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will01

  • Posts: 256
Leather Chair problem
« on: December 09, 2012, 02:49:31 pm »
Hi Guys....

I have a problem with a leather armchair I've been asked to partially restore (Headrest).

For all intents and purposes it looked like head grease but now I'm not so sure...

After cleaning I applied some leather degreaser gel over the area but the dark stain is still as pronounced as it was pre degreasing....

When you rub your hand over it it feels slightly rough and not as flexible as the surrounding leather.....

I plan to apply leather colourant after alcohol cleaning and leather prep and then apply some satin fnish but am dubious about doing this incase it is stubborn head grease

Any advice would be appreciated

thanks

Re: Leather Chair problem
« Reply #1 on: December 09, 2012, 03:43:18 pm »
Do you know what type of leather it is?
Have you looked at it through a microscope?
Did you apply degreaser and leave it long enough to turn to powder?
If it turns to a white powder without any trace of brown in it (grease) then that's it as far as getting the grease out goes. Remember is strong enough to remove some of the colourant from the leather too.
If it's gone rough then the chances are it's starting to delaminate which means removing as much of the loosened coating as it will allow, clean, sand it down smooth, leather prep to remove all the top coating (the whole panel) and then build back up with the correct colour, recoat with suitable finish, apply protector cream.

Shaun_Ashmore

  • Posts: 11382
Re: Leather Chair problem
« Reply #2 on: December 09, 2012, 06:50:26 pm »
No guarantee it's all leather some parts could be leather, some bicast, plastic you need to know what you are dealing with first.

Shaun

Re: Leather Chair problem
« Reply #3 on: December 09, 2012, 10:55:23 pm »
I love the way some ask for advice, people respond but there's no comment back afterwards from the person asking the question.
Won't bother in future

LTT Leathercare

  • Posts: 886
Re: Leather Chair problem
« Reply #4 on: December 10, 2012, 08:31:47 am »
As yet we have not found a gel degreaser that works well enough to remove grease before recolouring.  If you recolour and there is still grease present then the pigments/finishes will not cure so it is essential to get all the grease out first.  Grease can damage the finish and often leaves a rough surface if it as started to break it down.
Check carefully with a microscope to find out exactly what you are dealing with before beginning any job.
If you want any further help do not hesitate to I've us a ring we are always happy to help.
Judyb
http://www.lttleathercare.co.uk
Leather Consultant to the Furniture and Cleaning Industry
Leather Cleaning, Care and Restoration products and services
AMU
IICRC (LCT)
NCCA
SLTC

Paul Moss

  • Posts: 2296
Re: Leather Chair problem
« Reply #5 on: December 10, 2012, 08:45:12 am »
If you look at the picture you will see that it is a lightly pigmrnted and topcoated tan leather, and very good quality too. I have seen these badly damaged many times by customers and pooe techs trying to remove the grease.
You need to be very good and knowledgeable to tackle this one other wise you will easily damn it up.
As Judy says they have not got a degreser for this and neither has any of the other suppliers. You need to be able to get the degreaser at both sides of the leather to strip all the grease out. Dont use the solvent based degreasers as you will need to treat this a few times and they will just end up breaking the leather down.

I have come across this problem many times and it took a few years to come up with the correct compound to extract the grease out safely and be able to apply the paint and top coats which then fully cure out as normal.

LTT Leathercare

  • Posts: 886
Re: Leather Chair problem
« Reply #6 on: December 10, 2012, 09:58:10 am »
We do have a degreaser that will tackle this ??? - it is just not a gel which do not do the job properly.  Solvent (aerosol) degreasers are fine to use on this problem and ones that are produced by factories with years of scientific testing will not damage the leather.  If you can get to both sides it does help.

We have tackled many of these but it is not something to do if you have not had correct training to do the job. 
Hope this helps
Judyb
http://www.lttleathercare.co.uk
Leather Consultant to the Furniture and Cleaning Industry
Leather Cleaning, Care and Restoration products and services
AMU
IICRC (LCT)
NCCA
SLTC

Paul Moss

  • Posts: 2296
Re: Leather Chair problem
« Reply #7 on: December 10, 2012, 12:17:30 pm »
 ;D ;D

LTT Leathercare

  • Posts: 886
Re: Leather Chair problem
« Reply #8 on: December 10, 2012, 03:38:55 pm »
Good to speak to you - happy to help as always - hope the job goes well
Cheers
Judyb
http://www.lttleathercare.co.uk
Leather Consultant to the Furniture and Cleaning Industry
Leather Cleaning, Care and Restoration products and services
AMU
IICRC (LCT)
NCCA
SLTC

will01

  • Posts: 256
Re: Leather Chair problem
« Reply #9 on: December 10, 2012, 03:41:19 pm »
Many thanks Judy....



Paul Moss

  • Posts: 2296
Re: Leather Chair problem
« Reply #10 on: December 10, 2012, 06:47:58 pm »
I will put alot of money onthe customer calling you back after xass  ;D

robert meldrum

  • Posts: 1984
Re: Leather Chair problem
« Reply #11 on: December 10, 2012, 08:27:00 pm »
I thought bicast which has had a pen or similar mark and some one has vigorously rubbed the top coat away while attempting to solve a minor problem, but thats from looking on my laptop !




LTT Leathercare

  • Posts: 886
Re: Leather Chair problem
« Reply #12 on: December 15, 2012, 12:59:05 am »
Turned out to be a Bicast probably one of the first ones due to its age so the finish had been broken down by body oils.  Hope the solution works and the customers are happy.

Cheers
Judyb
http://www.lttleathercare.co.uk
Leather Consultant to the Furniture and Cleaning Industry
Leather Cleaning, Care and Restoration products and services
AMU
IICRC (LCT)
NCCA
SLTC

Phil @ Extreme Clean

  • Posts: 1296
Re: Leather Chair problem
« Reply #13 on: December 15, 2012, 12:47:02 pm »
Hi could you tell me what will get water stains out of Aniline thanks.
Extreme Clean
Carpets to DRY For!!!!!

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