Old Barcalounger wax pull-up leather chairs!

Hi,
I have a pair of old Barcalounger wax pull up leather chairs that were recently reconditioned by Miracle Leatherworks here in Phoenix.
To the best of my understanding they were cleaned, conditioned, dyed with aniline or semi aniline dye, and top coated.
The chairs are in much better shape but still somewhat dry, what product(s) should I use for ongoing conditioning, treatment, and cleaning, and how often?
Thanks!
N..m B….n

Thanks Roger,
I really appreciate being able to consult someone so knowledgeable.
Photos attached, this is the worst of the two chairs.
As you can see it's still oil stained and the arms are stained and cracked.
I have "before" pictures showing just how dried out, faded, and dirty it was if you want to see them too.
I wish it had turned out better but I'm a little reluctant to undo what's been done so far, and concerned that if I do it won't quite match the other one.
The second chair is really pretty nice and I can send photos of it before too if you like.
I'm considering just maintaining them both from this point until I either repair this one with new leather or get rid of it.
Thanks so much for your time and expertise.
N..m B….n
Queen Creek, AZ

#1
Attachment 3843


#2
Attachment 3844

>>> I have a pair of old Barcalounger wax pull up leather chairs . . .

We need to know some characteristic about these Aniline Wax Pull-ups before we proceed with a holistic restoration approach or a restoration that is not satisfactory done and need to be corrected.

General Characteristic:
Wax pull-up leathers derive its color from dyestuff and effect wax that gives the leather a lively distressed look. When this leather is pulled, stretched or scratched, the waxes dissipate characteristically and become lighter in those areas. Sunlight and stretching through high wear areas are two main indications that the infused wax needs replenishing. As this, effect wax behaves just like the primary fatliquor they do diminish through ageing and will need periodic replenishing. Besides contributing to the color intensity, it improves in water shedding effect. Effect wax when applied to the leather penetrates while some coagulates as fine crystal and remains on the surface. The dried surface white powdery deposits are then heat activated and when they melt, they coat the surface with a glossy sheen.


>>> To the best of my understanding they were cleaned, conditioned, dyed with aniline or semi aniline dye, and top coated.

What ever we do, we must return back to the original, otherwise we create a “pariah” out of a “pure breed” so to speak, thus deviate from the original leather finishes types. Leather Doctor® have researched and developed a LeatherSafe™ technological system that will keep the user on track when follow a system guide and here we are using Aniline Wax Pull-Up Leather Problem Solving Guide as reference – restoring back to the original characteristic of the leather – a “purist” would appreciate.

Attachment 3845

>>> The chairs are in much better shape but still somewhat dry.

As much of the fatliquor (fat, oil and water) diminishes through thin air just like our auto or car that need constant change of oil or top up, “dryness” refers to the percentage of fat and oil remaining in the leather structure. Original tannery standard is up to 14% depending on the type of leather, usage and aesthetic appearance desired. Thus the optimum percentage of fatliquor content determines it softness with strength as well. Replenishing of fatliquor or leather rejuvenating it is by Hydrator-3.3 > Fatliquor-5.0 > Hydrator-3.3 system as follows:

Leather Approximate Quantity or Percentage of Fatliquor:
The quantities of fatliquor (fat and oil) contents retained in the leather after an universal tannery fatliquoring process may varies up to 14% depending on the leather types and it usage. This percentage drops as the fat and oil content diminishes or leaches through ageing, water, heat or chemical overexposure.
Leather rejuvenating or fatliquor replenishing is base on weight of the leather in relation to the percentage of remaining fatliquor. A simple calculation of percentage of fatliquor topping up requirement would be as follows:
If the weight of the leather in question is 100gm and fatliquor (fat and oil) content meter reading is less than 1%.
By applying 80gm of Fatliquor-5.0 to it will deliver an end result incremental of 13.3% fatliquor when dry as the 66.6% water contents evaporates.
In the leather rejuvenating Hydrator-3.3 > Fatliquor-5.0 > Hydrator-3.3 system, Hydrator-3.3 plays an important role by relaxing, opening up the inter-fibrillary spaces, facilitating and redistributing colloidal water movement, protonating and doing all the pre-conditioning work prior to fatliquoring including cleaning up any excess surface remnants to have a sticky-free surface. In practice the ratio for Hydrator-3.3 is 2 to 1 of Fatliquor-5.0.
It works out to be approximately 160gm of Hydrator-3.3 plus 80gm of Fatliquor-5.0 to replenish a 100gm dry leather from less than 1% back to the original tannery up to 14% fatliquor content.


