2005 F350 Ford King Ranch - leather seat help, felt like suede, rough and feels very hard.

Roger, I have heard good things about your products and knowledge on restoring the king ranch interiors. I have a 05 f350 with the king ranch seats and they are in need of reconditioning. Can you help me out? Here are some pics to show the general condition. My other question is there a way to restore the leather on the side of the drivers seat. It has felt like suede since I got the vehicle and seems like it is wearing away quickly. Also, the leather on the passenger seat feels slightly rough rather than nice and soft as with the leather on the drivers seat. It feels very hard.

#1
Attachment 3627


#2
Attachment 3628

Roger,

Thank you for making a thread for my seats. What are your recommended steps I take to restore my seats?

Here are some more pictures for you:

#1
http://i460.photobucket.com/albums/q...psf9218b7c.jpg


#2
http://i460.photobucket.com/albums/q...ps05057d1b.jpg


#3
http://i460.photobucket.com/albums/q...psbab6f74f.jpg


#4
http://i460.photobucket.com/albums/q...psef1bcf4f.jpg


#5
http://i460.photobucket.com/albums/q...ps86645399.jpg


#6
http://i460.photobucket.com/albums/q...psddd73a08.jpg


#7
http://i460.photobucket.com/albums/q...ps761e6304.jpg


#8
http://i460.photobucket.com/albums/q...ps8a328caa.jpg

>>> is there a way to restore the leather on the side of the drivers seat. It has felt like suede since I got the vehicle and seems like it is wearing away quickly.

Good to have a view of this problem, sounds like it has receive constant friction rubs and there is the preventive measure against friction rubs with routine care using Protector-B+. For corrective or restorative repairs would require Impregnator-26 to tighten up the loose fiber structure and Adhesor-73 to smooth the surface prior to color restoration. However such repairs may take on a darkening effect as seen in most aniline leathers, most often we see darkening original scars from the animal as well, like insect bites or barb wire scar. Choice of coloring would include the “translucent” for mild cases and “opaque” for severe cases and as for a choice of the original “transparent” effect for aniline it would be a darker shade in order to camouflage such darkening unnatural blemishes. High quality finishes is by Aniline-76 (transparent), next is by Antique-27 (translucent) and the least is by Micro-54 (opaque) system.


>>> Also, the leather on the passenger seat feels slightly rough rather than nice and soft.
Again it is good to have a close-up look at details. However, most of this roughness is due to alkaline overexposure with a combination of perspiration or sweat that dries up the leather resulting in “mud-cracking” effect to the leather crust. The topcoat is damages as well. Solution to such problem is a topcoat refinishing and it will return back to original feel with texture changes remains.


>>> as with the leather on the drivers seat. It feels very hard.

This extreme hardness is due to the leather structure fibers being all stick together and the whole leather porous structure collapsed into one single layer reverting back to stiffness of original rawhide. The corrective measure is by Hydrator-3.3, with up to 72 hours of dwell time under evaporation control it will be soften up again. When the leather is hydrated it is then replenished with Fatliquor-5.0 to retain the leather fibers keeping them separated with fat that plumps the leather and oil that lubricates the fibers with smoothness and the water that evaporates that leave behind a breathing space for leather transpiration.

All said, here is the recommended sequence of process:

A: Degreasing:
All surface and penetrated grease, oil and sweat need to be removed and prepare the leather surface for refinishing.
A1: Surface - Degreaser-2.2 > Rinse-3.0 or Acidifier-2.0 for bleeding control.
A2: Below Surface - Hydrator-3.3

B: Restorative Cleaning:
Remaining stains if any are removed accordingly – refer to Aniline Leather Problem Solving Guide.

