[Geoff Jewkes]

Very true

[LTT Leathercare]

Unfortunately it isn't true. 

Whatever has been done to the leather it needs rehydrating with moisture.  Leather breathes and absorbs all the time and so it can absorb moisture which is what it requires.

Yes you are cleaning off the surface but you do need to protect the finish and inhibit it from absorbing body oils and the like which will be very detremental the leather itself.

Anilines are less likely to clog up on the surface than pigments.  If you use oils and waxes on a pigment suite it clogs up the finish and then it cannot allow moisture in which is when it dries out and cracks.

There has been a bigger increase in aniline style leathers on the market and we are dealing with them all the time, it is totally unnecessary to walk away from them and is actually where the money can be made.  They are easy to deal with.

[vangaurd]

well said paul,
i reccomend furniture clinics   protection cream good product,
and good value


'

[*paul_moss]

Anilines are not at all easy to clean and are very hard to deal with.
Most customers will only call you when the leather is very soiled and they cant deal with it them selves.A mildly dirty aniline is very difficult to clean if atall possible to get a satisfatory finish,and usually needs to be recoloured with a pigment.Then is comes pigmented  .

Regarding finishes,any finishes need rehydrating or moisturising so they dont dry out,but the finish cant clog up as it has no pores, it is a solid surface.

Its like a piece of wood that has been painted or varnished,when you clean it you are treating the finish not the wood, very similar. And as for the need for leather to breath, hey its dead  :

[LTT Leathercare]

Paul

Anilines can be restored very easily with aniline dyes and do not need to be pigment coated.  Yes they do not clean very easily but the restoration process is very simple and can bring them back looking like new.

All pigment coatings on leather (this does not include bicast) has to be porous that is the way they are made, ring a tannery and ask.  If they were not porous and were a solid coating how does body oil get through the finish into the leather?  It does not break down the finish until it has filled up the back of the leather so therfore must be absorbed inside.

[Mike Roper]

It never ceases to amaze me how someone does a days course and suddenly know everything about leather . It makes them look a bit of a plonker when trying to debate with someone who does actually know what their talking about.
Mike

[*paul_moss]

Yes anilne can be restored by which you mean redyed.
That is not cleaning them.
Alls you are doing is masking over the problem area in a darker colour.
Aniline will also darken in high used/soiled areas and can only be redyed upwards with aniline dyes which are very easy to just rub in.

Body oils or any fluids ( including water as this is also a chemical) that are left on or worn into a finish will eventully break it down over time and then get into the leather.
It depends on the thickness of the finish and pigment and also the age.
Again none of this is rocket science its just common sence to any cleaner with some experience.

[*paul_moss]

Mike
I have been dealing with leather for years.
I attended the day course to accompany my wife as she wanted to go on it as well as vist furniture clinics premises.
The only plonker here is you as your the only one with out the facts 

[NigelD]

Leathers are not all the same.
So ignore those  that protect with Promite, they've either ripped the customer off or have no no knowledge
there are differences in leather, those that think they are all the same, ignore them
you need to understand those differences, when you do you can treat the problem honestly.

Nigel

[Mike Roper]

Paul
My mistake , please accept my apologies
Mike

[*paul_moss]

Mike no probs.
And please accept my apologies also.

[NigelD]

I apologise for the tone of my post.
It does seem harsh.

Nigel

[carpetguy]

Nigel

Sound like you are in a pulpit and have extensive knowledge of the cleaning industry'

There are many carpet and upholstery cleaners, who have learned from experience, that there is more than one way to skin a cat.

Just because you have been taught a particular method of doing something, doesn't mean it's the only, or correct, or best method.

You have a classic conflict of views going on here, with heels being dug in and "no winners"
as many have trained with one outfit and feel confident in their  knowledge and new found expertise.

Then, we have the new kid on the block, in the form of a client who believes his man to be " the man "and slaggs of the establishment.

I have to confess, that I don't know whose truth, is the reality,or whether they are just teaching the same thing, but using different words.

There is no need for the attacks on credibility, or is there.

I have a friend, about to attend one of the training sessions, so I will probably attend the other, then we can compare notes and I'll find out what a lousy and crooked operator I've been for the past 16 years and will have to stop using the products which have given me a huge percentage of repeat clients

robbie

[NigelD]

Robbie,

Hence my apology. Shouldn't post a the end of a frustrating day. 

Nigel

[carpetguy]

Hi Nigel

I notice you're from the old capital of shoe making.

One of the things I learned about Promite, was it's excellent proofing qualities, so much so, that it was re labelled by a leading retailer and used to waterproof shoes

robbie

[Dave_Lee]

I agree, I use it to re-proof my mountaineering jackets and  some overspray landed on our concrete drive, a couple of months ago. Rain still beads and pools up on it.
Dave.

[NigelD]

Robbie,

You learn something new, I'll try it on my sofa and see what happens.

By the way, what did they call it for shoes?

Maybe some of m customers will remember it 

Nigel

[carpetguy]

Don't know what it was called, it was in aerosols and I think it was Stimson or Simpson, are they still around.

You can get it from Alltec

I use it and have always found it to be a good product

robbie