King Ranch Auto Leather Care Kit AA3

King Ranch Auto Leather Care Kit AA3 by Leather Doctor is a pH-safe system for vegetable-tanned leathers, ensuring beauty, durability, and enhanced suppleness. 

Kit AA3 is an innovative, leather-safe system with a pH range of 3 to 5 specially formulated to maintain the highest appearance standards while preserving its structural integrity.

Ford King Ranch leathers possess unique characteristics similar to vegetable-tanned saddle leathers, showcasing a distinct cowboy and Western aesthetic. However, unlike traditional saddle leathers that darken with sunlight, King Ranch leathers are prone to fading due to aniline dyestuff exposure to UV light.

Periodic rejuvenation can revive faded color by hydrating the leather to activate dormant or excess dyestuff, allowing it to resurface naturally. For more extensive fading, re-dyeing may be necessary. The clear topcoat amplifies the leather's natural grain beauty but is susceptible to scuffing, scratching, and abrasion.

Regularly apply rub-resistant, buttery-feel protection to reduce wear, maintain topcoat integrity, and minimize squeaky noises from leather-on-leather contact.

The damaged topcoat is refinished with a gloss that restores visual appeal. Prolonged body contact can cause darkening, especially on high-touch areas like the console. Left untreated, this can lead to cracks and denatured leather. Use a pH 3 to 5 leather-safe cleaning system to remove body oils, grease, and sweat, preventing darkening and maintaining the leather's integrity. Regular cleaning and conditioning minimize the risk of topcoat damage, sticky residues, and dye deterioration. Darkened and stained areas require specific restoration steps: * Clean and condition the leather to remove contaminants and prepare it for recoloring. * Use transparent coating dyestuff to blend with the leather’s natural appearance. * For more severe stains, a translucent dyestuff provides better coverage. * Opt for a satin luster topcoat to reduce the visibility of camouflaged imperfections. By following these care practices, King Ranch leathers can retain their luxurious look and feel while extending their longevity.

This Kit AA3 is designed for preventive, routine, periodic, and restorative care to ensure optimal appearance and sitting comfort.

Spotting, Cleaning, and Rinsing System:

Leather Prep Cleaner 4.4

Prep 4.4 is a pH 4.4 solution for heavy soiling on pH-sensitive leather, Nubuck, and suede, ensuring safe and effective cleaning. It tackles issues such as accumulated soiling, chewing gum, silicone shine, sticky residue, and greasy stains. For compound stains with dye components (e.g., ballpoint ink, blue jean dye, crayon, leather belt marks, plastic ink prints, newsprint, and stamp pad ink), follow up with Dye 7.9 for optimal results.

Leather Cleaner 3.8

Cleaner 3.8 is a pH 3.8 leather-safe, and effectively emulsifies and suspends oily soils without adverse side effects. It safely cleans vegetable-tanned leather, maintaining its pH-neutral range of 3-5. Paired with Rinse 3.0, Cleaner 3.8 ensures holistic cleaning, leaving leather residue-free and restored to its pH integrity.

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 to relax and stretch out leather stiffness, creases, and wrinkles before fat liquoring. This pH 3.3 hydrator facilitates colloidal water movement, reactivating the dormant dyestuff to resurface and reducing the leather surface interfacial tension.

Leather Fatliquor 5.0 

Fatliquor 5.0 is a fat and oil microemulsion softener for vegetable-tanned leather against dryness, stiffness, and cracking. This pH 5.0 emulsion ionic negative (-ve) charged fat liquor replenishes the original diminishing fat and oil and rejuvenates with softness and strength. The fat plumps the leather with fullness and the oil relaxes coarse breaks, creases, and wrinkles to impart drapes and suppleness, prolong premature aging, and prevent cracking.

Conditioning System:

Leather Scent Protector B Plus 

B Plus is a pH 3.2 leather scent conditioner offering a buttery feel, nonstick protection, and rub resistance for leather care. It preserves leather breathability for seating comfort, minimizes squeaking from leather-on-leather contact, and shields against sticky soiling and ink dispersion from ballpoint pens. B Plus also reduces dye-transfer stains, particularly on pastel leathers, making them easier to remove. Its buttery-feel protection enhances resistance to wet and dry rubs, preventing stretch, scuff, and abrasion for long-lasting durability.

Leather Protector W 

Protector W is a soft, waxy-feel, nonstick, rub-resistant conditioner for steering wheels, split-suede, and waxed aniline leather. This non-film-forming conditioner creates a breathable barrier to protect against sticky soiling. Its natural waxy-feel conditioning enhances resistance to wet and dry rubs, minimizing stretch, scuff, and abrasion for better leather durability and preservation.

Tools:

Leather Brush 1 

Brush 1 is a detailing horsehair brush for all smooth leather for soft and scratch-free cleaning. Brush 1 is ergonomically designed as an extension of our hand with a sturdy grooved grip to produce effective results easily and efficiently. Its length is 7 inches with a three-row horsehair 1½ inches cleaning head.

Foam Brush 2

Foam 2 is a 2-inch high-density poly foam brush that resists tearing and shredding and carries more material for controlling and spreading solution for a more even distribution.

