Clean Brass on leather

What is the best way to clean brass tack heads on leather so as to not disturb the ph of the leather and yet remove tarnish in a time efficient manner.

This picture shows a lady suede jacket that has brass button tarnish stain removed by LEATHER DOCTOR® System.
Step 1 Brass tarnish removal by leatherTarnishRemoval™ pH 2.0
Step 2 Neutralized with leatherBasifier™ pH 8.1

Roger Koh
IICRC – LCT MTC MSR
LEATHER DOCTOR® System
[email protected]

These are pictures that show from brass tarnish stains removal to color refinishing for a COACH® leather handbag – LEATHER DOCTOR® System.

Step 1 Brass tarnish removal by leatherTarnishRemoval™ pH 2.0
Step 2 Neutralized with leatherBasifier™ pH 8.1
Step 3 Prep cleaning with leatherSuperCleaner™ pH 4.7
Step 4 Clean with leatherCleaner™ pH 3.8
Step 5 Rinse with leatherRinse™ pH 3.2
Step 5 Replenish leather natural oils with leatherFatliquor™ 5.4
Step 6 Sandpapering with1500 grit.
Step 7 Seal weak, worn and abraded surface with leatherPigmentSealer™
Step 8 Color coating with leatherPigmentSemi™
Step 9 Clear matte top coating with leatherSemiTop™
Step 10 Five in One conditioning with leatherScent’B™

Pictures continues for the brass tarnish removal to color refinishing...

Roger Koh
IICRC – LCT MTC MSR
LEATHER DOCTOR® System
[email protected]

PATIENCE is the key on this badly tarnished piece. This piece was protected with a polyurethane coating, so I had more forgiveness with the cleaning process. A pure aniline would have required more care with the use of products to remove tarnish.

Re: Brass Tarnish Removal on all Leathers (Pigmented, Aniline, Suede or Nubuck)
Tarnish developed on brass is analogue to iron rust as they undergo oxidation.
The brass reacts with chemicals like sulfur and moisture in the surrounding.
As times goes by a layer of tarnish developed usually appears to be a tint of greenish deposit.
On closer examination if there is more tarnish stain at the circular edge of the tack.
It may suggest that the leather has an exceptional lower pH value and a high salt content.
Low pH value of below 4 to 2.5 and high salt content above 5 to 10 percent contribute and accelerate the tarnish phenomenal.

I fully agree that patience not only applies to this specialty tarnish cleaning but also to all leather cleaning and restoration endeavor to produce fine work. To remove the tarnish to an acceptable level, aware of the leather pH sensitivity, and doing it in a time efficient manner I would like to share with you the steps I would take as follows, even to sensitive leathers like Aniline or Nubuck.

Phase 1 – Polishing the Brass Tack.
Step 1 Remove all tarnish with a Dremel Tool Kit set using appropriate relevant accessories.
Step 2 Apply Leather Doctor® leatherTarnishSpotter™ with an appropriate painting brush or cotton swab on the brass tack and observe it the next day. Polish off the residue with the Dremel Tool for satisfaction. Repeat application and wait for the next day before polishing again for satisfaction. Neutralize the tarnish spotter with Leather Doctor® leatherBasifier™ using a cotton swab.
Step 3 Optional polishing with Brasso or Autosol, I would prefer Autosol paste with a better control using a cotton swab application.
Step 4 Polish again with the Dremel Tool to your satisfaction.

Phase 2 – Tarnish Stain Removal on Leather.
Step 1 Use a fine water-painting brush and apply leatherTarnishSpotter™ this time to the leather and observed the next day.
Repeat as necessary until the tarnish disappears.
Step 2 Neutralize the tarnish spotter again with leatherBasifier™ on the leather with the same cleaned brush.

Phase 3 – Cleaned the entire leather piece regardless of Pigmented, Aniline or Nubuck.
Step 1 Use leatherSuperSpotter™ pH 4.6 for all general spotting including Paint, Oil, Grease and Ink.
Step 2 Use leatherDegreaser™ pH 3.9 for all body oils especially on Aniline and Nubuck.
Step 3 Use leatherSuperCleaner™ pH 4.5 for restoration cleaning.
Step 4 Use leatherCleaner™ pH 3.8 for general cleaning.
Step 5 Use leatherRinse™ pH 3.2 for all general mild acidifying and rinse.

Phase 4 – Replenish the Leather Natural Oils.
Step 1 Use leatherFatliquor™ pH 5.4 for all leathers (P. A. N.) for softness and strength.

Phase 5 – Leather-Scent, Buttery/Waxy/Silky-Feel, Non-Stick, Rub-Resistance and Noise-Reduction Conditioning
Step 1 Pick your option with Leather Doctor® leatherScent’B™, leatherScent’W™ or leatherScent’S™.

These non-sticks conditioner provide a coating to the brass tack that will act as a barrier to the atmospheric contact that will prolong the tarnish process as long as they are not rub or cleaned off. Again use products that will not mesh-up the leather if you choose otherwise for a permanent brass protector like a clear varnishing or lacquering to the brass tack.

Hope this help.

Further questions are welcome.

Roger Koh
IICRC#942 LTC MTC MSR
Leather Doctor® System
[email protected]