Waxy Matte Anilie Leather Dye Refinishing Kit AM3.cl

Waxy Matte Aniline Leather Dye Refinishing Kit AM3.cl by Leather Doctor degrease, acidify, clean, rinse, hydrate, fatliquor, dye, seal, and condition waxed leather.

Aniline Waxy Matte Leather is a full-grain chrome-tanned leather known for its soft hand and transparent aniline-dyed color that enhances its natural beauty. The dye penetrates through to the reverse suede side, creating a rich, natural look with a subtle Sauvage effect. Its fine waxy matte finish is achieved through an emulsion topcoat, which is further protected with a non-stick, rub-resistant conditioner to minimize finish wear.

As an amphoteric material, Aniline Waxy Matte Leather is pH-sensitive, requiring leather-safe products with a pH between 3 and 5 to prevent potential damage. If exposed to alkaline substances, it must be pH-balanced back to its neutral state (iso-electric point or pI) to maintain its integrity. Additionally, aniline leathers are more UV-sensitive, making periodic hydration and fatliquoring essential for preventing dryness, reviving color vibrancy, and maintaining suppleness to avoid stiffness and cracking.

Kit Am3.cl requires 1435g (1.6 quarts) of distilled waterto be mixed and filled before use, and products are available individually as refills to complete your project.

Degreasing and Acidifying system

Leather Degreaser 2.2

Degreaser 2.2 is a pH 2.2 water-based degreaser designed to remove penetrated oil, grease, and sweat stains caused by skin and hair contact. It effectively controls tackiness and dye bleeding, ensuring the leather remains stable during the cleaning process. Unlike solvent-based degreasers, Degreaser 2.2 enhances the leather's structural integrity by charging the leather’s protein fibers ionic positive (+ve). This strengthens the ionic attraction between the ionic negative (-ve) tanning agent, dyestuff, and fatliquor, minimizing potential side effects and preserving the leather’s natural properties.

Leather Acidifier 2.0

Acidifier 2.0 is a pH 2.0 acidifier rinse designed to control, neutralize, and pH-balance leather chemistry, preventing tackiness and dye bleeding. It works in sequence with Degreaser 2.2, effectively rinsing and rebalancing the leather’s pH. By charging the leather’s protein fibers ionic positive (+ve), it strengthens the ionic attraction between the ionic negative (-ve) leather constituents, such as the tanning agent, dyestuff, and fatliquor. This process ensures leather stability, preventing issues like tackiness, dye loss, and stiffness, while maintaining its natural integrity.

Cleaning and Rinsing system

Leather Cleaner 3.8

Cleaner 3.8 is a leather-safe, pH 3.8 mild cleaner designed to effectively emulsify and suspend general soiling without causing common side effects. It is used after Degreaser 2.2 and Acidifier 2.0, ensuring thorough cleaning while extending across the entire section without leaving a dry edge. Its holistic cleaning and rinsing sequence, when followed with Rinse 3.0, restores leather to its natural pH chemistry integrity, preventing issues such as rings and browning, especially on pH-sensitive aniline leathers.

Leather Rinse 3.0

Rinse 3.0 is a pH 3.0 solution designed to remove suspended soil and reinforce the leather's pH integrity. This rinse neutralizes alkaline residues, extracts soiling with towels, and restores the ionic balance (+ve), enhancing tanning agents, dyestuff, and fat liquor bonding to prevent tackiness, bleeding, and stiffness.

Hydrating and Fatliquoring system

Leather Hydrator 3.3

Hydrator 3.3 is a pH 3.3 hydrating conditioner formulated to maintain the natural pH integrity of leather while relaxing and softening stiff fibers. It effectively smooths out creases and wrinkles before the fatliquoring process, ensuring the leather remains pliable and breathable. This non-sticky, residue-free solution facilitates colloidal water movement, helping to reactivate dormant dyestuff and allowing the color to resurface for a more even and uniform appearance. Hydrator 3.3 is suitable for all leather types, including vachetta, aniline, nubuck, and full-grain leathers. It plays a crucial role in plumping up the leather, reducing surface interfacial tension, and preparing it for the replenishment of essential fats and oils with Fatliquor 5.0. By using Hydrator 3.3 before fatliquoring, leather is restored to its natural softness, flexibility, and long-term durability.

Leather Fatliquor 5.0

Fatliquor 5.0 is a pH 5.0 micro-emulsion of fat, oil, and water designed to restore the original softness, strength, and flexibility of leather. It plays a crucial role in the leather’s conditioning process by replenishing the fat and oil content that keeps leather supple and prevents stiffness or cracking. When applied, the water-encased fat and oil molecules penetrate the leather fibers. As the water gradually wicks away during the drying process, the fat and oil remain, hydrogen bond with the fibers and creating a breathable structure that enhances the leather’s elasticity and durability. Fatliquor 5.0 is essential for maintaining and restoring vachetta, aniline, nubuck, suede, and other leathers, preventing them from becoming brittle over time. Proper fatliquoring ensures that leather retains its tensile strength, resists breakage, and continues to feel soft and luxurious.

