Help! OPC stained my leather!

judyb said:
We have seen this many times on leather. Generally speaking it occurs when liquid products that are too strong have been allowed to run down the leather and the marks that are left always make the area look very clean but trying then to clean the rest of the area to match is impossible particularly once the liquid has dried. In our experience theses spots or steaks cannot be rectified any other way than recolouring the leather. We have tried all the things suggested and none have ever resolved the problem. Foam cleaners that have been specifically formulated and tested on leather are by far the safer option to prevent this type of damage to the finish.
Hope this helps
Judyb
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Enter - Ultima Interior Shampoo Gel. (get it on bogo when you can otherwise it's pricey)

I use OPC on leather as well but I use UISG on some.

When I use OPC I go behind it with diluted UWWP.

Don't use magic erasers on leather! Unless all other options are exhausted and you are prepared that you will be removing some of the protective layer.
 
CEE DOG said:
Enter - Ultima Interior Shampoo Gel. (get it on bogo when you can otherwise it's pricey)

I use OPC on leather as well but I use UISG on some.

When I use OPC I go behind it with diluted UWWP.

Don't use magic erasers on leather! Unless all other options are exhausted and you are prepared that you will be removing some of the protective layer.
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I thought jubyb said the magic eraser or scotch brite easy pad is just fine to use on leather?
 
she said it was ok if you are planning to refinish the leather b/c it will take the topcoat off
 
CEE DOG said:
Enter - Ultima Interior Shampoo Gel. (get it on bogo when you can otherwise it's pricey)

I use OPC on leather as well but I use UISG on some.

When I use OPC I go behind it with diluted UWWP.

Don't use magic erasers on leather! Unless all other options are exhausted and you are prepared that you will be removing some of the protective layer.
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Ultima Waterless Wash plus ?? you can use that on leather ?
 
mg6045 said:
Ultima Waterless Wash plus ?? you can use that on leather ?
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Yes, but I sometimes dilute it further for leather and interiors. Not that you need to. You can also use Optimum opti clean the same way on interiors.
 
CEE DOG said:
Enter - Ultima Interior Shampoo Gel. (get it on bogo when you can otherwise it's pricey)

I use OPC on leather as well but I use UISG on some.

When I use OPC I go behind it with diluted UWWP.

Don't use magic erasers on leather! Unless all other options are exhausted and you are prepared that you will be removing some of the protective layer.
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I've never had a problem with magic erasers on leather. If you rub gently, it works just fine. Leather isn't as fragile as some like to believe. If I can spray on a towel and wipe the seat clean...then I will. But this guys seats need more than that.
 
deS said:
Most of the stains are gone now, apart from a few bright blotches which actually seem to have gotten larger the more I worked at them which seems to support what you're saying. Can anyone else comment on this?
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You have two problems, one visible and one not.

Visible is the "bright alkaline overexposure stain".

Not visible is the perforated panel will feel stiffer - a sign of leather drying.

Alkaline cleaner, the high the pH value, the more damaging its "side-effect".

Solution to the problem:

1] The "bright blotches" need be neutralized with a pH 2.0 acidifier.

2] A urethane topcoat probably matte luster is recommended as a refinish.

Note:
For perforated panel, products not suitable for suede is to be avoided. The cross section of these perforation is "suede".

Roger Koh
[email protected]
 
The product has affected the finish and caused the brightening effect the colour will now have to be restored and refinished.
Perforated leather can be safely cleaned with water based cleaners as this will help keep the moisture level balanced in the leather as long as the area is not over soaked. Foam cleaners again wil help to keep the product on the surface and will not be over wetting, with this method there is no need to worry about the suede side as the level of moisture will be beneficial and not detrimental.
Most leather cleaners should not be used on suede anyway as it should not be wet cleaned. We have never had any problems cleaning perforated leather.
Hope this helps
Judyb
 
Roger Koh said:
Any APC or Cleaner that has a pH value of 3 - 5 will NEVER give you this problem.


Roger Koh
[email protected]
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Roger Koh said:
You have two problems, one visible and one not.

Visible is the "bright alkaline overexposure stain".

Not visible is the perforated panel will feel stiffer - a sign of leather drying.

Alkaline cleaner, the high the pH value, the more damaging its "side-effect".

Solution to the problem:

1] The "bright blotches" need be neutralized with a pH 2.0 acidifier.

