Leather couch wear and color issues

Couch is aniline or possibly semi aniline

>>> Couch wear
The degree of wear may range from topcoat to colorcoat to the leather grain itself and is rectified accordingly.

>>> Color issue
Sun fading will lightens up the dyestuff.
Diminishing fatliquor (fat and oils) will also lessen the color intensity.
Diminishing the secondary wax pull-up effect will also lessen the color intensity and lose its natural waxy sheen.
Where the topcoats wear out will also dulls the appearance.

So, leather finishes identification need confirmation prior to rectify the color and wear issue - the main objective is to restore back to its originality.

Will need further information to confirm leather finishes.

1st - Check if you see any label beneath the cushion for finishes types.
2nd - Yes it is aniline, but need to confirm if this is a Wax Pull-up, by pulling or stretching on hidden areas to see if the pull-up effect exist. Will need more pictures at a distance comparing used and unused otherside cushion to determine.

Attachment 9630
Roger Koh
Leather, Skin, Hair, Eye & Acne Care System Formulator
Consultant / Practitioner / Instructor / Coach
web: www.leatherdoctor.com
forum: www.leathercleaningrestorationforum.com
email: [email protected]

I have taken additional photos.
There are no labels on the cushions to indicate finish type.
The unused leather is even colored and much lighter in color than where there has been body contact. The second picture shows the back of the bottom cushion where the back portion of the cushion has been protected under the back cushion is is much lighter than the rest othe cushion.
The only portion of the couch which has lightened is one arm that has had a lot of sun exposure.
On the unused leather, water DOES NOT darken the leather and there is no pull up effect on stretching or pinching the leather. Water does darken the leather on the worn sections.

>>> and there is no pull up effect on stretching or pinching the leather.

Attachment 9635
http://www.leatherdoctor.com/kit-a6-...finishing-kit/

Take a look at this Kit-A6.tc with its standard instructions. We can discuss what applies in your particular situation if you express continuous interest.

Leather Doctor® Kit A6.tc, aniline leather topcoat refinishing kit is designed for topcoat repairs from friction wear, accidental scratch, scuff and abrasion to deteriorating greasy sweat stains. These topcoat damages are identified as white, dull or darkening stain from bare body contacts. Accidental whitish damages in most cases are free of soiling and direct AnilineTop-21G (AnilineTop-76G is a heavy-duty option) application within between dry sanding rectifies most damages. Repairs to topcoat from daily wears that dull will require degreasing to remove penetrated rub-in soiling prior to topcoat application in a sequence process including Degreaser-2.2 follows with Rinse-3.0; Hydrator-3.3 follows with Fatliquor-5.0 prior to topcoat application. In a greasy and sweaty topcoat damaged areas especially to the headrest and armrest, deep degreasing is essential follows with Acidifier-2.0 to stabilize the hydrogen bonding between the protein fibers with the other leather constituent like the tanning agent, dyestuff and fatliquor. This deep degreasing process is assisted by leather Eraser-4 in both the wet and dry cleaning process to remove soiling particulates off the leather surface. Hydrator-3.3 helps in the colloidal water movement bringing suspended soiling particulates to resurface through a dwelling and wicking process. Fat and oil are replenished by Fatliquor-5.0 in an emulsion form to penetrate into the leather structure. Once the fat and oil is hydrogen bond with the protein fiber, the water content breaks free leaving breathing space for natural transpiration. The fat plumps the leather with fullness preventing the leather structure from collapsing during compressing and flexing while the oil lubricates the fiber from sliding smoothly over one another like millions of connecting hinges. Protector-B imparts a non-stick, rub-resistant surface with a buttery feel helps reduce friction wear to the topcoat and extended a high level of appearance for a longer period of time. When the leather is contaminated with foreign soiling, it is essential to look at topcoat refinishing in a holistic approach. Note that the cleaning and rejuvenating products suffix denotes its pH value in this leather-safe aniline leathers topcoat refinishing system. This kit is packed with concentrates in the bottle to save on shipping rates, thus it will need to be cut or mix with distilled water prior to use.

