Aniline Wax Pull Up Leather Care Kit AW3

 Aniline Wax Pull-Up Leather Care Kit AW3 by Leather Doctor® is a comprehensive leather-safe care system formulated to clean, rinse, hydrate, soften, revive, and protect aniline wax pull-up leathers.

Kit AW3 is formulated for preventive, routine, periodic, and restorative care, this system maintains the natural beauty of wax pull-up leather and delays premature aging from sun exposure, dryness, and wear.

 What is Wax Pull-Up Leather?

Wax pull-up leather is a full-grain aniline-dyed leather infused with a secondary wax finish that gives it its signature pull-up effect—a lighter tone that emerges when the leather is stretched or creased, and a glossy, slightly rugged look that enhances over time.

This leather type features a dual-conditioning system:

• Fatliquor 5.0 – Restores internal softness, flexibility, and structure-critical lubrication.
• Wax Pull-Up 8.6 – Revives the waxy fashion effect and enhances pull-up contrast and gloss.

 How to Identify Aniline Wax Pull-Up Leather

• Stretching or pulling reveals a lighter color, which disappears with warmth or massage.
• Fingernail scratches are easily visible on the glossy surface.
• The reverse suede side shows a similar color tone to the grain side, indicating true aniline dye-through leather.

 Common Issues & Their Causes

Why Does Color Fade?

• Aniline dyes are UV-sensitive and more prone to fading than pigments.
• Loss of internal fatliquor diminishes color depth and saturation.

Why Does Leather Feel Stiff in Sun-Exposed Areas?

• Heat and UV draw out natural fats and oils, causing fiber dryness and stiffness.

How Does Stiffness Lead to Cracking?

• Without sufficient fatliquor, leather fibers stick together, harden, and crack under pressure or flexing.

 How to Maintain Long-Term Softness and Beauty

• Hydrator 3.3 – Periodically used to relax compressed and stiff fibers.
• Fatliquor 5.0 – Replenishes the essential fat and oil balance to restore flexibility and prevent cracking.

This rejuvenating system strengthens the leather’s internal structure, enhances surface aesthetics, and slows the aging process naturally.

 Kit AW3 – Core 7-Product System (4-Step Process)

Step 1: Deep Clean & Rinse

• Prep 4.4 – Heavy-duty cleaner for ingrained oils and grime.
• Soft 3.8 – Gentle cleaner for routine maintenance.
• Rinse 3.0 – pH-balanced rinse to neutralize and refresh.

Step 2: Hydrate & Soften

• Hydrator 3.3 – Relaxation agent to open up compressed leather fibers.
• Fatliquor 5.0 – Core fat and oil conditioner that restores suppleness.

Step 3: Revive the Wax Pull-Up Effect

• Wax 8.6 – Restores the natural pull-up effect and rich finish.

Step 4: Final Protection

• Protector B – A non-stick, rub-resistant conditioner to protect against daily friction, wear, and stains.

Leather Doctor® Kit AW3 - For those who appreciate luxurious leather that ages with grace—this system brings back softness, strength, and timeless beauty to your wax pull-up leather. Because when leather is cared for properly, it doesn't just last—it evolves.

 Easy-to-Use Concentrate

Kit AW3 concentrates contents require 1276g (1.4 quarts) distilled water to be mixed and filled before use with these selected leather-safe products:

 Kit A3 Product Summary Includes:

✅ Prep 4.4 (2oz ready-to-use)
✅ Soft 3.8 (8oz concentrate)
✅ Rinse 3.0 (8oz concentrate)
✅ Hydrator 3.3 (8oz concentrate)
✅ Fatliquor 5.0 (8oz concentrate)
✅ Wax 8.6 (8oz concentrate)
✅ Protector B (8oz concentrate)
✅ Brush 1 (horsehair detail brush)
✅ Foam 2 (polyfoam applicator brush)
✅ Towel 5 (lint-free, reusable towel)

 Leather Soft Prep Cleaner 4.4 by Leather Doctor is a specialized pH 4.4 solution designed for deep cleaning heavily soiled, pH-sensitive leather, nubuck, and suede. This advanced formula effectively removes accumulated dirt, silicone shine, sticky residues, and greasy stains while ensuring a safe and effective cleaning process.

