Research
Correct
information regarding the care of leather is scarce, often contradictory,
misleading, or simply wrong. Misinformation can lead to inadvertent damage to
your vehicles leather upholstery; my goal is to present clear, concise,
accurate information.
There is a
great deal of conflicting information on leather care being put out by leather
experts themselves who recommend the same products and techniques be used
regardless of the grade or the finish applied or use baffling pseudo-scientific
techno speak as another marketing ploy.
Furniture, Motorcycle, Equestrian Automobile
leather, all of which are unique types of leather finishes and requires
different care. You do need to understand some of the basic chemistry behind
the tanning and be able to differentiate between the various finishes applied
to automotive leather in able to understand how to renovate, clean or care for
them, one size fits all is a vendor myth
All
of which makes it difficult to find a definitive, unbiased answer. Using the
correct product is important in order to protect your car’s interior. If you
keep your cars’ interior clean, you can easily save your car for a good couple
of years and it can stay in a ‘like-new’ condition, and maintain a better
re-sale value. Cleanliness is one of the major things buyers look for when
purchasing a vehicle.
There
are a few different types of leather and several types of finishes applied to
the leather used for vehicles upholstery. There are also a myriad of leather
care products available, which need to be used in accordance to the type of and
finish used in for your vehicles upholstery.
That
is why it is imperative, that if you are concerned about the results you wish
to achieve, you must perform a bit of research into finding the products
suitable for your requirements.
After
various meetings and discussions with leather tanners, their research and
development teams, chemists and fat liquoring formulators and many leather care
product manufacturers I’ve gained an understanding of this versatile material
on both a practical and scientific level.
It
had always confounded me that such a simple subject has been made into
something so complicated. I have always thought that the more facts and
information you have at hand the easier it is to judge what information you are
being given. After all, how can you fully understand and properly use any
product unless you have all the facts? In the final analysis; it’s your vehicle,
your hard earned money and your choice
Always
keep in mind that you’re dealing with the finished coating on the leather not
with the leather hide itself
Materials
Technology
Automotive OEM
technology is becoming more and more complex requiring educated and skilled
technicians to work on them. As the materials used are constantly changing we
must maintain our knowledge base and utilize the correct products and
application methodologies to keep up with emerging technologies.
Automobile
manufacturers have blurred the distinguishing lines on what exactly leather is.
There are many so-called ‘leathers’ that are actually the bottom split (the
fibrous part of the hide) which are covered with a vinyl or urethane coating.
Diagnosis is the key, not guess work. Before deciding on what products to use,
you need to ascertain the grade of leather and the type of leather finish
applied
Be cognizant that the leather and finishes used for
automotive upholstery varies from leather industry standard descriptions and
although the names are similar the type of leather, pigmentation and finish are
often very different.
So it is very important to be
able to recognise the various finishes and materials used by OEM’s as they all
require different methodologies and products for proper care and maintenance.
Automobile
model ranges use different materials for their vehicles interiors; leather
upholstery like Aniline Immersion Dyed, Aniline Micro Pigmented, (Urethane)
Finished, Artificial leather such as MB-Tex and unfinished materials like
Synthetics and Alcantara, and sometimes combinations of products (Alcantara seat
inserts on leather seating) as well as various grades of leather hide,
full-grain, top-grain and split –grain (which is protected with urethane) all
of which require different products and applications methods.
Automobile Interior
Environment
The
interior environment of an automobile can be extremely demanding on any
material used. Temperatures range from hot dry summer days, to freezing nights.
Both high and low humidity, even air conditioning that cools, but also dries.
Leather's greatest enemies are; sun, heat, body oils, perspiration (that
contains urea as well as organic salts and acids) and body heat, which causes
acids to become more aggressive and alters the viscosity of oils, allowing them
to permeate the leathers finish, and ultra violet radiation, which dries the
hide, fades the colour by bleaching, and can cause the leather to fail by
drying out the fibres causing the urethane and / or the hide to crack.
Leather Finishes
The
leather used for automotive upholstery varies from leather industry standard
descriptions and although the names are similar the type of leather,
pigmentation and finish are often very different, as is its care. (See the article “Leather Upholstery Type
Surface Identification”)
Proper surface care
Is
all about knowing the properties of the surface you want to treat and what
product contains the correct formulation of ingredients best suited for that
surface. Leather finishes are a very chemically complex material, and if the
product is incompatible with it in any way, it can exert a damaging effect:
finish peeling, finish cracking, color transfer ("crocking"),
yellowing, and general degradation are some of the problems that can be caused
by the application of an improperly formulated, incompatible leather treatment
product.
