[will01]

Hello all:

A regular customer has just called me (Sunday I know) and asked me if I could clean a 28 year old soft cream leather suite she has just taken delivery of from her sister.

She informed me that she tried to clean it using fiary liquid but she noticed that although it looks cleaner some "of the shinyness had come off it leaving it duller in patches and more like fabric than leather"

I informed her that the fairy had probably stripped some of the finish of it hence the dull look..... I think what she was trying to say was can I recoat these patches for her.?

Now I am certainly no expert on leather and the few that I have done I have used prochem leather cleaner followed by conditioner with reasonable results. However these suites were not in the condition that this suite seems to be.

Is this a job I should walk away from and refer her to specialist or can this "finish" be purchased and applied by someone with a lot of fabric upholstery cleaning experience but limited leather cleaning experience (ie...ME!!).

Any advice would be greatly appreciated

Will

[LTT Leathercare]

The top finish can be replaced quite easily, BUT you have to be sure initially that this is the problem you are dealing with.

Shininess on an old leather can be caused just by wear and friction and it MAY be that with a good clean and protect (not condition) it will restore it back to its former glory.

It could also have been caused by previous cleaning products that have built up a layer on the surface, this may or may not have damaged the finish.

This is certainly a case where you need to diagnose the cause of the problems before you start to even clean it.

If it is now feeling like a fabric this can also be caused by long term use as it may have stripped the surface causing a 'nubuck' effect on the leather.  This is much more complex to resolve.

The suite may also need recolouring before refinishing which would need to be left to a leather technician. You can buy products off the internet for recolouring leather (some professional, some not) but without the correct instructions and knowledge for preparation and application it can go badly wrong and you are left with an expensive problem.  Not many professionals will be then willing to come in and correct your mistakes for obvious reasons. 



If we can be of help please contact us.

Regards
Judy

[stevegunn]

Leather finishing kits are available for diy from here

http://www.furnitureclinic.co.uk/Leather_Finish.htm

[LTT Leathercare]

The same applies for leather refinishing as for recolouring.  There are many products on the market for DIY but it is not recommended without proper instruction and knowledge. 

The processes of re finishing and re colouring are fairly  straightforward but without the proper diagnosis, preparation and method there is room for very costly mistakes (believe me we have rectified a lot). 

Come on one of our free courses and see what can be done!

Regards

Judy

[Len Gribble]

Judy

With the utmost respect! Think I’ve been down this road, would love too but which one? (lenpg@btinternet.com)

Len

[will01]

Thanx for replies

Will