Key Benefits:

• Deep cleans heavy soiled leathers. 
• Removes accumulated dirt, grease, and sticky residues.
• Eliminates silicone shine for a natural finish.
• Safe for pH-sensitive materials

 Leather Soft Cleaner 3.8 by Leather Doctor® is a leather-safe, pH 3.8 mild cleaner formulated to effectively emulsify and lift general soiling without causing common side effects.

Soft 3.8 is among the mildest of cleaners with a lower cleaning power than Strong 4.3 and Super 4.9. 

Why Choose Soft 3.8?

• Soft 3.8 is the mildest among the Leather Doctor's range of cleaners which is safe for all leather, Nubuck, and Suede.
• Always test clean with Soft 3.8 and evaluate the result to your satisfaction before progressively increasing the cleaning power to Strong 4.3 or Super 4.9.
• Accumulated soiling may require the next level of Prep 4.4 preparatory cleaners. 
• Penetrated body oil, grease, and sweat requires Degreaser 2.2 and is rinsed with Acidifier 2.0.
• Provides the “just right” strength—a balance between under-cleaning and over-cleaning.
• Part of a holistic leather-safe system: always follow rinse with Rinse 3.0

Soft 3.8 Key Benefits:

• Gently Cleans Without Harsh Effects – Maintains leather’s natural integrity
• Works Seamlessly with Prep 4.4 – Allows for after cleaning of sticky residue
• Prevents Rings & Browning – Ideal for pH-sensitive leathers
• Residue-Free with Rinse 3.0 – Restores leather’s pH balance for long-term car 

 Leather Rinse 3.0 by Leather Doctor® is a pH 3.0 leather-safe rinse formulated to remove suspended soil and restore the pH balance of leather, ensuring its structural integrity and long-term durability.

Rinse 3.0 Key Features & Benefits:

• Removes Suspended Soil – Lifts and extracts emulsified soiling for a clean, residue-free finish.
• Neutralizes Alkaline Residue – Restores pH balance to prevent damage from alkaline overexposure.
• Prevents Tackiness & Dye Bleeding – Stabilizes the leather structure, reducing unwanted texture changes.
• Enhances Leather’s Ionic Charge – Recharges the leather with a positive (+ve) charge, improving its ability to bond with negatively (-ve) charged tanning agents, dyestuff, and fatliquor.
• Preserves Suppleness & Durability – Helps maintain the leather’s softness, preventing stiffness and cracking.

Recommended Usage:

• Apply Rinse 3.0 – Gently work into leather using a towel to lift and extract soil. 
• Blot Away Residue – Use a clean, absorbent cloth to remove excess moisture.
• Check for Tackiness – Use Acidifier 2.0 to further stabilize leather structure.
• Allow to Dry Naturally – Ensure proper drying to maintain leather integrity. 
• Follow while still damp with Hydrator 3.3 & Fatliquor 5.0 (if needed) – For deep relaxation and softening. 

 Leather Hydrator 3.3 is a leather-safe pH 3.3 aqueous solution formulated by Leather Doctor® to hydrate, relax, and restore the leather’s internal structure during cleaning, conditioning, and restoration processes - in line with its tannery science-based function:

It mimics the hydration stage of tannery pre-conditioning to prepare leather for deeper structural rejuvenation.

Hydrator 3.3 Key Benefits:

Rehydrates dried, stiff, or collapsed fiber structure

• Restores moisture to the leather’s protein fibers, relaxing them so they can regain flexibility.
• Essential before fatliquoring (with Fatliquor 5.0) so fats and oils can penetrate deeply and bond properly.

Displaces and flushes out impuritie 

• Helps suspend and wick out residual body oils, sweat, soiling, or alkaline contamination that may have penetrated the leather.

Balances pH and readies leather for further treatments

• The mild acidic pH of 3.3 re-aligns the ionic charges of the leather structure, making it receptive to fatliquor and protecting against pH damage.

Helps reduce stiffness and restore suppleness

• When used alone or in conjunction with fatliquor, Hydrator 3.3 is critical for achieving uniform softness, without patchiness. 

Tannery science basis

• In professional tanning and retanning, hides are hydrated before fatliquoring to ensure that treatments penetrate evenly and bond effectively.
• Leather Hydrator 3.3 replicates this essential tannery hydration step at the restoration stage, particularly for dried-out, stiff, or aged leather.