C: Leather Rejuvenating:
C1: Hydrator-3.3 > Fatliquor-5.0 > Hydrator-3.3 system

D: Repairs:
D1: Structural repairs – Impregnator-26
D2: Surface repairs – Adhesor-73

E: Colorcoat:
The choice of coloring will depends on the outcome appearance of the leather. There may be repairs or staining that will need to be hidden away to produce the best appearance without compromising the quality finishes. Example the most highly sort after leather is the “transparent” Aniline type, which makes the King Ranch leather so special a class of its own, like riding on horseback still using the traditional more expensive vegetable-tanned saddlery leather. However, with all the possible unnatural blemishes remains after repairs and restoration refinishing has to be creative to have the best value in terms of leather integrity and appearance. Here are a few consideration when comes to appearance, all color choices has to be able to coat existing repairs and topcoats to produce an even appearance. As for choice of transparent dyestuff like Aniline-76, it has to go in deeper intensity in order to cover any blemishes such as to camouflage it and produce the best effect in terms of retaining its original value. However, if the color has to be too dark or darker than the original then the next best choice is to reduce the color intensity by half hiding the unwanted blemishes with a “translucent” effect with Antique-27 system, this translucency allows us to meet half way for color intensity and aesthetic does not look cheap like the other pigmented leather types. If the color has to be the same as the original then the only choice is to have an “opaque” effect just like any other leather seat and what we color is what we get with Micro-54 system.
Color type is too early to decide now, only after dry preparation, however. . .
E1: Anilne-76 or
E2: Antique-27 or
E5: Micro-54 system

F: Topcoat:
Topcoat seals the color coats and comes in 4 luster level, gloss, satin (25% dullness), matte (50% dullness) and Dull (80% dullness). Gloss effect amplify and magnify the beauty of the grains, it will also shows all blemishes clearly, on the extreme ends the Dull blocks off clarity just like the clear blue sky block with layers of clouds.
F1: AnilineTop-83G (gloss) or
F2: AnilneTop-83S (satin) or
F3: Micro-54M (matte) or
F4: Micro-54D (dull).

G: Protector:
Protector-B+ reduces friction rubs thus translate to less friction wears.

Recommended starter kit is Kit K7.tc, color types will depends on the overall appearance after dry preparation.

Let me know your decision and we can go over the details when you are ready to proceed.


Roger Koh
Leather Care Consultant
[email protected]