Leather
(Fibres) Fibrils
Top-grain
leather
Is
the second-highest quality leather used for automobile upholstery. It's had the
"split" layer
separated away, making it thinner and more pliable than
full-grain. Its surface has been sanded and a finish coat added to the surface
which results in a colder, plastic feel with less breathability, and will not
develop a natural patina. It is typically less expensive and has greater resistance
to stains than full-grain leather, so long as the finish remains unbroken.
The
difference between full and high-grade leather is like the difference between a
Bentley and a Dodge. They both look similar on the outside, but quickly you'll
be able to tell which one cost a lot to process and which one didn't.
Vat Dyed (Aniline)
Leather
After
the leather has been removed it is bathed in a chemical solution which
stabilizes the hide and changes it chemical structure so that it will not
deteriorate. Aniline is an immersion dye method not a
leather type per se. The tannery extracts the moisture,
oils and natural preservatives and removes the hair. At this stage, it's called
"Wet Blue".
Then
they put the wet blue hides into in large, slowly revolving drums with the new
oils (Fat Liquoring), with the new oils, preservatives. Aniline dyes in various
colors may be added to the drums at this stage, while the hide is absorbent.
They are tumbled and during that process, depending on the thickness of the
leather, it can take up to 10 hours for the new life giving liquids to
penetrate all the way to the middle of the hide. This is the step in the
tanning process that has been so improved in recent years. Finally, the leather
is pressed in heated presses, hung up to dry at a certain humidity level,
sprayed with finishes and sealers and then pressed again.
The
tanning procedures used now are permanent and create a product which will last
indefinitely. Previous methods employed vegetable derived tanning agents and
were not as effective in preserving the leather.
If
correctly done, aniline dyes are permanent and will not rub off or ‘crock’
after the leather is in use. Dyeing should not be confused with pigmentation of
adding color to the surface of the leather. If the leather was vat dyed, the
leather will be saturated throughout and a color change is almost impossible.
Vat-dyed leather looks better much longer since the color shows well after
cracks form and wear patterns emerge
If
correctly done, aniline dyes are permanent and will not rub off or ‘crock’
after the leather is in use. Dyeing should not be confused with pigmentation of
adding color to the surface of the leather. If the leather was vat dyed, the
leather will be saturated throughout and a color change is almost impossible.
Vat-dyed leather looks better much longer since the color shows well after
cracks form and wear patterns emerge
Semi-aniline Leather (Micro-Pigmented (MP)
Other
so-called semi-aniline leather use top-grain leather; Milano, Silk Nappa,
Valcona (Audi) Boston, Baseball,
Dakota, Montana, (BMW) Chaparral, Porsche, Range Rover Vogue
are examples of micro pigment leather.
Transparent, not even milky or translucent dye is added to an opaque medium,
the opacity y remains, although some colour is added, and the net
gray-equivalent brightness is always reduced, because a dye can only absorb
light. (See also Aniline
(Immersion Dyed) Leather)
Actually many desire the
semi-aniline finish in full-grain leather because it gives a more natural look
to the leather.
Using
advanced micro pigments this finishing technique makes the finish rigorous enough to stand up to the conditions it would be
subjected to in an automobile. These come in
several variations and usually have a very fine (micro) coat of pigment to create
the colour or effect and then sealed. Generally speaking micro pigment style
leathers come in very earthy natural colours, incorporating a small quantity of
pigment (a thin clear sealant that provides a uniform colour and affords some
protection) but not so much as to conceal the natural characteristics of the
hide so it will still retain the soft hand of Aniline leather. This type of leather is also used for perforated leather
finishes.
Micro Pigment
Is a term used by the auto leather industry to better
describe leather with a thin urethane layer of pigment coating, which provides
an even colour and abrasion resistance. As opposed to the mislabelled Aniline
leather (aniline is a dye (immersion) method not a leather type), which will
absorb body oils and moisture and would be subject to abrasion unless it has
been treated in some way.
More
often used for automotive upholstery as it is more durable than uncoated aniline
whilst still retaining a natural appearance Semi-Aniline leathers surface coating containing a small amount of
pigment in the base coat, this surface coating helps impart greater stain
resistance. The increased durability is provided by the application of a light
surface coating which contains both pigment (colour) and an anti-abrasion
additive, this ensures consistent colour, imparts some stain resistance and
helps with the abrasion of entering and exiting the vehicle
Generally
speaking micro pigment style leathers come in very earthy natural colours,
which may incorporate a small quantity of pigment (a thin clear sealant that
provides a uniform colour and affords some protection) but not so much as to
conceal the natural characteristics or feel of the hide.
Other colours (i.e.
gray, black, etc) have a pigmentation coating added. Transparent,
not even milky or translucent; added to an opaque medium, the opacity remains,
although some colour is added, and the net gray-equivalent brightness is always
reduced, because a dye can only absorb light.