 Typical uses

• Pre-conditioning before fatliquoring (Fatliquor 5.0 / 5.0 Plus).
• Rehydrating stiff or shrunken leather.
• Flushing out suspended foreign contamination.
• Restoring leather softness before or after structural repairs.
• Managing leather with pH imbalances due to sweat or alkaline cleaner exposure.

Why Hydrator 3.3 is essential before Fatliquor 5.0

• This often questions goes right to the heart of why Leather Doctor®’s tannery science-based system emphasizes a holistic, structural restoration, not just surface treatment. Let’s break down the crucial role of Leather Hydrator 3.3 in softening leather along with Leather Fatliquor 5.0:

1️⃣ Hydrator 3.3 Reopens the Collapsed Fibrous structure

• Leather that’s dried out or stiff has a collapsed internal fiber structure.
• Hydrator 3.3 (pH 3.3) is designed to penetrate deeply and relax these stick-together fibrils.
• It displaces impurities (e.g., residual soiling, alkaline cleaners, or sweat contamination) that interfere with leather’s softness and flexibility.

2️⃣ Hydrator 3.3 Restores pH balance for Better Absorption of Fatliquor

• The acidic pH of Hydrator 3.3 helps re-align the ionic charge of the leather’s protein fibers, making them more receptive to fatliquor’s amphoteric chemistry (positive-negative molecular bonding).
• A pH imbalance (e.g., from alkaline exposure) prevents proper bonding of fatliquor, so Hydrator 3.3 prepares the structure for optimal uptake. 

3️⃣ Hydrator 3.3 Facilitates Wicking and Removal of Foreign Contamination

When leather is thoroughly hydrated to the point where moisture oozes out when gently pressed between fingers, Hydrator 3.3 promotes the wicking action that draws out solubilized foreign contamination and residues toward the surface. These impurities can then be:

• Blotted away while wet, and
• Erased when dry (especially for nubuck and suede) to restore an even appearance.

Without this critical hydration step, embedded contaminants remain trapped within the fiber structure, hindering the uniform distribution of fatliquor and compromising the leather’s suppleness and aesthetic restoration.

How Hydrator 3.3 and Fatliquor 5.0 work together?

• Hydrator 3.3 softens by rehydration — restoring flexibility to the internal fiber structure so that Fatliquor 5.0 can enter, bond, and condition.
• Fatliquor 5.0 softens by nourishing — depositing fat and oil molecules that lubricate, condition, and strengthen the fibrils so they slide over each other without stiffness or brittleness.

The Tannery Science Logic

• In the tannery, hides are always hydrated before fatliquoring.
• The Leather Doctor system replicates this at the restoration stage.
• Without hydration, fatliquor would merely sit on the surface or be absorbed unevenly, leading to patchy results and insufficient softening.

 Leather Fatliquor 5.0 by Leather Doctor® is a leather-safe pH 5.0 emulsion of fat, oil, and water designed to replenish the original fatliquor content of leather’s fibrous structure.

It restores leather’s internal lubrication, flexibility, strength, and resilience—mimicking the essential fatliquoring stage in professional tanning and retanning processes.

Fatliquor 5.0 Key Benefits:

Lubricates and nourishes 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 fatliquoring 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.

Tannery science basis:

• In the tannery, fatliquoring is one of the final and most critical stages after tanning and dyeing.
• It ensures that leather stays soft, strong, and flexible as it dries.
• The fats and oils form a molecular film around the protein fibers, acting as internal lubricants.

Leather Fatliquor 5.0 brings this same process to leather restoration.
It ensures the leather is not just “looking good on the surface” but structurally rejuvenated from within.

Typical uses:

• Restoring dried, stiff, or shriveled leather.
• Rejuvenating leather after mold removal, alkaline contamination, or heat exposure.
• Conditioning leather during or after restoration, repairs, or refinishing.

Important note on process:

• Leather Fatliquor 5.0 works only when the leather is properly hydrated first (with Hydrator 3.3) to relax the fiber structure and open it up for fatliquor absorption.
• Without hydration, fatliquor can’t penetrate deeply or bond uniformly — leading to incomplete restoration. 

 Leather Conditioner Wax Pull-Up 8.6 by Leather Doctor® is a rejuvenator for restoring the diminishing aniline wax effect lost through usage, aging, or cleaning.

It is highly recommended that the primary leather softening process of hydration and fatliquoring be completed to satisfaction before applying the secondary wax pull-up effect.

