TECHNICAL

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What is leather?

Leather is the fibrous corium or structural part of animal skins as shown here in microscopic cross-section.

Corium

Leather comprises: tanned collagen (the protein which makes up skin and bones), moisture, oils and fat.

Why your leather upholstery needs special care

Your automotive and domestic leather upholsteries are luxury items that will keep their good looks and unmatched comfort for a very long time if given proper care. However, in the real world they are under attack from:

• Dirt and dust, which discolour and abrade the surface. If allowed to remain, they can:
  • be driven down into the leather where they will begin to break apart the fibres, leading to tears and rips.
  • cause both chemical and mechanical damage. The sharp edges of minute dirt particles are abrasive, and can damage the leather fibres.
  • attract fungal spores, and acts as a centre for condensation and subsequent chemical attack.
• Sunlight affects leather by:
  • providing ultraviolet and infrared radiation energy to the chemical breakdown of the collagen that makes up the leather;
  • oxidizing the colour coat leading to drying your leather of its natural oils, cracking and fading;
  • interacting with atmospheric pollutants, producing chemicals that damage your leather;
  • fading and cracking the surface colourant or dye, although this is far less of a problem with modern coatings.
• Wind and heat affect leather by drying the oils and moisture so that:
  • the fibres that were once plump and flexible become thinner, more rigid, and squashed together
  • instead of flexing and stretching with use, the fibres tend to tear. This process also happens in "wear creases" in the leather, and progresses from a surface crack to an actual split in the leather.
• "Accidents" such as:
  • scuffs,
  • tears,
  • cuts,
  • scratches,
  • burns, and
  • stains that can each spoil the appearance and reduce the life of your leather upholstery.

How much Leatherique dye and Prepping Agent do I need?

The re-colour the interior of an average 4 door car, Mercedes Benz, BMW, Jaguar, Lexus, Toyota , or the average sofa will require 1 Litre of dye and prep.
 

A smaller sports car, Ferrari, Corvette, Porsche, Jag XJS or a recliner or chair and ottoman will require 500ml.
 

This is based on re-dying the same colour.
 

Larger cars with extravagant amounts of leather like a Rolls Royce or Bentley will require a 1 ½ - 2 litres of dye and Prepping Agent..
 

Extreme colour changes may require more dye for good coverage of all the leather and trim parts.

Leather Care tips

Please note:

Rejuvenator Oil and Prestine Clean may be ordered online from us at Permanent Painted Coatings via credit card (Visa, Mastercard, or Bankcard). Other accepted forms of payment include Australia Post money order, cheque, and direct deposit.