[David williams]

hi guys. just want some advice on a leather sofa im thinking abut buying. do you think the dark staining would be easy to remove an restore. im a carpet cleaner but no some of you guys have put pics up of work you have done before with leather.

[robert meldrum]

Easy...................no

Expensive..........probably

Guessing it's aniline ( no protective top coat ) and the dark area is accumulated grease, in which case it might not be viable due to the cost.

[Joe H]

Looks like it could be a nice comfy settee, but like Robert says - head grease has got into it and will not be easy to get out for your average carpet cleaner who also does leather cleaning.

Someone will say its easy - but all things are............  when you have the skill.

[Neil Williams]

do you think the dark staining would be easy to remove an restore.

In principle it's easy, ie spraying on the correct de-greaser and then re-finishing the leather afterwards.
Trouble is that could take 3 or 4 visits just to degrease as each treatment takes a few hours to work.
If you think it's worth a few hundred pounds to get the end result is up to you.

[robert meldrum]

As added by Neil

It's the lobour cost that makes a lot of restoration work non viable, but, if you can take it away and work on it while doing other work at the same time, different story.

[Tony Gill Carpet Smart]

Worth doing if you are buying it for yourself Last time I was at LTT Andy was working on one just like that.
You could get a good result.

Cheers Tony

[Jim_77]

Also remember that there is actually more grease at the back of the leather than the surface.  It kind of soaks through and then gradually comes back up to the surface.  What you see is literally the tip of the iceberg.  If you can get to both sides the job is made a lot easier.

(I'm just relaying what I've read and been told, LTT will be able to give you the proper angle on this.)

[Mike Halliday]

does the back cushion detach off the suite? if so then send it to LTT or F/C and pay them to do it, its a specialist job you can't do it yourself

[Roger Koh]

Pictures show the before and after of degreasing aniline leathers and re-topcoating it.

Before


After


Roger Koh
Leather Doctor®

[roger underhill]

Unless you can do this yourself or know someone very local who can...
DO NOT BUY IT......you will only be disappointed.

[Tarmbo]

Aution houses often have used leather at very good price. Could I ask where you are? We have a couple of real experts locally in Lincoln if thats any help. Give me a shout if thats of any help.

[Ian Rochester]

David,

In answer to your questions

Should you buy it - NO

Is it restorable - YES, though it's not a two minute job

[Mike_Roper]

Another problem I can see if its always been in that conservatory is fading - especially along the back if the suns been on it. It could of turned white.
Mike

[David williams]

Thanks for all your advice guys. as i said leather cleaning and restoration is something ive never done before.
if i can get some more photos i will add some. im happy to have a go with it as for £75 its not worth spending to much to get a result. perhaps you could advise me on what products you use. oh based in herefordshire. not sure how long its been in the conservatory. but told its about 6 years old.
cheers
Dave

[Joe H]

Hi David
If you no experience of any type of leather cleaning I would forget about doing it yourself.

You saw the photos Roger Koh put up. Roger is a VERY experienced guy who DEFINITELY knows what he is doing - he develops and markets his own brand of leather cleaning/restoration fluids. It takes time and skill to do what he has done in the photos and that settee you thinking of getting is in that condition.

Either get a very well qualified leather technician in, or take it to LTT in Harrogate and pay them to do it (you will benefit from the learning) or dont buy it.
If you really want to try then LTT provide the right gear, as will do Furniture Clinic. Search on here for tips on techniques.

[Tony Gill Carpet Smart]

Go for it Dave at £75 WHY NOT get in touch with LTT  FC  Roger or try Paul Moss he posts on here and ccdo very helpfull person.

CHeers Tony

[Roger Koh]

David,

The best way to go about is to have a sample clean prior to buying up the sofa, and I believe you will be happy to see the result.

Degreasing Procedure is simple, what you need to bring is 4 items.

The tools will be a soft toothbrush or a detail horsehair brush and paper rags.

The product to work on will be a Degreaser and an Acidifier.

You can have the two samples free to test it out, shipping is on you.

I will walk you through to finish this project as I have done to many in the Leather-Cleaning-Restoration-Forum

What do you think?

Roger Koh
Leather Doctor®
info@leatherdoctor.org

[Roger Koh]

A 2 step degreasing process will bring you this result, after satisfactory inspection proceed to rejuvenate by hydrating and fatliquoring.



Thereafter re-topcoating damaged topcoat brings you this result.



Roger Koh
Leather Doctor®
info@leatherdoctor.org

[Neil Williams]

. im happy to have a go with it as for £75 its not worth spending to much to get a result.

No your right you don't want to spent too much on it.
Therefore you buy it for £75 and I'll give you £100 for it, winners all round.