Kit Options:

Topcoat Application – Heavy-AnilineTop-76G has a higher solid content for building up a gloss luster faster than the AnilineTop-21G.

Topcoat Size – self-explanatory.

Topcoat Refinishing Instruction:

Leather Doctor Kit-A6.tc Wet Process is a continuous system that includes the working sequence of Degreaser-2.2 > Acidifier-2.0 > Rinse-3.0 > Hydrator-3.3 > Fatliquor-5.0. The leather is at a continuous wet stage of about 25% total moisture measured with a moisture meter or wipes with a cotton terry towel until it is dry through the product applications. It is then left to slow natural dry and when almost dry a little stretching to dry produces the softest leather, in terms of suppleness and strength. The dry process begins with Eraser-4 to remove wick-up surface residues. AnilineTop-76G is applied with foam brush, varnishing brushes, padding or by airbrushing. Recommend that a little practice on a piece of leather scrap to familiar with characteristics prior to actual application. Sand2000 may be an option to use in-between coatings. Sanding on the leather crust alone is not recommended. Protector-B/B+ is the end of the Dry Process.

Degreasing: Removing of surface and penetrated grease is essential for a good bonding topcoat, just like any other refinishing work base on the same principle. However, amphoteric protein leather material is especially pH-sensitive, leather pH value of 3 to 5 should be maintained at all time during the degreasing process. Otherwise, high pH value bleeds the dyestuff and displaced it with blotchiness. High pH or alkalinity degreaser denatures the leather when the tanning agents leaches out result in tackiness and in worst case sliminess. All degreasing process will also dry up the original fatliquor to a degree and high pH value does more harm in drying up the leather. When degreasing existing cracks or dried leathers of fatliquor contents below 7% (read with a leather moisture meter), it is recommended that hydrating it with Hydrator-3.3 prior to Fatliquor-5.0 first to top-up the fatliquor content up to the original 14% prior to degreasing. This pre leather rejuvenating helps prevent over-drying of the leather during the degreasing process that may accentuate or magnifies existing cracks. Degreaser-2.2 is a dual-purpose formulation with a pH value of 2.2 to safely degreasing the leather surface and penetrated soiling, while charging the protein fiber ionic positive (+ve) below its iso electric-point or pH neutral or pI for an increase hydrogen bonding with the other ionic negative (-ve) leather constituents like the tanning agents, dyestuff and fatliquor. Instruction . . . 1- Apply Degreaser-2.2 after shaking it well, saturating sufficiently where apparent body contact soiling is evident and feather out to less body contact soiling areas. 2- Leather Eraser-4 is used for better traction without the risk of scratching the finishes. 3- Horsehair Brush-1 is used for stitching rows, welting, groves, creases, and wrinkles, 4- Emulsified and suspended soiling is extracted with a dry cotton terry towel until it shows clean.

pH-Balancing: Dye bleeding and or tackiness during the wet cleaning process manifested from unknown previous cleaning will need further pH-balancing with Acidifier-2.0. With a pH-2.0 treatment, the amphoteric leather protein fiber will increase its ionic positive (+ve) charge in relation to the other ionic negative (-ve) leather constituents, restoring its pH chemistry integrity. Instruction . . . 1- Apply Acidifier-2.0, let dwell and before it dries towel extracted. 2- Towel is check for signs of bleeding and surface check for tackiness. 3- Advanced treatment is allowed for a longer dwell with control plastic covering and inspect for satisfaction thereafter.

Rinsing: Rinsing ensures a residue-free surface. Instruction . . . 1- Apply Rinse-3.0 agitates with Eraser-4 and Brush-1 and terry towel extract until the towel shows clean.

