>>> Are watermark by themselves a bad thing or is it mostly cosmetic. If you have already done Clean followed by Rinse and there is still a slight mark is that necessarily affecting the integrity of the leather? I ask because all of my shoes are black and sometimes it can be very hard to even tell if there is a stain, at an arms distance, but if you look really hard sometimes you can "nitpick" and see a mark.
When we talk about leather we are talking more about the thickness integrity of the leather more than the surfaces finishes. When examine carefully at this dried stain we may see the edges indented or a sort of vertical shrinkage has occurred where the fiber structure collapse, becomes stiffer and the fugitive leather constituents leached out and deposited at the edges which sometimes forms a ridge noticeable from the feel of our finger tips.
Surface cleaning is done with Clean-3.8 (mild), Strong Clean-4.3 (strong), Super Clean-4.9 (super) or Prep-4.4 (prep) to match the degree of soiling severity. Rinse-3.0 further removes all residues to a healthy squeaky clean that ends the holistic cleaning system.
Below surface or leather structure cleaning will need the help of Hydrator-3.3 working with its surface-active-agent or surfactancy to moves colloid or foreign soiling particulates to the surface through the wicking process. Techniques includes “reverse transferring” the soiling particulates through a stretchable paper towel (comes with the kit) after the Hydrator-3.3 helps to simultaneously protonates the protein leather fiber and redistributing the leather constituents back to hydrogen bond with ionic positive (+ve) charged sites. This Hydrator-3.3 active phenomenon helps reverse the pH in-balance thus restores the pH chemistry integrity of the leather. To further soften the leather when dry for softness and strength Fatliquor-5.0 is replenished with each absorbent and drying cycle, when the water contents evaporates more is replenished until the leather becomes fully saturated with subsequent fatliquor application.
Old shoes that have shrink and becomes tight to wear will soon be very comfortable to wear again with the Hydrator-3.3 > Fatliquor-5.0 system. This is done on the insides as well if the lining is also of leather or suede.
Protector-B+ will help to smoothen the leather to reduce friction rubs and helps to easily slide leather or suede lining shoes in and out smoothly as an extension of our skin.
Product information:
3136
http://www.leatherdoctor.com/servlet/the-Kit-%E2%80%93-Aniline-Leather-Care-%28Gloss-fdsh-Satin%29/Categories
Leather Doctor Kit A3 – Aniline Leather Care Kit
Leather Doctor® Kit A3, aniline leather care kit is an innovative leather-safe (pH 3 - 5) system designed for keeping leathers at their highest level of appearance, maintaining its pH chemistry integrity, enhancing their suppleness and prevents premature ageing. Leathers that faced the sun, closed to fireplace and heaters dries out the fat and oil that keeps it supple sooner than the non-heat exposed areas. The diminishing of the fat and oil through evaporation results in the leather fibers being stick closer together that results in stiffness and when flexed during used will lead to cracks. Periodic use of Hydrator-3.3 to plumps the stick together fibers prior to fat and oil replenishing with Fatliquor-5.0 will keep the leather supple and strong. Thus, reduce the premature ageing of the leather against stiffness and cracking. The surface wear of the leather is greatly reduced with friction noise reduction. This is preventable with a rub-resistant Protector-B+ that imparts a natural buttery-feel. Periodic cleaning and rinsing with Cleaner-3.8 follows by Rinse-3.0 to the bare body contact areas like headrest and armrest helps reduce greasy soiling build-up. Restorative cleaning and occasional dye stains removal from new blue jeans is accomplished with Prep-4.4. Note that the mentioned product suffix number denotes its pH value in this leather-safe holistic care system.
Instruction:
Preventive Care:
A non-stick, rub-resistant protection is recommended to be in place before putting the leather to daily use. Protector-B+ imparts a soft natural buttery-feel that enhances the leather luxuriously to the sense of touch. The non-stick surface shields the leather from sticky soiling thus prolonging the high level of appearance. Rub-resistant abilities reduce friction noises that translate into less friction wear. This leather-scented protector diffuses a classic leather scent that boost the sensuous leather more appealing to the leather lover. This preventive care is kept in place at each level of routine, periodic or restorative cleaning cycle. A simply spray and wipe prolongs the need for cleaning heavy soiling.