Aniline King Ranch Leather Problem Solving Guide.
Attachment 3630



Attachment 3629
Leather Doctor Kit K7.tc – King Ranch Leather Topcoat Refinishing Kit
Leather Doctor® Kit K7.tc, King Ranch leather topcoat refinishing kit is designed for periodic maintenance to bring up appearance to a higher level of acceptance. Leather is subject to friction wearing and becomes evident as accidental scratch; scuff and abrasion to deteriorating from greasy sweat stains. A preventive measure to reduce topcoat wearing is by a routine application of Protector-B+, which imparts a natural buttery-feel and cuts friction noise that translates to less friction wear thus prolongs the wear of the topcoats from sliding in and out of seats. Prior to application of topcoat the leather surface should be free of stains or surface contamination to be sensible otherwise both the beauty of the grain and the beast of the blemishing stains will be magnify or amplify through as well.
Corrective or restorative cleaning is the first process and typically degreasing is the basic as otherwise any greasy surface may be a detrimental to topcoat lasting adhesion. Degreaser-2.2 with a pH of 2.2 takes beyond surface degreasing is also design for deep penetrated body oil, grease and sweat. Its pH value helps stabilize the leather chemistry integrity by protonating the protein fiber ionic more positive (+ve) while degreasing takes place simultaneously. Acidifier-2.0 is the recommended rinse with a pH value of 2.0 acts as a bleeding controller eliminating any rings when the leather dries. Suspended body contamination within the leather structure that still produces a darkening effect may need the help of Hydrator-3.3 to moves the colloid within the inter fibrillary spaces through consecutive wicking process by stretchable paper towel reverse transfer technique. This proven technique allows the soiling particulates to be trapped by the paper towel to be peel off when crispy dry then still remaining on the leather surface. An inspection with Eraser-4 removing any surface wick-up soiling will decide its readiness to proceed with top coating. Other soiling and stains such as blue jean dye, leather belt, plastic ink print, newsprint, ballpoint ink, stamp pad ink, sticky label residue, crayon, chewing gum, silicone shine, permanent marker or accumulated soiling may require the attention of Prep-4.4 to do the lubricating, penetrating and suspending action follows with Clean-3.0 to removes the sticky residue and Rinse-3.0 to rinse to a healthy squeaky clean. Other stain types may need matching solution such as protein stain and tanning stains, etc. Until all stains are taken care of that the renewal of topcoat becomes practical, otherwise camouflaging dyestuff need to come into play.
Sun fading is inevitable or unavoidable due to UV sensitivity of aniline dyestuff, besides the loss of color; heat affects fatliquor by escalating evaporation thus diminishes the intensity of the color appearance as well. However activating the dormant dyestuff within the leather structure to resurface and replenishing of the fatliquor for color intensity as well correct color loss to a degree. The activating of the dormant dyestuff is done with saturating Hydrator-3.3 up to 72 hours with control evaporation using cling wrapper thereafter replenishing of the fatliquor follows with consecutive evaporating cycle until saturate and leave for natural drying for extra softness. Any surface residue is drive-in with Hydrator-3.3 to a healthy squeaky feel, let dry and surface is dry prepared with Eraser-4 prior to top coating.
AnilineTop-83G, gloss is used first to amplify or magnify the color intensity with drying and optional sanding in between coats of roughness to satisfaction prior to adjusting its luster level with AnilineTop-83S satin or a mix between to have a custom gloss. Application is done with lint free towel, foam brush or airbrushing for professional result.
A choice of protector with scentless Protector-D for steering wheel and shift gear with a draggy non-slip grip, while classic leather scented Protector-B+ a non-stick, rub-resistant protector imparts a buttery-feel, reduces noises that translate to less friction wear from sliding in and out of seats or a mix of both for individual preferences.
This kit comes with reduced weight option to save on shipping thus the 250ml concentrate ratio such as Clean-3.8, Rinse-3.0, Acidifier-2.0, Hydrator-3.3 and Fatliquor-5.0 has to be cut or filled up with distilled water prior to use. Note the suffix number denotes the product pH value.

Observation and Recommendation for the following pictures:

Pictures #1, #2 & #3 in sequence of possible processes:

1: Pictures shows possible blue jeans dye transfer.
Recommend procedure is by Prep-4.4 > Clean-3.8 > Rinse-3.0 system, preferably after the initial Degreaser-2.2 > Rinse-3.0 and or Acidifier-2.0 system.

2: Pictures of the vertical section shows worn to the leather structure and may become too weak to further stress that becomes easily ripped.
Recommend repairs for strengthening the internal leather structure is by Impregnator-26 process, after Hydrator-3.3 > Fatliquor-5.0 > Hydrator-3.3 system.

3: Pictures shows missing leather structure fibers . . .
Recommend repairs is similar to fiberglass repairs techniques, instead the repairs is flexible and becomes part of leather. Similar donor fiber is used to match existing leather tanning type and is bond with Bond-3D; surface smoothness is work with the help of Bond-7A. Leather repairs will take on a darkening effect and this is where the color camouflaging decision comes in with choice of level of hiding properties from transparency, translucency to opacity.

4: Note the leather color difference with the plastic frame and that is the color to bring the leather color up to for better aesthetic appearance.


Picture #4

This is an unknown stains with an edge, if protein based that coagulates will require d’Protein-10 > Acidifier-2.0.
If it is tannin based from coffee, tea or any substance derived from plants and vegetables will need d’Tannin-3.5 to redox it. These specialties cleaning proceed after Degreaser-2.2 > Acidifier-2.0 system inspection.


Pictues #5, #6 & #7

These light scuffs or abrasions besides others are damaged topcoat.
Rectification is by choice of topcoat luster refinishing.