Hydrating: Hydrating is introducing the leather-safe surface-active agent to penetrate, relax and separate the stick together fibers from locking up shrunk, creases and wrinkles stiffness. The leather may dwell up to 72hrs while seal with plastic cling wrapper to control evaporation until the leather is plumped or limped or softened to be stretch or manipulated crosswise to satisfaction. Instruction . . . 1- Apply Hydrator-3.3 for an even appearance and fully saturated to relax out the leather structure to satisfaction. 2- When leather is almost dry or about 25% total moisture content Fatliquor-5.0 replenishing commences.

Fatliquoring: Fatliquoring is the process of replenishing original fatliquor content up to its formal tannery standard of 14% when dry. The fat and oil encased water molecule when ionic attracted by the protein leather fiber breaks free and evaporates leaving breathing space for natural leather transpiration to take place for seating comfort. The fat plumps the leather for fullness when dry and the oil lubricates the millions of interconnecting like hinges for suppleness without cracking when the leather is flexed from used. Instruction . . . 1- Apply Fatliquor-5.0 and spread for an even appearance until fully saturated. 2- Before the leather is completely dry or about 25% moisture level more is applied until saturated again. 3- When dry for use, the leather moisture content may be read with a leather moisture meter or an equivalent moisture meter to about 14%.

Fatliquor-Free Surfacing: Surface Fatliquor-5.0 residue if any is removed with Hydrator-3.3 driving all surface residues below surface. Remember that Fatliquor-5.0 is a structural conditioner and not suppose to remain on the surface. Instruction . . . 1- Surface is sprayed with Hydrator-3.3 and work with horsehair Brush-1 until cloudy moisture if any turns clear.

Topcoating: AnilineTop-21/76G is a waterbased polyurethane topcoat that is lightfast and non-yellowing. It has excellent flow and leveling properties, recoatable and forms a flexible film coat that gives good performing results from friction wear. Instruction . . . 1- Application is either with foamBrush-3, Towel-5 or fine airbrushing to produce professional results. 2- Streaking or drippings if any is immediately corrected with a lint-free towel like Towel-5. 3- Sanding with a 2000grit in between coats improves the feel and touch of the finishes. 4- Gloss builds up with additional coatings.

Protection: Protector-B is a non-film forming, non-stick scentless (optional Protector-B+ for a classic leather scent) protector that enhances a natural buttery-feel. It imparts a non-stick breathable barrier 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. Instruction . . . 1- Shake well, mist spray and spread evenly with a foam brush. The leather is ready for use when dry.

Does the topcoat come in various sheens? I want to go with a satin sheen not high gloss. Also how much will the 120 ml size cover? I have love seat and couch arm rests, seat cushions and backs to do.

>>> Does the topcoat come in various sheens?

Yes AnilineTop-76 comes in gloss and satin


>>> I want to go with a satin sheen not high gloss.

If you want to have a satin sheen then use AnilineTop-21G (this is the standard gloss which is lower than AnilineTop-76G a heavy-duty).
It may sound confusing, but the level of gloss will depends on the layers you add on.

The satin version is for hiding some impurities and not to bring up the imperfection of the leather.

Always start with AnilineTop-21G, and if it is too gloss, you can further adjust with AnilineTop-21S (satin).


>>> Also how much will the 120 ml size cover? I have love seat and couch armrests, seat cushions and backs to do.

Start with a 250ml, coverage will depend on the absorbency of the leather and also how many layers you wish to achieve your desired level of gloss.

Okay and one last question. Can i expect to get any of the dark areas to lighten up back towards original color ?

>>> Can i expect to get any of the dark areas to lighten up back towards original color ?

Dark areas are mostly absorbed body oil, grease and sweat below surface and will take detail de-greasing with Degreaser-2.2 > Acidifier-2.0.

Most of the surface is possible damaged and also need to rectified once the grease contamination is removed.

See more standard details here:

http://www.leatherdoctor.com/degreaser-2-2/