Fibrenew Tag
Posted: Nov 14, 2011By: FibrenewCategory: Cars, boats and planes, Common Leather Problems, Leather Advice From the Pros
Most car interior leather and motorcycle seats are fully finished, and there are a couple of reasons why it cracks. Cracking usually occurs when the protective coating on fully finished leather is worn down or when there has been a manufacturer problem.
Cracked leather car seat
1. Body oil and dirt can cause leather to crack -
It is very easy for dirt and oils to collect on the surface of leather. Together, these act like a fine sand paper, breaking down the protective layer on fully finished leather over time, eventually leading to visible cracks at the surface. Once the protective layer is broken down, the leather underneath, which is incredibly porous, soaks up the dirt and oil sitting on its surface causing further abrasion and damage.
2. A manufacturer problem can cause leather to crack -
Tanneries put a layer of dye and a protective top coating on cow hide (almost like paint on drywall) to make fully finished leather. Leather has a lot of give and will stretch and move as people sit and slide around on it, so the manufacturer needs to stretch it properly before they put on the dye and protective top coating. If they don’t stretch it well, the leather will quickly stretch more than the dye can handle, and the coating will crack.
Once leather is cracked, a leather repair professional can typically fix it, however, it is much cheaper and easier to clean and take care of your leather seats from the start than to deal with cracking after it happens.
Additional Questions?
We’d be happy to answer any additional questions you have. Please post questions in the comments below, and, if you want to show us a photo of a specific piece of leather, either post it on our Facebook page or contact your local franchisee.
Posted: Oct 10, 2011By: FibrenewCategory: Common Leather Problems, DIY, Home and Office, Leather Advice From the Pros
The business of dying leather is a tricky one, and you really can’t replicate it with any marker. People come to us all the time asking us to fix problems they’ve created trying to fix a bleached out or discolored spot on their upholstery with a similarly colored marker. The fact of the matter is that dyed leather usually has many layers and tones, and thinking you can find one marker that’s going to give you an exact match is like thinking a bottle of cheap hair dye is going to give your hair a natural look.
An example of a spot filled in with a brown marker
Now, if you just have a teeny tiny spot somewhere pretty hidden on your couch, car seat, etc. you might find marker results to be sufficient. But, if you want a discolored spot to match the rest of the piece, you really shouldn’t go the marker route. A professional, like Fibrenew, can usually re-dye spots for a very reasonable price.
There are a number of other home remedies and wives’ tales about using home products on leather. We do not advise using any of the following:
Questions or experiences with markers on leather? Post them in the comments!
Posted: Aug 8, 2011By: FibrenewCategory: Cars, boats and planes, DIY, Vinyl Advice From the Pros
Vinyl is an incredibly durable material, and it holds up well to water exposure. Because of its durability, the vast majority of cushioned boat seats are made of vinyl. While vinyl is designed to hold up well to wear and tear, it does have its limits. Time itself can take a major toll on vinyl if you don’t care for it properly. It is important to clean your vinyl well on a regular basis, not just with water, but with a vinyl cleaner.
Keep your boat seats squeaky clean!
What to use
- Cleaner: All marine stores sell commercially made vinyl cleaners. We recommend using one of them on your vinyl seats. Many people attempt to use other household cleaners they think will save them a little cash, but, cleaners designed specifically for vinyl are better for your seats. For example, many people try using bleach, but it is too harsh for vinyl and will cause it to break down over time, becoming more easily damaged by every day wear and tear. With bleach, you also run the risk of bleaching any fabrics nearby or carpeting on your boat.
- Water: Use clean, fresh water to clean your seats. Distilled water is best because it lacks impurities that will stick around on your seats after you finish cleaning. If distilled water is not available, be sure to at least use tap water over lake, river or salt water. The dirt and minerals found in bodies of water will, like the small particles of dirt on your seats before you clean them, wear down your seats like fine sandpaper. While it might get any visible dirt off your seats, it will damage them in the long run.
How to clean marine vinyl seats
You should always read the directions on your vinyl cleaner, but, generally speaking, the steps to clean vinyl seats are as follows:
1. Use clean water on a damp rag to wipe any visible dirt or mess off your vinyl seats.
2. Put a little vinyl cleaner on a clean, damp cotton rag.
3. Gently wipe all vinyl surfaces in your boat. Be sure to cover all areas, especially those that are used regularly and wipe away any excess cleaner.
How often to clean your vinyl seats
It is a good idea to wipe down your vinyl seats between uses. It doesn’t take long at all and will help them last longer. Also, be sure to address any spills or messes immediately, as vinyl does stain. Take particular notice of tree sap and mildew:
- Remove tree sap immediately. Sap from overhanging trees can sink into your seats, even through tiny holes in boat covers. The heat from the sun can melt the sap into the vinyl. So, when taking your boat out, check for sap spills and wipe them up quickly with a citrus-based cleaner. If you need something stronger, try methyl hydrate, and always be sure to test all products in an inconspicuous place before using in an eye-catching place.
