Caution on Sanding:
Sanding is meant to remove old finishes, that is crack and easily detect when you run your finger across, example would be picture #9 above.
Otherwise new finishes on deteriorated finishes will just be as bad. Sanding on existing finishes will reveal a white powder and this is OK. Sanding directly on the leather is bad, as the more, the leather is sand the rougher the fiber is. All leather damages surface is corrected with Adhesor-73 to bring back the smooth skin.
Restoration Process with Kit A7.cl
Preparing Leather Surface for Refinishing:
This process is accomplished with different methods to match the leather finish condition ranges from bare-naked leather to almost untouched leather in some places. The idea is to remove deteriorated finishes entirely without damages to the leather surface especially when sanding is concern. Eraser-4 for scrubbing will be idea in such places to remove the deteriorated finishes without causing damages to the leather crust. Scrubbing can be combined with Stripper-2.3 with towel extraction as well. Degreasing is the final steps in combination with Eraser-4 scrubbing to ensure the removal of both surface and penetrated grease and oil if any.
Suspended soiling is rinse off with Acidifier-2.0. At the end of this phase, the leather is ready to move into the next to rejuvenate the leather structure.
Leather Rejuvenating:
Leather rejuvenating is primary concerning the thickness of the leather. The leather structure has to be preconditioned right prior to fat and oil replenishing with Fatliquor-5.0. The functions of the Hydrator-3.3 is multifold and is achieved according depending on the need. Example in picture #2 there may be penetrated oil and grease from the armrest that need further wicking them to the surface. Picture #1 cushion over-stretch, may be corrected by relaxing reducing the excess creases and wrinkles. It is best to saturate up to 48 hours and manipulate them to shape accordingly prior to fatliquor replenishing. Fatliquor replenishing is to saturate the leather in an evenly fashion and as the water content evaporates, it is repeated until absorbency reduces. A fully saturated leather has a moisture content of up to 14% by weight.
Dry Preparation:
Eraser-4 is the final preparation prior to refinishing and is used to eraser of wick-up residue and any darkening effect prior to refinishing.
Refinishing – Sealer Coating:
Adhesor-73 is used to built abraded leather for a smooth skin; example would be for picture #4. The entire leather surface is then coated with foam brush to have an even absorption prior to Aniline-76.
Refinishing – Dye Coating:
Dye coating is done with Aniline-76, using a simple foam brush or for professional result use a simple airbrush Badger S250 (a six years old can do it). The idea when comes to spraying is to adjust more airflow with less feed to give a very dry spray with better control. As these are transparent dyes fine spraying build up the color saturation accordingly, will match up the panel color difference easily especially for picture #5. With the right technique this back entire panel will looks as one panel.
Refinishing – Top Coating:
Topcoating besides sealing the dyestuff from rubbing off will also determine the luster of the finish accordingly. AnilineTop-21G gloss topcoat is stronger than the matte, and the luster sheen may be adjusted with a mix to produce a satin finish.
Rub-Resistant Protection:
Rub-resistant reduces friction wear to the finishes especially the cushions shown in picture #10 with Protector-B+.
Do I need to use/get the Cleaner 3.8?
Kit A7.cl is a refinishing kit and Cleaner-3.8 is superseded by Stripper-2.3 and Degreaser-2.2. Cleaner-3.8 come in play for routine, periodic or restorative cleaning.
Tips:
Kit A7.cl is the recommended kit to set up into the right direction for restoring this leather sets. However, it is surely not enough to finish the sofa and the loveseat.
I would suggest you only test out the system on the front kick-board of the loveseat as shown in Picture #6.
Take pictures of each step as practice for the remaining areas, you will then know how much supplies you will need for the rest.
Below are the general instruction and description from Kit A7.cl
Instruction:
1A.) Preparation Cleaning - Sunlight Fading Unused Areas
1. Use fine 2000-grit sanding paper and sand by hand with a sanding pad, turning deteriorating topcoat into a whitish powder.
2. Shake Degreaser-2.2 to gel prior to use.
3. Transfer to Eraser-4, scrub the surface to an even appearance and towel extract until it shows clean.
4. Existing topcoat is wet sand to achieve an even feather out appearance as necessary.
5. Spray Rinse-3.0, towel extract until it shows clean and check for a healthy squeak.
1B.) Preparation Cleaning - Partially Worn Areas
This refers to the typical seat cushions that have worn finishes at the body contact areas with uneven wear.
1. Spray Stripper-2.3 to the unused area to remove existing finishes to even out with the worn areas.
2. Work the stripping with Eraser-4 / 2000-grit sanding and towel extraction for an even appearance.
3. Shake Degreaser-2.2 to gel prior to use.
4. Transfer to Eraser-4; scrub the used area, feather out for an even appearance and towel extract until it shows clean.
5. Spray Rinse-3.0, towel extract until it shows clean and check for a healthy squeak.
1C.) Preparation Cleaning - Body Oil, Grease and Sweat Areas
This refers to the headrest and armrest with darkening, prolongs stains with possible denaturing of leather, and damages to the finishes.
