Product Overview
Vachetta Leather Dark Grease Stain Remover Kit V4 is a specialized cleaning and conditioning system designed to restore oil, grease, and sweat-darkened stains on Vachetta leather.
What is Vachetta Leather?
Vachetta leather, also known as saddlery, bridle, equestrian, craft, or tooling leather, is a vegetable-tanned, unfinished leather. It is commonly used in boots, wallets, saddles, furniture, and bags, most notably in Louis Vuitton bags.
Why Does Vachetta Darken Easily from Oil, Grease, and Sweat?
Vachetta is a naked, unfinished leather, making it highly absorbent to both water and oil.
* Oil and grease stains cause an immediate darkening effect.
* Sweat stains, if left untreated, ferment and turn alkaline, producing an ammonia odor and breaking down the tanning agents. This oxidation process results in permanent darkening of the leather.
Why Does Wet Vachetta Become Stiff When Dry?
When wet Vachetta dries, it often becomes stiff due to the Van der Waals phenomenon—a process in which leather fibers stick together as moisture evaporates.
* Lack of fatliquor (natural oils) in the fiber structure leads to excessive stiffness.
* If untreated, cracks may worsen, and new ones may appear over time.
Usage Instructions
* The products in Kit V4 are concentrated and must be diluted before use.
* Dilution Requirement: 1228g (approximately 1.35 quarts) of distilled water is needed to prepare the solutions.
This kit provides a comprehensive restoration system to clean, condition, and lighten Vachetta leather, preserving its natural beauty and softness.
Product Descriptions
Leather Degreaser 2.2 is a pH 2.2 water-based hydrocarbon degreaser designed to remove oil, grease, and sweat stains caused by skin and hair contact.
* Prevents dye bleeding and tackiness, ensuring safe and effective stain removal.
* Positively charges (+ve) the aniline protein fibers, reinforcing the ionic bond with the negatively charged (-ve) tanning agents, dyes, and fat liquors.
* Helps minimize side effects commonly caused by non-leather-safe products.
2. Vachetta Leather pH Balanced Cleaner 1.2
Vachetta 1.2 is a strong water-based pH balancer designed for alkaline-overexposed Vachetta leather.
* Neutralizes and corrects blotchy browning effects from sweat, alkaline stains, and harsh cleaners.
* Emulsifies general soiling, allowing for gentle penetration, lubrication, and suspension of dirt before towel extraction.
* Ideal for naked, unfinished vegetable-tanned leathers like Vachetta.
Leather Acidifier 2.0 (pH 2.0) is used after Degreaser 2.2 to restore pH balance in aniline leather.
* Prevents dye bleeding, streaking, and tackiness.
* Neutralizes alkaline overexposure from spills, contaminants, or improper cleaning products.
* Ensures a healthy, pH-balanced leather structure for better durability.
4. Leather Hydrator 3.3
Hydrator 3.3 is a pH 3.3 conditioning solution that relaxes leather stiffness, creases, and wrinkles before fatliquoring.
* Facilitates molecular water movement, helping reactivate dormant dyes.
* Reduces surface tension, allowing for smoother and more pliable leather.
* Prepares the leather for optimal fatliquoring absorption.
Leather Fatliquor 5.0 is a pH 5.0 fat and oil microemulsion that softens aniline leather and prevents dryness, stiffness, and cracking.
* Negatively charged (-ve) formulation replenishes lost fats and oils.
* Restores leather suppleness, flexibility, and longevity.
* Helps plump the leather for a fuller appearance while smoothing out coarse breaks and wrinkles.
6. Vachetta Leather Redox Treatment 2.8
Vachetta 2.8 is an oxidation-reduction treatment that helps lighten discoloration from:
* Browning
* Suntanning
* Water damage
Leather Protector W is a soft, waxy-feel, nonstick, rub-resistant conditioner for Vachetta leather.
* Forms a breathable barrier to protect against sticky soiling.
* Enhances wet and dry rub resistance, minimizing stretch, scuffing, and abrasion.
* Helps preserve leather durability while maintaining a natural waxy feel.
A horsehair detailing brush designed for all smooth leather types.
* Soft and scratch-free cleaning.
* Ergonomic 7-inch design with a sturdy grooved grip for effortless use.
* Features a three-row, 1.5-inch horsehair cleaning head for effective results.
9. Foam Brush 2
A 2-inch high-density poly foam brush designed for even solution application.
* Resists tearing and shredding.
