Bicast - Chocolate Brown Natuzzi Sofa, Loveseat, and Chair - needing revival

We rescued this set off CL and want to revive and care for it properly.

Here are the issues that I can see


All pieces have a darkened color -pieces look black on the seating areas and arm rests, lack of suppleness on all high use areas. Generally dirty. Light scratches on fabric (where true color can be seen) shown in picture near where arm and back join


Attachment 964

Picture #1 - Some of the issues listed are on the other pieces as well as the one piece it is listed under.

CHAIR

Picture #2 - Rough on arms to, and top of seat (owner said it was near a window)

Attachment 966


Picture #3 - cracking on arm

Attachment 965


Picture #4 Cut (has irregular edges like a tear, not like a slice) on seat back

Attachment 967


LOVE SEAT - this piece is in the worst looking shape of the 3

Picture #5 - lint sticking

Attachment 963





Will finish LOVE SEAT and show SOFA in next post
Thanks
Cheryl

LOVE SEAT

Picture #6 - fabric impressions

Attachment 968

SOFA

Picture #7 - front of cushions cracking

Attachment 969

So glad I found this site.
Thanks for all your help so far, looking forward to your reply.
Cheryl

Before we begin discussion how to solve the mentioned problems, we need to know the leather finish types.

From the first picture, it looks like “Aniline”, but I could be wrong, it may be a “Bicast” or a “Semi-Aniline”.

Will need more pictures to positively identify it.

Turn the cushion on the un-used side and see if we can positively identify the finish types.

Please have some overall view too.

"we know the trees, now we need to know the forest".

Roger

Roger

The cushions are not detachable form the base. I hope these help...

CHAIR
Attachment 977

Chair front (chair laid on side)
Attachment 978

Side of cushion
Attachment 979

Picture #11 - LOVESEAT
Attachment 980
Attachment 981

LOVESEAT (continued)

Picture #13 - Between 2 cushions
Attachment 982

SOFA
Attachment 983

Sofa backside
Attachment 984

Picture #16 - Between 2 sofa cushions
Attachment 985

Thanks
Cheryl

Cheryl,

On the last picture, place a piece of wet cotton face pad and see if the color darkens after 5 minutes.

Show pictures

Roger

The area where the wet cotton pad was darkened and there is some residue on the pad. The area did not keep a wet feeling or stay darkened for an extended period of time. in the photo the darkend area in in the creases but it was initially a circle.
Attachment 998
Attachment 999

Thanks
Cheryl

I am more inclined to believe that this set is “Bicast” (laminated) leather from the pictures and absorbency test.

However, because of the peculiar problems as shown in some of the pictures, we will have to treat it as “Aniline” leathers instead.

Some of the peculiarities mentioned with pictures are:

Pictures #2 - Rough on arms to, and top of seat (owner said it was near a window)

Pictures 3 - cracking on arm

Pictures #7 - front of cushions cracking

The rest of the pictures are common bicast problems.

Therefore, we shall use this Aniline Leathers Problem Solving Guide instead.

http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/nn4/Rogerkoh/A.jpg
Leather-Safe Problem Solving Guide (A) – Aniline Leathers

Now, we shall run through the pictures and briefly go through what can be done.


Picture #1 - Some of the issues listed are on the other pieces as well as the one piece it is listed under.
This pictures shows the leather will require a restoration cleaning, besides there are scratches that will need color repairs as well.
Typical sequence of process involves:
1] Degreaser-2.2 > Rinse-3.0 (to remove foreign contamination)
2] Repairs scratches and color refinishing is an option with Aniline Dye-27 Antique Brown and Gloss Topcoat-79G.
3] Protection choice of B+ or D+

Picture #2 - Rough on arms to, and top of seat (owner said it was near a window)
This picture shows unusual condition, finish may have been completely damaged, and if it remains darker than the original color then the Antique “transparent” Dye-27 will not be able to camouflage it. Color intensity has to be darker than existing stains; perhaps Dark Brown may be ideal to solve the color evenness problem.
1] Degreaser-2.2 > Rinse-3.0 (to remove foreign contamination)
2] Tools to help in the removal will include horsehair Brush-1, leather Eraser-4 and sandpaper grit 1500/2000.
3] Color refinishing will depends on the outcome of the stains and color choice has to be able to hide or camouflage the stains.
4] Choice of Aniline Dye-27 > Topcoat-79G > Protection B+/D+.

