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Csalm
04-25-2019, 01:06 PM
Hello,

I picked up a used leather sofa the other day and i am trying to figure out what kind of leather it is. I believe it is an aniline pull up (don't know if it is wax or oil pull up, or both?) I will post some pictures to show more details. the brand is king hickory, there is no tag on it saying what kind of leather it is. i can rub away scratches fairly easy on the hidden areas of the couch, more so then the leather you can see. I'm still able to rub the scratches out on other surfaces but it is more difficult. i also posted pics of the "pull up" effect i believe i am seeing. Again, more exaggerated on the less used portions of the couch. I do not think the couch is in too bad of shape. I do not know much about it, except the person i bought it from had it for four years and he bought it from someone else. I also do not know if any cleaning or conditioning has ever been done. i want to try and rejuvenate it back to glory, the color of the couch doesn't bother me, i do not know if its a little faded or if its just due to most of the wax being gone from the surface? (again, if it is a pull up leather, i'm not 100 percent sure).

Thanks,
Cole

Roger Koh
05-04-2019, 02:46 PM
>>> i am trying to figure out what kind of leather it is.

From appearance it is “sauvage” that is, it retains its raw scars and color intensity variation as it is.


>>> I believe it is an aniline pull up

Aniline is the transparent dyestuff used and it is subject to UV light fading.
So to compare a hidden area to UV light exposure areas will give us a clue.


>>> (don't know if it is wax or oil pull up, or both?)

Pull-up is the secondary structural conditioning that gives us the fashion effect.
Oil effect is seldom used for indoor leathers, mainly used for outdoor leathers to give an extra waterproofing effect like saddles. It also gives extreme contrast in pull-up effect that earns its nickname as “crazy-horse”.
If there is a pull-up effect in this case, it is most likely a “wax-effect”.
When there is combination of oil and wax, it is recommended to use EffectWax-8.6.


>>> i want to try and rejuvenate it back to glory,

Suppleness rejuvenation is replenished with Hydrator-3.3 > Fatliquor-5.0 > Hydrator-3.3 system.
Pull-up effect rejuvenation is replenished with EffectWax-8.6


>>> the color of the couch doesn't bother me, i do not know if its a little faded

Color intensity may be activated with Hydrator-3.3 if the reverse suede side shows richness of dormant dyestuff.


>>> or if its just due to most of the wax being gone from the surface?

Color intensity increases with EffectWax-8.6 replenishing.
Replenishing of its original fatliquor (fat and oil) contents with Fatliquor-5.0 will also intensity the color richness.
Topcoat refinishing with AnilineTop-76G will also intensity color intensity.

Take a look at this Leather Doctor Kit-Aw6.tc - Aniline Wax Pull-up Leather Topcoat Refinishing Kit (Aniline-76 dyestuff is an option).
http://www.leatherdoctor.com/kit-aw6-tc-aniline-wax-pull-up-leather-topcoat-refinishing-kit/


9367
Leather Doctor Kit-Aw6.tc - standard instructions:

Topcoat Refinishing Instruction:

Degreasing:
Removing of surface and penetrated grease is essential for a good bonding topcoat, just like any other refinishing work with the same principle. However, amphoteric protein leather material is especially pH sensitive, leather pH value of 3 to 5 should be maintain at all time during the degreasing process. Otherwise, high pH value bleeds the dyestuff and displaced it with blotchiness. High pH or alkalinity degreaser denatures the leather when the tanning agents leaches out result in tackiness and in worst case sliminess. All degreasing will also dries up the original fatliquor and high pH value does more harm in drying up the leather. When degreasing existing cracks or dried leathers of fatliquor contents below 7% (read with a leather moisture meter or an equivalent wood moisture meter), it is recommended that hydrating it with Hydrator-3.3 prior to Fatliquor-5.0 first to top-up the fatliquor up to the original 14% prior to degreasing. This pre leather rejuvenating helps prevent over drying of the leather during the degreasing process that may accentuates or magnifies existing cracks. Degreaser-2.2 is a dual-purpose formulation with a pH value of 2.2 to safely degreasing the leather surface and penetrated soiling, while charging the protein fiber ionic positive (+ve) below its iso electric-point or pH neutral or pI for an increase hydrogen bonding with the other ionic negative (-ve) leather constituents like the tanning agents, dyestuff and fatliquor.
Instruction . . .
1- Apply Degreaser-2.2 after shaking it well, saturating sufficiently where apparent body contact soiling is evident and feather out to less body contact soiling areas.
2- Leather Eraser-4 is used for better traction without the risk of scratching the finishes.
3- Horsehair Brush-1 is used for stitching rows, welting, groves, creases and wrinkles,
4- Emulsified and suspended soiling is terry towel extracted until towel shows clean.

