Aniline leather, by its nature, is dyed through and through without an opaque surface coating, making its color vulnerable to:
- UV fading from sunlight exposure.
- Abrasion wear from regular use.
- Staining or uneven discoloration from paint, ink, body oils, grease, and sweat.
- Previous improper cleaning that may strip dyestuff from the surface.
Re-dyeing restores:
- The depth and richness of color that has faded or worn.
- The evenness of appearance, masking blemishes and stains.
- The natural aniline character, allowing light to penetrate and reflect through the dye, preserving that signature transparent look unique to aniline leather.
Why is the leather structure's integrity not seen as important as appearance?- It’s a common misconception in the leather care industry to prioritize appearance over structure.
- Many refinishing processes focus on cosmetic results—making the leather look new—while overlooking:
- Internal fatliquor content that determines softness, strength, and flexibility.
- pH balance crucial for preventing deterioration (such as cracking, stiffness or dry rotting).
- Ionic bonding integrity between leather fibers and their tannins/fatliquor.
- While appearance matters (hence the re-dyeing and seal with a gloss topcoat), the integrity of the leather’s structure is fundamental to long-term performance and preservation.
- This is why the Leather Doctor system emphasizes hydrating and fatliquoring alongside refinishing—restoring what the leather needs internally from dry rotting to suppleness before beautifying it externally.
- Leather Doctor’s system is built on tannery science principles that recognize leather as a living material, even after processing.
- The key reasons for a holistic, scientific approach are:
- Leather is amphoteric (pH sensitive) — if its pH balance is disturbed (e.g. by sweat, alkaline cleaners), it weakens structurally.
- Fatliquor loss leads to stiffness, cracking, weakness and dry rotting — merely covering damage with dye ignores the root cause of deterioration.
- True restoration begins at the fiber level — replenishing the original fat, oil, and moisture content as done in the tannery.
- Scientific sequencing ensures compatibility and long-term results — each product prepares the leather for the next step (e.g. cleaning neutralizes pH and residue before softening and refinishing).
- This tannery-aligned system ensures leather is not just cosmetically improved, but structurally rejuvenated, preserved, and protected for the future.
1. Cleaning System (3 products)
- Degreaser 2.2 – Eliminates body oil, grease, sweat.
- Rinse 3.0 – Rinse conditioning off degreasing residues.
- Acidifier 2.0 – Balances pH, stabilizes structure to a healthy, squeaky feel.
2. Dye Staining , Hydrating, and Softening System (3 products)
- Dye 21 – Reactivates and enriches natural color.
- Hydrator 3.3 – Rehydrates and relaxes leather fibers.
- Fatliquor 5.0 – Restores fats and oils for suppleness and tensile strength.
3. Priming, Coat Dyeing and Top Coating System (3 products)
- Primer 73 – Primes for adhesion.
- Dye 76 – Applies fresh surface dye for uniform coverage.
- Gloss 76 – Seals with a durable, vibrant gloss topcoat.
4. Conditioning System (1 product)
- Conditioner B – Imparts a buttery feel, resists soiling, reduces friction wear.
✅ Leather pH Balanced Degreaser 2.2 - 2oz / 4oz / 8oz
✅ Leather Rinsing Conditioner 3.0 - 4ozfill / 8ozfill / 16ozfill
✅ Leather Acidifying Conditioner 2.0 - 4ozfill / 8ozfill / 16ozfill
✅ Aniline Staining Dye 21 - 2ozfill / 4ozfill / 8ozfill
✅ Leather Hydrating Conditioner 3.3 - 4ozfill / 8ozfill / 16ozfill
✅ Leather Fatliquoring Conditioner 5.0 - 4ozfill / 8ozfill / 16ozfill
✅ Leather Adhesion Primer 73 - 2ozfill / 4ozfill / 8ozfill
✅ Aniline Gloss Coating Dye 76 - 2ozfill / 4ozfill / 8ozfill
✅ Leather Buttery Feel Conditioner B - 4ozfill / 8ozfill / 16ozfill
✅ Leather Brush 1 - 1pc
✅ Foam Brush 2 - 1pc
✅ Towel 5 - - 5pcs
✅ Leather Eraser 4 - 1pc
Leather Stripping Deglazer 2.3 by Leather Doctor® is a Leather Finish Remover and Surface Prep pH-balanced 2.3 solution formulated to safely strip unwanted finishes, aged conditioners, oil and grease contamination, waxes, inks, and paints from leather surfaces.