1. Mist sprays Protector-B+ spread with lint free towel and is ready for use when dry.
Routine Care:
Routine care includes procedures such as general dust cleaning, attending to spots and stains as required especially the neutralizing of swear stains from shifting alkaline. Thus prevents leather from tackiness. A routine non-stick rub resistant protection after neutralizing rinse helps keep leather in a more attractive and healthy state while preventing premature wears.
1. Spray Rinse-3.0, horsehair Brush-1 agitates and towel extract until it shows clean.
2. Mist sprays Protector-B+ spread with lint free towel and is ready for use when dry.
Periodic Care:
Periodic care is recommended before soiling causes damages to the finishing. This keeps leather consistently clean and healthy at all times. Body contact areas would require more frequent attention than the unused areas. While the leather headrest and hand rest gets the most of body oil and sweat contacts.
1st phase – Periodic Care:
1. Spray Cleaner-3.8 and agitate with horsehair Brush-1; ensuring a uniform application over the entire surfaces a section at a time.
2. Towel extract until it shows clean.
3. Remaining residues are spray rinse with Rinse-3.0 and towel extract to a squeaky-clean.
4. Let dry and inspect for satisfaction, otherwise repeat cleaning process as necessary or proceed to hydrating.
2nd phase – Hydrating:
Hydrating is essential to relax and separate the stick together collapsing fibrous structure. Moreover, it is used to check for surface tension from blotchiness prior to fat and oil replenishing.
1. Spray Hydrator-3.3 to check for an even appearance.
3rd phase – Fat and Oil Replenishing:
Fatliquor evaporates as VOC (volatile organic compound) when temperature rises especially from exposed surfaces. Periodic fat and oil replenishing maintains the leather’s structure integrity and pliability thus strengthen these exposed leather from cracking.
1. Spray Fatliquor-5.0 in like manner as Hydrator-3.3 and let dry naturally.
2. Repeat application in between drying until saturated.
3. The leather is left for slow natural drying for extra softness.
4. Surface strays are wiped with Hydrator-3.3 to free of sticky residue.
4th phase – Preventive Care
1. Mist sprays Protector-B+ spread with lint free towel and is ready for use when dry.
Restorative Care:
This is the ultimate restorative or salvage care system that removes accumulated soiling including aged conditioners. Accumulated soiling that fills creases is often mistaken for cracks. Restorative cleaning is performed by using Prep-4.4. It works by chemical reaction to emulsify soiling through its penetrating, lubricating and suspending power. Horsehair detailing Brush-1 is recommended to worked into heavily soiled areas sufficiently to avoid excessive agitation that might damage already weaken finishes especially on heavily used areas.
1st phase - Restorative Cleaning:
1. Apply Prep-4.4 and agitate with horsehair Brush-1, ensuring a uniform application over the entire surfaces a section at a time.
2. Allow a dwell time of 10 to 30 minutes or before it dries prior to towel extraction until it shows clean.
3. Sticky residue is removed by Cleaner-3.8 with gentle brush agitation and towel extracts until it shows clean.
4. Remaining residues are spray rinse with Rinse-3.0 and towel extracts to a squeaky-clean.
5. Let dry and inspect for satisfaction, otherwise repeat cleaning process as necessary or proceed to hydrating.
2nd phase – Hydrating:
Hydrating is essential to relax and separate the stick together collapsing fibrous structure. Its surfactantcy helps check for surface tension of blotchiness prior to fat and oil replenishing.
1. Spray Hydrator-3.3 to saturate with an even appearance to soften up the leather.
2. Let dwell 10 to 30 minutes and towel extract wick up soiling until it shows clean.
3rd phase – Fat and Oil Replenishing:
Fat and oil replenishing maintains the leather’s structure integrity and pliability thus strengthen these exposed leather from cracking.
1. Spray Fatliquor-5.0 in like manner as Hydrator-3.3 and let dry naturally.
2. Repeat application in between drying until saturated.
3. The leather is left for slow natural drying for extra softness.
4. Surface strays are wiped with Hydrator-3.3 to free of sticky residue.
4th phase – Preventive Care:
1. Mist sprays Protector-B+ spread with lint free towel and is ready for use when dry.
Roger Koh
Leather Care Consultant
www.LeatherDoctor.com
[email protected]