cleaning leather? stained by clothes...

jose206 · 10-21-09, 05:43

whats are you guys doing to clean stains from jeans or leather jackets on leather seats? I have a late 90's bmw from a previous client that has some stained leather seats. Any suggestions?

HiMyNameIsSean · 10-21-09, 06:31

I would give a tooth brush and some APC a try.

Turbocress · 10-21-09, 08:50

Quote:

Originally Posted by HiMyNameIsSean

I would give a tooth brush and some APC a try.

the apc will work to clean it pretty good, but you may need something with tougher bristles than a tooth brush. the leather cleaning brush that AG sells worked nice for me. but its basically a small upholstery brush with shorter bristles,

jose206 · 10-21-09, 10:42

ok, do you have a link to it?

Turbocress · 10-21-09, 11:04

Vinyl & Leather Scrub Brush

heres a 50/50 of one of my leather seats, apc + this brush, and a water rinse worked pretty well for it, it actually softenened the seat a little where it was harder, but that may just be from not being completely dry, but it worked good for me.

and before and after of the whole seat. still looks good, but i may go over it one more time and see if i can get more to come up, my drying rag was pretty dirty after

and after

sorry for odd color, it was nighttime in my garage, and the flash of my camera was the best light offered.

judyb · 10-21-09, 11:42

For dye transfer the removing is a process.
The dye from the jeans or clothing has basically redyed the leather (not a problem on dark coloured leathers but an eyesore on pale colours). Whilst this does not damage the leather physically like dirt does it is usually classed as a cleaning problem and customers expect you to remove it as part of your routine.
As dyes are very aggressive they will continue to penetrate the finish on the leather over time and the longer they are left on the surface the harder they become to remove.

If tested leather cleaning products will not remove the dye (you can also try an alcohol cleaner - not rubbing alcohol) then there is nothng that will without damaging the finsih and you will have to resort to recolouring/refinishing the leather.

If you are going down the recolouring route it is vital that as much dye is removed form the surface before you start otherwise it may come back through.

When cleaning always use a foam cleaner to give dwell time as this will be most effective. It is important to use good processes when cleaning as well as products rather than simply using stronger and stronger products which may damage the finish on the leather.

Dye transfer is a clear case for the use of protectors on leather. If you use a protector together with a regular cleaning process dye transfer will not happen - guaranteed.

Hope this helps

Roger Koh · 10-22-09, 11:40

Simply apply a pH 7.7 prep cleaner, agitate with a soft horsehair brush and let it dwell as long as you wish or overnight.

Wipe off the penetrated, lubricated and suspended dyes.

Clean off the sticky residue with a pH 3.8 cleaner and rinse until squeaky clean with a pH 3.0 rinse.

Repeat if necessary.

Relax, besides no worry to the leather finishes too!

Roger Koh
Leather Doctor®

judyb · 10-22-09, 09:58

If the dye has penetrated the finish then the finish has to be softened to release the dye. Maybe this is the 'sticky residue' you get with this method. So there is a danger that the finish will be removed.

Cleaner and an alcohol wash will not damage the finish in any way but will remove what is possible before resorting to stronger products and recolouring.

jose206 · 10-22-09, 10:33

can you guys tell me where I can get this ph stuff your refering to? whats it stand for? I have no clue...thanks in advance.

judyb · 10-22-09, 11:06

Its just the names Roger gives to his product range so that he can advertise on here without being banned. Be careful as some products with these pH will damage the finish on your leather - it appears that this is what will happen if you use them as he talks about cleaning off sticky residues (this is most likely to be damaged finish)

Quality Leather · 10-24-09, 01:28

Is that any different than talking about protectors? Pot meet kettle.

Roger Koh · 10-31-09, 09:43

Quote:

Originally Posted by judyb

If the dye has penetrated the finish then the finish has to be softened to release the dye. Maybe this is the 'sticky residue' you get with this method. So there is a danger that the finish will be removed.

===

Do you think this sticky residue in picture #2 is the finishes that is removed?

#1] First step is to apply, spread and agitate with a soft horsehair brush and stretch this thick as honey pH 7.7 strong prep cleaner as thin as possible and can be left to dwell in extreme cases for up to two days for those nasty ballpoint ink stains (This case was a five minutes dwell time).

Second step is to spray a pH 3.8 leather-safe cleaner, agitate and extract.

Roger Koh
Leather Doctor®