Product Overview
Vachetta Leather Browning/Dye/Care - Kit-V3+ by Leather Doctor is an upgrade from Kit-V3 formulated for corrective appearance of vachetta, leathers from general soiling and browning liquid stains. These alkaline pH sensitive leathers when neglected often suffer unsightly browning stain marks from a variety of liquid sources. Even apparent clean rain and tap water often leave a lightening spot with an outer ring. The pH 7 alone of water will often cause a rippling effect on the tannin that destabilize and causes it to moves. Alkaline leather cleaners often worsen the browning discoloration and would further need to be neutralized with a low pH system with VachettaProCleaner-1.2 > LeatherAcidifier-2.0 system. Note the products suffix numbers denotes their pH value. A holistic cleaning system approach is using the Vegetable-Tanned – Vachetta (V) Leather Problem Solving Guide as reference. Known stain or unknown stain is first removed with LeatherPrep-4.4 > LeatherCleaner-3.8 > LeatherRinse-3.0 system before going into other group stains until the stain is removed. Original pH value related stain or compounded stains from alkaline cleaners is rectify with VachettaProCleaner-1.2 > LeatherAcidifier-2.0 system. Rejuvenating the leather is perform with LeatherHydrator-3.3 > LeatherFatliquor-5.0 system. As the appearances of the leather is much relied on the tanning agents and fatliquors, redistributing fugitive tanning agents from the center of alkaline over-exposure and replenishing leached fatliquor is vital to even out the appearance. Overall browning correction is performed by using VachettaBrowningRemover-2.8, a pH 2.8 specialty reduction-oxidation (redox) leather cleaner that is particularly effective in lightening suntan and liquid browning discoloration. A breathable protection against sticky soiling, concealing scuffmarks and enhancing a rub-resistant draggy-feel is performed with Protector-D. Concentrates in the bottles reduce shipping weights thus all the 250ml spray bottles have to be mix/cut and filled with distilled water prior to use.
Tips 1 – Cracks Control:
Aged, dried or signs of leather cracking should be first leather rejuvenated with LeatherHydrator-3.3 > LeatherFatliquor-5.0 > LeatherHydrator-3.3 system and let dry prior to Vachetta-2.8. Alternatively a continuous wet system applies as well with VachettaProCleaner-1.2 > LeatherAcidifier-2.0 > LeatherHydrator-3.3 > LeathgerFatliquor-5.0 not allowing the leather to be wet and dry again without LeatherFatliquor-5.0 as the last step of the wet process. This precaution is to prevent any further cracking accelerated to the leather without sufficient fatliquor. In other words, any leather dryness less then 7% of original fatliquor moisture content measured with a leather moisture meter or an equivalent wood moisture meter should first be rejuvenated to top up or replenish to its original fatliquor up to 14% prior to allow to dry. Due to “Van der Waal or London Forces” phenomenon in the drying process, the empty or insufficient of fatliquor in the leather fiber structure is likely to result in stiffer leather as the fibers becomes stick together. A slower natural drying will reduce the stiffness ill effect from the lack of fatliquor
Tips 2: Sequence of Wet-Processes
A wet process is a continuous process where the leather is constantly keeps at the lowest moisture level about 25%. This minimum moisture level is important not allowing the leather to dry before the final fatliquoring process with Fatliquor-5.0 otherwise existing cracks will accelerate, accentuated or magnified. Optimum fatliquor (fat and oil) moisture level should reach 14% when dry to avoid the ill effect of drying without sufficient fatliquor. Fast drying will stiffen the leather and slow natural drying will produce a softer leather.
Tips 3 – Appearance Control:
Water stain spotting may be done with a cotton swab until it shows clean with VachettaProCleaner-1.2 > LeatherAcidifier-2.0 system. It is recommended that the entire panel be treated equally to an even appearance to eliminate any rings when dry. Spotting browning correction may become lighter in appearance, the entire panel is clean thereafter to balance appearance. An overall appearance including reducing the seasoning effect from sunlight and UV light is further improved with VachettaBrowningRemover-2.8.
Tips 4 – Suppleness Control:
Unlike other leather tanning type, vegetable-tanned leathers including unfinished vachetta are more susceptible to cracks as it is characteristically more fatliquor thirsty. Dry leathers are handle with care for inspection and continue with rejuvenating it with LeatherHydrator-3.3 > LeatherFatliquor-5.0 > LeatherHydrator-3.3 system.