Picture #3 - cracking on arm
This cracking of the leather will require rejuvenating for softness and strength follows with impregnation repairs.
1] Degreaser-2.2 > Rinse-3.0 (to remove foreign contamination)
2] Hydrator-3.3 > Fatliquor-5.0
3] Impregnator-26
4] Choice of Aniline Dye-27 > Topcoat-79G > Protection B+/D+.


Picture #4 Cut (has irregular edges like a tear, not like a slice) on seat back
This is structural repairs and it should be done after leather rejuvenating for suppleness.
1] Degreaser-2.2 > Rinse-3.0 (to remove foreign contamination)
2] Hydrator-3.3 > Fatliquor-5.0
3] Impregnator-26
4] Leather Bond-3D + Patch-4S
5] Choice of Aniline Dye-27 > Topcoat-79G > Protection B+/D+.

Picture #5 - lint sticking
Picture #6 - fabric impressions
These pictures show finish damage.
1] Degreaser-2.2 > Acidifier-2.0 (to remove foreign contamination)
2] Tools to help in the removal will include horsehair Brush-1, leather Eraser-4 and sandpaper grit 1500/2000.
3] Choice of Aniline Dye-27 > Topcoat-79G + Crosslinker-25 > Protection B+/D+.

Picture #7 - front of cushions cracking
This picture besides shows foreign contamination, the leather is dry of its original fatliquor that require replenishing.
1] Degreaser-2.2 > Rinse-3.0 (to remove foreign contamination)
2] Hydrator-3.3 > Fatliquor-5.0
3] Impregnator-26
4] Choice of Aniline Dye-27 > Topcoat-79G > Protection B+/D+.

Picture #11 – LOVESEAT
This picture shows wear to the finish into the leather.
1] Degreaser-2.2 > Rinse-3.0 (to remove foreign contamination)
2] Hydrator-3.3 > Fatliquor-5.0
3] Impregnator-26
4] Choice of Aniline Dye-27 > Topcoat-79G > Protection B+/D+.


Products mentions are found in this kit A6.dr with necessary add on.

http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/n.../KitA6dr-1.jpg
Leather Doctor® Kit A6.dr = Aniline Leather Care + pH Balance + Degreaser + Dyestuff + Topcoat

What do you think?

Roger Koh
[email protected]

Roger

If we treat it as Aniline and yet it truely is Bicast will the products work as intended or will I do more damage than good or get the intended revival results? I was also puzzled by the absorbency test.

The arms/top of back of the chair are also an area I want to be clear on as this is one of the determining factors right now. When I say they are rough they do not have a gritty texture, but seem tight and dry like beef jerky and not soft and smooth.


Thanks
Cheryl

Look at the Bicast Leather Problem Solving Guide; typically, they do not have structural problems like Stiffening. We are going to use a combination of both systems in this project.

http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/nn4/Rogerkoh/B.jpg
Leather-Safe Problem Solving Guide (B) – Bicast Leathers

A typical Bicast leather refinishing seldom would require Hydrator-3.3 > Fatliquor-5.0

[CENTER]http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/n...ducts/B7xt.jpg
Leather Doctor® Kit B7.xt


“The arms/top of back of the chair are also an area I want to be clear on as this is one of the determining factors right now. When I say they are rough they do not have a gritty texture, but seem tight and dry like beef jerky and not soft and smooth.”

I agree that we should solve this mystery problem from pictures #2, #3 & #7 as the test out before we go into refinishing.

The test work would include:

1] Degreaser-2.2 > Rinse-3.0 (to remove foreign contamination)
2] Tools to help in the removal will include horsehair Brush-1, leather Eraser-4 and sandpaper grit 1500/2000.
2] Hydrator-3.3 > Fatliquor-5.0 (to soften and strengthen the leather).

Roger Koh
[email protected]