This
leather is also used for perforated finished leather. A full aniline immersion
dye is one method of tanning to achieve a desired, natural looking hide or
leather. Because the finish is transparent and shows the natural markings of
the leather, only top quality hides can be used. The aqueous (water- based)
pigmentation allows for evaporation and replacement of moisture (hydration)
staying cool in the summer and warm in the winter.
Identifying characteristics - generally
speaking micro pigmented style leathers come in very earthy natural colours,
and is coloured all the way through with a transparent dye. It is absorbent and
has a random shade colours and grain pattern, lightly scratch the surface to
see if it reveals a lighter colour.
The water-drop absorbency test- water drops
will permeate the surface and darken its colour (temporarily)
Absorbency rate – Medium High
Micro
pigmented leather is somewhat absorbent, which means that
any spills, body oils etc will eventually soak into the leather hide. It should
be routinely cleaned to remove light dirt and dust by using specific aniline
leather cleaner that that will clean the surface of the leather, without being
absorbed, or force the soil into the leather.
This
type of finish is porous (to moisture and oils) but in these cases we would be
trying to prevent the absorption of oils into the leather as they can cause an
imbalance which would then have to be rectified. Body oils can also cause many
problems with leather of this type, as they are acidic, leaving unsightly
patches which are expensive to fix.
In
addition to regular cleaning to remove abrasive debris and oils, leather
requires regular replacement of its moisture (re-hydration) by regular use of a
damp 100% cotton micro fibre towel. Micro pigmented
leather is moisture sensitive, so avoid the use
of oil or wax-based products as they may negatively affect the evaporation and
hydration moisture balance. Aqueous (water- based) products will help to
hydrate the leather and maintain necessary moisture
The
oils secreted from your skin are slightly acidic and may cause the leathers
pigmentation to lose its colour prematurely, taking away the effect of a
premium leather interior. Removing these oils is paramount to leather care, but
limiting the amount of bare skin you expose to your seats and interior is a
great way to prevent discoloration. This type of leather
can be renovated with a pigmentation coating
Removing Stains
•
Surface dirt and dust – use a soft
brush, vacuum and then use a clean, damp cloth
•
Spills – use a dry 100% cotton micro
fibre towel to absorb liquids, and then wipe clean with a damp 100% cotton
micro fibre towel.
•
Stains – use a mild leather cleaner (test
on an inconspicuous place before use) using very little pressure and do not
‘scrub’ to remove
•
Water marks - wet the whole panel while
the area is still damp and this should then dry evenly. However if the water
has dried and permeated the leather leaving a hard edge no amount of cleaning
will resolve this.
•
Oil stains – should be removed
immediately, if allowed to permeate it will stain. Leather Master Leather Degreaser is applied
through a spray. It dissolves the oils and transforms them into a powder that
is more absorbent than the leather.
·
This powder is what is wiped off,
cleaning and degreasing the leather. Allow the white powder to dry fully. If
the powder is drying to a yellow colour, it means that there are still a lot of
oils in the leather.
·
For resistant strains specific cleaning
product are available, but be aware that certain stains may not be removable,
i.e. dye transfer from leather belts and jeans, coffee, penetrated sun tan oil,
food sauces, citrus fruit drinks, etc are especially difficult to remove. On
this type of leather anything that is allowed to permeate the leather may stain
it permanently as it is not possible to clean out of leather.
·
Clean accidental spills right away, do
not allow liquid to soak or ‘heat set’ into the leather. It is very important
with this type of leather to use a protective aqueous (water- based) type
protection product, which will inhibit dirt and body oils etc from being
absorbed into the leather in the first place; these can then be cleaned from
the surface easily. Micro pigmented leather fades at a faster rate than
protected leather, so ultra violet (UV) protection is of paramount importance.
Three Step Micro
pigment Leather Care
Simple
cleaning, hydration and protection are the three steps that will prolong the
life of Micro pigment finished leather. Always
pre-test the product on a hidden area. Shake the foam container thoroughly.
Spray the product at a distance of 12 inches from the leather to one section at
a time, and allow product to remain in place for approximately 15 to 30
seconds.
Micro pigment leather doesn’t require conditioning
or rejuvenation; always keep in mind that you’re
dealing with the finished coating on the leather and not with the leather hide
itself
1. Cleaning - there are two cleaning-related factors that can cause
your leather to wear prematurely. The
first is dirt, and the second is oil, combined they become very abrasive, as
dirt / grit and subsequent friction cause the finish to wear
Remove
surface dirt and dust, cleaning the seams periodically is important as dirt /
grit will abrade the stitching causing them to fail, prise them apart, then use
a soft brush, vacuum and then use a foam cleaner, one section at a time, and
then finally wipe off with a clean, damp 100% cotton micro fibre towel
The
advantage of foam over liquid is the minimum amount of moisture, very important
for cleaning absorbent and moisture sensitive leathers.