Tips 5 – Sealing and Concealing Scuffing Control:
The final of the holistic Vachetta care system ends with LeatherProtector-D or the LeatherScentedProtector-D+ to seal and conceal scuffing leaving the leather with its natural transpiration.
Instruction
A – Browning Discoloration or Alkaline Cleaner related Stain Removal with VachettaProCleaner-1.2 > LeatherAcidifier-2.0 System:
A1 - Dry soil removal with horsehair Brush-1, Eraser-4 or terry towel depending on soiling severity prior to product application.
A2 - Spray VachettaProCleaner-1.2 and saturate brushing with horsehair Brush-1 or FoamBrush-3” for an even appearance without dry edges and towel extract until it shows clean.
A3 – Spray LeatherAcidifier-2.0 and towel extract until towel shows clean without any dry edges or blotchy appearances.
A4 – As most stains are penetrated, both products used should follow suite below the stain.
A5 – When towel shows dry (at least a combination of moisture level of about 25% still present) at this wet stage, Hydrator-3.3 process commence.
B – Structural Water Movement and Surface Tension Inspection with LeatherHydrator-3.3
Structural stain suspended will need to move to the surface for towel extraction, otherwise it still remain within the structure and may be seen as a shadow of the stain when dry. Enough hydrator is needed for the stain to wick to the surface and dwelling for the slow movement may facilitate it more effectively. Hydrating the stain area until a little moisture ooze out when press between thumb and finger, wet stretch over with Towel-T5 and cling wrapped it to control evaporation and leave to dwell up to 72hrs before releasing the cling wrapper and still having the stretch out Towel-T5 in place to dry out will see the stain caught by the extended towel. The wick-up stain is then peel off from the leather surface. Without this towel the stain may still remain on the leather surface and need to be dry erased off with Eraser-4. When the staining residue is off the leather, the surface is again inspect for any blotchiness or surface tension with a light spray to check for evenness of appearance prior to LeatherFatliquor-5.0 replenishing process.
C – General Soiling Removal with LeatherPrep-4.4 > LeatherCleaner-3.8 > LeatherRinse-3.0 system.
General soiling may proceed with LeatherPrep-4.4 if so desired. LeatherPrep-4.4 is applied and agitates with the detailing horsehair brush to the general soiling areas and feather out entirely to the remaining surface area without any dry edges. Let to dwell 5 to 30 minutes or before it dries and remove the sticky residue with LeatherCleaner-3.8 follows with LeatherRinse-3.0 and towel extract until towel shows clean for an inspection. If in doubt leave the leather for a dry inspection after Eraser-4. With satisfaction mist the leather surface entirely for an even appearance and proceed with LeatherFatliquor-5.0 process.
D – Leather Fatliquor Replenishing with LeatherFatliquor-5.0
LeatherFatliquor-5.0 is a continuous process that proceeds immediately after satisfactory LeatherHydrator-3.3 appearance inspection.The process is repeated when the leather is almost dry until the leather is saturated before it is let to a slow natural drying process. It will take up a seasoning effect in relation to the amount of fatliquor intake.
E – Cleaning up LeatherFatliquor-5.0 Surface Residue.
Any whitish fatliquor residue is reactivated with LeatherHydrator-3.3, by brushing and towel extracting of any milky residue and let to slow natural drying.
F – General lightening the appearance of VachettaBrowningRemover-2.8 from undesired color intensity, seasoning, sun tanning or UV effect
Test product in an inconspicuous location to determine the desired lightening effect when dry.
Adjust with distilled water to match desired appearance.
F1 – Light mist evenly and spread with horsehair Brush-1 or foamBrush-3 or Towel-T5 for an even appearance.
F2 – Leave to natural slow dry for reduction-oxidation (redox) chemical reaction to take place.
F3 – Inspection for satisfaction or further treatment to satisfaction.
G – Sealing and Concealing Light Abrasion and Scuffing:
LeatherProtector-D is applied for sealing and concealing light abrasion and scuffing, besides shielding the leather from the detrimental effect so soiling and easier removal during the routine cleaning process.