The Importance of Hydration & Fatliquoring Before Applying Wax 8.6: 

Before restoring the pull-up effect, it is highly recommended to complete the primary leather softening process through hydration and fatliquoring. Here's why:

1. Hydration – Relax, Revive & Rejuvenate

Over time, leather loses moisture due to aging, environmental exposure, and cleaning. Dry leather fibers become stiff and prone to cracking. Hydration helps:

• Relax stiff fibers and correct shrinkage
• Open up the leather structure for better fat and oil absorption
• Reduce dryness-induced creases and stiffness

2. Fatliquoring – Restoring Softness & Strength

Once hydrated, leather requires fatliquoring, which replenishes the natural fats and oil that provide:

• Softness and flexibility
• Internal lubrication to prevent stiffness and cracking
• Resistance against premature wear and aging

3. Wax Pull-Up Effect – Finishing Touch for Beauty & Function

Only after leather is fully softened should Wax 8.6 be applied. This ensures:

• A revived wax pull-up effect for a rich, dynamic look
• Enhanced suppleness without overloading stiff leather
• Long-lasting protection and beauty

By following this two-step restoration process, you maximize the longevity and luxurious feel of aniline wax pull-up leather. 

 Instruction Guide

Distilled Water Mixing Instructions (Before Use):

 This Kit AW3 requires 1276g (1.4 quarts) of distilled water, to be mixed with the concentrates.

1. Fill each 8oz bottle to approximately 250g or 1.5 inches below the top.
2. Shake well to fully activate the solution before use.

 Prep 4.4 – Heavy Soiling Pre-Cleaner

1. Apply thinly using Foam 2.
2. Let dwell for 5 minutes to 1 hour, depending on the level of soiling.
3. Allow to dwell if needed for deeper penetration, lubrication, and soil suspension.

  Soft 3.8 – Active Leather Cleaner

1. Apply over Prep 4.4.
2. Agitate with Brush 1.
3. Use Towel 5 to extract suspended soiling.
4. Repeat with clean sides of the towel until no visible soil remains.

  Rinse 3.0 – Neutralizing Rinse

1. Apply evenly and agitate again with Brush 1.
2. Extract residue with Towel 5, folding to a clean side each time.
3. Continue until the leather feels clean and squeaky.

  Hydrator 3.3 – Fiber Relaxer

1. Apply and spread using Foam 2 until the surface darkens evenly.
2. While the leather is saturated: Gently massage, flex, and stake to relax stiffness, creases, and restore shape.
3. Continue until leather feels relaxed and ready for fatliquoring.

  Fatliquor 5.0 – Fat & Oil Replenisher

1. Apply to fully saturate the leather and let it air dry naturally.
2. Reapply after each drying cycle, as water evaporates, leaving behind essential fats and oils.
3. Repeat until the leather absorbs no more.
4. As it approaches full dryness, massage, flex, and stake again to restore soft suppleness—this preps the leather for the pull-up revival stage.

 Wax 8.6 - Wax Effect Conditioning 

1. Apply evenly to achieve a uniform darkening effect.
2. Let the wax absorb and dry naturally.
3. A cloudy crystalline film will form on the surface—this is normal.
4. Heat-activate with hot hair dryer or gentle heat to melt the wax into a glossy pull-up sheen.

  Final Protection – Protector B

1. Apply and spread a light coat using a lint-free cloth.
2. Let it air dry.
3. Leather is now conditioned, protected, and ready for use.

 Pro Tips:

• Always test each product on a hidden area first.
• Use only distilled water to avoid mineral contamination.
• Work in sections for large items to ensure even results.
• Avoid exposing treated leather to direct sunlight or heat until fully dried and conditioned.

  People Also Ask:

1. What is a Leather Systematic Cycle of Care?"
2. What is a Leather Preventive Care System?
3. What is a Leather Routine Care System?
4. What is a Leather Periodic Care System?
5. What is a Leather Restorative Care System?

1. What is a Leather Systematic Cycle of Care?

1. A leather systematic cycle of care includes preventive, routine, periodic, and restorative levels of care to bring suppleness, and appearance at all times high.

2. What is a Leather Preventive Care System?

1. A leather preventive care system is a nonstick, rub-resistant conditioning to increase the leather's resistance to wet and dry rubs, thus reducing stretch, scuff, and abrasion with Protector W.

