[Aquakleen Restoration Services]

Can this suite be cleaned? I dont think it can, just making sure by running it past you boys first!

[Shaun_Ashmore]

Why not?

have you done your tests on it?

If water pearls on it then I would (ok not professional but you could micro scope it if you know what to look for) if not you are looking at restoration of aniline or simular.

I have a wax pull up aniline style and I clean it down and apply a coloured balm then buff it up and it really does look brilliant Ltt don't like coloured balms but furniture clinic do and it works for me but you are looking at half a day and about £30ish of products.

Shaun

[LTT Leathercare]

It is alwasy difficult to tell from photos. 

It is always important to do the 5 step leather ID process as this will give you all the information you need about the type of leather and the correct cleaning process to use  It may have a finish on this leather (many of them do these days) and the amount of finish it has will dictate the amount of cleaning you can do.

If it absorbs moisture (turns dark when you apply cleaning foam) then, although you can clean it, the results will probably not be as good as you want.  Always use a foam cleaner as this will also give you more chance of removing surface soiling, as the foam will last longer on the surface.  Don't forget that the seating areas will react differently to testing than other areas.  Liquid cleaners (applied neat or with a trigger spray) will soak into this type of leather taking any soiling with it and so will have less cleaning affect.

Balms (we have them too) are used on pigments as they are pigment based products. Pull Up leathers (which this may or may not be) should not be treated with pigments as this will change the nature of the leather which your customer would not appreciate I'm sure.

If this is a Pull Up style leather (or another aniline style leather) then it will be absorbent and can be restored very easily using aniline dyes (the process is very straight forward) and this will not alter the leather - also gives the wow factor.

This type of leather should always be protected as this will help inhibit dirt and body oils from soaking in.  It also makes it far easier to clean (if a good quality protector is used - some work better than others)  It will also help to inhibit fading.

If you need any further advice feel free to give us a ring on 01423 881027

Cheers
Judy

[Shaun_Ashmore]

I have a way pull up leatehr suite and have applies Grison to it twice and the finish has been spectacular and never changed its appearance.

I do think it depends on how faded the colour is but once a year I do the main areas as 1 particular area gets heavily used if it was faded further I would look at redyeing but then you can mix that too dark! remember the one Mike brought to you? it did look spectacular but some areas were darker than others what balms do is allow you to fade in with no detriment.

Shaun 

[LTT Leathercare]

Yes but they are pigments not dyes.  OK to use on your own suite but not on a customers. 

There are very few true 'Pull Up's on the market as most now have a finish of some sort on them. 
A true Pull Up would definitely be changed with a balm.

The one we did with Mike needed more time to blend properly with the correct finishes which would have also given it more wearability.

[Shaun_Ashmore]

Not sure how it can change anything because my suite has gone back to its original colour, it hasn't coated the leather like pigmented it seems to have been polished in and then I rub the excess off so leaving the colour in the grain and the balm comes off on my cloth, I buff until you can feel smoothness also like shoe polish there is no colour transfer when I sit on it.

Shaun

[Ian Rochester]

John,

Where is it?  Give me a call and the next time we're passing I'll have a look at it.

[Aquakleen Restoration Services]

It is in Gosforth Ian. Your more than welcome to it if you want it. Think ill walk from this one! You have my number?