Kit Content and Product Description:
Leather Doctor® LeatherPrep-4.4 (60ml)
LeatherPrep-4.4 is the leather-safe milder version of LeatherPrep-7.7 with a pH value of 4.4 for pH sensitive leathers. This universal prep cleaner is for all leather types including the common vachetta, nubuck, suede, wet-white and all aniline leather types This prep cleaner works by allowing sufficient dwell-time to penetrate, lubricate and suspense prior to towel extraction. Proven technique include “reverse transferring” suspended stain during dwell time through a stretchable absorbent paper rather than being reabsorbed by the leather instead. It is design to remove stain such as: Blue Jean Dye, Leather Belt, Plastic Ink Print, Newsprint, Ballpoint Ink, Stamp Pad Ink, Sticky Label Residue, Crayon, Chewing Gum, Silicone Shine, Permanent Marker and Accumulated Soiling
It is highly recommended that the remaining sticky residue is thereafter remove in conjunction with LeatherCleaner-3.8 and LeatherRinse-3.0 as a holistic leather-safe system. https://leatherdoctor.com/prep-4-4/
Leather Doctor® LeatherCleaner-3.8 (250ml)
LeatherCleaner-3.8 is formulated with a pH value of 3.8 is an all-purpose mild leather-safe anionic universal cleaner for all leather types without the potential side effects like rings and browning on sensitive leather or suede. It is particularly effective in emulsifying oily soils and in suspending particulates. It works by penetrating, lubricating and suspending soiling safely and effectively through gentle chemical reaction working in perfect harmony with all leather constituents that include the tanning agent, preservative, dyestuff and especially the fatliquor for a leather-safe cleaning experience. In a holistic cleaning system it is highly recommended to follow through with LeatherRinse-3.0 to a healthy squeak thus prevents or ceases potential remaining residue from overworking.
Leather Doctor® LeatherRinse-3.0 (250ml)
LeatherRinse-3.0 is a pH 3.0 water-based leather-safe universal rinse for all leather types that include pigmented, aniline, vachetta, nubuck and suede. It is to removes suspended soiling by towel extraction while neutralizing harmful alkaline residues and charging the protein fiber ionic positive to increase the attraction between the ionic negative leather constituent like the tanning agent, dyestuff and fatliquor.
Leather Doctor® VachettaProCleaner-1.2 (250ml)
VachettaProCleaner-1.2 (pH value 1.2) is a very strong low water-based pH balancing cleaner. Formulated for cleaning and rectifying the common blotchy browning effect derive from sweat, alkaline stain and cleaning product especially on naked unfinished vegetable-tanned leathers popularly known as Vachetta. It is particularly effective in emulsifying general soiling in a gentle penetrating, lubricating and suspending reaction to be towel extracted. Penetrated darkening body contact oil and grease stains are highly recommended to be pre-removed with LeatherDegreaser-2.2 in conjunction with white towel extraction if any. VachettaProCleaner-1.2 continues clean over the grease stain and extends to the entire panel or section without leaving a dry edge. It is used in conjunction with LeatherAcidifier-2.0 as rinse, and continues with LeatherHydrator-3.3 and Fatliquor-5.0 as the last wet process. It is important to note that the above wet process is kept at a minimum 25% moisture level in each process in transition and only allows for a complete dry after HydratorFatliquor-5.0. Otherwise with insufficient (less than 7%) fatliquor content will easily accelerate existing cracks when dry. Fatliquor (fat and oil) content when dry at optimum level should be up to 14% when measure with a leather moisture meter or an equivalent wood moisture meter. A further overall bleaching with VachettaBrowningRemover-2.8 reduction-oxidation (redox) reaction may follow for tarnish stains and the undesired sun tanning effect to a lighter biscuit color appearance.
Leather Doctor® LeatherAcidifier-2.0 (250ml)
LeatherAcidifier-2.0 is a waterbased pH 2.0 leather acidifier formulated for controlling browning discoloration in conjunction with VachettaProCleaner-1.2. As a standalone, it is for pH balancing alkaline overexposure that manifest as marks, streaks, brightness and tackiness.