Deglazer 2.3 prepares the leather for new refinishing or recoloring by restoring its pH balance, ensuring the leather remains supple and receptive to new coatings.
Leather pH Balanced Degreaser 2.2 by Leather Doctor® is a professional Leather-Safe™, pH-balanced (2.2) water-based degreaser that removes body oils, sweat, and grease from leather surfaces. Like shampooing hair, degreasing requires conditioner rinsing with Rinse 3.0 to carry away suspended soils—leaving leather clean without stripping its essential oils.
- Unlike solvent-based degreasers that dissolve the tannery-applied fatliquor (the essential blend of oils and fats), causing leather to become stiff, dry, and brittle, Degreaser 2.2 works with tannery science matching system with Leather Rinsing Conditioner 3.0 for a complete holistic degreasing process.
- Its low pH 2.2 controlled formula maintains the ionic attraction between leather fibers, tanning agents, dyes, and fatliquor.
- This ensures the leather remains supple, strong, and ready to accept hydration and replenishment, restoring its original softness and durability.
Leather Rinsing Conditioner 3.0 by Leather Doctor® is a pH 3.0 Leather-Safe™ Rinsing Conditioner for Removing Suspended Soil & Restoring Leather’s pH Balance.
- Rinse 3.0 is a professional-grade, tannery science–based leather rinse that ensures all cleaning, degreasing, and prepping steps are conditioned to perfection.
- Just like hair shampooing, dishwashing, and laundry cycles are always followed by rinsing to remove suspended soil and residue.
- Leather care requires the same essential step for true cleanliness and long-term durability.
Leather Acidifying Conditioner 2.0 by Leather Doctor® is a professional-grade Leather-Safe™, pH 2.0 balanced acidifying rinse conditioner scientifically designed to restore and maintain leather’s natural pH balance.
- Leather natural pH of 3.0 to 5.0 when gets overexposure to alkaline products (such as soaps, detergents, ammonia, saddle soap, or baking soda) weakens leather fibers, causes browning, dye bleeding, streaking, and tackiness, and accelerates structural damage.
Acidifier 2.0 neutralizes alkaline contamination, restores smoothness, and reinforces leather strength—conditioning and keeping your investment in premium leathers healthy, supple, and long-lasting.
Aniline Staining Dye 21 by Leather Doctor® is a new-generation, water-based transparent aniline staining dye based on tannery science principles designed specifically for aniline dyed through leathers.
- Transparent:
- Water-based, transparent, penetrating dye that behaves like traditional tannery stains.
- Brilliant Staining Effect:
- Enhances the natural beauty, depth, and character of the leather grain or nap rather than concealing it.
- Lively, rich color:
- Produces more vibrant and vivid results compared to most conventional liquid dyes.
- Superior lightfastness & fade resistance:
- Offers better UV stability and longer-lasting color than standard liquid dyes.
- Water-based & leather-safe:
- Compatible with Leather Doctor’s tannery science-based care system, ensuring no harm to the leather’s structure or pH balance when used as directed.
- Flexible color shading:
- Can be diluted with distilled water or Leather Hydrator 3.3 for lighter, custom color shades.
Leather Hydrating Conditioner 3.3 by Leather Doctor® is a professional-grade Leather-Safe™, pH 3.3 aqueous surfactant solution designed to clean, hydrate, relax, restore, and condition leather’s internal structure.
