Product Overview
Pigmented Leather Cleaner & Conditioner Kit P3 by Leather Doctor® prep, clean, rinse, hydrate, soften, and condition, helps maintain appearance and prolong lifespan.
Pigmented leather is often known as painted, protected, or finished leather due to its common uniform opaque pastel color. This effect is achieved with opaque pigments, ensuring consistent color across the surface. A pigmented leather finish system consists of an adhesion coating (Adhesor 73), color coating (Pigment 54), and top coating (Topcoat 54), which vary in type and quality depending on the leather grade. These coatings can range from fine to heavy applications to suit different leather types. The overall quality of pigmented leather is influenced by the leather crust from which it is derived, such as full-grain, top-grain, or corrected-grain leather. A key characteristic of pigmented leather is its hiding power, which conceals imperfections that would otherwise be visible.
Although pigmented leather is highly stain-resistant, it remains susceptible to ballpoint ink marks and dye transfer. Over time, dark soiling accumulates in grooves, creases, lines, and wrinkles, often giving the appearance of cracks. If neglected, micro-crazing can progress into serious cracking as fat liquor diminishes due to evaporation. In addition, fat liquor loss from alkaline exposure can lead to stiffening and cracking. Overstretching weakens the leather’s structure, causing looseness in high-contact areas, while prolonged sweat exposure can result in a sticky, tacky surface.
Accumulated soiling is recommended to be removed effectively by Prep 7.7, Cleaner 3.8, and Rinse 3.0 systems. If the leather has become overstretched, its structure can be restored using the Hydrator 3.3 and Fatliquor 5.0 system, best applied from the reverse suede side for optimal results. Impregnator 26 as an option reinforces and tightens the leather’s fibrous structure for a more permanent tightening and strengthening solution. Routine sanitizing with Sanitizer 3.9 helps reduce the risk of alcohol-related stickiness and potential damage to leather finishes. Conditioning the leather surface with Protector B helps reduce friction rubs, reduce sticky soiling, keeping the leather smarter, and looking good longer.
Other common pigmented leather concerns fall into five key categories: Soil, Stain, Odor, Structure, and Finish, which are outlined in detail in the Leather Problem-Solving Matrix for reference.
This Kit P3 concentrates require 1068g (1.1 quarts) of distilled water for dilution before use. All products are also available individually for tailored leather care solutions.
Prepping, Cleaning, and Rinsing System:
Prep 7.7 is a pH 7.7 mild alkaline preparatory cleaner for non-absorbent leathers in a leather-safe cleaning and rinsing system, safely pH balancing to its neutral of 3-5. Prep 7.7 works effectively on accumulative general soiling on non-absorbent leathers. It allows its superior penetrating, lubricating, and suspending power to do its work through dwell time, thus avoiding unnecessary physical agitation that may cause damage to deteriorating finishes. A holistic leather-safe system works with Cleaner 3.8 to remove sticky residue, and Rinse 3.0 pH neutralizes to a healthy squeaky feel. Acidifier 2.0 effectively rectifies previous alkaline overexposure tackiness with greater satisfaction to a healthy, squeaky feel.
Cleaner 3.8 is a pH 3.8 leather-safe, and effectively emulsifies and suspends general soiling without adverse side effects. It safely cleans pigmented 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 neutrality.
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:
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.
Fatliquor 5.0 is a fat and oil microemulsion softener for 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:
Protector B is a pH 3.2 leather surface conditioner offering a buttery feel, nonstick protection, and rub resistance for pigmented leather. 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. It 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 B Plus is the leather scent version.
Tools:
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 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.
This paper towel works like cloth and is lint-free, highly absorbent, stretchable, washable, and strong.
Instruction:
Step 1 - Prepping:
Prepping removes accumulated general soiling with Prep 7.7, Brush 1, Foam 2, and Towel 5.
1 Prep 7.7 is spread with Foam 2 and detailing with Brush 1 over heavy soiling areas.
2 Allow to dwell 3-30mins or before it dries before extraction with a Towel 5 until it is clean.
Step 2 - Cleaning:
Cleaning over the prepped area is extended to the rest of the surface area with Cleaner 3.8, Brush 1, Foam 2, and Towel 5.
1 Cleaner 3.8 concentrate 1: 64 is mixed with 224g distilled water or 1.5 inches from the top of the 8oz bottle before use.
2 Cleaner 3.8 is spread with Foam 2 and detailing with Brush 1 over the entire surface.
3 Allow to dwell 3-30mins or before it dries before extraction with a Towel 5 until it is clean.
Step 3 - Rinsing:
1 Rinsing follows after Cleaner 3.8 with Rinse 3.0, Brush 1, Foam 2, and Towel 5.
2 Rinse 3.0 concentrate 1: 40 is mixed with 222g distilled water or 1.5 inches from the top of the 8oz bottle before use.
3 Rinse 3.0 is spread with Foam 2 and detailing with Brush 1 after Cleaner 3.8.
4 Allow to dwell 3-30mins or before it dries before extraction with a Towel 5 until it is clean to a healthy squeaky feel.
Step 4 - Hydrating:
Hydrating follows after Rinse 3.0 with Hydrator 3.3, Brush 1, Foam 2, and Towel 5.
Hydrator 3.3 is applied to the micro-crazing, creases, scratches, abrasion, and stitching holes where they become darkened with Rinse 3.0.
1 Hydrator 3.3 concentrate 1: 25 is mixed with 218g distilled water or 1.5 inches from the top of the 8oz bottle before use.
