[Len Gribble]

While at a job to day, I was approached by a next-door neighbour regarding his leather suit and asked if I could I help, he explained the situation that wife hair is marking the leather he has used the products supplied by the shop (still under guarantee) to clean it but it looks no different

As I don’t do this type of cleaning my first thought grab a terry towel the dye transfer was very evident, has any one any recommendations/suggestion as I promised to call back Monday

Len

[Shorty]

Len, if it is a pigmented leather, and you can remove the filling, via a zip, you may be lucky.

Remove the cushion from the suite, if possible, undo the zip and remove the filling, be it dacron or whatever.

Turn the cushion inside out.

The next steps are best carried out, outside, or in a well ventilated area.

I always carry a small table to work on.

Heat the offending area with a hair dryer.
(This will soften the oils, and allow for easier transfer).

Spray on Leather Master Degreaser.
(This will go to a white powder nearly immediately).

Leave it on for about fifteen minutes, vacuum, wipe with a white towel, inspect and repeat.

It is very time consuming and should be charged for accordingly.

The reason for turning inside out, you have probably guessed, allows the offending material to be drawn to the back, instead of continually to the top face of the cushion.

CAUTION after replacing the filling, put your finger inside the cushion under the zipper. As you pull the zipper along, your finger will prevent any filling from getting caught in the zipper, which could possibly cause more damage.

Now get off to work you lazy blighter      

I'm just sitting back, sucking on a rum 'n coke, 5:30pm.

Cheers,

Shorty.

[Doug Holloway]

Len,

I've heard one of the microsplitters works well on leather but am not sure which one.

You could try Prochem Leather Cleaner but in my experience its o.k for general grime but not much good on stains.

As for colour transfer I've cleaned painted leather suites with some colour transfer with good results.It's a judgement thing.

Hope this helps,

Doug

[LTT Leathercare]

Len

It sounds as if you have a body oil or hair oil, possibly hair lacquer problem.  These are very difficult if not impossible to remedy without recourse to re-colouring or re-dyeing.

Cleaning or degreasing may remove some or all of the offending oils but will probably make the area 'look' worse and the client will then expect you to make it look better!!!

Body oils, hair oils etc. will have degraded the pigment finish or attached themselves to aniline dye stuffs and when you remove the offending oils they will pull out colour and present you with another problem, which I wouldn't recommend you tackle unless you have experience of leather re-finishing.

Shorty's advise about working from the inside is sound but from my own experience  colour loss is almost inevitable when degreasing even when pulling the grease out backwards.

You can look on our website for a technician in your area who may be able to help you.

This type of damage is the result of using incorrect products or methods of maintenance.  A good protection cream will inhibit this type of damage from building up in the first place.
Hope this helps

Regards
Judy

[Len Gribble]

Thanks for the feedback

Shorty and it’s only 5.30pm thought you started earlier.

Doug the first things I grabbed then put down when he mentioned Guarantee, and noted what company name on cleaning agent he was supplied with.

Judy your last paragraph is noted and will contact you Monday.

Len

[Harry]

Len, for what's worth, even for those who know how to refinish Leather, hair or other oils are the most difficult problem to run into because you can't get good ahesion of a new coat of pigment on an oily surface.