Use foam cleaner, which should be given dwell
time and then gentle agitation with a medium stiff bristled brush to get the
product into the materials surface, the low moisture content of foam can then
be easily rinsed and the surface dried.
Remove excess product and debris with a clean, damp 100% cotton micro fibre
towel. If the foam is allowed to dry the soil will be re-deposited to the
surface. Check the results and repeat process as necessary
For
heavily soiled areas use a foam cleaner (Leather Master™ Foam
Cleaner) that contains a surfactant that will lift
dirt and soil, allow react time to do its work and then use a soft brush to
agitate and loosen the dirt (Swissvax Leather Brush) especially on light
coloured leathers; this enables the cleaning of the micro pores and creases and
lifts the dirt out and reveal any further work that needs doing (dye transfer,
stains, etc)
2. Hydration – when leather tanner’s talk about conditioning leather
they are referring to its moisture content, re-hydration is used to restore or
maintain fluid balance (transpiration and evaporation of moisture); not the
replenishment or replacement of the fat liquoring, oils and / or waxes.
Moisture
balance is a sine qua non (an
indispensable and essential action) in leather care. Leather naturally absorbs and retains
moisture vapour, meaning it’s also susceptible to losing the moisture necessary
to keep it pliant and soft. One of major attribute is its ability for
transpiration (allowing the movement of moisture back and forth (evaporation
and hydration), which it does even better than wool.
Repetitive
heat cycling causes the leather to lose moisture, resulting in the formation of
creasing or surface cracks, which may lead to the leather contracting; however
the urethane remains stable, which may lead to it delaminating.
A
regular wipe down with a damp towel on a regular basis is all you need to
condition and / or hydrate finished leather, and by using aqueous (water- based) products that
do not contain oils and/or waxes, check the label if they do then don't use
them. Leather should be hydrated on a regular basis and is somewhat climate
dependent.
Soft Touch (ex Vital) - is not a conditioner per se but a water-based
product used for revitalizing and restoring the tactile feel of older leathers
and also to improve the feel of stiff leathers
3. Protection - is essential as it will protect the surface finish, without
hindering transpiration, while acting as a sacrificial layer; this way you are
not actually cleaning the Leather's original surface, but cleaning from the
surface of the protection. It also makes dirt easier to clean off
Leather Master™ - Protection Cream (a Scotchgard™ type product specifically
formulated for lather) the polymers penetrate the surface of finished leather
and cross-link to form a durable protective film that is breathable, allowing
transpiration and keeps the leather supple. Being aqueous (water- based) it restores moisture to
finished leather and provides a protective sacrificial barrier against all kinds of soiling, water, oil, alcohol-based stains and
perspiration marks, so you are cleaning the protective layer
3a. Ultra violet (UV) protection - 303® Aerospace Protectant will provide
invaluable ultra violet (UV) protection
against photo degradation (fading); especially in a roadster or
convertible vehicle, steering wheel and dashboards
It’s water-based and will provide invaluable ultra violet (UV)
radiation protection against photo degradation (fading)
protection; especially in a roadster or convertible vehicles. It doesn’t
contain silicones, so it won't attract and capture dust. You should apply to a
clean surface (it doesn’t contain any cleaning agents)
It will not prevent finished leather hydration (transpiration and evaporation of moisture)
as it’s water-based, although it coats the leather with a micro fine coating;
it will not seal it per se.
Note: this product does NOT air dry. Use a second dry cloth to finish the
application process. Extra buffing with
at dry cloth increases bonding, repellence and durability
Maintenance
Monthly
hydration of leather upholstery in most southern states; Florida, Texas and
Arizona, and etc especially during the summer months, would not be out of line
Leather Master™
Soft Touch - apply and allow to dry for approx 20
minutes, finally using a clean dry 100% cotton micro fibre towel buff to a
matte sheen.
I hope this article has helped you to
understand that little bit more about the leather finish in your vehicles
upholstery and how to care for it correctly
I would like to think that these
articles become an asset to anyone who is new to detailing and to professionals
alike, as well as industry experts who seek to advance their knowledge.
I hope the above article was
informative. By having some understanding of the ‘What’ and ‘Why’ as well as
the ‘How’ along with a little science to help you understand how the chemicals
we use react, you can achieve the results you desire.
I would appreciate it if you would share this article
as it helps other detailers further their knowledge.
Questions and/ or constructive comments are always
appreciated.
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© 2002 - 2012 TOGWT® (Established 1980) all rights reserved
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