2 Hydrator 3.3 is spread with Foam 2 and detailing with Brush 1 after Rinse 3.0.
3 Allow 3-30 minutes to fully saturate absorbent areas and towel extract any wick soiling until it shows clean
4 Leather is manipulated and stretched to dimension, ready for Fatliquor 5.0.
Step 5 - Fatliquoring:
Fatliquoring follows after Hydrator 3.3 with Fatliquor 5.0, Brush 1, Foam 2, and Towel 5.
1 Fatliquor 5.0 concentrate 1: 5 requires 189g of distilled water or mixing up to 1.5 inches below the 8oz bottle top before ready to use.
2 Fatliquor 5.0 is spread with Foam 2 and detailing with Brush 1 into absorbent areas.
3 Repeat application between drying cycles until it absorbs no more.
4 Stretching and manipulating overstretches wrinkles to smartness.
5 The leather is left for slow natural drying for extra softness.
6 Surface strays are wiped with Hydrator 3.3 to be free of sticky residue.
Step 6 - Conditioning:
Conditioning begins when leather is dry with Protector B, and Foam 2.
1 Protector B concentrate 1:19 is mixed with 217g distilled water or 1.5 inches from the top of the 8oz bottle before use.
2 Protector B is spread with Foam 2.
3 Leave to natural dry and ready for use.
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
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Observing how the stain looks can indicate whether it is a spill, rub-on, penetration, or surface deposit.
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Some stains may cause dye or finish damage, revealing changes in the leather’s color or texture.
2 Odor
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Smelling the stain can help identify its source.
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Common odors include:
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Moldy (fungal growth)
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Smoke (fire or cigarette exposure)
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Putrid (decaying organic matter)
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Ammonia (urine contamination)
3 Color
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Color provides a clue to the staining substance but can change over time due to oxidation.
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The leather’s natural color may also influence how the stain appears.
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Red stains: Could be from wine, blood, lipstick, nail polish, or beverages.
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Blood stains: Can oxidize and shift from red to tan, then to black.
4 Feel-of-Hand
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Touching the stain helps determine its type:
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Sticky: Likely from candy, beverages, or sugary substances.
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Brittle and stiff: Could be nail polish, paint, or shellac.
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Greasy smear: Often caused by lipstick, oils, or butter.
5 Location
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The stain’s location on the leather provides hints about its origin.
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Headrests & armrests: Usually stained by body oil, sweat, and grease.
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Seat cushions: Often show food or beverage spills.
6 Buildup or Absorbed
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Stains can be surface-level (built-up) or deeply absorbed into the leather.
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Built-up stains (common on pigmented leather) include paint, food residue, and ink.
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Absorbed stains (common on nubuck, aniline, and unfinished leather) include wine, tea, and coffee.
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Combination stains: Some stains contain both absorbed and surface elements, such as lipstick, ink, and mustard.
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Protein-based stains: Examples include blood, dairy, and egg-based spills.
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Oil-based stains: Often come from grease, butter, and lotions.
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Colloidal stains: May require specialized treatments.
Additional Considerations:
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Sweat stains can chemically alter leather, causing tackiness (when dry) or sliminess (when wet).
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Dye stains may show up when wiping with a white towel—this indicates color crocking.
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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 Pigmented Leather Problem-Solving Matrix?
This matrix categorizes common issues with pigmented leather into five groups: Soil, Stain, Odor, Finish, and Structure (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 when the leather finishes become absorbent from micro-crazing, abrasion, scratches, and stitching holes.
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Hydrator 3.3 to rehydrate and relax the leather.
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Fatliquor 5.0 to replenish lost fats and oils, restoring suppleness.
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Protector B conditioning the leather for ongoing durability.
People Also Ask:
- What is Leather Preventive Care?
- What is Leather Routine Care?
- What is Leather Periodic Care?
- What is Leather Restorative Care?
1 What is Leather Preventive Care?
Leather Preventive Care is an essential part of maintaining leather's appearance and durability over time. The goal of preventive care is to shield leather from soiling, wear, and aging, while maintaining its luxurious feel and natural look. Leather preventive care starts and ends with Step 6 Conditioning:
2 What is Leather Routine Care?
Leather routine care is essential to maintaining the beauty and durability of leather over time. This process includes dust cleaning, spot treatment, pH balancing to neutralize sweat stains, and applying a protective conditioner to enhance resistance against soiling and wear. Leather routine care begins with Step 2 Cleaning, Step 3 Rinsing and ends with Step 6 Conditioning.
3 What is Leather Periodic Care?
Leather periodic care is recommended before soiling causes damage to the finishing. This keeps leather consistently clean and healthy at all times. Body contact areas would require more frequent attention than the unused areas. The leather headrest, handrest, and footrest get the most out of body oil and sweat contacts. Hydrating and Fatliquoring are recommended to surface absorbent areas. Leather periodic care begins with Step 2 Cleaning, Step 3 Cleaning, Step 4 Hydrating, Step 5 Fatliquoring and ends with Step 6 Conditioning.
4 What is Leather Restorative Care?
Leather restorative care is the ultimate restorative or salvage care system that removes accumulated soiling including aged conditioners. Accumulated soiling that fills creases is often mistaken for cracks. Prep 7.7 performs restorative cleaning. It works by chemical reaction to emulsify soiling through its penetrating, lubricating, and suspending power. Horsehair detailing Brush 1 is recommended to be worked into heavily soiled areas sufficiently to avoid excessive agitation that might damage already weakened finishes, especially on heavily used areas. Hydrating and Fatliquoring are recommended to surface absorbent areas. Leather restorative care begins with Step 1 Prepping, Step 2 Cleaning, Step 3 Cleaning, Step 4 Hydrating, Step 5 Fatliquoring and ends with Step 6 Conditioning.
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Updated: March 9, 2025 by Roger Koh