[Another "is this leather?" question]

Would vinyl naturally crease like that? (mainly show in pics 1 and 4)

[Another "is this leather?" question]

6 minutes ago, fredk said:

Looks like leather-cloth. Leather dust mixed with resins and sprayed on to a heavy cloth backing.

Main test, cut off a tiny piece from underneath. Hold in pliers and apply a flame. If it shrivels up and smells like burnt flesh then its leather. If it starts to burn and gives off a light black smoke with small black soot particles then its leather cloth

How do you treat leather-cloth? Would a regular leather conditioner be good? 

[Another "is this leather?" question]

I recently got this vintage plycraft lounger chair. I'm struggling if it's vinyl or leather. I want to make sure I treat it/clean it with the right product.

Can anyone here tell for sure if this is leather based on these photos? I'm leaning towards vinyl since some of the "grain" looks a little too good, but I could be wrong. Unfortunately the tag only lists the foam material. 

 

[Is this genuine leather?]

Thanks for all of the input everybody!

[Is it possible to remove dye? (leather chair)]

On 5/25/2023 at 3:05 AM, Klara said:

My quick and dirty suggestion would be to lay a cheap blanket on the recliner so that any dye would rub off onto that instead of your clothes. At least until you have found a better solution. 

Thanks. I guess I was just hoping there was a somewhat easy way to remove dye like this. Hate covering up all the leather but that might be the best route

[Is this genuine leather?]

36 minutes ago, tsunkasapa said:

It looks like decent leather. "Genuine leather" is a boogie man that many like to kick around, without any real basis. What you are dealing with is upholstery that has seen hard use with no real care. It's probable that someone tried to refurbish it without any knowledge of what they were doing. I would clean it with saddle soap, rub it down good and give it a coat of Feibing's Leather Balm or Bee Natural's Leather Finish. I don't think you will ever get those lines and spots to look like the rest of it.

Thanks! Would a balm/finish "seal" in the dye/finish that seems to be rubbing off with saddle soap?

[Is this genuine leather?]

46 minutes ago, tsunkasapa said:

Looks like real leather to me.

 

Thanks. I guess I'm a little worried the rough out part could be bonded leather. Very new to this and don't know how to tell genuine leather for sure.

[Is this genuine leather?]

Having a terrible time trying to remove bleeding dye from this seat back. It's a cool piece and I hate to get rid of it. Trying to decide if it's worth the effort though

It just has such a strange look to it. The thought crossed my mind, is this even genuine leather?

Here are some closeups. Appreciate any input.

Confused by the dark lines on the lighter parts (they look the same wet and dry). I've scrubbed for hours with saddle soap and rags still come up orange. 

 

 

 

[Is it possible to remove dye? (leather chair)]

1 hour ago, fredk said:

Sounds like somebody tried to re-colour without removing the original lacquer top finish.

Now, if it were me; I'd wash it all down with plenty of cellulose (lacquer) thinners, then apply a new coat of a tan dye and then a lacquer top finish 

Thanks! Is there a less toxic option? This is already in my house and It was very hard to move.

I don't necessarily care about the color, I just want to stabilize it so no dye rubs off. 

Wouldn't a lacquer prevent the leather from breathing/being able to be conditioned?

[Is it possible to remove dye? (leather chair)]

Any pointers? Stumped on where to go with this thing and would hate to get rid of it.

Have never encountered this issue with leather. Thanks

[Is it possible to remove dye? (leather chair)]

I have a vintage leather recliner and it looks like somebody re-dyed the seat back. It is a different color than the rest of the chair (more orange-y).

When using saddle soap on the chair, orange dye bleeds off so I am very hesitant to sit on it.

I've seen deglazers but just wondering how harsh that would be. What does the finish of a tan leather look like after using a deglazer? 

Would something less toxic like vinegar or rubbing alcohol work to remove a dye/finish like this?

Open to any thoughts/suggestions on removing or how to prevent this dye from bleeding? I'd be fine just stabilizing it so it doesn't rub off on anything. (wondering if a simple wax conditioner might do this)

Thanks!

Here is a quick photo of the area:

 

[Help with choosing a conditioner]

Thanks guys.

So would saddle soap really be the best product for a couch? I haven't heard of anyone using saddle soap on furniture.

It doesn't really need a cleaning, just a conditioning and a product I can use for general upkeep. Not sure that I really want to get it wet using saddle soap. 

Does anyone have any experience with Chamberlains or Bick?

My experience with waxes or balms like Smiths is they leave a sticky finish and can really darken leather.

