koppelburger- Nubuck sofas

roger,
We are going to try and restore these nubuck sofas. The client tried working on the this himself and sanded and scrubbed the back cushion too aggressively and turned the area into suede and made it darker than everything else. The rest of the seat cushions and smooth and developing a shine, they look more like aniline.

We deep cleaned and tried restoring the cushions, but we cannot get it as dark as the area that looks like suede and the customer would like it at least that dark. We have used Degrease 2.2 multiple times,cleaned, hydrated, fatliquored dried and erased. If you have other suggestions we would appreciate your opinion. All cushions have zippers so we have been able to work from the back side too.

I'm sending a swatch so we can order dye.

Attachment 9931
5-11A

Attachment 9932
5-11B Sofa with spot on back

Attachment 9933
5-11C Close up of suede spot

Attachment 9934
5-11D Close up of bottom cushion

These pictures are after cleaning

Attachment 9935
5-11E

Attachment 9936
5-11F

Attachment 9937
5-11G Close up of spot

Attachment 9938
5-11H Close up of cushion with original swatch

Attachment 9939
5-11I Showing original color next to suede spot

Attachment 9940
5-11J Closeup of worse bottom cushion

>>> If you have other suggestions we would appreciate your opinion.

It would be recommended that the appearance is less contrasting before dyeing, otherwise, too much dye has to make up the difference. Your customer may used a solution that is alkaline that browns the leather, try lighten the color appearance by using this system:

LeatherProCleaner-1.5 (this cleaner has a pH value of 1.5) follows with Acidifier-2.0 (pH value of 2.0). Hydrate with Hydrator-3.3 (pH value 3.3) and fatliquor with Fatliquor-5.0 (pH value 5.0). Let it slow dry for suppleness and when perfectly dry for inspection, otherwise treat with a redox (reduction-oxidation) reagent like VachettaBrowningRemover-2.8. If the darkening effect is due to alkaline overexposure the color will be reduced when it is dry. Let see your step in pictures for easy trouble-shooting.

>>> The rest of the seat cushions and smooth and developing a shine, they look more like aniline.

Use a 320grit on an oscillating sander to correct and create new naps.