>>> what product(s) should I use for ongoing conditioning, treatment, and cleaning, and how often?

This Kit-Aw7.cl is what you need for a complete redo and Kit-Aw3 for routine care.

Leather Doctor Kit Aw7.cl – Aniline Wax Pull-up Leather Dye Refinishing Kit
Attachment 3846
Leather Doctor® Kit Aw7.cl, aniline wax pull-up leather dye refinishing kit is designed for dyestuff and topcoat refinishing after degreasing in a holistic approach. Most severely penetrated, prolonged and neglected stains from the bare head and hands that show a darkening effect with a sticky feel have its topcoat and dyestuff probably deteriorated by the oil, grease and sweat. When the stain feels sticky, it is a sign of leather denaturing and reverting to rawhide from breaking of bonds with the tanning agent. When sign of color is transfer to a white towel, it indicates that the dyestuff has also break bonds with the protein fiber. When leather is stiff or show signs of whitish residue migrating, it shows that the fatliquor is breaking bonds as well with the protein fiber. The main component of the leather protein fiber is amphoteric while the other constituents are not; shifting of the pH mainly caused from sweat to alkalinity affects the pH imbalance. To revert from denaturing into rawhide prior to topcoat refinishing, contaminated alkaline soiling is removed with Degreaser-2.2, a waterbased (pH 2.2) multifunctional degreaser that emulsifies greasy contamination besides controlling dye bleeding and charging the protein fiber ionic positive for strengthening the attraction between the ionic negative tanning agent, dyestuff and fatliquor. Deflocculated and suspended soiling is towel extracted, thereafter rinse and pH balanced with Acidifier-2.0 to prevent the leather from reverting to rawhide. When leather feels sticky or slimy it is a sign of leather denaturing, a squeaky feel when wet is a sign of healthy leather. Hydrator-3.3 relaxes stiff leathers and removes surface tension free from surface blotchiness prior to fat and oil replenishing. Fat and oil is replenished with Fatliquor-5.0 to rejuvenate the leather for the desired suppleness when dry. Wax Effect-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. Protector-D+ enhances a non-stick draggy-feel to shield against sticky soiling, besides healing and concealing lightening scuff and abrasion marks. Note that the mentioned product suffix number denotes its pH value in this holistic leather-safe aniline wax pull-up leathers topcoat and dyestuff refinishing system. Please email [email protected] for custom matching services or choice of color: Black, Yellow, Orange, Red, Red- Brown, Rubine, Blue, Navy-Blue or Dark-Brown.

Leather Doctor Kit Aw3 – Aniline Wax Pull-up Leather Care Kit
Attachment 3847
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. Wax Effect-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 Cleaner-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.


Roger Koh
Leather Care Consultant
[email protected]
www.LeatherDoctor.com

>>> and how often?



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 buttery-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 ability reduces friction noises that translate into less friction wear. This leather-scented protector diffuses a classic leather scent that boost the sensuous leather more appealing to the leather lover. This preventive care is kept in place at each level of routine, periodic or restorative cleaning cycle. A simply spray and wipe prolongs the need for cleaning heavy soiling.
1. Mist sprays Protector-D+ spread with lint free towel 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 swear stains from shifting alkaline. Thus prevents leather from tackiness. Routine non-stick rub resistant protections after neutralizing rinse helps keep leather in a more attractive and healthy state while preventing premature wear.
1. Spray Rinse-3.0, horsehair Brush-1 agitates and towel extract until it shows clean.
2. Mist sprays Protector-D+ spread with lint free towel and is ready for use when dry.