- If you have mildew, don’t just let it sit on your seats. Before long, it will start to smell bad and will break down your vinyl seats. To get rid of mildew, use a mold killer and cleaner – you can buy them at any gardening store.
If you have had particularly good luck with a vinyl cleaner or have any good tips, share them with other readers in the comments!
Posted: Aug 1, 2011By: FibrenewCategory: Cars, boats and planes, DIY, Vinyl Advice From the Pros
Mildew is one of the most common problems with vinyl boat seats. It often grows on seats when boats are covered because it thrives in warm, dark, damp places. Mildew ends up smelling and looking bad, and it can eventually break down the vinyl your seats are made of. It’s best to take measures to prevent it whenever possible and clean it up quickly once you realize it’s become a problem.
Avoid mildew on your boat seats
After an outing, try to let your boat dry out before you cover it. It is a good idea to let it sit with the storage compartments open to dry well before covering for extended periods of time.
When you do cover it, be sure to stick in a moisture absorbing, mildew prevention substance. You can buy buckets of commercially produced mildew prevention solution or you can try one of many popular household products. A tin or two of charcoal bricks (not match light!) works very well.
If mold is allowed to grow it will also penetrate the vinyl and over time it will not be able to be removed, the only thing left to do is to re-dye or replace.
Get mildew off your boat seats
You should use a mold and mildew killer and cleaner to stop mildew in its tracks and prevent it from continuing to grow. You can buy these at any gardening store and most marine suppliers.
Post any additional questions in the comments, and we’d be happy to answer them for you!
Posted: Jul 25, 2011By: FibrenewCategory: Cars, boats and planes, DIY, Vinyl Advice From the Pros
Tree sap is one of the most common causes of damage to vinyl boat seats. It can get on vinyl seats while the boat is uncovered or if a small portion of the cover comes loose, exposing the vinyl.
The real problem with tree sap is that it melts easily into the seats in the sun or hot weather, making it next to impossible to clean off. It is best to take preventative measures to keep tree sap off your boat whenever possible and to clean it off quickly if it does become a problem.
Keep tree sap off your boat seats
Keep your boat covered when not in use. It is also a good idea to do a thorough check of your boat when you pull it out of winterization. Tree sap has a sneaky way of getting in through even the tiniest of holes in your boat cover. Also, if you leave your boat uncovered for a while to dry out after use before covering to prevent mildew, do a quick inspection before you put the cover on.
How to get tree sap off your boat seats
It is best to use a citrus-based cleaner without bleach to clean tree sap off your vinyl seats. If that isn’t working, and you need something stronger, try using methyl hydrate.
Note: Always be sure to test all products in an inconspicuous place on your vinyl seats before using them in an eye-catching place.
Post any additional questions in the comments, and we’d be happy to answer them for you!
Posted: Jul 1, 2011By: FibrenewCategory: Cars, boats and planes, Common Leather Problems, DIY, Leather Advice From the Pros
We’ve all done it—left our car windows open or our tops down in the rain. Good news is – a little bit of water, if cleaned up quickly, isn’t likely to hurt your leather.
In fact, most car leather has a protective layer that will help prevent immediate damage. This coating is designed to give you enough time to clean up a small drink spill before it soaks into your leather. So, if you quickly go outside to roll your windows up after the start of a rain storm and wipe your seats off, you should be fine. But, if you let it sit for very long, the water can make your leather seats a little stiff. The same can happen to leather when you spill liquid on it and don’t clean it up quickly.
How to fix stiff leather
Massage is the best way to soften up leather that has become stiff from water damage. Unless the damage is severe, it should soften up after you knead it for a few minutes.
Massaging leather
How to clean up liquid spills in the car
For small water spills, wipe up all excess water and let your car seat dry naturally. If you spill a liquid on it that is not water, use a damp towel with distilled water to wipe up the mess, wiping away all excess liquid and letting the seat dry naturally.
What to do if your car gets flooded
When water has flooded your car and your leather seats, a whole new problem arises – the contaminants in the flood water can damage the seat’s interior and leave a foul odor. This usually means the seat’s cushioning needs to be replaced. That can be a large expense. However, if the seat doesn’t smell bad after you allow it to dry out, chances are good that you can get a leather professional to repair the damaged leather for a reasonable price.
Post any additional questions in the comments, and we’d be happy to answer them for you!
Posted: Dec 3, 2010By: FibrenewCategory: General
My customers are confused about different types of leather – either because they aren’t sure what they should look for when it comes time to buy new furniture, or because they have a problem (like a scratch or stain) that needs to be fixed. This quick guide should help you understand the big picture. If you have other questions, leave them in the comments below!
1. Fully-Finished Leather:
Fully-finished leather, seen frequently in furniture brands like Lazy Boy, Palliser, Natuzzi and Elite as well as in automotive interiors, has a durable surface finish that resists scratches and staining. Fully-finished leathers make up approximately 85% of leather used for furniture and 99% of leather used in the automotive industry today.
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