Thanks Jeremy,
Lexol has a pH of 6 to 7.
Leather has a pH of 3 to 5
Any solution above the isoelectric point of leather averages 4 (from 3 to 5) will denature the leather structure as the liquid has absorbed.
You will need a hydrator that has a pH of 3.3 to soak into the leather structure and wick out the foreign contamination.
Any products not meant for suede will have an adverse effect on the leather.
Why suede, because beneath the finish is the suede.
To soften up the leather from stiffness you will need fat and oil replenishing – again it has to be compatible with suede – the reverse side of leather is suede.
Fatliquor-5.0 has a pH of 5.0 with a negative (-ve) ionic charge, it will hydrogen-bond with the protein fiber positive (+ve) ionic charge to stabilize the chemistry integrity of the leather.
Products mentioned are found in this Kit
http://www.leathercleaningrestorationforum.com/forum/showthread.php?7705-Kit-AE3-Auto-Aniline-Leather-Standard-Care-Kit
$88.95
You will need refills for the hydrator
Leather Doctor® LEATHER REJUVENATOR (5)
Description SKU Size Type RTU / Quart Retail $
Hydrator-3.3 H3.3-250R 250ml RTU - 11.95
Hydrator-3.3 H3.3-946R Quart RTU - 42.95
Hydrator-3.3 H3.3-060C 60ml Con 1: 25 1.64 69.95
If there are smells it could be pungent or musty
See d’Bacteria-3.7 or d’Mold-3.6 in this link:
http://www.leathercleaningrestorationforum.com/forum/showthread.php?8178-Leather-Deodorizer-(6)
A problem solving guide for your reference
http://www.leathercleaningrestorationforum.com/forum/showthread.php?7089-Leather-Safe-Problem-Solving-Guide-A9-Aniline
Let me know if you need further information.
Roger
>>>
Roger thanks for the quick reply.
With my situation do you feel I need the whole kit or just the Hydrator and fatliquor? The leather seems to be stiffening up in the affected areas, as it is drying. You mentioned I will need refills of the Hydrator, how much Hydrator do you feel will be needed?
Is it best to let the leather dry or should I keep it moist while I’m waiting on the cleaning products? Any advice would be much appreciated.
How can I order the products you mentioned?
Thanks again,
Jeremy
>>>
Jeremy,
The kit provide you with a holistic system, you do need clean up as well and others provided in the kit.
There are other specialty products as well to take care of smell too.
Kit Ae3 is the basic kit (anyway it is your choice, we only recommend from our experience)
My recommendation for the hydrator would be
Hydrator-3.3 H3.3-060C 60ml Con 1: 25 1.64 69.95
This concentrates will make you 1.64 quarts or ready to use solution.
Things to do.
1] Restorative Cleaning
Prep-4.4 > Cleaner-3.8 > Rinse-3.0
2] Relaxing and flushing out the stains from the suede structure
Hydrator-3.3
3] Softening the leather from stiffening up when dry
Fatliquor-5.0
4] Non-stick, rub-resistant protection
Protector-B+ / D+
Let me know how do you keep it moist while waiting for product arrival.
Will need your shipping address to prepare you a PayPal invoice.
Roger
>>>
Jeremy,
To keep the leather moist, cover it with a damp towel with distilled water, thereafter cling wrapped it to prevent evaporation but if it smells than we are making a eco-system for bacteria already in there to flourish – A good and bad idea. Because of the bacteria that is off gassing I would turn the other direction.
Instead, I lay thin tissue paper over it , so that as the moisture wicks up it will be caught by the tissue paper and easily peel off.
d’Bacteria-3.7
d’Bacteria-3.7 B3.7-250R 250ml RTU - 29.95
Leather Doctor® d’Bacteria-3.7
It's for Pigmented, Aniline, Vachetta, Nubuck, Suede, Hair-On-Hide and Woolskin leather types.
This is a pH 3.7 aqueous biodegradable, odorless and colorless leather-safe bactericide.
It’s for disinfecting and controlling pungent odor causing bacteria activities after decontamination cleaning.
This product is also available in concentrate to be cut with distilled water at a ratio of 1: 21.
Thus a 60ml bottle makes 1.39 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 60ml (1.39), 250ml (5.81 quarts) and in Quart (22 quarts).
Email
[email protected] for prices.
Preparation Cleaning:
A thorough decontamination cleaning to match severity of problem is highly recommended prior to application.
Instruction:
1] Shake well, spray and agitate with leather, nubuck or suede brush.
2] Inspect for satisfaction when dry.
Options:
1] Hydrate dried leathers – use Hydrator-3.3
2] Rejuvenate to soften and strengthen leather – use Fatliquor-5.0.
3] Impart a buttery, draggy, silky or waxy feel; non-stick rub-resistant protection with a classic leather scent - use Protection-B+, D+, S+ or W+.
Hydrator-3.3
The refill is without a sprayer and the 250 sprayer bottle is only costing you $10.15
This product shelf life minimum is 10 years.
You will need this product for other leathers as well.
I would suggest you have the 60ml concentrate and the d’Bacteria-3.7 as add-on to the kit
If this is OK I prepare you a PayPal invoice.
Roger
>>>
Jeremy,
Stain are below surface, soak up by the suede structure.
The only way to bring it up technically is to use leather-safe solution that has a pH from 3 to 5 (for the leather chemistry stability).
Solution has to “swim” around the soiling particulates to wick them out.
That’s why you will need lots of hydrator to do the flushing (just like sufficient water in the tank to flush out our toilet).
There should not be a problem with the perforated panels, but the other panels may be a problem as the soiling particulates is trapped by the leather finish with a tighter surface just like a filter.
There is no magical solution, just a bid of science and logic.
When doing it with understanding the result in most cases turns out magical.
Any filtering line may be camouflage with dyestuff that matches – that’s plan “B”.
Leather is recycle from cattle, it was never new – you can make it new again with refinishing.
Roger
>>>
Roger the following pics are after my first attempt to remove the stains.
I will send another email shortly of pics after my 2nd attempt.
Please feel free to advise on the next step I should take.
I have only used the hydrator and distilled water, at this point.
#1
http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/nn4/Rogerkoh/Leather%20Auto%20Interior/KRseatattempt3.jpg
#2
http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/nn4/Rogerkoh/Leather%20Auto%20Interior/KRseatattempt2.jpg
#3
http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/nn4/Rogerkoh/Leather%20Auto%20Interior/KRseatattempt1.jpg