:
By the way, we would like to see some of the other finishes project in other threads, please show us how it turns-out?

Roger Koh
Leather Care Consultant
[email protected]

Pigmented (Micro or Semi-Aniline) - Refinish Semi aniline sectional - for 'Davis'