1. Spray Stripper-2.3 to remove existing finishes entirely to the entire section to even out the finishes.
2. Working the stripping with Eraser-4 / 2000-grit sanding and towel extract for an even appearance.
3. Shake Degreaser-2.2 to gel prior to use.
4. Transfer to Eraser-4, saturate the stain area, feather out and let it dwell 10 to 30minutes and towel extract until it shows clean.
5. Spray Acidifier-2.0, towel extract until it shows clean and check for a healthy squeak.
2A.) Hydrating to Achieve an Even Appearance
1. Spray Hydrator-3.3 to inspect for a surface even appearance.
2. Correct surface tension with Stripper-2.3, 2000-grit Sanding or Degreaser-2.2 > Rinse-3.0 accordingly.
2B.) Hydrating to Rectify Leather Stiffness
1. Spray Hydrator-3.3 to saturate stiff leather.
2. Check for optimum saturation with moistures oozing out when gently pressed between thumb and fingers.
3. Cover with cling wrapper to control evaporation and allow the product to dwell until the leather is relaxed.
2C.) Hydrating to Activate Dormant Dyestuff to Resurface
1. Spray Hydrator-3.3 to saturate sunlight faded Areas and feather out to the edge
2. Check for optimum saturation with moistures oozing out when gently pressed between thumb and fingers.
3. Cover with cling wrapper to control evaporation and allow dwelling at least for a day with no limit for effective redistributing of dyestuff to the surface.
2D.) Hydrating to Effect Structural Colloidal Water Movement
1. Spray Hydrator-3.3 to saturate penetrated stain area.
2. Check for optimum saturation with moistures oozing out when gently pressed between thumb and fingers.
3. Cover the stain area with wet flat tissue paper without airspace to trap wick-up soiling particulates as it dries through.
4. Peel off tissue paper when completely dry and erase surface soiling particulates with Eraser-4.
3.) Fat and Oil Replenishing
1. Apply Fatliquor-5.0 and redistribute with foam brush until saturation.
2. Repeat application each time water contents evaporate until fully saturated.
3. Drive remaining surface remnants free of milky fat and oil until it turns clear with Hydrator-3.3.
4. Allow natural drying for extra softness.
4.) Dry Prep
Objective of a dry prep is to prepare the surface free of surface residue and trims and other areas are sealed off.
1. Work the entire surface with Eraser-4, wipe and blow off all surface residues.
5.) Sealer Coating
Objective of a sealer coating is to fill and even out uneven penetration of the leather crust and improve adhesion for surface dye refinishing.
1. Apply Adhesor-73 by padding to worn areas and feather out to even surface porosity and luster appearance.
6.) Dyestuff Coating
Objective of dyestuff coating is to impart the color aesthetic onto the surface. Transparent color intensity is build up by layers in between drying. Excess is dapped away from vertical panels with lint free towel or sponge. Minimum airbrush recommended is the economical and simple to use Badger Model S250 with optimum air pressure at 80 to 100psi for a finer spray.
1. Apply Aniline-76 by airbrushing evenly over the entire surface one section at a time.
2. Let dry in between coating with heat blower.
7.) Topcoat Coating
1. Shake AnilineTop-21G well and transfer to spray bottle.
2. Adjust to the optimum spraying pattern and spray a section at a time.
3. Speed dries between coats with help of heat dryer.
4. Use 2000-grit sanding to improve feels of hand if necessary.
8.) Rub-Resistant Protection
1. Mist sprays Protector-B+ redistribute with a paper towel and ready for use when dry.
Products Description:
Leather Doctor® Stripper-2.3 (120ml)
Leather Doctor® Stripper-2.3 is a pH 2.3 duality residue free hydrocarbon formulated leather finish stripper with bleeding control. It is use to remove existing old finishes or new overspray for all leather types.
Leather Doctor® Adhesor-73 (60ml)
Leather Doctor® Adhesor-73 is an auxiliary for refinishing pigmented, aniline, bicast and simulated leathers. This is a waterbased compact resin adhesion promoter to ensure proper adhesion prior to color coating. Also used after Wax Effect-8.6 prior to topcoat application.
Leather Doctor® Aniline-76 (60ml)
Leather Doctor® transparent dyestuff is for coating over existing finishing topcoat. This lively and brilliant new generation aqueous dyestuff provides a more superior light fastness and fades resistance than most standard liquid dyes. To stain directly into the leather use Aniline-21 instead.
Leather Doctor® AnilineTop-21G (60ml)
Leather Doctor® AnilineTop-21G is a gloss finishes waterbased soft polyurethane leather topcoat. It is lightfast and non-yellowing. It has excellent flow and leveling properties. It is recoatable and forms a flexible film coat. It gives good performing results from friction wear. Email
[email protected] for prices in 250ml, quart or trade prices.
Leather Doctor® Degreaser-2.2 (120ml)
Leather Doctor® Degreaser-2.2 is a pH 2.2 leather-safe waterbased degreaser with dye bleeding control. It is design for degreasing leather of penetrated oil, grease and sweat stains from skin and hair contact, especially the headrest and armrest of upholstery, collar and cuffs of garment including handles of bag. It works best in conjunction with Rinse-3.0 to rinse emulsified soiling or Acidifier-2.0 for rinsing and pH balancing sweaty contamination from leather denaturing into rawhide. This universal leather degreaser is for all leather types including the common pigmented, aniline, vachetta, nubuck and suede.
