Saddlery Leather Gel Degreaser 4.4
- Professional Gel Degreaser for Absorbent and Semi-Absorbent Saddlery Leather — pH 4.4
- Captures and Emulsifies Sebum, Oil, Grease, and Ingrained Oily Contamination
Leather Doctor® Saddlery Leather Gel Degreaser 4.4 is a high-viscosity precision degreaser developed for absorbent and semi-absorbent saddlery leather.
Its controlled gel texture allows the degreasing action to remain concentrated where it is applied rather than spreading rapidly into surrounding leather.
It helps loosen, capture, and emulsify:
- Body oil
- Sebum
- Sweat-related oily contamination
- Grease
- Ingrained oil stains
- Residual oil dressings
The gel is then removed with its companion Saddlery Leather Rinse 4.4, which is specially formulated to release and extract the spent gel and lifted contamination.
Why Is the Gel Important?
- Saddlery leather can accumulate oil and grease through years of riding, handling, perspiration, and repeated conditioning.
- A freely flowing liquid degreaser may spread beyond the intended treatment area and introduce unnecessary moisture into absorbent leather.
- The gel format provides greater control.
Saddlery Leather Gel Degreaser 4.4:
- Concentrates the cleaning action.
- Clings to the treatment area.
- Helps capture and emulsify oily contamination.
- Allows controlled dwell time.
- Reduces unnecessary spreading.
- Provides a more precise approach to localized or heavily contaminated areas.
Leather-Safe™ pH 4.4
- Saddlery Leather Gel Degreaser 4.4 is calibrated to pH 4.4, keeping the treatment within the Leather Doctor® Leather-Safe™ acidic working range.
- This provides a controlled cleaning environment for sensitive absorbent and semi-absorbent saddlery leather.
- The objective is not simply to remove oil.
- It is to remove unwanted contamination while respecting the leather during the wet process.
Designed as a Two-Step System
- Saddlery Leather Gel Degreaser 4.4 is not intended to be used as a stand-alone cleaning step.
- After the gel has loosened and captured the contamination, it needs to be released and extracted.
Use:
Step 1 — Saddlery Leather Gel Degreaser 4.4
Captures & emulsifies
↓
Step 2 — Saddlery Leather Rinse 4.4
Releases & extracts
The practical working ratio is approximately:
1 part Gel Degreaser 4.4 : 2–3 parts Leather Rinse 4.4
This is a use-consumption ratio, not a dilution ratio.
The rinse normally requires more volume because it is used repeatedly during the extraction process, including towel wetting, gel removal, contamination extraction, and subsequent passes.
How To Use
1. Preliminary Test
- Always test a small, inconspicuous area first.
Check:
- Color stability
- Surface response
- Oil extraction
- Appearance after drying
Proceed only when the leather responds as expected.
2. Apply
- Apply a small quantity of Degreaser 4.4 directly to the contaminated area or to a Leather Brush 1.
- Brush in a circular motion and spread evenly.
3. Dwell
- Allow approximately 1–2 minutes of dwell time.
- Keep the gel from drying completely.
4. Extract with Rinse 4.4
- Apply Rinse 4.4 to a clean Microfiber Towel 3.
- Use the moistened towel to work through the treated area and release the spent gel.
- Continue with controlled wiping passes using clean sections of the towel.
- Repeat as necessary until the emulsified contamination and spent gel have been effectively removed.
5. Dry Naturally
- Allow the leather to dry naturally for inspection.
- Otherwise repeat accordingly to satisfaction.
6. Continue the Restoration
After degreasing and rinsing, continue as required with:
- Hydrator 3.3 → Fatliquor 5.0 → Conditioner 3.2
Professional Tip:
- Degreasing removes unwanted oil. It does not replenish the leather.
- When significant oil, grease, or sebum has been removed, continue with Hydrator 3.3 and Fatliquor 5.0 as part of a continuous restoration process.
Remove what does not belong.
Restore what the leather has lost.
Product Specifications:
Product Type: High-viscosity precision gel degreaser
pH: 4.4
Designed For: Absorbent and semi-absorbent saddlery leather
Suitable Applications:
- Saddles
- Stirrup leathers and fenders
- Bridles
- Harnesses
- Reins
- Breast collars
- Headstalls
- Halters
- Belts
- Other absorbent vegetable-tanned saddlery leather
Primary Function: Captures and emulsifies unwanted oil and grease for subsequent extraction.
Companion Product: Saddlery Leather Rinse 4.4
Practical Use Ratio: Approximately 1 : 2–3
Gel Degreaser 4.4 : Leather Rinse 4.4
