Owner of Used RH Lancaster (Aniline Wax Pull-up) Leather Sofa, See My Pics

Hello Roger I spoke with you this afternoon and after seeing many posts on this site am much impressed with the science behind leather as correlated to PH. It just makes sense! As I said I just purchased a used Restoration Hardware Lancaster 96", Luxe 49" depth, Italian Brompton Leather in Cocoa. The previous owner says they owned the sofa for 2 years and bought directly from RH. They did have a dog but tried to keep him on a blanket at all times. Aside from regular distressing over the past 2 years I do not detect anything major but a few minor issues we could take care of. Please review pictures and provide feedback of recommended remedies. The sofa is so deep and the leather is so nice!
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#2
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#3
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#4

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#5
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#6
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#7
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#8
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No rush, thanks in advance!

>>> They did have a dog but tried to keep him on a blanket at all times. Aside from regular distressing over the past 2 years I do not detect anything major but a few minor issues we could take care of.

This is a standard restorative cleaning and odor control and conditioning and protection sequence for your consideration:

1- Restorative Cleaning:
This is perform with Prep-4.4 > Clean-3.8 > Rinse-3.0 system

2- Odor Control:
CleanOdor-4.5 will mask animal and human body odor.
Sanitizer-3.9 is used for sanitizing the leather.

3- Leather Rejuvenation:
Rejuvenating for leather suppleness is perform with Hydrator-3.3 > Fatliquor-5.0 > Hydrator-3.3 system.

4- Fashion Wax Pull-up Effect Rejuvenation:
The diminishing wax effect is replenished with EffectWax-8.6

5- Protection:
Protector-D (scentless version) or Protector-D+ (classic leather scented version)


>>> Please review pictures and provide feedback of recommended remedies.

Picture #2
This picture top section shows waves or cracking – Need Hydrator-3.3 to close up the gaps and Fatliquor-5.0 replenished thereafter to a 14% fatliquor (fat and oil content) level to prevent or avoid further deterioration of the cracking. The lower section shows natural scars and will be less apparent when the leather appearance is activated by the Hydrator-3.3 > Fatliquor-5.0 > EffectWax-8.6 system.

Picture #3
The dark marks are natural and will be less apparent when surrounding color intensity increases.

Picture #4 & #5
The light scuffmarks will disappear with EffectWax-8.6 while the dark marks as natural described above.

Picture #6
These dark patches is probably part of the skin, any surface roughness is sand with 2000grit and treat at #2 above.

Picture #7, #8
Scuffs marks repair with EffectWax-8.6 after Hydrator-3.3 > Fatliquor-5.0.

Use this Aniline Wax Pull-up Leather Problem Solving Guide as reference, the left column are the problems listed and the top row the products solution and the number indicate the sequence of steps.

Attachment 5815


Take a look at this Kit AW3 and relevant products are available individually.

Attachment 5816

http://www.leatherdoctor.com/kit-aw3...ther-care-kit/
Leather Doctor® Kit-Aw3, aniline wax pull-up leather care kit is an innovative leather-safe (pH 3 - 5) system designed for keeping leathers at their highest level of appearance, maintaining its pH chemistry integrity, enhancing their suppleness and prevents premature ageing. Leathers that faced the sun, closed to fireplace and heaters dries out the fat and oil that keeps it supple sooner than the non-heat exposed areas. The diminishing of the fat and oil through evaporation results in the leather fibers being stick closer together that results in stiffness and when flexed during used will lead to cracks. Periodic use of Hydrator-3.3 to plumps the stick together fibers prior to fat and oil replenishing with Fatliquor-5.0 will keep the leather supple and strong. Thus, reduce the premature ageing of the leather against stiffness and cracking. WaxEffect-8.6 rejuvenates the structural wax pull-up effect and coagulates a cloudy waxy coating on the surface to be heat activated into the characteristic glossy sheen during periodic care. The surface wear of the leather is greatly reduced in preventive care with a rub-resistant Protector-D that enhances a non-stick draggy-feel to shield against sticky soiling, besides healing and concealing lightening scuff and abrasion marks. Periodic cleaning and rinsing with Clean-3.8 follows by Rinse-3.0 to the bare body contact areas like headrest and armrest helps reduce greasy soiling build-up. Restorative cleaning and occasional dye stains removal from new blue jeans is accomplished with Prep-4.4. Note that the mentioned product suffix number denotes its pH value in this leather-safe holistic care system for aniline wax pull-up leathers.

Kit-Aw3 comes with reduced weight option from 2kg to 0.6kg to save on shipping thus the 250ml bottles such as Clean-3.8, Rinse-3.0, WaxEffect-8.6, Hydrator-3.3, Fatliquor-5.0 and Protector-D have to be cut or filled up with distilled water prior to use.

Cycle of Care Instruction:

Preventive Care:
A non-stick, rub-resistant protection is recommended to be in place before putting the leather to daily use. Protector-D imparts a soft natural draggy-feel that enhances the leather luxuriously to the sense of touch. The non-stick surface shields the leather from sticky soiling thus prolonging the high level of appearance. Rub-resistant abilities reduce wear to the topcoat and also have properties that seal and conceal scuffing. Optional leather-scented version Protector-D+ diffuses a classic leather scent that boost the sensuous leather more appealing to the leather lover. This protection care commences before usage and at the end of each level of routine, periodic or restorative cleaning cycle.

Instruction:
1. Apply Protector-D on dust free surface after shaking well, towel spread and is ready for use when dry.