Dyeing system

Aniline Waxy Matte Coating Dye 21

Dye 21 is a next-generation transparent surface coating dye that provides excellent color coverage with a waxy matte.

Sealing system

Aniline Waxy Matte Topcoat 21W

Matte 21 is a water-based emulsion topcoat designed to provide a matte luster and waxy feel, perfectly matching the original finish of waxed aniline leathers.

Conditioning system

Leather Protector W

Protector W is a nonstick, rub-resistant, non-film-forming conditioner designed to shield leather from the damaging effects of sticky soiling while imparting a soft, waxy feel. Its breathable barrier enhances resistance to both wet and dry rubs, helping to reduce stretch, scuffing, and abrasion, while preserving the leather’s durability and appearance

Instruction:

1 Degreasing with Leather Degreaser 2.2 

1. Degreaser 2.2 is shaken well to coagulate.
2. It is saturated to reach penetrated soiling with appropriate brushes and erasers and extracted with Towel 5 equivalent until it shows clean.
3. It is reapplied and allowed to dwell 3 to 30 minutes or before it dries for a complete soiling suspension and extracted until it shows clean.

2 Acidifying Rinse with Leather Acidifier 2.0

1. Before use, the Acidifier 2.0 concentrate, a ratio of 1 to 25, is mixed with 224g distilled water, or 1.5 inches from the top of the 8oz bottle.
2. It is applied directly, brushed, and extracted with Towel 5 until clean.
3. It is kept for 3 to 30 minutes to control dye bleeding or surface tackiness.
4. Treatment is complete with a test for a healthy squeaky feel.

3 Cleaning with Leather Cleaner 3.8

1. Before use, the Cleaner 3.8 concentrate, a ratio of 1 to 64, is mixed with 224g distilled water, or 1.5 inches from the top of the 8oz bottle.
2. It is shaken well, applied, and brushed with leather Brush 1 and towel extract until the towel shows clean.

4 Rinse with Leather Rinse 3.0

1. Before use, the Rinse 3.0 concentrate, a ratio of 1 to 80, is mixed with 224g distilled water, or 1.5 inches from the top of the 8oz bottle.
2. It is shaken, applied, and brushed with Leather Brush 1 and extracted with a towel until it shows clean and the leather takes a squeaky, healthy feel.

5 Hydrate with Leather Hydrator 3.3 

1. Before use, the Hydrator 3.3 concentrate, a ratio of 1 to25, is mixed with 218g of distilled water, or 1.5 inches from the top of the 8oz bottle.
2. It is applied from the surface or accelerates saturation by working on the reverse side for a quick darkening effect.
3. A 3 minutes to 72 hours dwell to activate dormant dyestuff to resurface for an effective relaxing results.
4. Creases, wrinkles, or shrinkage is stake, massage, and stretch to dimension ready for fatliquoring.
5. Leaving overnight for long dwell, Mold Killer 3.6 may be needed to control potential mold growth.

6 Softening with Leather Fatliquor 5.0

1. Before use, the Fatliquor 5.0 concentrate, a ratio of 1 to 5, is mixed with 189g warm distilled water, or 1.5 inches from the top of the 8oz bottle.
2. It is applied and redistributed with appropriate brushes or pads until the thickness of the leather is saturated.
3. The application is repeated each time water content evaporates, until it absorbs no more.
4. Sticky residue is further driven into the leather structure or rinsed off with Hydrator 3.3.
5. Fatliquored leather is left to dry naturally for extra softness.
6. Fatliquored leather is further staked, massaged, flexed or stretched accordingly with a little wet back with Hydrator 3.3 until dry for extra suppleness.
7. Surface tension is also inspected with Hydrator 3.3 using a folded towel to check for even absorbency, avoiding blotchiness ready for Dye 21.

7 Dyeing with Aniline Waxy Matte Coating Dye 21

1. Before use, the Dye 21 concentrate, a ratio of 1 to 1, is mixed with 57g distilled water, or 1 inches mark from the top of the 4oz bottle.
2. It is applied onto the surface of the leather by Foam 2, folded Towel 5, or airbrushing for the desired result.

8 Conditioning with Leather Protector W

1. Before use, Protector W concentrate, a ratio of 1 to 19, is mixed with 215g distilled water, or 1.5 inches from the top of the 8oz bottle.
2. It is shaken, applied, and spread with a Foam 2 or folded Towel 5 and is ready to use when dry. 

9 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.

     1. Appearance

• Observing 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.

     2. 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)

     3. 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: Blood can oxidize, shift from red to tan, and then black.

     4. Feel-of-Hand

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

     5. 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.

     6. 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 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: These may require specialized treatments.

     7. Additional Considerations:

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

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

9 How to Use the Waxy Matte Aniline Leather Problem-Solving Matrix? 

The matrix categorizes common issues with aniline leather 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 W conditioning the leather for ongoing durability.

10 Technical Help and Support?

• Technical help and support are available free from the link below:
•  https://www.leathercleaningrestorationforum.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?5-Leather-Upholstery-Forum

Thank you for your input on improving this writing. Comments are welcome!

Edited: March 16, 2025 by Roger Koh.