Leather Doctor® LeatherHydrator-3.3 (250ml)
LeatherHydrator-3.3 is a waterbased pH 3.3 leather-safe hydrator. It is a fatliquor preconditioner with multi functional abilities. Surface application is primary to check for even surface tension free of blotchiness prior to fatliquor replenishing. Structural application will require saturating to an optimum level with moisture oozing out when gently pressed between thumb and fingers. The multi functional abilities include: a) to check for surface tension for an even appearance free from blotchiness prior to fatliquor replenishing. b) To plumps, relaxes and separates crushed, shrunk and stick together fibrils for manipulating away-unwanted creases and wrinkles. c) To rectify alkaline overexposure areas by facilitating colloidal water movement to redistribute the leather constituents from surrounding areas. d) To activate the dormant dyestuff within the leather structure for color refreshing. e) To facilitates colloidal water movement within the inter-fibrillary spaces for wicking foreign soiling particulates to resurface. f) To stabilize, pH balance and charge the protein fiber below its iso-electric point (pI) ionic positive to hydrogen bond with the ionic negative fatliquor more effectively. This universal LeatherHydrator-3.3 is for all leather types including pigmented, aniline, vachetta, nubuck, suede, hair-on-hide and woolskin. See details -
Leather Doctor® LeatherFatliquor-5.0 (250ml)
LeatherFatliquor-5.0 is a micro emulsion of fat, oil and water is an anionic charged pH 5.0 fatliquor for rejuvenating all leather types. It relaxes coarse breaks; creases and wrinkles enhance suppleness and prevent cracking. It softens the leather with stretchability, compressibility and flexibility, while enhancing its rip tensile strength greatly. It is for replenishing the original fat and oil that diminishes thru sun bleaching, ageing, heat and alkaline overexposure or cleaning. On application, the water-encased molecule breaks free when hydrogen bond attraction takes place between the fat and oil with the protein fiber. The excess free water content wicks out leaving a breathing space behind for leather natural transpiration. The fat plumps the leather with fullness from easily collapsing into creases and wrinkles during stress or flex, while the oil lubricates the fibers so that they slide over one another smoothly like millions of inter-connecting hinges. Thus helps to keep leather at its optimum physical performance and prevent premature ageing. This universal Fatliquor-5.0 is for all leather types including pigmented, aniline, vachetta, nubuck, suede, hair-on-hide and woolskin.
Leather Doctor® VachettaBrowningRemover-2.8 (120ml)
VachettaBrowningRemover-2.8 is a specialty leather cleaner formulated especially for unfinished veg-tan leathers popularly known as Vachetta. This is a waterbased pH 2.8 cleaner that is particularly effective in emulsifying oily and greasy soiling, lightening suntan, tarnish and water staining effect by oxidation-reduction (redox) reaction. It is use in conjunction with LeatherHydrator-3.3, LeatherFatliquor-5.0 and LeatherProtector-D in a holistic care system.
Leather Doctor® LeatherProtector-D (250ml)
LeatherProtector-D (Draggy Feel-79) is design for Aniline and Nubuck Wax Pull-up, Bicast, Vachetta, Steering Wheel and Leather Flooring. This is a non-film forming, non-stick scentless protector that enhances a natural draggy-feel. It imparts a non-stick breathable barrier essentially to shield the detrimental effects of sticky soiling. Its natural draggy-feel protection increases the leather resistance to wet and dry rubs, thus reduce stretch, scuff and abrasion. It is also use as a scuff repairer, filling and concealing surface scuffs to improve appearance. The drag produces an unforgettable familiar sound sweet to the ears when leather rubs.
Towel-5 (5pcs)
Towel-5 works like cloth, lint free, highly absorbent and washable. General application is for: a) Extracting suspended soiling during the wet cleaning process. b) “Reverse Transfer” technique with its unique stretchability during wet application and shrinking with tightening up during the drying process, this phenomenon allows the suspending or migrating soiling particulates to wick through and easily peeling off the stain when crispy dry, instead of still remaining on the leather surface. The strength of this single ply allows the wet paper to further work with a combination of spraying-on and horsehair Brush-1 without separating, creasing or tearing, thus ensuring an efficient airtight seal with an even essential surface contact. c) “Reservoir” to hold hydrator and fatliquor slow processes of dwelling or penetrating through semi-absorbent leathers, micro crazing, stitching rows and perforated leathers; or on vertical panels for flow control.d) Folding up to use as products applicator both for spreading, padding and blotting of excess.
LeatherHorsehairBrush-1 (1pc)
Detailing Brush-1 is design ergonomically to be an extension of our hand with a sturdy grooved grip. It is design to produce effective result easily and efficiently. It is recommend for all smooth leather for a soft and scratch-free cleaning. Its length is 7 inches with a three-row bristle 1½ inches cleaning head.
FoamBrush-3 (1pc)
Brush-3 is a 3" dense foam brush that resists tearing and shredding and carries more material. It has a solid wood handle that allows greater control for quality results. It is for controlling and spreading solution for a more even distribution.
Vachetta (V) Leather Problem Solving Guide