3. What is a Leather Routine Care System?

1. A routine care system includes dust cleaning, conditioning, and attending to spots and stains as required.
2. Rinse 3.0 routinely neutralizing perspiration soiling prevents the leather from denaturing into tackiness.
3. Sanitizer 3.9 routinely sanitizing keeps a hygienic bacteria-free surface.
4. Deodorizer 4.5 routinely deodorizing keeps the leather free of unwanted odors.
5. Protector W routinely conditioning keeps the leather nonsticky and reduces friction wear. 

4. What is a Leather Periodic Care System?

1. A periodic care system is recommended before soiling causes damage to the leather finishing.
2. It requires attention to body contact surfaces like the headrest and armrest with most soiling from body oil, grease, and sweat.
3. Cleaner 3.8 and Rinse 3.0 cleans and rinse periodically keeping the leather clean and healthy, at all times.
4. Hydrator 3.3 and Fatliquor 5.0 to relax and soften the leather periodically keeping it free from dryness and stiffness with suppleness. 
5. Wax Pull-up 8.6 periodic revival keeps the fashion pull-up effects fresh and lively. 

5. What is a Leather Restorative Care System?

1. A leather restorative care system is the ultimate salvage system that removes unwanted accumulated soiling and aged conditioners.
2. It requires a preparatory cleaning product such as Prep 4.4, to work in sequence with Cleaner 3.8 followed by the Rinse 3.0 system.
3. Gloss 76 to restore topcoat wear and damage is an option.

 How to Identify Leather Stains?

Stain identification is crucial for effective treatment and is based on six key factors:
Appearance, Odor, Color, Feel-of-Hand, Location, and Buildup or Absorption.

Appearance

• Observing how the stain looks can indicate whether it is a spill, rub-on, penetration, or surface deposit.
• Some stains may cause dye or finish damage, revealing changes in the leather’s color or texture.

Odor

• Smelling the stain can help identify its source.
• Common odors include:
• Moldy (fungal growth)
• Smoke (fire or cigarette exposure)
• Putrid (decaying organic matter)
• Ammonia (urine contamination)

Color

• Color provides a clue to the staining substance but can change over time due to oxidation.
• The leather’s natural color may also influence how the stain appears.

• Red stains: Could be from wine, blood, lipstick, nail polish, or beverages.
• Blood stains: Can oxidize and shift from red to tan, then to black.

Feel-of-Hand

• Touching the stain helps determine its type:
• Sticky: Likely from candy, beverages, or sugary substances.
• Brittle and stiff: Could be nail polish, paint, or shellac.
• Greasy smear: Often caused by lipstick, oils, or butter.

Location

• The stain’s location on the leather provides hints about its origin.
• Headrests & armrests: Usually stained by body oil, sweat, and grease.
• Seat cushions: Often show food or beverage spills.

Buildup or Absorbed

• Stains can be surface-level (built-up) or deeply absorbed into the leather.
• Built-up stains (common on pigmented leather) include paint, food residue, and ink.
• Absorbed stains (common on nubuck, aniline, and unfinished leather) include wine, tea, and coffee.
• Combination stains: Some stains contain both absorbed and surface elements, such as lipstick, ink, and mustard.
• Protein-based stains: Examples include blood, dairy, and egg-based spills.
• Oil-based stains: Often come from grease, butter, and lotions.
• Colloidal stains: May require specialized treatments.

Additional Considerations

• Sweat stains can chemically alter leather, causing tackiness (when dry) or sliminess (when wet).
• Dye stains may show up when wiping with a white towel—this indicates color crocking.
• Fatliquor leaching (spew) appears as a milky film and causes leather to become stiff and prone to cracking.

By carefully identifying stains, you can apply the appropriate Leather Doctor® solutions to restore leather to its original beauty.

 

 How to Use this Leather Problem-Solving Matrix?

• This matrix categorizes common issues with Vachetta into five groups:
• Soil, Stain, Odor, Structure, and Finish (listed in the left column).
• Corresponding recommended products are displayed across the top row.
• Each number within the matrix indicates the steps required to address the problem holistically.

For example:
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.

The process should always conclude with:

• Hydrator 3.3 to rehydrate and relax the leather.
• Fatliquor 5.0 to replenish lost fats and oils, restoring suppleness.
• Protector B conditioning the leather for ongoing durability.

   Your opinions, insights and review are precious and will help us to solve your leather problem more efficiently.

Updated: December 20, 2024,| April 9, 2025 | July 29, 2025 | August 17, 2025  by Roger Koh.