* Carries more material, allowing for controlled and uniform spreading.
10. Towel 5
A durable, highly absorbent, and lint-free paper towel that performs like cloth.
* Stretchable and washable for extended use.
* Ideal for towel extraction and drying applications.
11. Leather Eraser 4
A versatile dry and wet leather cleaning eraser.
* Provides excellent traction for greasy or gummy soil removal.
* Suitable for all leather types.
Vachetta Leather Darkening Stain Restoration – 7-Step Process
Step 1: Degreasing with Leather Degreaser 2.2
1.1 Shake Degreaser 2.2 until it forms a gel before use.
1.2 Apply using Brush 1 or Eraser 4, working deep into the grease stain with brush agitation and eraser traction to remove surface soiling.
1.3 Towel extract suspended soiling, switching to clean towel sides until no more residue transfers. Then, proceed with overall cleaning using Vachetta 1.2.
Step 2: Deep Cleaning with Vachetta Leather pH Balanced Cleaner 1.2
2.1 Dilute Vachetta 1.2: Mix 1:19 ratio (add 216g distilled water to an 8 oz bottle, leaving 1.5 inches from the top).
2.2 Apply Vachetta 1.2:
* Brush and erase the stain outward toward the panel edges.
* Towel extract until the towel shows clean removal.
* Proceed to acidifying rinse.
Step 3: Acidifying Rinse with Leather Acidifier 2.0
3.1 Dilute Acidifier 2.0: Mix 1:25 ratio (add 218g distilled water to an 8 oz bottle, leaving 1.5 inches from the top).
3.2 Spray and work into leather:
* Brush, erase, and towel extract until clean.
* Finger test for a squeaky-clean feel—repeat if necessary before moving to hydration.
Step 4: Hydration with Leather Hydrator 3.3
4.1 Dilute Hydrator 3.3: Mix 1:25 ratio (add 218g distilled water to an 8 oz bottle, leaving 1.5 inches from the top).
4.2 Apply Hydrator 3.3:
* Brush and erase, then towel extract until clean.
* Reapply Hydrator 3.3 to plump out creases, wrinkles, and stiffness.
* Stake, massage, or flex as needed.
* Towel extract until the leather feels dry—proceed to fatliquoring.
Step 5: Replenishing Natural Oils with Leather Fatliquor 5.0
5.1 Dilute Fatliquor 5.0: Mix 1:5 ratio (add 189g distilled water to an 8 oz bottle, leaving 1.5 inches from the top).
5.2 Apply Fatliquor 5.0:
* Brush into the leather, allow it to dry.
* Reapply in multiple cycles as the leather absorbs the solution, stopping once no more absorption occurs.
* Allow slow drying.
5.3 Remove residue: If any Fatliquor 5.0 remains, either drive it into the leather or wipe off with Hydrator 3.3 before proceeding to redox treatment.
Step 6: Oxidation-Reduction Treatment with Vachetta 2.8
6.1 Dilute Vachetta 2.8: Mix 1:3 ratio (add 85g distilled water to a 4 oz bottle, leaving 1 inch from the top).
6.2 Apply Vachetta 2.8:
* Spread evenly without dry edges to avoid drying marks.
* Let dry overnight to allow oxidation-reduction reactions.
6.3 Inspect results:
* Repeat treatment if needed.
* Wipe away any surface residue with Hydrator 3.3.
* Let dry before final conditioning.
Step 7: Conditioning with Leather Protector W
7.1 Dilute Protector W: Mix 1:19 ratio (add 217g distilled water to an 8 oz bottle, leaving 1.5 inches from the top).
7.2 Apply Protector W:
* Spread with a lint-free towel.
* Allow to air dry—the leather is now ready for use!
Vachetta Leather Problem-Solving Matrix
How to Use the Vachetta Leather Problem-Solving Matrix?
The matrix categorizes common issues with vachetta 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 with
-
Hydrator 3.3 to rehydrate and relax the leather.
-
Fatliquor 5.0 to replenish lost fats and oils, restoring suppleness.
-
Protector W conditioning the leather for ongoing durability.
Email Comments by G. D. on 2-Feb-2019:
I want to tell you how unbelievably grateful I am for your products. They are just amazing and there is absolutely nothing else like them. I’m able to restore vintage Louis Vuitton bags to the point where before and after pictures of the leather are hard to believe. So a very big thank you!!!
updated on January 30, 2025, by Roger Koh.
We welcome your feedback to continuously improve this manual and better address your leather care concerns.