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When leather shrinks the damage is irreversible. There is nothing you can do to stretch it back to its original shape. But it is possible to improve the softness and to prevent further degradation with COLOURLOCK Leather Softener.
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 (= 158°F). Today processed chrome-tanned hides are used which can withstand temperatures of around 90 °C (= 194°F). The less a leather is re-oiled through care, the lower the temperature at which it will start to shrink.
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.
Apply Leather Softener with a sponge or a soft cloth. For best results, and only if practical to do so, the softener must be applied on the reverse side (the layer facing the cushions on the inside). Because the surface is rougher and more porous, it is more receptive to treatment than the smooth side. However, unless you are planning on carrying out further upholstery repairs, you are advised not to remove the covers on very old leather 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.
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.
To nourish and protect the leather, use COLOURLOCK Leather Milk 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.
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