Restore/clean Leather Top Coffee Table

[Brian321]

I have no experience working with leather, so please be patient with my ignorance.

I bought this table and figured it just needed a good cleaning. I did some research online and concluded that I'd use saddle soap to get it clean. So far, not so great.

From what I've read sometimes there is a sealant on the leather that needs to be removed if I intend on rejuvenating the leather. I'm not sure if this table has a sealant.

I did try using some real elbow grease on one part (picture #3), but I think I might've actually ruined the finish.

There is also very nice golden decal work on the table that seems to have faded in parts.

To get to the point, my questions are:

1) From the pictures, is it possible to determine if there has been a sealant applied to this table top? If so, is it necessary to remove it in order to get the table looking the best it can?

2) From the pictures, has the golden decal work been previously rubbed off, or should I continue to work at it in order to restore it as best as possible?

3) Did I use too much elbow grease on photo #3 or did I wear through the sealant?

Thank you in advance for anyone who has some knowledge to share. I thought this would be a very easy project

[Northmount]

I would suppose the surface was sealed, else you would likely see a lot of stains from anything that may have been damp in any way had been set on it, or drips that had fallen on it.

I wouldn't sell a table without it having a well sealed surface. I wouldn't want to have to provide a guarantee for a raw surface.

The gold is likely gold foil/leaf. Scrubbing it will wear it off. Don't try to remove the sealer. The gold foil/leaf will come off with it.

After a gentle cleaning, I would make sure it has fully dried, then wax it with a wax formulation made for leather, like neutral shoe polish. The wax will help protect the surface against spills and light abrasion and can be buffed to a very nice shine.

That's really a nice looking table. Treat if gently.

Tom

[Brian321]

Thanks for the tips Tom. I assume that the areas where the gold foil is faded, the foil has actually been rubbed off? At this point I think your advice of just giving it a good cleaning and leaving it how it stands after is best.

Thank you.

Brian

[impulse]

Try using an automotive restorative paste wax with carnauba wax, such as Johnsons "Kit". This has a mild abrasive to resurface the sealant that would have been used, but leaves a sheen that will not harm the leather and should not affect the gold foil. I restore antique horse drawn carriages and have found this wax amazing.

Cheers,

Lois

[Northmount]

Thanks for the tips Tom. I assume that the areas where the gold foil is faded, the foil has actually been rubbed off? At this point I think your advice of just giving it a good cleaning and leaving it how it stands after is best.

Thank you.

Brian

Gold foil/leaf doesn't fade. Sometimes may oxidize or tarnish, making it darker and less brilliant. Where it is getting faint is due to some abrasion or wear as it is rubbing off. There is a possibility that there was not good adhesion in this area during the original work. But more likely, a spot where someone always placed their elbows or whatever.

Tom