- Based on tannery science, this unique formula replicates the hydration stage of leather pre-conditioning, making it essential before effective fatliquoring with Fatliquor 5.0.
When leather becomes dry, stiff, or shrunken, the fibers collapse and bond together.
- Hydrator 3.3 penetrates deeply, rehydrates the collapsed fibers, balances the pH, conditions and prepares the structure for deep fat and oil conditioning.
- It also helps suspend and wick out impurities such as body oils, sweat, alkaline residues, and embedded soiling that compromise softness and flexibility.
Unlike water alone, Hydrator 3.3 reduces surface tension, ensuring deeper fiber penetration and uniform hydration.
- This critical pre-conditioning step restores suppleness, prevents patchiness, and maximizes the effectiveness of Fatliquor 5.0.
Leather Fatliquoring Conditioner 5.0 by Leather Doctor® is a Leather-Safe™ pH 5.0 anionic emulsion of fat, oil, and water fatliquoring conditioner for replenishing and softening dry leather, in line with its tannery science-based function.
Fatliquor 5.0 restores leather’s internal lubrication, flexibility, strength, and resilience, replenishing the original fatliquor content of leather’s fibrous structure—mimicking the essential fatliquoring stage in professional tanning and retanning processes.
- Lubricates, nourishes and conditions the leather structure
- Fatliquor 5.0 deposits fat and oil molecules that bond to the amphoteric protein fibers.
- These lubricate the fibrils, allowing them to slide over each other without stiffness, brittleness, or cracking.
- Reinforces tensile strength and elasticity
- Proper fatliquor conditioning prevents fiber embrittlement and maintains leather’s natural strength and softness.
- Restores suppleness and prevents future damage
- Leather loses fatliquor over time due to aging, heat, sunlight, alkaline exposure, or cleaning.
- Replenishing it prevents shrinkage, stiffness, and cracks.
- Provides long-term structural protection
- Maintains leather’s dimensional stability and ability to flex without damage.
Leather Adhesion Primer 73 by Leather Doctor® is a compact resin primer designed to smooth, seal, and enhance adhesion before color coating.
- Smooth and seal leather surfaces.
- Enhance adhesion for color coating.
- Build uniform surfaces over rough or abraded areas.
- Assist in removing deteriorated finishes.
- Reactivate aniline dyestuff to some extent.
Aniline Gloss Coating Dye 76 by Leather Doctor® is a next-generation water-based transparent surface coating dye formulated for vivid, brilliant color coverage on leather.
Unlike traditional penetrating dyes, Dye 76 forms a transparent surface film, enhancing color intensity, uniformity, and gloss while preserving the natural beauty of the leather grain
How Does Dye 76 Work?- Layered Transparency
- Like watercolor painting, color intensity builds up with each layer. The more layers, the deeper the color.
- Overlapping Strokes
- Applying strokes on top of each other increases color depth, enabling shading and visual richness.
- Diluting for Lighter Shades
- To achieve a lighter or more subtle tone, dilute the original dye with the Dye 76 'Clear' component.
- Always Test First
- Conduct a color test before full application to confirm the desired outcome.
- Test Application Method
- Different tools and methods can yield varied results. Always test your application approach beforehand.
- Recommended Tool: Airbrush
- For best consistency, use an airbrush with 80 to 100 psi pressure.
- Other Methods
- Varnishing brushes or folded towels can also be used but may produce more artistic or varied results.
- Two Shading Techniques
- Method 1: Airbrush
- Apply fine, even coats with a Paasche airbrush for a smooth, professional finish.
- Method 2: Hand Brushing or Padding
- Use brushes or padding for a “salvage” look, emphasizing artistic or antique-style shading.
Pre-Mixing with Dye 76 ‘Clear’
- Mix with Dye 76 'Clear' before application to control the starting intensity.
- Depending on the tool used, the finish can range from clean and uniform to uniquely shaded.
