Leather hardens through age and also lack of care. If the leather has not been used for a long time, the fibres will dry out through lack of movement. Heat also causes leather to shrink. Originally, most vehicle leather was the processed vegetable-tanned variety which hardens and shrinks at a temperature of about 70 °C. Today, processed chrome-tanned hides are used which can withstand temperatures of around 90 °C. The less a leather is re-oiled through care, the lower the temperature at which it will start to shrink.

THE TREATMENT OF HARDENED LEATHER

First, clean the leather with COLOURLOCK Mild Leather Cleaner. Important: Too much moisture can damage antique leather, so it is advisable to use a foam, rather than liquid, cleaner and remove the residue with a slightly damp cloth. Allow to dry naturally and away from heat and sunlight.

Next, repair cracks and rips with COLOURLOCK Fluid Leather before treating with Leather Softener. This is important as Leather Softener is oil-based, making it difficult for repair products to be absorbed.

Apply Leather Softener with a sponge or a soft cloth. For best results, the softener must be applied on the reverse side (the layer facing the cushions on the inside). Because the surface is rougher, it is more receptive to treatment than the smooth side. Unless you are planning on carrying out further upholstery repairs, you are advised not to remove the covers for this treatment as old leather can tear or break easily.

Let the leather rest for 24 hours to allow time for it to fully absorb the Leather Softener, then repeat. One litre is sufficient for an entire vehicle area. For individual upholstery parts, use 250 mL.

Next, try and loosen the fibres by kneading the leather with your hands. Continue until the leather feels softer. But be careful as very old and shrunken leather can break easily. While the leather will never be as soft as it once was, you should still see a noticeable improvement. Professionals use a leather-softening tool to soften the leather.

After the final application of Leather Softener, remove the residue with a soft cloth and let the leather rest for a week before carrying out further treatment and repairs. Before using repair products, thoroughly degrease the area with COLOURLOCK Leather Cleaning Spirit.

To nourish and protect the leather, use COLOURLOCK Leather Protector and, if the leather is glossy or exposed to the weather, COLOURLOCK Elephant Leather Preserver offers added protection. Depending on the level of use, a care treatment should be applied once or twice a year. Further treatments with Leather Softener are not necessary.

Amount: 250 mL. This is usually sufficient for one or two seats and several handbags/smaller suitcases.