Just purchased this car
In excellent condition for year
I want to improve and keep nice
Please recommend products and or kits
I haven't cleaned seats yet in attached photos
below is dealer photos
#1
Attachment 6795
#2
Attachment 6796
#3
Attachment 6797
#4
Attachment 6798
#5
Attachment 6799
#6
Attachment 6800
#7
Attachment 6801
#8
Attachment 6802
With reference to picture #7 the leather is too dry that unnatural creases shows. The creases have behave or become like the hinges of a door while the surrounding stiff up. If left to continue with constant flexing of the creases it will crack lineally and joins up the perforated holes. When the leather structure is dry its tear strength is greatly reduced. A healthy leather structure will need 14% to 16% of fatliquor (ionic charged fat and oil) to sustain tear strength of over 2000psi.
The right panel shows shrinkage from evaporated fatliquor that shrivel the finishing.
Fatliquor is the lifeblood of leathers – and is recommended to be kept at the 14% to 16% range to keep the leather with youthful health.
Use this Pigmented (P.p) - Perforated Leather Problem Solving Matrix as reference.
Attachment 6857
Recommend that the leather appearance cycle start off with a “Restorative Cleaning” with Kit-Aa3 from this link http://www.leatherdoctor.com/kit-af3...ther-care-kit/
Attachment 6856
Perforated leather car seats are easily recognizable by the tiny holes placed at regular intervals, which add pattern and texture to the leather. Leather becomes breathable and sitting comfort increases as air easily flow through it. However, the cross section of the perforated holes is raw suede. Leather-safe (pH 3 – 5) system products are specially formulated for these pH sensitive leathers to free the perforations from clogging and cracking thus preserving their appearance, breathability and sitting comfort. Hydrating and fatliquor (ionic negative charged fat and oil) replenishing these perforated leathers at periodic intervals ensures long-term suppleness that prevents leather stiffness, creasing and cracking.
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 using 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.
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-7.7 application with a longer dwell time as necessary or proceed to hydrating.
2nd phase – Hydrating:
Although pigmented leathers surfaces are usually non-absorbent until micro crazing develops it is the stitching rows and perforated holes that are usually vulnerable. These weak areas when wet and dry again have the tendency for the fibrils to become stick together resulting in stiffness and when stressed may lead to premature cracks. Hydrating is essential to relax and separate the stick together collapsing fibrous structure besides charging it ionic positive for more effective hydrogen bonding with the negative ionic fatliquor.
1. Spray Hydrator-3.3 control and spread with foam brush to hydrate especially the stitching rows and perforated sections.
2. Let dwell 10 to 30 minutes depending on severity of dryness with optional plastic cling wrapping to control evaporation for a longer dwell time to plumps the leather more effectively.
3rd phase – Fat and Oil Replenishing:
Fatliquor evaporates as VOC (volatile organic compound) when temperature rises especially from exposed micro crazing, perforation and stitching rows. Periodic fat and oil replenishing maintains the leather’s structure integrity and pliability thus strengthen these exposed leather from cracking.
1. Spray Fatliquor-5.0 control and spread with foam brush to hydrate especially the stitching rows and perforated sections.
2. Repeat application in between drying until saturated.
3. The leather is left for slow natural drying for extra softness.
4. Surface strays are wipe with Hydrator-3.3 to free of sticky residue.
4th phase – Preventive Care:
1. Apply Protector-B to the seats and Protector-D to steering wheel including the gearshift knob after shaking well spread with lint free towel and is ready for use when dry. Leather scented version is available as Protector-B+.
You may see the complete cycle of care that includes “Preventive”, “Routine” and “Periodic” to maintain the appearance of your leather interior at the highest level from the above kit link.
Roger Koh
Leather Care System Formulator
Consultant / Practitioner / Instructor
web: www.leatherdoctor.com
forum: www.leathercleaningrestorationforum.com
email: [email protected]