[davep]

Bit vague i know  but would i get anywhere using leather balm on this chair? (Pine Green)

Ta,

Dave.

[LTT Leathercare]

The pigment has worn away to the leather underneath and will need replacing.  Balms or colours of this sort will not repair this problem although some may make it look better.  It is a two tone leather (ie one colour on top of another),or at least it looks like it on this photo though sometimes it is not easy to tell from photos and balm type products will make the area look very different from the rest as they are only a one colour application. 
We have tried balms to replace two tone colours where the top colour has come off and these simply do not cure the problem.

To fully repair you would need to use a restoration pigment and refinish.  There may be a need to fill some of the damage (it is difficult to tell from the photos) and this is always a bit tricky on seat panels as it may not last due to the constant flexing.  The fact that it maybe a two tone also would make it more difficult to repair as replacing the two colours can be tricky if you are not used to doing it.

I would seriously consider carefully whether to take this job on as it looks well worn, may have grease in it and would be difficult to guarantee a lasting outcome, this is just from the photos, real life may be different!!! Panel replacement is always an option if the customer is very keen to keep the suite.

Hope this helps

[*paul_moss]

Dave it is a straight pigmented leather and not a two tone.
As the cushions are fixed you will need to do it on site. Balm will not do anyhing as it is too far gone,you will need to strip it right back then recolour and top coat. Also advise the customer that the grain pattern or most of it will be lost as it looks like a corrected ( embossed) grain.

[Joe H]

Photo quality not good - is that taken with a mobile phone or a proper camera?

Looks like a no lose situation - its real gone - which means you could not really make it worse.

get the owners written permission for you to work on this and have a go.

If I was doing a job like that I would want to take it away with me - if its a 3 piece suite, maybe take 2 chairs, and then the settee.

[Ben Staerck]

As Paul said it is too far gone for the balm.

Here is a guide on how to restore leather in that condition.

furnitureclinic-trade.co.uk/Furniture_Colour_Restoration.htm

[davep]

Ta everyone, its not for a customer but something i salvaged to practice on.  Yes its a phone pic Joe, sorry for the bad quality!

 

[LTT Leathercare]

This is a great idea and is the best way to learn what can and cannot be done, much better than practicing on someones sofa!!!!

If you want details of how to repair this sort of damage and restoration processes then by all means give us a ring and we can send you the details.

You can then test to see how long the results last which is always the key area.
By the way texture and grain pattern should never be compromised when doing a restoration process.  Pigments can be applied so that there is no loss of either.

Hope this helps and good luck with the practice.

[Joe H]

Ta everyone, its not for a customer but something i salvaged to practice on. 

Yes its a phone pic Joe, sorry for the bad quality!

Excelant Dave, that will give you good bit of practice and as you already "own it" you can experimant too.

I find mobile phone pics in many cases are not up to stndard of a good digi camera. Just a point for us all to remember when posting for others to voice an opinion.

[davep]

True, just need to find my charger!

[carpet guy]

You have a horse ?

[*paul_moss]

Dave great one to try.
My advice would be to go with Furniture clinic and use bens step by step guide and products as you will not only find them better but also half the price of his competitors

[Shaun_Ashmore]

Furniture Clinic stuff is easy to use and great back up, you will find them to be more teachy then preachy!

Shaun

[stevegunn]

Send a swatch to furniture clinic and you will have it next working day

[*paul_moss]

Oh and Dave you will also find that Ben knows the difference between two tone and straight pigment leather 

[Mike Osbourne]

Now now Paul. 

[davep]

Now i didn't want to start another fight   

Yuck yuck 

[LTT Leathercare]

Dave

When using photos for asking for advice this can only be given on what the photos tell us.  Many times the pixelation on the photo can give a two tone effect to the leather but on recolouring and repair jobs it is always crucial to know what you are dealing with.  Always check the leather with a microscope before you do anything else.  Some finishes can be very subtle two tones and not visible to the naked eye.

Remember that grain pattern and texture should never be compromised when doing a restoration job. This is often caused by incorrect application or wrong product use.

Price comparison of products can only ever be done on like for like products.  Furniture Clinic and LTT restoration products are very very different both in product, application and results so should never be compared simply on price.

Try both on each half of the sofa and see what the difference is (both in terms of ease of application and results).  We can mix a colour for it if required.

Good repair and restoration work hinges on good assessment of the problem together with meticulous preparation and re finishing.  This will always give the best results, shortcuts generally lead to problems.

Restoration of leather can always be made to look good but it is how long it will last looking good that is the key otherwise you will end up owing the customer a new suite!!!!!!!

Hope all this helps
Get in touch if you need any further help or advice.

[stevegunn]

I don't think anyone just compares products on price alone it would be foolish to do so damaging your companies reputation if doing a poor job because of the quality of products used,results are what counts.

In my opinion I get a better result using ultra clean than I did using maxi cleaner.The service is far superior at furniture clinic as colours are matched and delivered next working day,with ltt it took over 2 weeks.

[LTT Leathercare]

Steve
When did you last have a colour mixed with us?  Certainly not recently.  Most go out within a day.
As you know all our colour mixing is done by eye and so takes a little longer as we have never found a machine that gives consistent results.  The last one we used (recently) gave only 4 out of 10 useable colours.

Maxi Cleaner is the strongest detergent cleaner there is that is safe to use on leather and this is always used with caution as it is so strong. Generally it is only used for dye transfer or stubborn staining.  It has recently been reformulated so may be not the same as the one you had Steve.

Every cleaning job is different and everyone has thier own preferences.

[davep]

Thanks for everyones advice, will take it all on board.  Good point about the camera Judy.  Paul tip me off if you are doing any leather work soon i can tag along please