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>>> I need to restore these fine leather shoes.
This leather is identified as “Wet-White” leathers. It is the leather that most tanners refer to, due to its pale cream or white color. It is the main type of "chrome-free" leather, often seen in shoes, bags for and automobiles. It is most often unfinished and thus prone to staining like naked unfinished Vachetta.
>>> There is a stain in one of the shoes (from 10 years ago), we don't know the origin.
It is more difficult when the stain origin is not know, thus need an intelligent guess and works towards it.
From the impact of the stain there are splashes, so a burn mark is ruled out.
It is possible a dirty oil as the surrounding color appears lighter in appearance.
Using #B13 of the Wet-Leather - (W) Leather Problem Solving Instruction/Matrix is the closest guess according to the steps. Stripper-2.3 may also dries the leather of its original fatliquor, thus it is paramount that Hydrator-3.3 > Fatliquor-5.0 follows and clean off fatliquor surface residue with Hydrator-3.3 again to maintain its surface luster.
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>>> The objective is to remove the stain without darkening the color,
Stripper-2.3 is a hydrocarbon stripper with a special pH value adjusted to around 2.3 thus avoid any darkening or yellowing effect if the pH value is out of range with the pH neutral (isoelectric point or pI) of the leather. However, Hydrator-3.3 > Fatliquor-5.0 system must follow to avoid the any leather dryness as cracks when stress.
>>> well as nourishing the overall shoes, again, without darkening the color.
Leather nourishing or rejuvenating is by Hydrator-3.3 > Hydrator-3.3 > hydrator-3.3 system if the original tannery appearance is to be maintained - to ensure without darkening the color.
>>> well as protecting the overall shoes, again, without darkening the color.
These leather are naked, unfinished originally without any protection - what do you have in mind?
>>> Do you think this is feasible?
Observation from picture #1 shows the leather is very dry of its original fatliquor average 15% of fat and oil - the perforated oils develops cracks. The leather is now very thirsty and have shrunk as well, that is too tight when worn and does not feel comfortable. When fully top-up with Fatliquor-5.0 it will be very comfortable to wear. The abrasion is also a sign of the leather loosing its strength thus easier scuff and abraded.
Depending on the outcome of the stain removal - the leather may go through a refinishing that involved the following sequence of steps after Fatliquor-5.0
Adhesor-73 to smooth the grains of the leather (this will darken the appearance) thus has to be color up with Napa-84 > NapaTop-84S > Protector-B/B+.
This refinishing process will transform unfinished Wet-White to finished Napa leathers that is still breathable but have a monotone look due to its opaque pigment, essential to camouflage any residue of the remaining stain.
What do you think?
Roger Koh
Leather Care System Formulator
Consultant / Practitioner / Instructor
web: www.leatherdoctor.com
forum: www.leathercleaningrestorationforum.com
email:
[email protected]