[Steve Chapman]

Hi all,

Have done a few leather colour repair jobs, but this one i have to do next week is a 2 tone pigment where the top coat has been removed with some water and washing up liquid.

Hopefully I can attach a picture.

There doesnt seem to be any finish to the leather and so was wondering whether i should just go for prep and a brown coat of pigment or whether i should also put some finish on to lock it in,

How stable would just putting the pigment on be ?  -  It feels like its not enough to give a long lasting repair?

Regards
Steve
 

[Steve Chapman]

Cant seem to upload a picture 

Anyway its a dark brown mottled effect sofa with a light tan base coat, with the tan base coat showing through !

Steve

[Shaun_Ashmore]

Yes this is quite a common problem Steve, the 'base colour' most likely will have a finish applied but then the 2nd colour is applied but not sealed and easily removed pretty poor idea IMO.

Shaun

[Steve Chapman]

Ok thanks Shaun,

So am I better of not prepping it too much and just replacing the top coat and leaving it at that ?

Thanks
Steve

[Neil Williams]

I would still attempt a clean first just incase there are any oily/greasy areas, then apply top coat to best copy what is currently in place, then seal it.

[LTT Leathercare]

You will need to identify whether it is a pigment two tone or a tinted finish.  If it is a pigment and you use pigments to repair you will need to add finish particularly if you are using acrylic pigments rather than polyurethane ones which tend to stick better.
If  the two tone has been created with a tinted finish (a finish with colour in it which tend to be less stable than the pigment ones) you will need to use a tinted finish to do the repair.  This is a finish in it's own right so there will be no need to add another finish.
The trick will be in replicating the top coat that is there with just the right amount of base coat showing through.
Hope this helps
Let me know if you need further help
Cheers
Judyb

[Steve Chapman]

Ok thanks for that Judy,

will have another inspection and see, it seems very unstable to come off with just wiping it ?

Thinking it must be a tinted finish as it doesnt seem to have any discernible top finish on it.

Would it hurt to top coat and then finish it anyway for added durability?

Regards
Steve

[LTT Leathercare]

Some of the finishes are very unstable and we have seen many come off with just water. 
A tinted finish will always be more unstable than a clear coat finish

Putting a finish on will always make the leather more useable for your customer but the finish type is important as putting a pigment on a tinted finish will look completely wrong.

Hope this helps
Judyb