[Help with choosing a conditioner]

Hello,

I have an older leather couch (about 25 years old) that is new to me. Overall it has been well kept but it could definitely use a good basic conditioning. 

It's an important piece to me and I want to make sure I keep it in good shape.

Ideally I'd like something as gentle and as natural as possible and something that will not darken the leather (or at least only minimally). 

 

I've narrowed it down to:

Bickmore Bick 4 (have used it in the past and like it, but don't like that silicone is in the ingredients)

Chamberlains Leather Milk, either the regular No. 1 or the furniture specific No. 5 (Haven't used any of their products before)

 

How bad is silicone as an ingredient? (as in Bick 4)

 

Appreciate any helpful info! Made in the USA is a plus, and a company that has some history is also a plus. But my main concern is something that is going to be safe for my couch and protect for years to come.

Thanks!

[Best Conditioner For Leather Furniture? And How To Tell If Leather Is "coated"?]

Lets see, you tried Pecard's and that didn't work, then Bick4 and that didn't work. If you add Skidmore's, Dr Jackson's and Montana Pitchblend to that list you would have the top 5 products used on leather Lazarus projects. Leather Honey has been around a while, but I have never used it. I would be very interested in how it performs.

Art

I'm not really saying they didn't work, they just didn't do what I was hoping (which again, I don't know if that is possible).

I have a bottle of leather honey on the way.

[Best Conditioner For Leather Furniture? And How To Tell If Leather Is "coated"?]

And just to see what people think (for the original question) what is a good conditioner for a couch?

I own bick 4 but don't like it. I plan on trying leather honey next.

[Best Conditioner For Leather Furniture? And How To Tell If Leather Is "coated"?]

This is NOT a course in leather restoration.

That being said, You need to find an area where any experimentation will be unnoticeable. This could be somewhere under a cushion although this is the very place where their might not be any treatment. There are three or four levels of cleaning that can work. The first three will not get wax and all the oil off. A mild cleaner like Superior SVC will clean anything, it is mild and non abrasive. Next level up is Z7, this is a bit stronger, but can be diluted with water. I generally doesn't take the finish off. Next up is S-100 which is alcohol based (the first two were water based) and could easily lift the finish if it is Bycast, but it should really know what you have, and it should be used on aniline and semi-aniline real leather only. SLP is leather prep, and is not used for cleaning or removing anything but for opening up the leather to receive dye/color.

As you can see, it isn't that easy without training. You are fortunate that you have basically a practice piece. I do mainly motorcycle gear (and of course my own stuff, cars, boats, etc) so I don't know everything about furniture. If you are not 100% sure (done one got a t-shirt) TEST.

As a starter, try some Murphy's oil soap and give the area a good cleaning, scrub if you have to with a soft/medium brush, get the soap off and let it dry, if water beads-up then there is something else on there and you will need to use a heavier cleaner. I always go with Murphy's first, it's cheap, and it works. Try Pecard's again and rub it in, don't just slather it on and leave it. Let it dry in a warm (hot even) spot for a day or two, then buff it up. If you want to fix the cracks and scuffs and recolor, that is a big job and will require a lot of stuff and some training, it ain't rocket science, but you have to work at it.

Art

Thank you Art!

Very helpful information.

I definitely just need to keep learning, and ya, this is a good practice piece!

Thanks again

[Best Conditioner For Leather Furniture? And How To Tell If Leather Is "coated"?]

There is probably some coating on the leather, it is usually a wax that needs to be removed before the leather treatment can be absorbed, and definitely before any repairs can be made. I suggest you consult a professional refinisher.

Art

They were relatively cheap and I'm just trying to learn some things on my own. Not really worth it to me to pay somebody.

There isn't a way for me to tell if it does have a coating? I can easily see and feel the grain, cracks, etc of the leather. Doesn't a leather coating give it a solid color over the leather?

(Again, I am not an expert, just trying to learn!)

Water does bead on the leather (but after a couple minutes does mostly soak in and shows dark on the leather), but again, I recently treated it with pecards which also acts as a water repellent.

And I'm confused...is it good or bad to remove the coating if there is one?

[Best Conditioner For Leather Furniture? And How To Tell If Leather Is "coated"?]

How old is it, and/or what type of leather is it?

Full Grain -- probably not

Some other aniline or semi-aniline leather -- maybe

Bycast Leather -- likely

Bonded Leather -- could be, maybe, probably is.

The first two will take finish or leather treatment.

The last two not so much, and with Bycast, you could take the finish right off if you use the wrong stuff.