Rinsing:
Rinsing the after working degreaser residue and suspended soiling is equally important for a residue free surface.
Instruction . . .
1- Apply Rinse-3.0 agitate with Eraser-4 and Brush-1 and terry towel extract until towel shows clean.
2- Check for any surface tackiness and proceed with Acidifier-2.0.

pH Balancing:
Dye bleeding and or tackiness during the wet cleaning process manifested from unknown previous cleaning will need further pH balanced with Acidifier-2.0. With a pH 2.0 treatment the amphoteric leather protein fiber will increase its ionic positive (+ve) charge with the other ionic negative (-ve) leather constituents, restoring its pH chemistry integrity.
Instruction . . .
1- Apply Acidifier-2.0, let dwell and before it dries towel extracted.
2- Towel is check for sign of bleeding and surface check for tackiness.
3- Advanced treatment is allowed for a longer dwell with control plastic covering and inspect for satisfaction thereafter.

Hydrating:
Hydrating is introducing leather-safe surface-active agent to penetrate, relax and separate stick together fibers from locking up shrunk, creases and wrinkles stiffness. The leather may be dwell up to 72hrs while seal with plastic cling wrapper to control evaporation until the leather is plumped or limped or softened to be stretch or manipulated crosswise to satisfaction.
Instruction . . .
1- Apply Hydrator-3.3 for an even appearance and fully saturated to relax out the leather structure to satisfaction.
2- When leather is almost dry or about 25% total moisture content Fatliquor-5.0 replenishing commences.

Fatliquoring:
Fatliquoring is the process of replenishing original fatliquor content up to its formal tannery standard of 14% when dry. The fat and oil encased water molecule when ionic attracted by the protein leather fiber breaks free and evaporates leaving a breathing space for natural leather transpiration to take place for seating comfort. The fat plumps the leather for fullness when dry and the oil lubricates the millions of interconnecting like hinges for suppleness without cracking when the leather is flexed from used.
Instruction . . .
1- Apply Fatliquor-5.0 and spread for an even appearance until fully saturated.
2- Before the leather is completely dry or about 25% moisture level more is applied until saturated again.
3- When dry to normal used the leather moisture content may be read with a leather moisture meter or an equivalent wood moisture meter to about 14%.

Fatliquor-Free Surfacing:
Surface Fatliquor-5.0 residue if any is removed with Hydrator-3.3 driving all surface residues below surface. Remember that Fatliquor-5.0 is a structural conditioner and not suppose to remain on the surface.
Instruction . . .
1- Surface is sprayed with Hydrator-3.3 and work with horsehair Brush-1 until cloudy moisture if any turns clear.

Wax Effect Replenishing:
WaxEffect-8.6 is the secondary conditioner replenishing the leather structure to impart a below surface pull-up distress effect and an above crystalline wax deposit to be activated with a heat blower or hair dryer to a natural characteristically sheen.
Instruction . . .
1- Apply WaxEffect-8.6 after a warm-up and shake-up.
2- Spray, spread and saturate with horsehair Brush-1 or other brush evenly producing a darkening effect.
3- Allow an 8 hour natural drying time or until cloudy crystalline are formed.
4- Activate the wax deposit with a heat blower or hot hair dryer to a natural gloss luster.

Topcoating:
AnilineTop-21/76G is a waterbased polyurethane topcoat that is lightfast and non-yellowing. It has excellent flow and levelling properties, recoatable and forms a flexible film coat that gives good performing results from friction wear.
Instruction . . .
1- Application is either with foamBrush-3, Towel-5 or fine airbrushing to produce professional results.
2- Streaking or drippings if any is immediately corrected with a lint-free towel like Towel-5.
3- Sanding with a 2000grit in between coats improves the feel and touch of the finishes.
4- Gloss builds up with additional coatings.

Protection:
Protector-D is a non-film forming, non-stick scentless (optional Protector-D+ for a classic leather scent) protector that enhances a natural draggy-feel. It imparts a non-stick breathable barrier essentially to shield the detrimental effects of sticky soiling. Its natural draggy-feel protection increases the leather resistance to wet and dry rubs, thus reduce stretch, scuff and abrasion. It is also used as a scuff repairer, filling and concealing surface scuffs to improve appearance.
Instruction . . .
1- Shake well, mist spray and spread evenly with a foam brush.


Roger Koh
Leather, Skin & Hair Care System Formulator
Consultant / Practitioner / Instructor / Online-Life-Coaching
online store: www.leatherdoctor.com
forum: www.leathercleaningrestorationforum.com
email: [email protected]

Csalm
05-04-2019, 07:30 PM
I attached some photos to help with this task. Hopefully this gives you a better idea. It does change color when i push into or stretch the leather, More drastically on the "hidden areas" then the used and open areas on the couch. The last two pics kind of show the before and after of stretching the leather, as you can see on the side of the seat cushion.


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Roger Koh
05-06-2019, 01:05 PM
>>> It does change color when i push into or stretch the leather,

This is the “pull-up” effect


>>> More drastically on the "hidden areas" then the used and open areas on the couch.

The fatliquor (fat and oil) content and the pull-up contents have dried up in open areas is the main reason. UV fading is another reason.

Since the pull-up type is unknown, recommend a testing with both EffectOil-2.8
http://www.leatherdoctor.com/effectoil-2-8/
and EffectWax-8.6 on separate areas to determine the best result.

A third areas is tested with EffectOil-2.8 to go deep into the structure and EffectWax-8.6 follows as the residue wax form as a cloudy surface to be activated with heat blower to shine.

These three areas of test will determine your approach.

Also test for color refreshing with Hydrator-3.3 on faded areas.