Why so many different products? Isn't leather all basically
the same?
There are several methods used to tan leather. The main difference
is the way the leather is finished after tanning. Oil-tanned leathers
are treated with fat liquors to replace the oils taken out during
the tanning processes. Dry-tanned leathers don't have those oils put
back in and most likely have a knapp to the surface. To maintain the
light color and surface knapp, you would use a silicone or water-based
protectant for dry-tanned leathers. Some leathers have a sprayed on
coating applied to them. An oil or silicone treatment would be repelled
so you would use a water-based conditioner.
Will it take long to receive my order?
Answer: Your order will be processed within 24 hours (except on weekends)
and will be shipped via United Parcel Service. We also offer shipping
options such as USPS. Shipping time will vary according to destination,
but usually is within one to five days in the continental US.
How do I tell if I have leather or vinyl?
Answer: This is an important step to take before placing your order
for a leather conditioner. Please keep in mind, that a majority of
upholstered furniture and automotive seats will have leather seating
areas, but will also have vinyl trim on the sides or in other areas.
This makes the job of identifying your material a bit more difficult.
First; leather feels softer, warmer, and more natural. Vinyl, on the
other hand, feels colder, stiffer, and artificial. This may be easy
for some to determine the difference, but others may have a very difficult
time in making the decision in this manner. One sure fire way of determining
which you have is to look on the under side of the material. This
can be done easily if you have a cut or hole all the way through the
material. Just lift up a small section and look at the back side of
the material. If you see a cloth like material that appears to be
glued to the backside of the fabric, then you are looking at a piece
of vinyl. Sometime this backing will be of a white colored "fuzzy"
nature. Leather has no backing material of any kind, only "rough"
or suede looking (usually of the same color as the surface or tan).
How can I determine the type of Automobile or Furniture leather
I have?
Top Coated:: This leather is used almost
exclusively on automotive seats, door panels, console lids, steering
wheels and other trim panels found on the interior of most vehicles.
With a few exceptions, Top Coated leather will be the only form of
leather in any automobile. These exceptions include: Chrysler/Jeep,
General Motors, Ford and several other manufacturers which uses Suede
on some seat panels. This leather is also used on all types of leather
furniture including sofas, loveseats, recliners chairs and ottomans.
This leather is best identified by its smooth, grained texture. The
finish has a semi-gloss or "matte" finish with no evidence
of a "knapp".
To test this type of leather; place a small droplet of water onto
the surface of the leather. The water droplet will sit on the surface
of the leather and will not soak into the leather immediately.
Suede: Suede is sometimes used inside vehicles, but is now becoming more popular and is being found on outside bolster and trim panels of leather seats. It will also be seen on door panels and trim panels. Rarely will it be found on steering wheels. You may find suede on fine couches.
This leather is identified by its' rough, "knapp" finish. This "knapp" is similar to that found on carpeting and can be determined by brushing your hand over the surface of the leather. When brushed in one direction, the leather will darken in color, when brushed back the other direction, it will lighten in color. A definite "knapp" or "raw leather" look is visible on the surface.
Nubuck/Full Aniline: Rarely used inside automobiles, this leather has begun to catch the attention of manufacturers because of its' appearance and "luxurious" appeal.
Similar to Suede, NuBuck has a "knapp" but is much shorter and more evenly spaced than suede. At first appearance, it may be difficult to determine that it is NuBuck. When new, NuBuck has a very flat, dull finish and when brushed with the hand, will have the same reaction as suede. A test may be performed to determine this type of leather by placing a small droplet of water onto the surface of the leather. This droplet of water will immediately soak into the leather and create a dark spot, which will dry and disappear in a matter of minutes.
Occasionally, a manufacturer or dealer will apply a repellant material to the surface of this leather to reduce the amount of soiling and staining that will naturally occur. If this product has been applied, the water droplet will sit on the surface and "bead up" making it difficult to conduct this test. Normally, after a few minutes, the water droplet will begin to soak into the leather as mentioned.
Semi-Aniline: This is the most difficult type of leather to determine. It is also the most difficult to maintain. Semi-Aniline leather has the appearance of Top Coated Leather but does not have the protected coating. This allows for the absorption of soils, liquids and staining materials quickly. Once this has occurred, complete cleaning and removal of theses stains is nearly impossible. Semi-Aniline leather is not typically used in the automotive industry.
A test may be performed to determine this type of leather by placing a small droplet of water onto the surface of the leather. This droplet of water will immediately soak into the leather and create a dark spot, which will dry and disappear in a matter of minutes.
Occasionally, a manufacturer or dealer will apply a repellant material to the surface of this leather to reduce the amount of soiling and staining that will naturally occur. If this product has been applied, the water droplet will sit on the surface and "bead up" making it difficult to conduct this test. Normally, after a few minutes, the water droplet will begin to soak into the leather as mentioned. It may be advisable to contact the manufacturer to obtain information about the specific type of leather that you have.
How much conditioner do I need?
The quantity will depend on the age of the leather and the condition.
A new car or sofa will require maintenance applications of 1-3 times
per year, so 16oz is sufficient. For an older car or sofa, or a project
that is already dry, spider web cracking, cracking, or stiff, you
will need a quart as multiple applications will be required. Remember
it took several years for your leather to become dry, and will take
some time for it to become good as new!