I noticed that my last posting never made it to your blog.
Please re-post it!
I do have mixed feelings about spending $130 on chemicals to basically clean and moisturize my $50 steering wheel,
I do not have an answer to your question on price or worth. Your comment on post #6 “The bottle of 7.7 is rather small”; is noted. However, A 60ml bottle for the Prep-7.7 is in proportion ratio with the 250ml Cleaner and Rinse in terms of volume of usage when packaging as a kit in concern. Prep-7.7 does come in 250ml and quarts as refills, so you know, and the rest comes in concentrates to save on shipping.
but all of your products did their jobs perfectly, as advertised.
Thank you!
The questionable results apply only to my wheel, my expectations, and how the wheel looks and feels after all the treatments. I think you need to manage expectations somewhat with your clients -
Thank you for your comments, sometimes it is hard to gauge the level of experience the user may have, and even harder while trying to translate experiences into words, and are sometimes oblivious to whom am I talking to – a novice or a seasoned veteran; I apologize, I’ll try harder!
for instance, mention that in some cases a small amount of the dyes could be extracted with the cleaning processes.
There is no dyestuff used in this steering wheel; its pigmented coated; most of the surface contact areas have already worn off and missing; and deteriorated surface coating just like old paints do fall off with much scrubbing and erasing. This is typical of all corrective cleaning and not something abnormal.
and that when the leather is rehydrated, sometimes the surface can get rougher than when it was dry and compressed, as the terrain features get magnified with the hydration (makes sense to me now).
This caution about roughness was mention on my first post for Picture#1.
“Refer to Picture #1
This picture shows that the rough surface may require some fine dry and wet sanding (1000 to 1500grit) to smoothen it without hurting the leather grain.”
1. How do you match dyes and original color of the leather?
Match from Post #11, picture #1 with Pigment Micro System (this is the finer version of Pigment System). The color looks black, but it could be tinted with white to match the exact color; otherwise additional color can be added to shift it to the desired hue.
2. Will dyeing the leather make the good parts very dark and the faded parts less dark?
Dyeing is using “Transparent” color and what you describe fit the expectation. However the finish as identified from picture #1 of Post #11 clearly shows that it is colored by “opaque” pigmentation. It will block off existing color to give a mono-tone look – what you see is what you get!
3. Will using the matte polyurethane make the rough patches and smooth patches look more similar, or just give them all a new smooth surface? For example those two rough spots at the 10 and 2 o'clock positions -- would they be less noticeable? When cleaning and hydrating, they just soaked up anything I put on them--like a sponge...
To prevent the leather to soak liquid just like a sponge; Impregnator-26 helps to seal and tighten up these over absorbent area; making the entire surface more uniform for Adhesor-73 > Pigment Micro-54 (custom) > Topcoat Micro-72 Matte, Satin or Gloss. Whatever luster level is used it will produce a constant desired level of luster.
4. Does using the poly take away the feel of the leather? You know, the tacky "grippiness" one feels with bare hands or leather gloves on a smooth leather surface.
Naked leather and leather has a finish feels different. The tactile-feel protector makes the adjustment of a draggy, buttery, silky or a waxy feel. In this situation for a grippy feel; the Leather Scent-D (draggy-feel) is just designed for such tactile-feel.
5. Do you have any poly that does NOT increase the shine of the leather finish?
Topcoat Micro-72M (matte)
6. Can the wheel be moisturized in the future after applying the poly finish?
Until micro cracks appear – that’s why the finer version of Micro-pigment is recommended.
Roger Koh
[email protected]
http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/nn4/Rogerkoh/Repairer5.jpg
Leather Repairer (5)
Leather Doctor® Impregnator-26
It’s a Leather Surface Repairer for Pigmented and Aniline leather types.
This is a protein compact resin blend compound impregnator.
It’s for impregnating worn leather grains and micro cracks.
It’s to seal, strengthen and leveling out uneven absorption for further coating process.
