Vachetta Leather Dark Grease Stain Remover Kit V4

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, jackets, 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.

How to Lighten Vachetta Leather Darkened by Body Oil, Grease & Sweat

Vachetta leather is absorbent and patinas over time—but when exposed to body oils, grease, and sweat, it can darken unevenly and stain. The Leather Doctor® system provides a safe, effective method to draw out and lighten these dark stains without damaging the delicate vegetable-tanned structure.

Step-by-Step System

1. Degrease to Suspense the Oils & Grease

• Product: Leather Degreaser 2.2
• Action: A water-based degreaser that penetrates and suspends oils, grease, and sweat trapped deep in the leather.
• How: Apply and let it penetrate, lubricate, and suspend oil stains to the surface to be towel extracted.

Repeat as needed until the dark areas are visibly lighter.

2. Rinse and Neutralize

• Product: Rinse 3.0 or Acidifier 2.0 (depending on pH balance needed)
• Action: Rinses out residue and neutralizes the leather to restore pH balance, preventing further darkening or brittleness.
• How: Apply and brush with gently extract using a Towel 5 or absorbent terry towel.

3. Lighten Remaining Stains

• Product: Vachetta 2.8 (specialized Redox lightener).
• Action: Helps reduce residual darkening caused by oxidation of sweat, grease and oils.
• How: Apply evenly and allow natural oxidation reversal to occur over time.

4. Hydrate and Fatliquor

• Products: Hydrator 3.3 followed by Fatliquor 5.0
• Action: Replenishes the leather's lost moisture and essential fat and oil content (up to 15%).
• How: Apply Hydrator 3.3 to relax the fibers, then Fatliquor 5.0 while leather is damp to restore softness, strength, and flexibility.

5. Optional Protection

• Product: Protector B or Protector B Plus
• Action: Provides a breathable, non-stick barrier to resist friction rubs. 
• How: Apply a light mist and spread with a soft cloth.

Pro Tip

Always test each product on a hidden area first. Restoration may take multiple cycles depending on how deeply the oils have saturated.

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.

How to Soften and Strengthen Vachetta Leather?

Vachetta leather can become dry, stiff, and brittle over time as it loses its natural oils. This deterioration is caused by Van der Waals forces, where collagen fibers cling together due to the lack of lubricating fat and oil, leading to cracking and rigidity.

Why Fatliquoring Matters

Fatliquoring is the process of replenishing the leather's original fat and oil content. This treatment:

• Softens the leather
• Strengthens the fiber structure
• Restores natural flexibility
• Prevents cracking and stiffening

Healthy Vachetta leather should contain up to 15% fat and oil content.

Application Tips

1. Hydrate First: The leather must be damp (not dry) to open the pores and allow the fatliquor to absorb deeply.
2. Apply Fatliquor Evenly: Work it into the leather while it's still damp to ensure full penetration.
3. Dry and Massage: After drying, gently massage the leather to break up any stiffness evenly.

Repeat the process as needed until the leather regains its suppleness and strength.

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.

Leather Degreaser 2.2

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.

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

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. 

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

 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.

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 B

Protector B is a soft, buttery-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 buttery feel.

Leather Brush 1

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.

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.

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.

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. Shake Degreaser 2.2 until it forms a gel before use.
2. Apply using Brush 1 or Eraser 4, working deep into the grease stain with brush agitation and eraser traction to remove surface soiling.
3. Towel extract suspended soiling, switching to clean towel sides until no more residue transfers.
4. Then, proceed with overall cleaning using Vachetta 1.2.

Step 2: Deep Cleaning with Vachetta Leather pH Balanced Cleaner 1.2

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. 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

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).
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

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).
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

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).
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.

• 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

1.  Dilute Vachetta 2.8: Mix 1:3 ratio (add 85g distilled water to a 4 oz bottle, leaving 1 inch from the top).
2. Apply Vachetta 2.8:

• Spread evenly without dry edges to avoid drying marks.
• Let dry overnight to allow oxidation-reduction reactions.
• 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

1.  Dilute Protector B: Mix 1:19 ratio (add 217g distilled water to an 8 oz bottle, leaving 1.5 inches from the top).
2. Apply Protector B:

• Spread with a lint-free towel.
• Allow to air dry—the leather is now 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

• Observing how the stain looks can indicate whether it is a spill, rub-on, penetration, or surface deposit
• Some stains may cause dye or finish damage, revealing changes in the leather’s color or texture.

2. Odor

• Smelling the stain can help identify its source.
• Common odors include:
• Moldy (fungal growth)
• Smoke (fire or cigarette exposure)
• Putrid (decaying organic matter)
• Ammonia (urine contamination)

3. Color

• Color provides a clue to the staining substance but can change over time due to oxidation.
• The leather’s natural color may also influence how the stain appears.
• Red stains: Could be from wine, blood, lipstick, nail polish, or beverages.
• Blood stains: Can oxidize and shift from red to tan, then to black.

4. Feel-of-Hand

• Touching the stain helps determine its type:
• Sticky: Likely from candy, beverages, or sugary substances.
• Brittle and stiff: Could be nail polish, paint, or shellac.
• Greasy smear: Often caused by lipstick, oils, or butter.

5. Location

• The stain’s location on the leather provides hints about its origin.
• Headrests & armrests: Usually stained by body oil, sweat, and grease.
• Seat cushions: Often show food or beverage spills.

6. Buildup or Absorbed?

• Stains can be surface-level (built-up) or deeply absorbed into the leather.
• Built-up stains (common on pigmented leather) include paint, food residue, and ink.
• Absorbed stains (common on nubuck, aniline, and unfinished leather) include wine, tea, and coffee.
• Combination stains: Some stains contain both absorbed and surface elements, such as lipstick, ink, and mustard.
• Protein-based stains: Examples include blood, dairy, and egg-based spills.
• Oil-based stains: Often come from grease, butter, and lotions.
• Colloidal stains: May require specialized treatments.

7. Additional Considerations:

• Sweat stains can chemically alter leather, causing tackiness (when dry) or sliminess (when wet).
• Dye stains may show up when wiping with a white towel—this indicates color crocking.
• 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.

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 B 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!!!

We welcome your feedback to continuously improve this manual and better address your leather care concerns.

Updated: April 1, 2025 | April 10, 2025 by Roger Koh.