Here is the general structure for a holistic leather restoration; not only to surface but also below the surface.
Leather Identification:
By sight, this is an opaque pigmented finished leather; by checking the reverse side, if it’s dyed purple, than we can say that it is semi-aniline; that is a leather crust that is first colored with transparent aniline dyes both sides; thereafter it is then spray-on with micro-pigment, a color coating finer than the regular pigment with its micro-topcoat to match. Thus semi-aniline leathers process the benefits of both the aniline and the pigment characteristic. When the leather is scratch below the finish, it will still reveal the same color range that makes scratches less obvious. Why then we see the abraded areas in lighter shade; is the work of UV lights against the weaker dyed color. Fine micro pigment system allows the leather the ability to breathe as can be demonstrated with water testing as the water is absorbed, darkens and dry revert back to original shade – thus easier to rejuvenate the leather to maintain its suppleness. The key to reduce these wears against dry and wet rubs is to protect it with a non-stick, rub-resistant protector – in this case is using Leather Scent-B developed for this purpose rather than against stain absorbency.
Inspection:
The seat cushion pigment wear is mostly caused by friction wear with heavy clothing like jeans with those metal rivets that need a complete refinishing.
Overstretching is another observation we see as ripples and creases – these leather structure need leather structure rejuvenating to reduce the fiber structure looseness.
The fading need to be refreshed with hydrating to activate the dyestuff from the leather structure up to the leather surface – to return the characteristic of semi-aniline that when the finish is scratch; it is less obvious as the naked leather it is still colored within the same range.
Recommended Sequence of Processes:
1] Wet Prep:
Wet prep is a process that will strip all foreign contamination; together with the weak and deteriorated pigment finish to the leather structure – with Prep-7.7 > Cleaner-3.8 > Rinse-3.0 in conjunction with leather Eraser-4 for scrubbing, razor-60 to shave off the deteriorated pigment
2] Leather Rejuvenation:
Leather rejuvenating comprises of two steps; the hydrating first follows with fatliquoring.
Hydrating with pH 3.3 Hydrator-3.3 has its contributing benefits namely:
a] To relax the stiff leather structure to reduces the creases and wrinkles with the help of stretching it crosswise while the leather structure is still soak damp.
b] To purge forgotten penetrated spills that is moved to the surface during the wicking process; to be wiped off at drying interval until the white towel shows clean.
c] To activate the existing dyestuff so as to refresh the faded leather surface.
d] To reduce surface tension to make way for the fatliquor (fat, oil & water) for easier even distribution within the leather inter-fibrillary spaces.
e] To ionic charge the leather protein fibers cationic (+) for more effective long lasting hydrogen-bonding with the anionic (-) fatliquor.
Fatliquor with pH 5.0 Fatliquor-5.0, the life-blood of leathers is what contributes to the softness, strength and suppleness of the leather. And a healthy leather should have an average moisture content of up to 14%; and when replenished periodically or whenever leather is wet during cleaning is the simple answer to leather anti-ageing.
3] Dry Prep:
This process is to inspect the readiness for refinishing; that may include dry sanding to smoothen out the leather surface.
4] Adhesion Coating:
This adhesion coating is to ensure that the finish will pass a 2” scotch-tape test from peeling or delaminating.
5] Color Matching:
A color match is done with Pigment Micro-54; these are the fine micro-pigment developed for semi-aniline to retain the original characteristic. This is a high performance pigment color that is strong against UV light than most indoor pigments.
6] Topcoat protection:
A matching fine Topcoat Micro-72S (satin) is thereafter applied to seal the micro-pigment that also enhances its appearance. This micro-pigment topcoat is an aqueous soft polyurethane leather topcoat; is lightfast and non-yellowing; has excellent flow and leveling properties;
recoatable and forms a flexible film coat. It gives good performing results when used for fine semi-aniline effects.
7] Non-stick, rub-resistant protection:
A matching buttery-feel protection that matches is using the Leather Scent-B.
This is a non-film forming, non-stick rub-resistant protector that enhances a soft natural buttery-feel with a classic leather scent.
It’s for imparting a non-stick breathable barrier essentially to shield the detrimental effects of sticky soiling including the nasty ballpoint ink.
And for helping to release those tenacious dye-transfers stains especially on light colored leathers easily without resorting to unnecessary color refinishing.
Its natural buttery-feel protection increases the leather resistance to wet and dry rubs, thus reduce stretch, scuff and abrasion.
And it reduces friction squeaks that wear the finishes when leather is rubbed against during movement.
Roger Koh
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