It fills and tightens with good leveling properties that is film forming for improve abrasion resistance.
This product is also available in concentrate to be cut with distilled water at a ratio of 1: 0.5.
Thus a quart makes 1.5 quarts of Ready-To-Use product to save on shipping.
Ready-To-Use packing sizes are available in 60ml, 120ml, and 250ml and in Quart.
Concentrate packing sizes are available in quart (1.5 quarts).
Note:
For color skin repairs add colors accordingly up to ratio 1: 1.
Instruction:
1] Shake well, pad to saturate all weak and absorbent areas.
2] Concentrate on weak areas otherwise wipe off unnecessary excess to reduce buildup.
http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/nn4/Rogerkoh/Auxiliary3-1.jpg
Leather Dyeing & Coloring Auxiliary (3)
Leather Doctor® Adhesor-73
It’s an auxiliary for Pigmented and Aniline leathers refinishing.
This is an aqueous compact resin adhesion promoter to ensure proper adhesion prior to color coating.
It’s also used after WaxEffect8.6 prior to top coating.
This product is also available in concentrate to be cut with distilled water at a ratio of 1: 1.
Thus a quart makes 2 quarts of Ready-To-Use product to save on shipping.
Ready-To-Use packing sizes are available in 60ml, 250ml and in Quart.
Concentrate packing sizes are available in quart (2 quarts).
Email
[email protected] for prices.
Note:
Strip clean of foreign contamination prior to application – use Prep-7.7 > Cleaner-3.8 > Rinse-3.0.
Instruction:
1] Shake well, hand padding preferred to ensure better anchorage for non-absorbent leathers.
2] Fine airbrushing for absorbent leathers to reduce patchiness.
3] Let dry naturally or speed dry with blow dryer.
3] Proceed with choice of further coating.
Leather Doctor® Thickener-48
This is an auxiliary aqueous carboxylated acrylic co-polymer thickening agent to stabilize color during spraying.
It’s to adjust the flow of color to improve hold-up especially on vertical panels and antiquing two-tone fashion leathers.
It is highly effective and maintains the viscosity over the period of use.
This product is available in 60ml and 120ml.
Email
[email protected] for prices.
Instruction:
1] Add 5 to 15% of total weight of color and stir simultaneously while adding.
http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/nn4/Rogerkoh/Micro-Pigment12.jpg
Semi-Aniline Leather Coloring System (12)
Leather Doctor® Pigment Micro-54
It’s micro-pigment for semi-aniline leathers.
It's an aqueous soft compact resin blend high performance pigment color; strong against UV light than standard pigment.
Standard colors available in Black-512, White-505, Tan-586, Ochre-584, Maroon-502, Yellow-526, Orange-504, Red-554 and Blue-540.
This product is also available in concentrate to be cut with distilled water at a ratio of 1: 0.5.
Thus a quart makes 1.5 quarts of Ready-To-Use product to save on shipping.
Ready-To-Use packing sizes are available in 60ml, 250ml and in quart.
Concentrate packing sizes are available in quart (1.5 quarts).
Instruction:
1] Prep clean - use Prep-7.7 follows by Cleaner-3.8 then Rinse-3.0.
2] Leather rejuvenation – use Hydrator-3.3 follows with Fatliquor-5.0.
3] Strengthen weak and worn areas - use Impregnator-26
4] Ensure adhesion - use Adhesor-73.
5] Control flow and color stability - use Thickener-48.
6] Ensure anchorage – pad first coat avoiding streaking for better penetration.
7] Ensure uniformity - fine spray and allow in-between drying with subsequent light coat.
8] Topcoat protection - use Topcoat Micro-72 Gloss, Matte or Satin.
Leather Doctor® Topcoat Micro-72G
It’s a gloss finish for Micro-Pigmented, Semi-Aniline leathers.
This micro-pigment topcoat is an aqueous soft polyurethane leather topcoat.
It is lightfast and non-yellowing.
It 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.
This product is also available in concentrate to be cut with distilled water at a ratio of 1: 1.