Leather Buttery Feel Conditioner B by Leather Doctor® is a Leather-Safe™ pH-balanced, 3.2 buttery feel, non-yellowing, non-stick, rub-resistant conditioner scientifically formulated to enhance durability, prevent friction wear, and protect all smooth leather surfaces.- Condition B creates a soft, buttery feel while preserving leather’s natural breathability and flexibility.
Conditioner B Key Benefits:
- Increases Wet & Dry Rub Resistance – Minimizes stretch, scuffing, and wear.
- Enhances Durability – Builds a shield against everyday abrasion and friction.
- Prevents Sticky Soiling – Stops dirt and stains from embedding into the leather.
- Resists Ink & Dye Transfer – Helps release ballpoint ink marks and dye stains.
- Reduces Friction Noise – Improves the touch with a smooth, quieter glide.
- Imparts a Non-Sticky Surface – Eliminates tackiness for a refined buttery feel.
- Maintains Leather’s Breathability – Keeps leather soft, supple, and flexible.
Regular use of Conditioner B ensures long-term protection, a smooth feel, and a refreshed leather appearance, making maintenance easier while extending the leather’s lifespan.
Brush 1 by Leather Doctor is a detailing horsehair brush designed for gentle, scratch-free cleaning on all smooth leathers.
Foam 2 is a 2-inch high-density polyfoam brush designed for durable, precise, and smooth application of leather care products.
Towel 5 by Leather Doctor is a high-performance, lint-free paper towel designed to perform like cloth for efficient cleaning and drying without leaving residues
A versatile dry and wet leather cleaning eraser that provides excellent traction for greasy or gummy soil removal.
1️⃣ Deglazer 2.3 (strip unwanted repairs, old finishing, solvent based paint, ballpoint ink, permanent marker)
- Deglazer 2.3 is strictly used on the surface controlling being absorbed by the leather crust.
- Transfer to lint free towel and surface wipe to control unnecessary absorbing into the leather that dries up the natural fat and oil).
- Optional Airbrushing and towel extract with control absorbing into the leather crust.
- Agitate gently and allow 10–30 minutes dwell.
- Wipe off emulsified contamination, and continue cleaning.
1️⃣ Degreaser 2.2 (dissolve oils & grease)
- Brush onto greasy/stained areas.
- Agitate gently and allow 10–30 minutes dwell.
- Wipe off emulsified contamination, and continue cleaning.
2️⃣ Soft 3.8 (remove residual soiling)
- Apply by sponge or brush.
- Work with brush for thorough overall cleaning.
- Towel off soiling, and continue rinsing
3️⃣ Rinse 3.0 (rinsing)
- Sponge-apply evenly.
- Wipe clean; ensure no residue remains.
- Towel off soiling, and continue acidifying.
4️⃣ Acidifier 2.0 (pH balance, stabilize)
- Apply onto areas treated above.
- Brush or pad evenly.
- Wipe off dissolved residues.
- Check for a healthy squeaky clean, and continue hydrating.
5️⃣ Hydrator 3.3 (rehydrate & relax structure)
- Saturate leather until evenly moist.
- Allow several hours (or overnight) consistency moist for deep penetration to activate dormant dyestuff, and continue stain dyeing.
6️⃣ Dye 21 (aniline dye staining)
- Lightly sponge or spray.
- Blend in circular motion for uniformity.
- Even out with Hydrator 3.3, and continue with fatliquoring.
7️⃣ Fatliquor 5.0 (replenishing fat and oil)
- Apply while leather is still damp.
- Multiple light applications, allowing absorption between coats, until desired suppleness is achieved.
- Let dry completely before proceeding
SEQUENCE 5 – DRY-PROCESS (begins with inspection, stretching, surface soiling is removed by eraser, sanding, or dry stripping)- Inspect for soiling condition
- Remove by Eraser 4 (inspect for satisfaction)
- Remove by Sanding 1000 to 2000 grit (inspect for satisfaction)
- Stripping by Leather Razor 60
8️⃣ Primer 73 (primer for adhesion)
- Apply evenly and scrub with 3M white scotch pad to remove deteriorating finishes and even out appearance.
