Aniline (Sauvage) - La-Z-Boy with some scuffing to coating

[hmhoek]

This La-Z-Boy is circa 2001 and has some wear on the seat.

Otherwise it's just a bit dry and faded.

I'd like to fix the dryness at lease, and am considering recoloring to match a near-black La-Z-Boy we just purchased.

I'm posting [almost] full size images here so I hope that's OK.


#1 - This is the major wear on the seat:
http://i285.photobucket.com/albums/ll79/hmhoek/DSC06952.jpg


#2 - This shows some fading at the armrest:
http://i285.photobucket.com/albums/ll79/hmhoek/DSC06953.jpg


#3 - This is a closeup showing the grain under the footrest that has not been scuffed or faded:
http://i285.photobucket.com/albums/ll79/hmhoek/DSC06954.jpg


#4 - This is another section under the footrest; the spots are Lexol and another treatment that I dabbed on to test:
http://i285.photobucket.com/albums/ll79/hmhoek/DSC06955.jpg


#5 - This is the footrest; in the upper left you can see the scuffing from #1:
http://i285.photobucket.com/albums/ll79/hmhoek/DSC06956.jpg


#6 - Here's a view of the side of the footrest, mostly faded:
http://i285.photobucket.com/albums/ll79/hmhoek/DSC06959.jpg


#7 - Closeup of the wrinked section below the scuff from #5:
http://i285.photobucket.com/albums/ll79/hmhoek/DSC06960.jpg


#8 - Closeup of the center panel from #5:
http://i285.photobucket.com/albums/ll79/hmhoek/DSC06961.jpg


#9 - another extreme closeup of the scuff:
http://i285.photobucket.com/albums/ll79/hmhoek/DSC06963.jpg

[Roger Koh]

Welcome!

I wish I could post such good qualities myself - you set a very high standard for pictures I see so far.

We should all learn from you then in the Technical Category: How to take good pictures!

Anyway, back to your questions.

Yes, on comparison with others yours is not a major problem as I do not see any oil or grease stain, so the leather structure would be much healthier.

First, we have to confirm the types of finishes to the leather.

Do you have any records that may say the finish types of leather - check out any labels under the cushion?

Wear on the seat is common - may need impregnator26 to tighten and strengthen the grains.

Dryness requires hydrator3.3 to hydrate prior to fatliquoring.

Faded can be either aniline dyestuff or micro-pigment color that needs to be further confirmed.

To color match to near-black with micro-pigment is no problem.

To color match to near-black with aniline dyes is trickier.

As the micro-pigment being opaque can block off existing color with no problems.

Aniline dyestuff is transparent you may only achieve a very dark brown even if you use black aniline transparent dyestuff.

Unless a translucent aniline hybrid being translucent has more hiding power.

I suggest to always refinishing back to original leather finished type as there is no return upwards in value to your leather, you can only maintain it, and the worse is turning your leather value downwards.

The quality of leather: Transparent Aniline > Translucent Aniline > Opaque Micro-Pigment > Opaque Pigment.

It seems yours is an Aniline Leather Type.

Otherwise, from the original value and a full picture we may be able to make a wild guess.

So get the original leather finish type right first before we talk about the prescription.


Roger Koh
Leather Doctor®

[hmhoek]

Here are a few more closeups from the chair.

This time I worked the leather a bit to show wrinkles and surface texture off better.

#1
http://i285.photobucket.com/albums/ll79/hmhoek/DSC06982.jpg


#2
http://i285.photobucket.com/albums/ll79/hmhoek/DSC06983.jpg


#3
http://i285.photobucket.com/albums/ll79/hmhoek/DSC06984.jpg


#4
http://i285.photobucket.com/albums/ll79/hmhoek/DSC06985.jpg


#5
http://i285.photobucket.com/albums/ll79/hmhoek/DSC06986.jpg


#6
http://i285.photobucket.com/albums/ll79/hmhoek/DSC06987.jpg


#7
http://i285.photobucket.com/albums/ll79/hmhoek/DSC06988.jpg


#8
http://i285.photobucket.com/albums/ll79/hmhoek/DSC06989.jpg



This seems like a semi-aniline finish.

What would I use to repair the scuffed areas?

Let's disregard my previous statement about darkening the finish and concentrate on duplicating the existing finish.

Equipmentwise, I have a Binks spray gun, which is more or less like your DeVilbiss gun.

[Roger Koh]

I have seen a few times, confirmed its Aniline.

The worst scuffed areas, I believe you are referring to #6

or

#1 - This is the major wear on the seat.

These major wear or scuff areas has resulted in the lost of the aniline top coat.

#1 and #3 show the topcoat cracking up - the beginning of deteriorating topcoat.

The repairing here refers to refinishing and it involves:

1) The old and worn topcoat need to be stripped clean, like varnishing any other furniture to renew its finishing.

To provide an even absorbent surface for the aqueous penetrating aniline dyestuff, otherwise result in patchiness.

The complete stripping allows for direct penetration of impregnator26 to strengthen the grain structure too where necessary.

The existing color is most probably Red Brown, Yellow or Orange can increase the shade or Dark Brown to darken it as desired.

You can see from other threads, what are the appropriate tools and materials to accomplish a task like this, especially see post #6 onwards where the entire topcoat is stripped off.

http://www.leathercleaningrestorationforum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=856

Roger Koh
Leather Doctor®