Thus a quart makes 2 quarts of Ready-To-Use product to save on shipping.
Ready-To-Use packing sizes are available in 60ml, 250ml and in quart.
Concentrate packing sizes are available in quart (2 quarts).
Instruction:
1] Apply after color coat otherwise prep clean - use Prep-7.7 follows with Cleaner-3.8 then Rinse-3.0.
2] Satin finish - mix Matte with Gloss.
3] Fine spray evenly a panel at a time for even coverage avoiding drips and spits.
4] Buttery-feel, non-stick rub-resistant protection with a classic leather scent - use leather Scent-B.
Leather Doctor® Topcoat Micro-72S
It’s a satin finish for Micro-Pigmented, Semi-Aniline leathers.
Gloss is more durable than satin finish.
This micro-pigment topcoat is an aqueous soft polyurethane leather topcoat.
It is lightfast and non-yellowing.
It 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.
This product is also available in concentrate to be cut with distilled water at a ratio of 1: 1.
Thus a quart makes 2 quarts of Ready-To-Use product to save on shipping.
Ready-To-Use packing sizes are available in 60ml, 250ml and in quart.
Concentrate packing sizes are available in quart (2 quarts).
Instruction:
1] Apply after color coat otherwise prep clean - use Prep-7.7 follows with Cleaner-3.8 then Rinse-3.0.
2] Fine spray evenly a panel at a time for even coverage avoiding drips and spits.
3] Buttery-feel, non-stick rub-resistant protection with a classic leather scent - use leather Scent-B.
Leather Doctor® Topcoat Micro-72M
It’s a matte finish for Micro-Pigmented, Semi-Aniline leathers.
Satin is more durable than matte finish.
This micro-pigment topcoat is an aqueous soft polyurethane leather topcoat.
It is lightfast and non-yellowing.
It 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.
This product is also available in concentrate to be cut with distilled water at a ratio of 1: 1.
Thus a quart makes 2 quarts of Ready-To-Use product to save on shipping.
Ready-To-Use packing sizes are available in 60ml, 250ml and in quart.
Concentrate packing sizes are available in quart (2 quarts).
Instruction:
1] Apply after color coat otherwise prep clean - use Prep-7.7 follows with Cleaner-3.8 then Rinse-3.0.
2] Satin finish - mix Matte with Gloss.
3] Fine spray evenly a panel at a time for even coverage avoiding drips and spits.
4] Buttery-feel, non-stick protection with a classic leather scent - use leather Scent-B.
http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/nn4/Rogerkoh/Tactile-FeelConditioner.jpg
Leather Tactile-Feel Conditioner (8)
Leather Doctor® Leather Scent-D
It’s for Aniline and Nubuck Wax Pull-up leathers, Bicast, Vachetta and Leather Flooring.
This is a non-film forming, non-stick rub-resistant protector that enhances a draggy-feel with a classic leather scent.
It imparts a non-stick breathable barrier essentially to shield the detrimental effects of sticky soiling including the nasty ballpoint ink.
And it does help to release those tenacious dye-transfer stains especially on light colored leathers easily without resorting to unnecessary color refinishing.
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.
The drag produces an unforgettable familiar sound sweet to the ears when leather is rubbed.
This product is also available in concentrate to be cut with distilled water at a ratio of 1: 9½.
Thus a 120ml bottle makes 1.39 quarts of Ready-To-Use product to save on shipping.
Ready-To-Use packing sizes are available in 250ml and in Quart.
Concentrate packing sizes are available in 120ml (1.39 quarts), 250ml (2.77 quarts) and in Quart (10.5 quarts).
Note:
To reduce sheen and scent add Draggy Feel-79.
Instruction:
1] Identify, inspect and dry soil removal before application.
2] Shake well, mist spray and spread evenly with a foam brush.
3] Spray and wipe with absorbent towel for quick easy care.
4] Groom nubuck with Nubuck Brush-2 for a “finger writing effect”.