Pigmented (Mono-Tone) - Restoring a Sun Damaged Leather Sofa

[rmullall]

Hi there, new to this forum and to leather treatment.

My fiancee and I have a khaki coloured leather sofa, parts of which have been sun damaged and turned green. Only the seat cushions and backings (i.e. the seating area and armrest on either end) have been damaged. The sides and back of the couch have not been damaged. I've attacehd a couple of photos.675676

I'm wondering what your opinion is - would buying a dye and trying to restore it myself be straight forward, or do you think I'd need to have it done professionally?

Thanks for any advice!

[Roger Koh]

Refinishing leather to the color of your choice is pretty straight forward with the sequence of steps.

1] Restorative cleaning is recommended if the leather is being used to remove foreign contamination or soiling.

2] An adhesion coating is to ensure that the pigment coating stays firm.

3] Pigment color can be mixed from any of the 9 primary colors to achieve your desired color.

4] Topcoat with choice of luster from gloss, satin to matte that will seal the color coat.

5] A non-stick, rub resistant protection is recommended to prolong the life of the finish with a buttery-feel and a classic leather scent.

These are the products that you pick from for your project:


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Leather Doctor® Pigmented Leather - Standard Care Kit P2

■ Pigmented Leather - Restorative Care System:
This is the ultimate restorative or salvage care system that removes accumulated soiling including the unwanted conditioners to its original finishes. Accumulated soiling that fills creases is often mistaken for cracks. This restorative cleaning is achieved by the chemical reaction of the Prep-7.7 to effectively break down those tough soiling with its penetrating, lubricating and suspending power. Its thick as honey allows it to coats the surface allowing effective dwell time, thus providing the opportunity for the prep to fully emulsify or suspend stubborn soiling. Horsehair detailing Brush-1 is recommended to worked into heavily soiled areas, sufficient to avoid excessive agitation that might damage already weaken finishes especially on heavily used areas.
Instructions
If alkaline or all purpose cleaners were used before, it’s recommended to wet finger test for tackiness by using distilled/tap water. If it is, neutralize the side effect of alkaline overexposure with Acidifier-2.0 found in Kit P3.ts to return the leather to a healthy squeaky feel prior to Prep-7.7 application. It is also recommended that dry soil removal takes place prior to prep application.
1st phase - Restorative Cleaning:
1] Apply Prep-7.7 and agitate with horsehair Brush-1; ensuring a uniform application over the entire surfaces a section at a time.
2] Allow a dwell time of 10 to 30 minutes or before it dries prior to towel extraction until it shows clean.
3] Sticky residue is removed by Cleaner-3.8 with gentle brush agitation and towel extraction until it shows clean.
4] Remaining residues are spray rinse with Rinse-3.0 and towel extract to a squeaky clean.
5] Let dry and inspect for satisfaction, otherwise repeat cleaning process as necessary or proceed to non-stick rub resistant protection.
2nd phase - Non-stick Rub Resistant Protection:
This rub resistant protection helps reduce finishes friction wear; that also imparts a non-stick natural buttery-feel against sticky soiling; with an unforgettable classic leather scent.
1] Apply Protection-B+ (Leather Scent-B) after shaking well, spread with lint free towel, buff when dry and its ready for use.



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Leather Dyeing & Coloring Auxiliary (3):
Leather Adhesion Promoter,
Leather Color Flow Controller.


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 added to Aniline Dye-21 for dye coating absorption resistant areas to reduce color blotchiness.
And 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.
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® Crosslinker-25
It’s an auxiliary for refinishing topcoats to improve adhesion properties and increase top coat film strength.
This is a high solid, polyaziridine crosslinker, without the VOC (volatile organic compound).
It's super-concentrated and when incorporating 1 to 3% to the topcoat it will significantly boost adhesion.
By creating a tougher film that also ties up some of the hydrophilic elements.
This product is available in 60ml.
Instruction:
1] Mix and stir simultaneously.
2] Use topcoat within 8 hours.

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.
Instruction:
1] Add 5 to 15% of total weight of color and stir simultaneously while adding.


http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/nn4/Rogerkoh/PigmentSystem12.jpg
Pigmented Leather Coloring System (12):
Color:
Black,
White,
Tan,
Ochre,
Maroon,
Yellow,
Orange,
Red &
Blue.
Topcoat:
Gloss,
Satin &
Matte.


Leather Doctor® Pigment-64
It’s for non-absorbent automotive, furniture and sports pigmented leathers.
This is an aqueous compact resin blend high performance UV fade resistant pigment color coat.
Standard colors available in Black-612, White-605, Tan-686, Ochre-684, Maroon-602, Yellow-636, Orange-604, Red-654 and Blue-640.
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).
Preparation:
1] Prep clean - use Prep-7.7 > Cleaner-3.8 > Rinse-3.0.
2] Rejuvenate leather structure where necessary – use Hydrator-3.3 > 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 Thickener48.
Instruction:
1] Ensure anchorage - pad first coat avoiding streaks on repair areas.
2] Ensure uniformity - fine spray and allow in-between drying with subsequent light coat.
3] To improve smoothness of spray over repair areas use 1500 sanding in between dried coats.
4] Topcoat protection - use Topcoat Pigment-56 Gloss, Satin or Matte.

Leather Doctor® Pigment Topcoat-56G
Gloss for non-absorbent pigmented leathers.
It’s an aqueous soft polyurethane leather topcoat.
It is lightfast and non-yellowing.
It has excellent flow and leveling properties.
It’s recoatable and forms a flexible tough film.
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 Pigment-64 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] Non-stick, rub-resistance protection with a classic leather scent - use Protection-B+ (leather Scent-B).

Leather Doctor® Pigment Topcoat-56S
It’s satin finish for non-absorbent standard pigmented leathers.
Gloss is more durable than satin finish.
This 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 tough film.
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 protection with a classic leather scent - use Protection-B+ (leather Scent-B).

Leather Doctor® Pigment Topcoat-56M
It’s a matte finish for non-absorbent standard pigmented leathers.
Gloss and satin are more durable than matte finish.
This 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 tough film.
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 gloss with matte.
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 Protection-B+ (leather Scent-B).