Towel 5 

This paper towel works like cloth and is lint-free, highly absorbent, stretchable, washable, and strong. 

Mixing Instructions:

Kit AA3 products are concentrated and require dilution before use:

• 1.175 kg (or 1.29 quarts) of distilled water is required for concentrates in the bottles.

• Mixed and fill the bottles up to 1.5 inches below the top of the 8oz bottles.

• Follow the provided sequence of steps to ensure a seamless process and achieve optimal results.

 By following these care guidelines, your King Ranch leather will retain its beauty, softness, and strength, ensuring years of lasting quality.

Instructions

1. Leather Periodic Cleaning Instructions:

Step 1: Apply Cleaner 3.8 and agitate with a horsehair brush for uniform application. 

Step 2: Extract residue with a towel until clean. 

Step 3: Apply Rinse 3.0, then towel-extract to achieve a squeaky-clean surface. 

Step 4: Allow the surface to dry, inspect for satisfaction, and repeat if necessary or proceed to hydration.

1.1 Hydrating:

Step 1: Apply Hydrator 3.3 with a foam brush, focusing on stitching rows and perforated sections. 

Step 2: Let dwell for 3-30 minutes (or longer for severe dryness) to plump the leather. While wet, proceed to fatliquoring.

1.2 Fatliquoring:

Step 1: Apply Fatliquor 5.0 as with Hydrator 3.3 and allow to dry naturally. 

Step 2: Repeat application between drying until the leather is saturated. 

Step 3: Allow slow, natural drying for extra softness. 

Step 4: Remove sticky residue with Hydrator 3.3. 

Step 5: Let the leather dry fully before use.

1.3 Conditioning:

Step 1: Shake Protector B Plus and apply it to the seat. For steering wheels and gear shift knobs, use Protector W. Spread with a lint-free towel and allow to dry before use.

2. Leather Restorative Cleaning Instructions:

Step 1: Apply Prep 4.4 with a foam brush, avoiding excessive penetration into perforations. Agitate gently with a horsehair brush. 

Step 2: Allow dwell time (3-30 minutes or overnight for extreme cases) and towel-extract until clean. 

Step 3: Use Cleaner 3.8 to remove Prep 4.4 residue, followed by Rinse 3.0 for a final clean. 

Step 4: Allow to dry, inspect, and repeat if necessary. Then proceed to hydration.

2.1 Hydrating:

Step 1: Apply Hydrator 3.3 with a foam brush, targeting stitching rows and perforations. 

Step 2: Let dwell for 3-30 minutes or longer for severely dry areas.

2.2 Fatliquoring:

Step 1: Apply Fatliquor 5.0 with a foam brush to deeply nourish the leather. 

Step 2: Repeat application between drying cycles until the leather is fully saturated. 

Step 3: Let dry naturally for optimal softness. 

Step 4: Wipe off sticky residues with Hydrator 3.3.

2.3 Conditioning:

Step 1: Apply Protector B Plus to the seats and Protector W to the steering wheels and shift knobs. Spread evenly with a lint-free towel and allow to dry before use.

FAQs:

1: Why Do King Ranch Leathers Become Dark? 

Darkening occurs due to sweat and accumulated soiling. Rinse the leather with Rinse 3.0 after cleaning to prevent this effect.

2: Why Do King Ranch Leathers Become Dry, Stiff, and Crack? 

Exposure to sun and heat evaporates the leather’s natural fat and oil, leading to dryness and cracking. Regular fatliquoring prevents this.

3: How to Condition Leather for Softness and Strength? 

Hydrator 3.3 and Fatliquor 5.0 systems rejuvenate leather and prevent stiffness and cracking.

4: How to Protect Leather from Friction Wear? 

Apply Protector B Plus to reduce friction, enhance rub resistance, and prevent bolster wear.

5: How to Keep Leather Clean? 

Perform cleaning regularly with Cleaner 3.8 and Rinse 3.0 to avoid greasy buildup.

6: What is Leather Preventive Care? 

Preventive care involves applying non-stick, rub-resistant protection with a buttery feel using Protector B Plus. It prolongs leather life and enhances touch.

7: What is Leather Routine Care? 

Routine care includes cleaning dust, addressing stains, and neutralizing sweat with a pH-neutralizing rinse.

8: What is Leather Periodic Care? 

Periodic care prevents soiling damage and maintains consistent cleanliness. Prioritize frequently used areas like the driver’s seat, steering wheel, and gearshift knob.

9: What is Leather Restorative Care? 

Restorative care corrects accumulated soiling and rejuvenates leather with conditioners to restore original finishes.

10: What is King Ranch Leather Problem-Solving Matrix?

This King Ranch Leather Problem-Solving Matrix organizes common leather issues into rows, with corresponding solution steps outlined in columns. Each solution highlights the sequence of recommended products and procedures for effective care and restoration. Some common problems are conveniently addressed in pre-bundled solution kits. For custom needs, individual products can be added to your order to save on shipping costs. We’re here to help! Feel free to reach out with any questions or for tailored recommendations.

Updated January 24, 2025, by Roger Koh

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