News

Hints and tips for problem leather surfaces

Problems can occur when carrying out pigmented restoration caused by:
Tanning problems within or on the leather
Stains that have penetrated in to the leather
A build of grease from human or pet contact
Products that have previously been applied to the surface such as silicone, wax, oil, or protection type products.

The following procedures are not a guarantee of solving all of the above, but by monitoring the following procedures we have found them to be around 90% successful.

PROCEDURE:

1. Clean using a water based leather cleaner and a bristle brush or power pad
2. Thoroughly wipe down the area using Buffalo solvent leather prep cleaner
3. At this stage if you are experiencing a peeling problem try to remove as much as possible, then apply Buffalo Bonder to stabilise the peeling.
4. Apply Buffalo solvent based gloss leather sealant - This helps to act as a block on the problem area to prevent contaminating the restoration process.
5. Apply 1 fine application of Buffalo leather bonder.
6. Apply the pigment, dry wipe the pigment once it is dry to remove any residue dust.
7. If your leather is two toned or chesterfield - now apply the top antique colour, dry wipe the top colour once it has dried to remove any residue dust.
8. Apply leather sealant – when dry remember to dry wipe in between coats to remove any residue dust

If you're looking for a UK leather supplier that can provide you with leather hides look no further.
No matter how large or small your project is, we have listed our top 3 companies for quality, expertise and fantastic service.

CREST JMT LEATHER

Supply a wide range of contract and domestic leather known for quality, durability, colour ranges and environmental excellence.
They can advise you in choosing the correct application for your particular project, they have worked with a broad spectrum of clients ranging from architects and designers to upholsterers and furniture manufacturers... So you can be assured their team will help you every step of the way.

Crest JMT Sales Office
Unit 3 Blueberry Business Park
Wallhead Road
Kingsway
Rochdale
OL16 5DB
United Kingdom
T: 01706 643121
www.crestleather.com

FUTURA LEATHERS
Manufacture a wide range of upholstery leather supplying an exciting range of colours, textures and patterns, carrying a large range of stock ready for delivery in a matter of hours.
They are suppliers to contract, domestic, marine and automotive markets within the leather industry around the world, taking particular pride in their products and services.

Futura Leathers Ltd
Unit 8, Smallbridge Business Park
Riverside Drive
Rochdale
Lancashire, United Kingdom
OL16 2SH
T: 01706 523555 
www.futuraleathers.co.uk

YARWOOD LEATHER
Athough a key player in the furniture manufacturing sector, they have also seen huge growth in supplying marine, automotive and the aviation industry.
They continue to undertake research and development into new and innovative leather products.
They also offer over 300 different colours and textures of leather which are now available to order online.

Yarwood Leather
Treefield Industrial Estate
Gelderd Road
Morley,
Leeds, United Kingdom
LS27 7JU
T:  0113 252 1014
www.yarwoodleather.com

Cause: Environmental conditions

a) Moisture from a cool, cold or damp atmospheres on the leather surface.
b) Moisture can be caused from the use of leather products which have not been dried fully.
c) Cold or damp air can cause moisture to form within sealant containers.

Most types of leather are hygroscopic and will draw in moisture from cold or fluctuating air conditions this moisture becomes trapped when the sealant is applied causing a white bloom on the surface when the sealant dries.
Or
The intial products applied to the surface are not allowed to dry fully (causing moisure) before application of leather sealant, this moisture becomes trapped causing white bloom on the surface.
Or
The sealant container has trapped moisture from cold or fluctuating air conditions, this moisture becomes trapped within the sealant, when the sealant is dried the bloom becomes visual on the surface.
The white bloom is more visual and common place when using matt sealants as the trapped moisture reacts with the matting agent within the matt sealant formulation.

Preventative procedures:
a) Ensure all products are stored at an ambient room temperature at all times to prevent cold air (moisture) forming within the containers.
b) Ensure products are dried thoroughly before application of sealants.
c) Ensure storage and work rooms are dry and the temperature controlled to avoid frost and cold conditions.

Remedy:
The degree to which the original appearance can be restored is largely dependant on the severity of the moisture contamination; if the contamination of moisture is particularly severe it may not be reversed.
a) Ensure the surface is dry thoroughly at an ambient warm temperature, dry wipe the surface, and apply  Buffalo bloom remover, dry thoroughly and  apply sealant which has been stored at an ambient warm temperature without any risk of previous moisture trapped within the container due to storage at cold temperature.