Product Overview
Aniline Leather Satin Waxy Topcoat Refinishing Kit AX6.tc by Leather Doctor degrease, clean, rinse, hydrate, soften, topcoat refinish, and protect wax leather.
People Also Ask:
1: What is Waxed Leather?
2: What is Leather Degreasing?
3: What is Topcoat Refinishing?
4: What Products are Recommended for Topcoat Refinishing Aniline Satin Waxy Leathers?
5: What is Leather Wet Processing?
6: How to work with Degreaser 2.2, Acidifier 2.0, Clean 3.8, and Rinse 3.0 system?
7: How to work with Hydrator 3.3 and Fatliquor 5.0 system?
8: What is Leather Dry Processing?
9: How to work with Topcoat 21W?
10: How to work with Protector W?
1: What is Waxed Leather?
1.2: Waxed leather is dyed through to the reverse suede side of the leather with a transparent aniline dyestuff, such as Aniline 21.
1.3: The surface is then dye-coated with Aniline 76 to even out its appearance and sealed with a waxy topcoat using Topcoat 21W.
1.4: This process brings out the natural beauty of the grain surface.
1.5: To protect the leather topcoat from rubbing wear during usage, a non-stick, rub-resistant protector is applied routinely, such as Protector W or the leather-scented version Protector W Plus.
1.6: This leather finishing system distinguishes waxed leather from other varieties of aniline leather, including wax pull-up leather by its top coat and top coat protector.
2: What is Leather Degreasing?
2.1: Degreasing or removing surface and penetrating body oil, grease, and sweat is essential for good topcoat bonding, just like any other refinishing work based on the same principle.
2.2: However, the amphoteric protein leather material is especially pH-sensitive.
2.3: The pH value of 3 to 5 should always be maintained during the leather degreasing process.
2.4: A high pH value bleeds the dyestuff and displaces it, resulting in blotchiness.
2.5: A high pH or alkaline degreaser can denature the leather when the tanning agents leach out, resulting in tackiness.
2.6: All degreasing processes will also dry up some of the original fatliquor, especially with solvent-alcohol-based and alkaline products, which leads to leather stiffness and, when stressed, cracks.
2.7: When degreasing existing cracks or dried leather, it is recommended to first hydrate and recondition or replenish the leather structure with sufficient fat and oil using the Hydrator 3.3 and Fatliquor 5.0 system before degreasing.
2.8: Softening the leather first helps prevent over-drying during the degreasing process, which may accentuate or magnify existing cracks, when the leather dries empty of fat and oil.
3: What is Topcoat Refinishing?
3.1: The preparation for topcoat refinishing varies depending on the extent of physical damage and the conditions of the topcoat itself.
3.2: In most cases, partial or total removal is recommended for a stronger foundation and even out the appearance.
3.3: The standard Topcoat Refinishing procedure is a 6-step process:
3.4: 1st Step - Degreasing:
3.5: Degreasing is done with Degreaser 2.2, followed by Acidifier 2.0 as a rinse and pH balancer system.
3.6: 2nd Step - Stripping:
3.7: Stripping is optional depending on the condition of the existing topcoat.
3.8: The chemical stripping option is done with Stripper 2.3 and Stripping Brush 9.
3.9: The physical shaving of the deteriorating topcoat is done with Razor 60 in sync with Hydrator 3.3 and Fatliquor 5.0 system.
3.10: 3rd Step - Rinsing and pH Balancing:
3.11: Rinsing and pH balancing are done with Acidifier 2.0.
3.12: This removes resurfaced soiling particulates to satisfaction and balances pH to eliminate any tackiness before topcoat refinishing.
3.13: 4th Step - Hydrating and Fatliquoring:
3.14: In penetrated soiling, hydrating helps resurface suspended soiling particulates to be towel extracted with a leather-safe pH 3.3 Hydrator 3.3.
3.15: Hydrator 3.3 preconditions the leather, by relaxing and pathing the fibrous structure for effective fatliquoring with Fatliquor 5.0.