2] A urethane topcoat probably matte luster is recommended as a refinish.

Note:
For perforated panel, products not suitable for suede is to be avoided. The cross section of these perforation is "suede".

Roger Koh
[email protected]
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Roger, with all due respect...this is obviously not damage from product exposure or staining. It is simply a seat that was not cleaned thoroughly after what looks like several layers of grime and various protectant applications. From our last leather thread encounter, we are all aware that you have a line of products that use the old school leather cleaning method of an acid followed by an alkaline to nuetralize. While your products may be effective, there is no reason for you to criticize newer polymer technology that I'm sure you are not actually familiar with. We stand behind our assessment of OPC to be leather safe (even at full strength) and we offer a 100% satisfaction guarantee for those who find our products unsatisfying.

I would actually recommend using power clean at a stronger level to cut the grime faster since 3:1 only took off a small percentage. We have tested coated and bare leather using OPC undiluted with no problems/damage. We do recommend following up OPC with Protectant Plus or at least a damp towel to prevent dirt attraction from residue.
 
I've had the same problem before. Use the same product but less diluted. Apply a generous amount directly onto the leather. Use your hands to spread it across the surface. The surface must be thoroughly wet with the product, leave it for about ten seconds, reapply the product and scrub with a soft brush. Then remove excess with a microfiber towel. In some cases, repeat the process two or three times until the desired result. (Sorry for my English this is my second language).
 
judyb said:
The product has affected the finish and caused the brightening effect the colour will now have to be restored and refinished.
Perforated leather can be safely cleaned with water based cleaners as this will help keep the moisture level balanced in the leather as long as the area is not over soaked. Foam cleaners again wil help to keep the product on the surface and will not be over wetting, with this method there is no need to worry about the suede side as the level of moisture will be beneficial and not detrimental.
Most leather cleaners should not be used on suede anyway as it should not be wet cleaned. We have never had any problems cleaning perforated leather.
Hope this helps
Judyb
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I can tell that both roger and Judy have knowledge of leather, but I think their detailing/cleaning experience is very limited. There is NO damage to that seat (seen or unseen)...it just needs to be cleaned properly and followed with a protectant that will help prevent that heavy soiling from building up again.
 
deS said:
Let me preface this by saying that I'm an absolute idiot for not having tested the product on an inconspicuous area first. Instead I got excited and sprayed the OPC @ 3:1 (a ratio recommended by a few AG members) all over the driver's seat, which resulted in this (btw that's not streaking, the stains appeared almost immediately upon application):

leatherstain.jpg


leatherstain1.jpg


leatherstain3.jpg




Are these stains irreversible? If so I won't be able to forgive myself, lol...
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As Chris and many others have correctly pointed out already here, these are not stains but rather the spots that were deep cleaned by Power Clean. You can use Power Clean at 3:1 dilution again or more concentrated to wipe down the entire seat with a microfiber towel to fully clean the seats and then you would not have the blotchyness you are experiencing. Once you remove the dirt completely then you can wipe it down with a damp cloth to remove any product and dirt residue off before applying Protectant Plus as you had planned. Applying protectant before that will trap the dirt.

These seats seem to be coated and Power Clean should be very safe on them although Power Clean is also safe on naked (tanned leather). As with any cleaner, you do not want to let the product dry on the surface since the concentration increases continuously. Unfortunately some people are trying to mix facts with fiction again and focus on pH alone. In fact, aniline dyes are more susceptible to removal with acidic products than products at pH of 7 or higher. However, if this is coated leather, then the dyes will not be removed with any cleaner without removing the coating first.

As you clean the seats with Power Clean using a fairly saturated microfiber towel, you will see the towel get very dirty. Switch towels as needed and when you wring out the towel you should see the dirt that was removed. Continue the process till the seats are completely clean. It is best not to use abrasive pads or heavy brushes on leather seats that are wet specially if it is not coated.

Let me know if I can be of further assistance. Thank you.

David,
 
Chris@Optimum said:
I can tell that both roger and Judy have knowledge of leather, but I think their detailing/cleaning experience is very limited. There is NO damage to that seat (seen or unseen)...it just needs to be cleaned properly and followed with a protectant that will help prevent that heavy soiling from building up again.
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I cant say for sure what happened with this seat, but IMO, it looks like it can be cleaned up with the proper products and technique (I would try a cleaner and a leather brush).

