I have a new Samonsite Leather business flapover case- how I do know whether to treat it before using the bag? And if I should treat it, is there a preference for spray on versus mink oil?
Thanks so much for your help.
I have a new Samonsite Leather business flapover case- how I do know whether to treat it before using the bag? And if I should treat it, is there a preference for spray on versus mink oil?
Thanks so much for your help.
>>> I have a new Samonsite Leather business flapover case- how I do know whether to treat it before using the bag?
Before any treatment it is wise to know the leather type and testing of original leather rate of absorbency.
Pictures with the testing result helps to decide the best route to take.
>>> And if I should treat it, is there a preference for spray on versus mink oil?
Sprays are generally referring to “surface conditioning” and oils of any kind are for “structure conditioning”.
Surface protection would include features of water repellent; choices of tactile-feel that features buttery, draggy, silky or waxy feel; non-stick protection; rub-resistant protection without altering the original look of the leather. These surface conditioning are perform on a regular routine basis, essentially to prolong the wear of the leather from friction and abrasion more than waterproofing for finishes or topcoated leathers.
Structural conditioning generally referring to maintaining the softness and tensile strength of the leather from stiffness that leads to cracks and tears. This level of care is performed periodically on a longer maintenance cycle.
Raw oil like mink and all other oil is now recommended for modern leathers with this disadvantage:
a) darkening effect with poor aesthetic, b) sticky and messy that attracts soiling faster, c) leaks out when temperature rises, d) retards breathability result from clogging up of the leather inter-fibrillary spaces, etc.
A higher grade of oil is used in modern tannery know as “fatliquor” (fat, oil and water) these are normally ionic negative (-ve) charged oils that works by hydrogen bonding to the ionic positive (+ve) leather protein fiber, thus leaves the inter-fibrillary spaces for the natural ability for the water to breathes.
Assuming that the leather is a semi-aniline leather, here is the guide for reference and the care products is found in this Kit P3
Attachment 2398
Attachment 2399
Leather DoctorŽ Kit P3, pigmented leather care kit is an innovative leather-safe (pH 3 - 5) system developed for keeping leather at their highest level of appearance besides maintaining their structural chemistry integrity and enhancing their suppleness. Pigmented finishes develop micro crazing as it ages and heat dries out the fat and oil from these weak point and stitching holes. The diminishing of the fat and oil empties the leather that results in creases and wrinkles. Stiffness to the leather is another sign of fat and oil diminishing that collapse the inter fibrillary spaces making the fiber becomes stick together and when flexed during used will lead to cracks. Periodic use of Hydrator-3.3 to hydrate 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. The surface wear of the leather is greatly reduced when friction noise is kept low. The noise reduction is accomplished with rub-resistant Protector-B+ that imparts a natural buttery-feel. Periodic cleaning and rinsing with Cleaner-3.8 follows by Rinse-3.0 to the body contact area helps reduce greasy soiling build-up. Removing of unwanted stains such as ink or the common new blue jeans is accomplished with Prep-7.7. Note that the mentioned product suffix number denotes its pH value in this leather-safe holistic care system.
Instruction
Preventive Care
A non-stick, rub-resistant protection is recommended to be in place before putting the leather to daily use. Protector-B+ 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 abilities reduce friction noises that translate into less friction wear as one slide and shift body weight around the seat with less stress to the finish. 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. Apply Protector-B+ after shaking well 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 sweat 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.
1. Spray Rinse-3.0, horsehair Brush-1 agitates and towel extract until it shows clean.
2. Apply Protector-B+ after shaking well 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. The sitting areas would require more frequent attention than the other less frequent used outer side and back. While the hand rest and headrest gets the most of body oil and sweat contacts.
1st phase – Periodic Care
1. Spray Cleaner-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
Although pigmented leathers surfaces are usually non-absorbent until micro crazing develops it is the stitching rows 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 a 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.
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 temperatures rise 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 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.
4th phase – Preventive Care
1. Apply Protector-B+ after shaking well 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 to its original finishes. Accumulated soiling that fills creases is often mistaken for cracks. Restorative cleaning is performed by using Prep-7.7. 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.
1st phase - Restorative Cleaning
1. Apply Prep-7.7 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 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 cleaning process 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 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 a 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 temperatures rises especially from exposed micro crazing 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 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.
4th phase – Preventive Care
1. Apply Protector-B+ after shaking well spread with lint free towel and is ready for use when dry.
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Kit Content and Product Description:
Leather DoctorŽ Prep-7.7 (60ml)
This is a waterbased pH-7.7 high viscosity leather cleaner developed for restorative cleaning pigmented leathers. It works by dwell-time allowing its superior penetrating, lubricating and suspending power to do its work. Sticky residue is cleaned and rinsed with Cleaner-3.8 follows by Rinse-3.0.
Leather DoctorŽ Clean-3.8 (250ml)
This is a leather-safe pH 3.8 cleaner for removing Prep-7.7 sticky residue.
Leather DoctorŽ Rinse-3.0 (250ml)
This is a leather-safe pH 3.0 rinse to neutralize alkalinity and remove all traces of cleaning residue to a healthy squeaky-feel.
Leather DoctorŽ Hydrator-3.3 (250ml)
This is a waterbased pH 3.3 leather-safe hydrator with active surfactantcy for lowering the interfacial tension. It is for hydrating dried, stiffed or shrunk leathers to separate the crushed, stick together fibrils and relaxes them. It is for charging the leather protein fibers below its iso-electric point positive for long lasting hydrogen bond with the ionic negative charged Fatliquor-5.0. It is for facilitating colloidal water movement within the leather structure during the wicking process to move soiling particulates to the surface.
Leather DoctorŽ Fatliquor-5.0 (250ml)
This is a pH 5.0 anionic charged micro emulsion fatliquor to rejuvenate leather with softness, suppleness and strength. It is for replenishing original fat and oil that diminishes thru sun-bleaching, ageing, heat and alkaline exposure or cleaning. It penetrates and lubricates the leather fibers so that after drying they will be capable of sliding over one another smoothly. It softens the leather with stretchability, compressibility and flexibility, while enhancing its rip tensile strength greatly. It relaxes coarse breaks; creases and wrinkles enhance suppleness and prevent cracking. It helps to keep leather at its optimum physical performance and prevent premature ageing.
Leather DoctorŽ Protector-B+ (120ml)
This is a leather scented, non-film forming, non-stick, rub-resistant protector that impart a natural buttery-feel. Its non-stick breathable barrier is essentially to shield the detrimental effects of sticky soiling. Its natural buttery-feel protection increases the leather resistance to wet and dry rubs, thus reduce stretch, scuff and abrasion. It reduces friction squeaks that wear the finishes when one slides in and out of auto seats.
Leather Brush-1 (1pc)
This horsehair detailing brush is designed ergonomically to be an extension of our hand with a sturdy grooved grip. It is designed to produce effective result easily and efficiently. It is recommended for all smooth leather for a soft and scratch-free cleaning. Its length is 7 inches with a three-row bristle 1˝ inc es cleaning head.
Paper Towel Rags (5 pcs)
This rag works like cloth, lint free, highly absorbent and washable. General application is for extracting suspended soiling or for spreading hydrator, fatliquor or protector. It is used for both dye and topcoat padding for smooth leathers.
3 inch Poly-Brush (1 pc)
This is a dense foam that resists tearing and shredding and carries more material. It has a solid wood handle that allows greater control for quality results. It is used for controlling and spreading fatliquor for a more even distribution.