3.16: As fatliquor diminishes from heat, aging, and leaching the leather becomes stiff which leads to cracks and weak with dry rotting.
3.17: Fatliquor 5.0 is the lifeblood of leather that imparts softness and strength when dry.
3.18: 5th Step - Topcoat Refinishing:
3.19: Topcoat refinishing with Topcoat 21W after dry preparation with a dust-free surface.
3.20: A lint-free folding towel or padding as the first coating ensures adhesion promotion for subsequent coating.
3.21: Subsequent coating may be applied with a soft varnishing brush to avoid streaks or airbrushing for professional results.
3.22: Allow it to dry between coatings until the desired result is achieved.
3.23: 6th Step - Protection:
3.24: The final sequence of steps is the application of Protector W or the leather scent version, Protector W Plus, to reduce friction wear on the topcoat and prevent soiling with a non-stick protective shield.
4: What Products are Recommended for Topcoat Refinishing Aniline Satin Waxy Leathers?
4.1: Degreaser 2.2, Acidifier 2.0, Clean 3.8, and Rinse 3.0 system.
4.2: Degreaser 2.2 is a dual-purpose formulation with a pH value of 2.2 designed to safely degrease both surfaces and penetrate soiling while charging the leather protein structure ionic positive (+ve).
4.3: Ionic charging increases the hydrogen bonding with the other ionic negative (-ve) leather constituents, such as the tanning agents, dyestuff, and fatliquor.
4.4: Acidifier 2.0 is a water-based acidifier with a pH value of 2.0 that works in sync with Degreaser 2.2 to rinse and pH-balance by charging the leather protein fiber ionic positive (+ve), to increase the attraction between the ionic negative (-ve) leather constituents like the tanning agent, dyestuff, and fatliquor, preventing tackiness, bleeding, and stiffness.
4.5: Cleaner 3.8 is an all-purpose, leather-safe, mild anionic universal cleaner, particularly effective in emulsifying general soiling and suspending particulates without potential side effects such as rings and browning on pH-sensitive aniline leathers.
4.6: Rinse 3.0 is a rinse with a 3.0 pH value used to remove suspended soiling and balance the pH, also used in a final rinse after Acidifier 2.0 to bring the leather to a neutral pH of 3 to 5.
4.7: Hydrator 3.3 and Fatliquor 5.0 system.
4.8: Hydrator 3.3 is a water-based pH 3.3 hydrating conditioner that relaxes and plumps the leather structure, providing strength for easy stretching and shaving of existing topcoats.
4.9: The leather structure becomes stretchable against the stiffer topcoats, causing the aging topcoat to loosen for easy shaving, as an option.
4.10: Fatliquor 5.0 is a pH 5.0 ionic negatively (-ve) charged micro-emulsion of fat, oil, and water for conditioning leather softness with strength when dry.
4.11: Fatliquor 5.0, when applied to leather, causes the water-encased ionic-charged fat and oil molecules to break free and become attracted to the protein leather structure.
4.12: This process results in free water being wicked away, leaving space for the natural transpiration of the leather.
4.13: Aniline Satin Waxy Topcoat 21W
4.14: Topcoat 21W is a water-based, fine particle-size urethane-resin emulsion satin wax topcoat designed to protect the natural tanning aniline dyestuff with excellent toughness and flexibility.
4.15: Protector W
4.16: Protector W is a soft, waxy-feel, non-stick, rub-resistant, protective conditioner that matches Topcoat 21W. Protector W Plus is the leather scent version.
5: What is Leather Wet Processing?
5.1: Wet processing is a continuous dovetailing system that includes the working sequence of Degreaser 2.2, followed by Acidifier 2.0, then Rinse 3.0, Hydrator 3.3, and ends with Fatliquor 5.0.
5.2: The leather is continuously wet throughout the product applications and is extracted with a white absorbent towel until it shows clean.
