Leather Fatliquor 5.0 by Leather Doctor® is a pH 5.0 emulsion of fat, oil, and water conditioner / fatliquor / softener for replenishing dry leather, in line with its tannery science-based function.

It 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.

Fatliquor 5.0 Plus is the leather scent version.

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.

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.

How Fatliquor 5.0 Works:

1️⃣ When applied, the water-encased fat and oil molecules penetrate deep into the leather fibers.
2️⃣ As the water gradually evaporates, the fat and oil molecules hydrogen bond with the fibers, creating a breathable, flexible structure that enhances leather’s resilience and longevity.

Proper fatliquoring ensures that leather retains its tensile strength, resists breakage, and maintains its natural softness, preventing premature aging and deterioration.

Ideal for Restoring & Maintaining:

Aniline
Full-Grain
Nubuck
Shearling
Suede
Vachetta
Vegetable-Tanned
Woolskin

Instructions for Use:

1️⃣ Dilution:

Mix concentrate with distilled water at a 1:5 ratio (1 part Fatliquor 5.0 to 5 parts warm water).

2️⃣ Application:

Apply generously and redistribute using an appropriate brush, foam or pad until the leather is fully saturated.

3️⃣ Reapplication:

Reapply as needed whenever water evaporates, leaving behind only the fat and oil.

4️⃣ Drying:

Allow the leather to dry naturally.
This helps develop a softer hand feel.

5️⃣ Finishing Touch:

Once dry, enhance suppleness by staking, massaging, or flexing the leather.
A light rewetting with Hydrator 3.3 may be used during this process to ease flexibility and conditioning.

Resource:

Product Reviews - Posted by Larry Bauman on 31st Jul 2017 -

The Lazarus Effect https://leatherdoctor.com/sheepskin-care-kit-sr3/#product-reviews

This product revived my 40-year-old Sheepskin coat that cracked at the touch of it after applying another company's 'Restoration' product. That other product ruined my coat, and I was about to throw it away but took a chance on the Leather Doctor. After applying Hydrator 3.3, I saw an immediate change. I then continued with the Fatliquor 5.0 and was shocked to see the change. My coat is now as soft and supple as it was when I purchased it in 1975! Don't even take a chance on valuable leathers with other companies' products, this one will amaze you with its results.

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

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5
Fatliquor 5.0 is Amazing and a miracle product

Posted by Nicholas Conte on 27th Mar 2024

My zebra skin footstool had become hard, a bit brittle and not flexible. Fatliquor 5.0 Restored the Hyde to its original textures. I’ve never seen anything rebound like this before. Wow! It’s amazing and a miracle. When I first saw the bottles I thought there was very little in the hydrator 3.3 bottle but it and the Fatliquor 5.0 were easy to mix and apply and they completely restored the zebra skin !!! I wish I knew about this product line when I first bought the zebra foot stool. If I ever need it again - without question, I will be back as a customer.