Vachetta leathers are those brown leathers commonly found in trimmings of luggage and handbags. Its natural color comes from the tannin of vegetable matter. Without any finishes these naked leathers are therefore susceptible to liquid staining including body sweat, oil and grease, especially the handles. Unlike aniline leathers that fades in sunlight, these leathers become darker in shade just like our skin.
The pictures show:
1] Abrasion at the piping
2] Grease Stain
3] Blue Jean Dye Transfer
1] Abrasion at the piping:
This is the lost of leather fibers through abrasion, any material repairer used to strengthen and fill up the structure for a smooth feel will leave a darkening effect. Color touch-up would have to use an opaque color pigment to camouflage the repairs which may not return to its natural look. So it’s your choice to leave it alone or …
Material use would be in this sequence:
1] Impregnator-26
2] Leather Bond-3D with Bond-7A as aids.
3] Stucco-90 + Bond-3D + Pigment-64 (custom color) for repairs.
2] Grease Stain:
■ Vachetta Leather Degreasing System
Degreasing process involves two steps; first is the sufficient penetration of Degreaser-2.2 to react with the grease and second is to bring out the grease with Rinse-3.0. This process may be repeated depending on the depth of grease penetration. An advance technique is to cling wrapped to control evaporation for a more effective dwell time for the both steps.
Instructions
1st Phase Degreasing:
1] Warm up and shake very well until it turns to an opaque gel.
2] Apply direct and agitate with horsehair Brush-1 to penetrate into the stain.
3] Let dwell 5 to 30 minutes or before it dries for chemical reaction to occur, follows with towel extraction.
4] Suspended residue is to be rinse with Rinse-3.0 and towel extract until towel shows clean.
5] Let dry and inspect:
5a] Dark spots can be lightened with stretching from the reverse side with leather Spatula-6 or a tip of a teaspoon.
5b] Wicks up residue to be erased with Eraser-4.
2nd Phase Hydrating:
1] Spray Hydrator-3.3 with help of foam brush to penetrate the leather for an even appearance.
2] Proceed to fatliquoring while the leather has an even damp appearance.
3th Phase Fatliquoring:
1] Fatliquor-5.0 follows the same procedure as the Hydrator-3.3, with in between drying even application as moisture evaporates.
2] The rejuvenated leather is left for slow natural drying for extra softness.
3] Inspect for even appearance and remove wicks up residue with Eraser-4 prior to Leather Scent-D application.
4th Phase Non-stick Rub Resistant Protection:
1] Spray Leather Scent-D, spread with lint free towel for an even appearance and it’s ready to use when dry.
3] Blue Jean Dye Transfer:
■ Vachetta Leather Dye Transfer Stain Removal System
Common dye transfer stains are from blue jeans, newsprint and dyed goods that require the penetrating, lubricating and suspending power of Prep-4.4. In most cases the suspended stains is easily reabsorbed into the leather that is difficult to be towel extracted entirely. Extra process is necessary to wicks up these reabsorbed stains with the help of Hydrator-3.3. Advance technique is to place absorbent tissue paper as an extension of the leather surface to trap these fugitive dyes in the wicking process. Fatliquoring to soften and strengthen the leather after complete stain removal is highly recommended. Note: Stains that have been attempted by unknown products may be set tougher to remove. It’s also recommended to use tap water wet finger test for tackiness or sliminess. If it is, acidifying it with Acidifier-2.0 found in Kit V3.T to return the leather to a squeaky feel is highly recommended prior to Prep-4.4 application.
Instructions
1st Phase Surface Removal:
1] Apply Prep-4.4 to the stain, horsehair Brush-1 agitate and towel extract until towel shows clean. If stains remains a longer dwell time of 4 to 8 hours is necessary or even an overnight dwell with cling wrapper.
2] If the stain is gone, clean the sticky residue with Cleaner-3.8 follows with Rinse-3.0 let dry and inspect.
3] For reabsorbed stains proceed with structural removal.
2nd Phase Structural Removal:
1] Spray Hydrator-3.3 to hydrate the entire thickness of the leather and lay absorbent tissue paper over the entire surface and let it soak through tight, free of air spaces.
2] This process allows the wick-up residue to be caught by the tissue paper when it’s perfectly dry for inspection.
3th Phase Fatliquoring:
1] Fatliquor-5.0 follows the same procedure as the Hydrator-3.3, with in between drying even application as moisture evaporates.
2] The rejuvenated leather is left for slow natural drying for extra softness.
3] Inspect for even appearance and remove wicks up residue with Eraser-4 prior to Leather Scent-D application.
4th Phase Non-stick Rub Resistant Protection:
1] Spray Leather Scent-D, spread with lint free towel for an even appearance and it’s ready to use when dry.
This is the recommended kit for problem 2] & 3]
Roger Koh
[email protected]
http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/nn4/Rogerkoh/V3.jpg
Leather DoctorŽ Kit V3 : Vachetta Leather Care Kit
Products mention for the Abrasion Repair can be found among this training kit:
http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/nn4/Rogerkoh/Kit3.jpg
Leather Repair & Refinishing Training Kit-RR7