5.3: Hydrator 3.3 is used again after Fatliquor 5.0 to remove fat and oil sticky residue. It is left to dry naturally, and a little stretching when almost dry produces a softer leather with tensile strength.
6: How to work with Degreaser 2.2, Acidifier 2.0, Clean 3.8, and Rinse 3.0 system?
6.1: Degreaser 2.2 is swirled for about 5 minutes for the mixture to build up in coagulation and shaken until it gels for ease of application.
6.2: Degreaser 2.2 works with leather Brush 1 to spread and brush deep into the stain area, and towel extract until the towel shows clean of soiling.
6.3: Degreaser 2.2 is spread and feathered out to the remaining surrounding area without a dry line to improve the overall drying appearance.
6.4: Eraser 4 is used for better traction without the risk of scratching the finish.
6.5: Leather Brush 1 is also used for detailing stitching rows, welting, grooves, creases, and wrinkles.
6.6: A dry absorbent towel extracts emulsified and suspended soil until it appears clean.
6.7: Acidifier 2.0 is applied, brushed, and wiped, followed by towel extraction, changing folding sides until the towel shows clean.
6.8: Acidifier 2.0 is applied again and left to pH balance if tackiness persists.
6.9: A healthy leather with a squeaky feel with finger testing ends the pH-balancing treatment.
6.10: Cleaner 3.8 is applied, brushed, and suspended soiling is towel extracted until the towel shows clean.
6.11: Rinse 3.0 is applied, brushed, and the remaining residue is towel extracted until the towel shows clean.
7: How to work with Hydrator 3.3 and Fatliquor 5.0 system?
7.1: Hydrator 3.3 is sprayed and brushed using a horsehair Leather Brush 1 to distribute and be absorbed into the leather structure.
7.2: When the leather appears evenly saturated with moisture, staking, massaging, and flexing will return it to its original dimensions and is ready for fatliquoring.
7.3: Fatliquor-5.0 is applied and brushed to distribute and be absorbed into the leather structure.
7.4: Fatliquor-5.0 is applied repeatedly each time the water content evaporates and is continued until the leather cannot absorb any more.
7.5: It is then left to dry slowly, and the surface fat and oil sticky residue is removed with Hydrator 3.3 until it becomes clear. The leather is left to dry slowly once again.
7.6: Before it is fully dried, staking, massaging, or flexing it until it is fully dry will result in softer leather, which will be ready for the next process.
8: What is Leather Dry Processing?
8.1: The dry process begins with Eraser 4, and Razor 60 is an option to remove surface residues that may have wicked up.
8.2: Darkening effect is improved with a deep stretching using a tablespoon.
8.3: Topcoat 21W is best applied with a folded white lint-free towel like Towel 5 as the first coating to promote adhesion.
8.4: New folding side is used when the towel picks up soiling residue.
8.5: Sand2000 may be an option to use in between coatings, but sanding on the leather crust alone is not recommended.
8.6: Protector W marks the end of the Dry Process.
9: How to work with Leather Aniline Satin Waxy Topcoat 21W?
9.1: The leather is inspected especially the penetrated stained area typically turns dark when soiling particulates resurface.
9.2: Stretching or deep stretching with a tablespoon, brushing, erasing, or shaving with optional Razor 60 will lighten up the appearance.
9.3: Any sanding required, is after the first coating has dried, to smooth out, without damage to the leather grain.
9.4: Coating with a lint-free folding towel is recommended as the first coating to ensure adhesion promotion and pick up residual soiling.
9.5: Other application methods may include foam brushing, a soft touch varnishing brushes reduces streaks, and airbrushing will produce professional result.
9.6: Let dry between the coating and further fine sanding to smooth out continues in between coatings to satisfaction.
9.7: Let the topcoat cure overnight for extra strength and inspection before the non-stick protection application.
10: How to work with Protector W?
10.1: Protector W is applied and spread with a folding towel for an even appearance, let dry, and is ready to use.
Thank you for your input to further improve this writing, any comments are welcome.
Edited May 6, 2024 by Roger Koh