- Let dry naturally or with light air flow.
9️⃣ Dye 76 (dye coating)
- Apply thin, even layers by airbrush or sponge.
- Allow each coat to dry before layering additional coats for desired depth of color.
Gloss 76 (protective topcoat)
- Apply evenly by airbrush or sponge.
- Build up layers as needed for desired gloss intensity.
- Let cure thoroughly.
1️⃣1️⃣ Conditioner B (non-stick, buttery feel)
- Apply and spread with soft towel or applicator.
- Buff gently for even protection.
- Always test on a hidden area first for color compatibility.
- Maintain pH integrity at each step—never skip Acidifier 2.0 after degreasing!
- Allow sufficient drying/curing between stages to ensure lasting results.
What is a Glossy Aniline Leather?
- A glossy aniline leather is a variation finish that uses a gloss topcoat to seal and protect the dyestuff from bleeding. The leather is first colored with transparent dyestuff that retains the hide's natural surface, thus any visible pores, scars or blemishes remain visible a characteristic of the Sauvage variations.
- Visual identification helps in instant recognition to establish a match from among the varied aniline varieties without compromising its original visual characteristics.
This matrix categorizes common issues with Aniline into five groups:
Corresponding recommended products are displayed across the top row.
Each number within the matrix indicates the steps required to address the problem holistically.
If a leather issue involves an unknown compound that combines soil, stain, and odor, follow the sequence across the matrix, combining necessary steps from each category.
- Hydrator 3.3 to rehydrate and relax the leather.
- Fatliquor 5.0 to replenish lost fats and oils, restoring suppleness.
- Conditioner B conditioning the leather for ongoing durability.
Any questions you may have will be answered from our help and support forum:
http://www.leathercleaningrestorationforum.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?59-Upholstery-Aniline-Leathers
Edited on May 24, 2024 - updated December 23, 2024 - updated April 6, 2025 | July 4, 2025 | December 10, 2025 by Roger Koh.
Editing-in-progress . . .
Integrating Chemical vs Mechanical stripping
Below is a Leather-Safe™, tannery-aligned way to integrate Chemical vs Mechanical stripping into Kit A7.cl, clarifying when to use Deglazer 2.3, when to use Razor 60, and—most importantly—how to combine them without overdrying, collapsing fibers, or accelerating dry rot in absorbent aniline leather.
Core Principle (Leather Doctor Position)
Stripping is not about removing everything.
It is about removing only what is unwanted while preserving fiber integrity.
Aniline leather is open, absorbent, and fatliquor-dependent.
Any stripping method—chemical or mechanical—must therefore be:
- Controlled
- Localized
- Sequenced with hydration and fatliquoring
This is why Deglazer 2.3 and Razor 60 are not substitutes—they are complementary tools used at different structural risk levels.
Chemical vs Mechanical Stripping — Leather-Safe™ Comparison
| Aspect | Deglazer 2.3 (Chemical) | Razor 60 (Mechanical) |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Action | Solubilizes unwanted finishes, paints, inks. | Physically removes deteriorated surface layers |
| Penetration Risk | High if over-absorbed | Minimal if used correctly |
| Drying Effect | Can extract fat/oil if misused | No chemical dehydration |
| Best For | Solvent-based paints, finishes, ink, waxy residues | Cracked, powdery, absorbent, dry-rotting finishes |
| Leather-Safe Risk. | Over-drying if flooded | Fiber damage if scraped aggressively |
Key Rule:
The more absorbent, cracked, or dry-rotted the leather is, the LESS chemical stripping it should receive.
Why Deglazer 2.3 Must Be Controlled on Aniline Leather
Deglazer 2.3 is effective but unforgiving if misapplied.
