>>> before I just purchase any products from the Leather Doctor, I would like to see if I can get some guidance on which products to but, and any suggestions from Roger.
First, let's look at the existing questions and see what issue we wish to correct, improve or make good, and our realistic expectations.
Why Darkening Effect appears on King Ranch leather at most Bare-Body contact areas?
The obvious reasons that resulted in the darkening effect on the King Ranch leather are accumulated body oil, grease, and sweat, and neglect of routine, periodic care leads to such deteriorating conditions that will require a restorative cleaning and topcoat refinishing to bring back its formal aesthetic, only to a certain degree, as much is done with removal and redox (oxidation-reduction) reaction without any covering up of appearance as topcoat is transparent too, that may also magnify the unwanted appearance.
How does Redox (oxidation-reduction) Cleaner Work?
A redox cleaner such as Vachetta Redox Cleaner-2.8 with a pH value of 2.8 works by reaction with the oxidized darkening effect or browning caused by sunlight, or browning caused by the migrating vegetable tanning agent. It is mist sprayed and agitated or rubbed with a white absorbent cloth until the cloth shows clean. The last application is to let the product react for a lightning effect when dry for inspection and repeat accordingly, to satisfaction. The residue is rinsed with Rinse-3.0 from overreaction in the presence of moisture. This product is used on fatliquor reconditioned leathers to avoid amplifying existing cracks from insufficient fat and oil when dry.
How to Prevent King Ranch Leather from Darkening Effect?
Routine care would need a general cleaning with a low pH value leather-safe cleaner like Cleaner-3.8 followed by Rinse-3.0. The cleaner with a pH value of 3.8 removes body, oil, and grease from darkening the leather, and the rinse with a pH value of 3.0 removes cleaner residue from becoming active again in the presence of moisture from overworking the leather. The other function is to neutralize any sweat that starts to shift alkaline preventing any browning effect from developing.
When routine care is neglected, a periodic care regime would then need a preparatory cleaner like Prep-4.4 with a pH value of 4.4 to effectively emulsify heavy soiling accumulation prior to Cleaner-3.8 and Rinse-3.0.
Why does King Ranch Leathers start Crackings?
When leather is periodically fatliqour (fat and oil) reconditioned, it will stay soft and strong without cracking with a minimum tear strength of 2000 psi. When leather dries off its VOC (volatile organic compound) fat and oil, and tear strength drops to below 1800 psi, unnatural creases, wrinkles, and cracks start to form.
Why does Scaling start to Develop with King Ranch Leather?
Scaling starts to develop with King Ranch leather, when the leather becomes too dry with its fat and oil moisture content. It is quite similar to dry rot where the leather crust loses its strength and easily rubs or abraded off the surface.
How to Prevent, and Revert King Ranch Leathers from Cracking and Scaling?
Just like our Ford, which needs periodic engine oil top-ups, likewise, the King Ranch leather will need a periodic fatliquor (fat and oil) topping up too. Prior fatliquor reconditioning the soiling will need to be removed with a preparatory cleaner or a degreaser system when top coating to restore its desired luster is intended.
What is Leather Hydrating?
Leather hydrating is to introduce moisture content into the leather structure to relax and separate the millions of fibers from being stuck together. Hydrator-3.3 is a multi-function hydrator besides relaxing the fibers, it does a pH balancing and wicks out foreign particulates to resurface. Any excess dyestuff is activated to resurface to refresh any sun fading if aniline dyestuff is used to dye through. Hydrating is for preconditioning the leather fibers to accept the fatliquor readily while the structure fibers are still damp.
What is Fatliquor Reconditioning?
It is the fatliquor (fat and oil) originally introduced into the leather structure that makes the leather soft and strong. Extra suppleness is performed with a staking process. As fat and oil are volatile organic compounds it evaporates especially with heat under the hot sun. Fat and oil will also break the hydrogen bond and leach out when the amphoteric leather material is exposed to an alkaline solution. Common alkaline overexposure is from sweat that ferments turn alkaline and most often compounds with unknown cleaners and conditioners dry up the fat and oil. Thus fatliquor reconditioning is to introduce fat and oil into the leather structure. Fatliquor-5.0 is an ionic negative (-ve) charged oil that will hydrogen bond with the ionic positive (+ve) leather protein fiber. As each cycle of water emulsion fat and oil is introduced, upon contact with the charged fiber the water-encased fat and oil break free and evaporate leaving behind a breathing space. This process is repeated until the last application, the leather absorbs no more. And is left for slow drying and when almost dry a stacking process by hand method will further soften the leather. Remember that 'Fatliquor is the Lifeblood of Leather' to keep it healthy, soft, and strong.
How to Strengthen and Smooth the Scaling Surface?
The strengthening of leather weakness due to stress or flex will require repairs into the leather structure with a protein resin-based product to become part of the leather, such as Impregnator-26. Adhersor-73 will smooth the worn or abraded surface. Flaps that stick out may need Bond-3D to lay them down permanently. All these three repairs may produce a darkening effect, so test for satisfaction prior to use.
You may want to consider the products mentioned as individual products added to Kit K7.tc. And further questions to clarify before you begin your project.
(You may find shipping price is expensive now from the Philippines, we understand that and are moving back to Vancouver, Canada to serve you better).
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King Ranch Leather Topcoat Refinishing Kit K7.tc
https://www.leatherdoctor.com/king-ranch-leather-topcoat-refinishing-kit-k7-tc/
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Roger Koh
Leather Care System Formulator
Consultant / Practitioner / Instructor / Coach
web: www.leatherdoctor.com (http://www.leatherdoctor.com)
forum: www.leathercleaningrestorationforum.com (http://www.leathercleaningrestorationforum.com)
email:
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