Periodic Care:
Periodic care is recommended before soiling causes damages to the finishing. This keeps leather consistently clean and healthy at all times. Body contact areas would require more frequent attention than the unused areas. While the leather headrest and hand rest gets the most of body oil and sweat contacts.
1st phase – Periodic Care:
1. Spray Clean-3.8 and agitate with horsehair Brush-1; ensuring a uniform 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 and separate the stick together collapsing fibrous structure. Moreover, it is used to check for surface tension from blotchiness prior to fat and oil replenishing.
1. Spray Hydrator-3.3 to check for an even appearance.
3rd phase – Fatliquor Replenishing:
Fatliquor evaporates as VOC (volatile organic compound) when temperatures rises especially from exposed surfaces. 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 in like manner as Hydrator-3.3 and let dry naturally.
2. Repeat application in between drying until saturated.
3. The leather is left for slow natural drying for extra softness.
4. Surface strays are wiped with Hydrator-3.3 to free of sticky residue.
4rd phase – Wax Effect Replenishing:
Wax Effect evaporates similar to fatliquor with its low VOC (volatile organic compound) when temperature rises especially from exposed surfaces. Periodic replenishing maintains the leather fashion pull-up effects and correct scuffs and lightening effects returning to a uniform darker appearance keeps maintain a healthy distress effect.
1 Warm up, shakes well, spread and saturate with foam brush into the leather structure evenly.
2 Allow a minimum 6 hours natural drying time or until cloudy residual wax shows on the surface.
3 Activate cloudy residual wax with a heat blower or hair dryer to bring out the natural waxy sheen.
4 Creates a pull-up effect by kneading, flexing or creasing it.
5 Impart a draggy-feel non-stick rub-resistant protection with a classic leather scent - use Protector-D+.
5th phase – Preventive Care:
1. Mist sprays Protector-D+ spread with lint free towel and is ready for use when dry.

Restorative Care:
This is the ultimate restorative or salvage care system that removes accumulated soiling including aged conditioners. Accumulated soiling that fills creases is often mistaken for cracks. Using Prep-4.4 performs restorative cleaning. It works by chemical reaction to emulsify soiling through its penetrating, lubricating and suspending power. 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 the typical headrest and handrest Degreaser-2.2 > Rinse-3.0 > Acidifier-2.0 > Hydrator-3.3 system is often the better solution to remove deep body soiling penetration.
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 Cleaner-3.8 with gentle brush agitation and towel extracts until it shows clean.
4. Remaining residues are spray rinse with Rinse-3.0 and towel extracts to a squeaky-clean.
5. Let dry and inspect for satisfaction, otherwise repeat cleaning process as necessary or proceed to hydrating.
2nd phase – Hydrating:
Hydrating is essential to relax and separate the stick together collapsing fibrous structure. Its surfactantcy helps check for surface tension of blotchiness prior to fat and oil replenishing.
1. Spray Hydrator-3.3 to saturate with an even appearance to soften up the leather.
2. Let dwell 10 to 30 minutes and towel extract wick up soiling until it shows clean.
3rd phase – Fatliquor Replenishing:
Fat and oil replenishing maintains the leather’s structure integrity and pliability thus strengthen these exposed leather from cracking.
1. Spray Fatliquor-5.0 in like manner as Hydrator-3.3 and let dry naturally.
2. Repeat application in between drying until saturated.
3. The leather is left for slow natural drying for extra softness.
4. Surface strays are wiped with Hydrator-3.3 to free of sticky residue.
4rd phase – Wax Effect Replenishing:
Wax Effect evaporates similar to fatliquor with its low VOC (volatile organic compound) when temperature rises especially from exposed surfaces. Periodic replenishing maintains the leather fashion pull-up effects and correct scuffs and lightening effects returning to a uniform darker appearance keeps maintain a healthy distress effect.
1 Warm up, shakes well, spread and saturate with foam brush into the leather structure evenly.
2 Allow a minimum 6 hours natural drying time or until cloudy residual wax shows on the surface.
3 Activate cloudy residual wax with a heat blower or hair dryer to bring out the natural waxy sheen.
4 Creates a pull-up effect by kneading, flexing or creasing it.
5 Impart a draggy-feel non-stick rub-resistant protection with a classic leather scent - use Protector-D+.
5th phase – Preventive Care:
1. Mist sprays Protector-D+ spread with lint free towel and is ready for use when dry.