Bicast - How to Solve the Tackiness/Stickiness Problem of this Bicast Leather Sofa?

Here are more pictures. The cushions are the only problem areas at this point; the rest of the couch is in perfect condition.

In the pictures you'll be able to see the dust and pattens from the clothing and blankets that recently stuck to the cushions. There is also a picture of the tag on the underside of the couch, in case that info. is helpful.

Based on the pictures, maybe you can advise us on whether or not Leather Scent B or D would be more appropriate? What are your thoughts in general?

- The stickiness is always present.. fabric sticks and imprints into the leather. We're wearing shorts in the summertime and I wonder if the oils from our skin are acidic.

- Cleaning has been done with a light spray of 10:1 diluted Murphy's oil soap on a micro fiber cloth and then wiped down. I tried a light application of Lexol leather conditioner once I noticed the seat issue, it didn't help and may have actually worsened the stickiness issue.

- Sofa is 10 years old.

- The location is very humid location in the Hudson river valley, in a 150 year old house. We use a dehumidifier to control the humidity,
but in the summer time it can feel like a losing battle.

#1
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#2
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#3
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#4
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#5
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#6
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#7
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#8
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- The stickiness is always present.. fabric sticks and imprints into the leather.
All sticky foreign contamination need be removed with either Prep-7.7 or 4.4

We're wearing shorts in the summertime and I wonder if the oils from our skin are acidic.
Leather structure and its finishes are more sensitive to alkaline than acidic, body contacts to leather comprise of oils and sweats. It is the sweat that contains traces of urea that when ferments with the natural bacteria from the atmosphere that shift alkaline, that does the damages to the leather finish. Acid tightens, alkaline swells; it is the swelling of the finishes that contributes to the stickiness.

- Cleaning has been done with a light spray of 10:1 diluted Murphy's oil soap on a micro fiber cloth and then wiped down.
The Murphy’s Oil Soap has a pH value of 10.4 to 11.6 (according to their MSDS) which most likely causes alkaline overexposure with swelling of the finishes. Its residues need be neutralized with a pH 2.0 Leather Acidifier.

- I tried a light application of Lexol leather conditioner once I noticed the seat issue, it didn't help and may have actually worsened the stickiness issue.
The lexol conditioner is not compatible with Bicast leather, it may have further lubricates the weakness of the finish swelling – its oily residue need to be completely removed with a Leather Prep-7.7 or 4.4 the safer version.

- Sofa is 10 years old.
But what’s the history, do stickiness problem started at year 1, 3, 5, 7 or 9. If it is just last year than it should be easily rectified knowing what went into the finish that causes the stickiness.

- The location is very humid location in the Hudson river valley, in a 150 year old house. We use a dehumidifier to control the humidity,
but in the summer time it can feel like a losing battle.
A high pH product’s residue when not neutralized will continue to work in the present of atmospheric moisture, thus contributing to the continuous stickiness problem.

Based on the pictures, maybe you can advise us on whether or not Leather Scent B or D would be more appropriate?
It would depend how the appearance turns out, hard to predict from here. Scent-D is developed for Bicast leathers so we shall still stick with D.

What are your thoughts in general?
This is the general sequence of process recommended and we shall take further assessments after step 3.

1] We shall use the leather-safe Prep-4.4 pH value 4.4 instead of the normal Prep-7.7 with a pH value of 7.7 for Bicast, since the surface may be too alkaline. This process will remove all foreign sticky residues with a horsehair brush agitation and lint-free towel extraction.

2] Remaining sticky residue would be removed by a pH 3.8 Leather Cleaner-3.8 with towel extraction until it shows clean.

3] It shall be rinse with Acidifier-2.0 (pH 2.0) until squeaky clean eliminating the stickiness if possible, otherwise it pH shall be reduce to pH 1.0 from the concentrate to ratio 1: 4 for further treatment.

This is where we shall view and decide the next move; either to abundant the project or continue to further refinish it.

4] Dry Prep – Fine dry sanding with 1200 to 1500 sanding grit to remove surface deterioration or weaker outer micron layer.

5] Re-topcoat with Topcoat-79Gloss.

6] Protect with the non-stick Leather Scent-D draggy-feel duller than the Scent-B with a buttery-feel; still its your choice!

Sounds like you have only 6 steps to overcome your problems or abundant after 3rd steps.

How do you want to go from here!

Roger Koh
[email protected]

Thanks very much, Roger, for this thorough reply. We'll be in touch about the products.

Best,
E. Hughes