Routine Care:
Routine care includes procedures such as general dust cleaning, attending to spots and stains as required especially the neutralizing of sweat or perspiration stains from shifting alkaline. Thus prevents leather from tackiness. A routine non-stick rub resistant protection after neutralizing rinse helps keep leather in a more attractive and healthy state while preventing premature wears.

Instruction:
1. Spray Rinse-3.0 on a dust free surface, horsehair Brush-1 agitates and towel extract until it shows clean.
2. When dry, apply Protector-D after shaking well, towel spread and is ready for use when dry.

Periodic Care:
Periodic care is recommend before soiling causes damages to the finishing. This keeps leather consistently clean and healthy at all times. Body contact surfaces would require more frequent attention than non-body contact surfaces. While the headrest and armrest gets the most of body oil and sweat contacts.

Instruction:
1st phase – Cleaning:
1. Spray Clean-3.8 and agitate with horsehair Brush-1; ensuring a uniform saturation application over the entire surfaces a section at a time.
2. Towel extract until it shows clean.
3. Remaining residues are spray rinse with Rinse-3.0 and towel extract to a squeaky-clean.
4. Let dry and inspect for satisfaction, otherwise repeat cleaning process as necessary or proceed to hydrating.

2nd phase – Hydrating:
Hydrating is essential to relax unnatural creases and wrinkles. Leather shrunk and becomes stiff when the structural fibers become stick together as the fatliquor diminishes through ageing or under heat over-exposure or under influence of alkaline solution. They are stretched crosswise when the leather is plump. Plumping the stiff leathers may take up to 72hrs under evaporation control. Besides, its pH value of 3.3 helps charge the protein fiber ionic positive (+ve) to increase the hydrogen bonding attraction between the ionic negative (-ve) fatliquor at the molecular level.
1. Spray Hydrator-3.3 control and spread with foam brush to hydrate deep into the leather thickness.
2. Let dwell 10 to 30 minutes to break surface tension, depending on severity of dryness, with optional plastic cling wrapping to control evaporation for a longer dwell time up to 72hrs, to plumps the leather more effectively for ease of cross stretching unnatural creases and wrinkles.

3rd phase – Fatliquoring:
Fatliquor evaporates as VOC (volatile organic compound) when temperature rises especially from exposed micro crazing and stitching rows. Periodic fatliquor (ionic negative (-ve) charged emulsion of natural fat and oil) replenishing maintains the leather’s structure integrity and pliability thus increase leather tensile strength with softness and added intensifying color richness.
1. Spray Fatliquor-5.0 after shaking in like manner as Hydrator-3.3 and let dry naturally.
2. Repeat application while still damp about 25% moisture content remaining in between drying until saturated again.
3. Leave the leather for slow natural drying for extra softness.
4. Wipe surface strays with Hydrator-3.3 to free of sticky residue.

4th phase – Preventive Care:
1. When dry, apply Protector-D after shaking well, towel spread and is ready for use when dry.

Restorative Care:
Restorative care is the ultimate corrective or salvage care system that removes accumulated soiling including aged conditioners to its original OEM finishes. Accumulated soiling that fills creases is often mistaken for cracks. Restorative cleaning is performed by Prep-4.4. It works by chemical reaction to emulsify soiling through its penetrating, lubricating and suspending power. Its thick as honey viscosity facilitates coating the surface for effective dwell time. Horsehair detailing Brush-1 is recommended to worked into heavily soiled areas sufficiently to avoid excessive agitation that might damage already weaken finishes especially on heavily used areas. For extreme cases, the Prep-4.4 can stay continuous for up to 72 hours to do its work safely including ‘reverse transferring’ of unwanted dye stains from new blue jeans, newsprints and ballpoint ink.

1st phase - Restorative Cleaning:
1. Apply Prep-4.4 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 Clean-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 Prep-4.4 with Towel-T5 for a ‘reverse transfer for dyestuff stains, application with a longer dwell time as necessary and check for reverse transfer satisfaction. 6. Proceed with Hydrator-3.3 after Rinse-3.0 and satisfied inspection.

2nd phase – Hydrating:
Hydrating is essential to relax unnatural creases and wrinkles. Leather shrunk and becomes stiff when the structural fibers become stick together as the fatliquor diminishes through ageing or under heat over-exposure or under influence of alkaline solution. They are stretched crosswise when the leather is plump. Plumping the stiff leathers may take up to 72hrs under evaporation control. Besides, its pH value of 3.3 helps charge the protein fiber ionic positive (+ve) to increase the hydrogen bonding attraction between the ionic negative (-ve) fatliquor at the molecular level.
1. Spray Hydrator-3.3 control and spread with foam brush to hydrate deep into the leather thickness.
2. Let dwell 10 to 30 minutes to break surface tension, depending on severity of dryness, with optional plastic cling wrapping to control evaporation for a longer dwell time up to 72hrs, to plumps the leather more effectively for ease of cross stretching unnatural creases and wrinkles.

3rd phase – Fatliquoring:
Fatliquor evaporates as VOC (volatile organic compound) when temperature rises especially from exposed micro crazing and stitching rows. Periodic fatliquor (ionic negative (-ve) charged emulsion of natural fat and oil) replenishing maintains the leather’s structure integrity and pliability thus increase leather tensile strength with softness and added intensifying color richness.
1. Spray Fatliquor-5.0 after shaking in like manner as Hydrator-3.3 and let dry naturally.
2. Repeat application while still damp about 25% moisture content remaining in between drying until saturated again.
3. Leave the leather for slow natural drying for extra softness.
4. Wipe surface strays with Hydrator-3.3 to free of sticky residue.

4th phase – Preventive Care:
1. When dry, apply Protector-D after shaking well, towel spread and is ready for use when dry.