But I do not like the fact that these two members (roger and judy) are being fear mongerers. I think its VERY unprofessional of them to make assumptions that the leather is damaged just from looking at two pictures. This is not the first time I have seen them use this angle on multiple forums, and because of this I would steer very clear of them and there products. IMO they have no credibility and always have something negative to say about any leather product that is NOT theres. I hope people can see through this and I think its wrong of them to make this assumption of damaged leather. They probably have the OP crapping his pants in fear that he destroyed his vehicle.

Shame on these two members. Whether the leather is damaged or not, its wrong to make clear cut assumptions after viewing a picture of what is normal behavior is you spray a cleaner on a seat, let it sit and drip while not working one area at a time (a common newb mistake).
 
I'll tell you from years of cleaning leather, as I'm no chemist just a man with a passion, that when I let my untrained wife clean leather she sprayed Opc 3:1 straight onto very dirty leather and had this very same effect, she panicked as she thought she ruined it, I followed up with proper technique and bang problem solved and the runs were gone. The trick to cleaning leather is to work in small areas if it's years of neglect. Go spray a cars paint that hasn't been washed in years with Opc and let it run down the paint you will see the same effect as if you stained the paint until the surface is properly cleaned and bang the runs disappeared. Why is this, you ask, because it's dirty and Opc does a great job of cleaning!
 
My hands on experience of actual cleaning on both cars and furniture is very extensive and i teach cleaners and detailers from all over the world. I deal with problems from technicians, cleaners, detailers and consumers on a daily basis.
We have seen this problem many times on furniture and in cars sometimes caused by liquid leather cleaners as well as other products. Every leather cleaning job is different due to the existing state of the leather and the type of finish on the leather which wil vary from job to job. Testing can be done on different leather finishes but it is only safe on that particular piece of leather which has not necessarily come under the same conditions as detailers find on a daily basis.
When we have come across this problem before we have tried everything that has been suggested but have never found that the rest can be cleaned to the same degree thus always leaving a brighter patch which can only be resolved by recolouring/ refinishing.
I agree that there does seem to be a build up of sorts on the leather and it would be wise to deep clean to remove this and then to protect rather than condition to prevent further build up. I do not think that this will rectify the problem.
Cheers
Judyb
 
judyb said:
We have seen this problem many times
Judyb
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Do you have any experience with Optimum power clean or its chemical makeup ? Because you are stating that you have seen this problem many times, implying that the Optimum Power Clean caused irreversible damage.

I am not trying to put words in your mouth, but are you saying that what you are seeing in these pictures from using OPtimum Power Clean is the same issue irreversible damage you have seen in your detailing clinics ?
 
If it has been taken that I was referring to OPC in particular then I apologise - I was trying to help by giving advice from our extensive experience in the leather cleaning industry where we have seen this problem caused by many different products (including some leather cleaners). As I have said every cleaning job is different and every piece of leather is different but where we have come across this problem previously (the brightening of one area of finish) we have found no other way of solving it other than recolouring/refinishing.
This thread was not meant to maligne other people's products I merely try to offer my help and experience to people that are having problems - something I do every day in my work as a consultant.
Cheers
Judyb
 
judyb said:
If it has been taken that I was referring to OPC in particular then I apologise - I was trying to help by giving advice from our extensive experience in the leather cleaning industry where we have seen this problem caused by many different products (including some leather cleaners). As I have said every cleaning job is different and every piece of leather is different but where we have come across this problem previously (the brightening of one area of finish) we have found no other way of solving it other than recolouring/refinishing.
This thread was not meant to maligne other people's products I merely try to offer my help and experience to people that are having problems - something I do every day in my work as a consultant.
Cheers
Judyb
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Who is this "we" you keep speaking of?
 
mg6045 said:
Do you have any experience with Optimum power clean or its chemical makeup ? Because you are stating that you have seen this problem many times, implying that the Optimum Power Clean caused irreversible damage.

I am not trying to put words in your mouth, but are you saying that what you are seeing in these pictures from using OPtimum Power Clean is the same issue irreversible damage you have seen in your detailing clinics ?
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Well asked, I agree the wording is suspect and it's wrong to insinuate any product caused damage without proof. It seems obvious to me that the seats still need to be cleaned.
 
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