On aniline leather:
- Excess absorption = fatliquor extraction
- Fatliquor loss = stiffness, cracking, dry rot
- Cosmetic success can hide structural failure
Leather-Safe™ Deglazer Rules
✅ Always transfer Deglazer 2.3 onto a towel, never directly onto leather
✅ Use wipe-on / wipe-off, not soaking
✅ Limit dwell time to surface reaction only
✅ Follow immediately with Degreaser → Rinse → Acidifier
Think of Deglazer 2.3 as:
- A scalpel, not a solvent bath
Why Razor 60 Is Essential for Fragile, Absorbent Leather
When finishes are:
- Powdery
- Cracked
- Chalky
- Fiber-Exposed
Chemical stripping no longer discriminates between:
- deteriorated finish
- healthy collagen fiber
Razor 60 Advantage
✅ Removes only what is already detached
✅ Zero chemical dehydration
✅ Preserves remaining fatliquor
✅ Ideal for dry-rotting aniline crust
Razor 60 is therefore Leather-Safe™ by mechanical selectivity, not aggression.
Leather-Safe™ Combined Strategy (Best Practice)
Phase 1 — Minimal Chemical Intervention (Wet-Process)
Goal: Remove foreign contamination only, not structure.
1️⃣ Deglazer 2.3 (Controlled Surface Wipe)
- Only where:
- paint
- ink
- incompatible coatings
- Apply via towel → wipe → extract
- No saturation
2️⃣ Degreaser 2.2
- Dissolves body oil and greasy binders
- Prepares surface for pH correction
3️⃣ Rinse 3.0
- Removes chemical residues
- Prevents alkaline drift
4️⃣ Acidifier 2.0
- Restores ionic balance
- Stabilizes collagen before hydration
At this stage, stripping stops chemically.
Phase 2 — Structural Recovery Before Further Removal
This step is non-negotiable for leather safety.
5️⃣ Hydrator 3.3
- Saturate to re-open fiber structure
- Prevents cracking during later mechanical work
6️⃣ Fatliquor 5.0
- Replenishes fats and oils
- Restores tensile strength
- Stops stripping from becoming destructive
Only after this internal recovery is the leather safe to be further refined.
Phase 3 — Selective Mechanical Refinement (Dry-Process)
Now Razor 60 becomes the safer stripping tool.
7️⃣ Inspection & Dry Removal
- Eraser 4 → Sanding 1000–2000 grit
- Evaluate before escalating
8️⃣ Razor 60
-
Used only on:
-
loose finishes
-
cracked coatings
-
fiber-exposed residue
-
-
Light passes only
-
Never dig into grain
This avoids:
-
solvent shock
-
oil extraction
-
fiber collapse
Why Primer 73 Comes After Razor 60 (Not Before)
Primer 73:
-
Consolidates surface
-
Locks down micro-fibers
-
Improves adhesion for Dye 76
If applied before removing loose finishes:
-
It seals in deterioration
-
Causes future peeling
Thus:
Strip → stabilize → prime → dye
Leather-Safe™ Logic Summary
Deglazer 2.3
-
Early
-
Minimal
-
Surface-controlled
-
Contamination-focused
Razor 60
-
Later
-
Selective
-
Structural-safe
-
Deterioration-focused
Hydration & Fatliquoring
-
Must occur between chemical and mechanical stripping
-
Converts stripping from destructive → restorative
Final Key Takeaway (for Kit A7.cl)
The safest stripping process is not choosing chemical or mechanical.
It is:
Sequencing chemical restraint + mechanical selectivity + structural restoration
This is what makes Leather Doctor’s A7.cl system fundamentally different:
-
Not cosmetic stripping
-
Not aggressive refinishing
-
But tannery-correct rejuvenation first, beauty second
Beautiful leather that fails structurally is not restoration.
Restored structure that looks beautiful—that is Leather Doctor.