Pictures show that this is Aniline leather; but could be a wax pull-up type. It makes no difference when comes to removing heat oil, grease and sweat. Follow accordingly to this Aniline Problem Solving Guide.
The purpose of using a pH 2.2 degreaser is two folds; first is to penetrate into the leather structure to degrease it, second is to neutralize the sweat that have shift protein fibers alkaline; that leads to crack as shown in pictures #3. It is understood that the degreaser has to penetrate deeper than what the contamination has reach in order to do its effective decontamination work within the leather structure. It is also understood that the deeper the pH 3.0 can reach, the more effective the result will be. Merely doing the action without paying attention to how it works often produce mediocre results. The hydrating with Hydrator-3.3 to the entire cushion sufficiently (moisture must ooze out between thumb and fingers when compressed) to effectively redistribute the chemistry (leather constituent) within the leather structure and purging out foreign contamination at the same time, when wet by towel extraction and dry by erasing lodge wick-up soiling particulates.
After or during the hydrating process, it is recommended to check the health of the contaminated area; if it is sticky or slimy, it has to be further acidified to bring the leather structure to a healthy squeaky feel.
Check for further damages to the color and especially the topcoat that will require refinishing.
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Here is the standard Aniline Leather Care Kit-A3
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Leather Doctor® Aniline Leather Care Kit-A3
Contents:
Degreaser-2.2 – 60ml
Prep-4.4 – 60ml
Cleaner-3.8 – 250ml
Rinse-3.0 – 250ml
Hydrator-3.3 – 250ml
Fatliquor-5.0 – 250ml
Leather Scent-B – 120ml
Leather (horsehair) Brush-1 – 1pc
3” Poly-Brush® - 1pc
Washable Rags – 5pcs
Roger Koh
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