Three or four piece living room suite in bonded leather, $599 on TV, if you drive a hard bargain, $599 with a TV.

Most standard AND economy cars come with leather interior standard or as a low cost option.

My '53 Packard came with a leather interior, and believe me, a lot of cows died for that interior.

When you go to repair, or refinish leather, you must know the type. If you have a zippered cushion, see what the backside looks like.

When you are going to go and refinish something, try a small place on the back at the bottom before you do the whole thing.

Art

I am new to leather, I have no idea how to tell the type of leather.

How would I know if I stripped something off?

It is probably 15-20 years old. It is a pottery barn set, about $5k new. So I'm guessing it's higher end leather.

I posted a while back about a crack it has in it. I just added the photos above. Maybe they will help to be able to tell what kind of leather it is.

Is there a way I can tell?

So if it's bycast or bonded what do you to treat?

The leather is old and is starting some cracking/lines so it definitely needs something whatever it is.

Thanks!

[Best Conditioner For Leather Furniture? And How To Tell If Leather Is "coated"?]

Hi guys,

I have a leather couch and armchair that I got a few months ago.

When I bought them, I treated them with pecards (they were pretty old and dry) but the leather stayed sticky for quite a while.

I was curious what your professional opinion would be on the best leather conditioner to use on the furniture moving forward?

How would I tell if the leather is coated?

It's hard, because I did treat it with Pecard's so water beads on it right now (but does sink in and "stain" if left for a few minutes) So the leather does absorb after a bit.

Are there any other ways to know if this leather would take a leather conditioner like Leather Honey or Bick well?

The leather definitely needs a treatment but it doesn't look like Pecard's did much.

Should I try to remove anything that is existing and then apply something else?
If so, how should I remove old wax/the pecards, etc?

Attached are a few pics of the leather in question.

I don't know if you can tell from this photo or not.

Thanks!

[Question About Crack/cut In Old Leather Chair]

it's supposed to read "But if it" not "But it" above.

[Question About Crack/cut In Old Leather Chair]

that looks to me like it was there before you bought it, by putting dressing on it probably did darken it, thus making it stand out more hence not noticing it previously..

that doesn't look like a pigmented finish on there, (hard to tell from a picture, I use a microscope for assessments) so you are probably just going to have to live with it, or argue the point with the seller, but unlikely to get very far as you've put a darkening agent on it making it stand out

Thank you.

I can definitely live with it...the only thing that would bother me is if I'm the one who did it.

But if almost definitely looks like it would have been there before 2 days ago, then I am completely good with that.

I am just really anal about stuff like this, especially if I'm the one to do it.

That's why I was hoping the crack was older than 2 days old.

[Question About Crack/cut In Old Leather Chair]

that crack looks like its been there for a while

That's what I want to hear!

Even though I applied one layer of dressing/conditioner the day I got it, do you definitely think the crack is older than 2 days?

And would you definitely call it a crack, and not a cut? It seems very straight...cracking I have seen usually isn't so straight.

But I am very new to leather in general...especially older leather.

[Question About Crack/cut In Old Leather Chair]

Anybody else have any opinion?
I did put some pecard's leather dressing on it the day I got it home. So that might account for some of the darkening.

But do you guys think this could have possibly been done 2 days ago...or is definitely an older crack?

And would you call it a crack or a cut?

And is it odd that it just cracked there? Seems weird there is just one solitary, long (like 6") crack.

[Question About Crack/cut In Old Leather Chair]

I'm no expert by any means. However, that appears to have been there for some time. If you blow up the second pic, it appears that the edges of the cut are "worn", meaning it's had someone rubbing against it with their back while sitting...at least that's what it looks like to me.

That's what it looks like to me too. But I am also no expert either.

I wonder if there is an expert on this? haha.

I know this is an odd question.

*added a closeup crop above.

[Question About Crack/cut In Old Leather Chair]

Hi guys.

This might be a weird question.

But I bought this leather club chair yesterday.

After I got it home I noticed a pretty long (probably 6 inches) crack/cut in the back seat of the chair. It does not go all the way through the leather, but your fingernail catches it.

I didn't go over the chair too closely before I bought it so I could have missed it.

The seller says it wasn't there when I bought it, but it's very dark...and I don't know how I could have done it while moving it. So I'm thinking (and hoping) it has been there a while.

Is there any way this could have happened yesterday?

I have a weird thing where I am completely fine with damage/distress on an item as long as I didn't do it. If I mess something up it drives me nuts!

So I'm hoping this was there before I picked it up yesterday.

Is there any way to tell from these photos or no?