Leather Doctor® Acidifier-2.0 (250ml)
Leather Doctor® Acidifier-2.0 is a waterbased pH 2.0 leather acidifier designs for controlling dye bleeding in conjunction with Degreaser-2.2 in extreme prolong oil, grease and sweat decontamination system. As a standalone, it is for pH balancing alkaline overexposure that manifest as marks, streaks, brightness and tackiness. This universal acidifier is for all leather types including pigmented, aniline, vachetta, nubuck, suede, hair-on-hide and woolskin leather types.
Leather Doctor® Rinse-3.0 (250ml)
Leather Doctor® Rinse-3.0 is a pH 3.0 waterbased leather-safe universal rinse for all leather types that include pigmented, aniline, vachetta, nubuck and suede. It is to removes suspended soiling by towel extraction while neutralizing harmful alkaline residues and charging the protein fiber ionic positive to increase the attraction between the ionic negative leather constituent like the tanning agent, dyestuff and fatliquor.
Leather Doctor® Hydrator-3.3 (250ml)
Leather Doctor® Hydrator-3.3 is a waterbased pH 3.3 leather-safe hydrator. It is a fatliquor preconditioner with multi functional abilities. Surface application is primary to check for even surface tension free of blotchiness prior to fatliquor replenishing. Structural application will require saturating to an optimum level with moisture oozing out when gently pressed between thumb and fingers. The multi functional abilities include: a) to check for surface tension for an even appearance free from blotchiness prior to fatliquor replenishing. b) To plumps, relaxes and separates crushed, shrunk and stick together fibrils for manipulating away-unwanted creases and wrinkles. c) To rectify alkaline overexposure areas by facilitating colloidal water movement to redistribute the leather constituents from surrounding areas. d) To activate the dormant dyestuff within the leather structure for color refreshing. e) To facilitates colloidal water movement within the inter-fibrillary spaces for wicking foreign soiling particulates to resurface. f) To stabilize, pH balance and charge the protein fiber below its iso-electric point (pI) ionic positive to hydrogen bond with the ionic negative fatliquor more effectively. This universal Hydrator-3.3 is for all leather types including pigmented, aniline, vachetta, nubuck, suede, hair-on-hide and woolskin.
Leather Doctor® Fatliquor-5.0 (250ml)
Leather Doctor® Fatliquor-5.0, a micro emulsion of fat, oil and water is an anionic charged pH 5.0 fatliquor for rejuvenating all leather types. It relaxes coarse breaks, creases and wrinkles enhance suppleness and prevent cracking. It softens the leather with stretchability, compressibility and flexibility, while enhancing its rip tensile strength greatly. It is for replenishing the original fat and oil that diminishes thru sun-bleaching, ageing, heat and alkaline overexposure or cleaning. On application, the water-encased molecule breaks free when hydrogen bond attraction takes place between the fat and oil with the protein fiber. The excess free water content wicks out leaving a breathing space behind for leather natural transpiration. The fat plumps the leather with fullness from easily collapsing into creases and wrinkles during stress or flex, while the oil lubricates the fibers so that they slide over one another smoothly like millions of inter-connecting hinges. Thus helps to keep leather at its optimum physical performance and prevent premature ageing. This universal Fatliquor-5.0 is for all leather types including pigmented, aniline, vachetta, nubuck, suede, hair-on-hide and woolskin.
Leather Doctor® Protector-B+ (120ml)
Leather Doctor® Protector-B+, a buttery-feel with a classic leather scent is design for pigmented, aniline and nubuck oil pull-up leather types. This is a non-film forming, non-stick, rub-resistant protector that enhances a soft natural tactile feel for imparting a breathable barrier essentially to shield the detrimental effects of sticky soiling and preventing the too common pesky ballpoint from ever ready rolling out its nasty ink. Moreover, for helping to release those tenacious blue jeans dye-transfer stains obviously on light colored leathers easily. Its natural buttery-feel protection increases the leather resistance to wet and dry rubs, thus reduce stretch; scuff and abrasion with reduce friction squeaks.
Leather Eraser-4
Eraser-4 is a 2½ x 2¼ x ¾ inch foam rubber sponge block with a crepe side for effective dry/wet soil removal.
Leather Brush-1 (1pc)
Brush-1 is a horsehair detailing brush design ergonomically to be an extension of our hand with a sturdy grooved grip. It is design to produce effective result easily and efficiently. It is recommend 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.
3 inch Poly-Brush (2 pc)
3 inch Poly-Brush 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 use for controlling and spreading fatliquor for a more even distribution.
Paper Towel Rags (5 pc)
Paper Towel Rags work like cloth, lint free, highly absorbent and washable. General application is for extracting suspended soiling or for spreading hydrator, fatliquor or protector. It is use for both dye and topcoat padding for smooth leathers.