How to Order a Custom Color?
Why Does Leather Crack?
How many applications of SOFFENER™ do I need to restore my leather to suppleness?
How should FLEX-FILL be applied?
How much SURFLEX will I need to complete my Project?
Can I Save any SURFLEX that may be Left Over?
Will the Color Crack or Peel off?
Do I need to use CLEAR-COTE?
When should I use CLEAR-COTE vs. Simix Non-Wax Clear Coating?
Hints
QHow to Order a Custom Color?
A. To Order a Custom Color, print out the order form and supply a color swatch or color sample. We are color specialists. To guarantee an accurate color match, you MUST provide a leather or vinyl sample 1 INCH SQUARE OR LARGER. Samples smaller than 1 inch square will delay the completion of your order. Carpet samples, cloth samples and metal samples are unacceptable. Your sample can be obtained from beneath the seats, behind a door panel, or under a headrest. Two-tone, metallic, or Pearle scent finishes cannot be matched.
It is important that your sample swatch be exactly the color you want. If you send a faded sample, you will get a faded color. If you send a sample that has not been exposed to light and is different from the rest of the interior, you will get that color. If you are doing touch-ups you may want the faded color to blend in with the rest of your interior. If you are re-doing the entire interior, you may choose to go back to the original color.
Simpler Yet: Get a selection of color cards similar to the car's interior color from a local paint store. Take them home, place them in the car in daylight, at twilight and in the garage with the lights on. Choose the color that looks the best in all these light situations. We usually get a 98% or better accuracy to these paint samples.
Q. Why does leather crack?
A. If
you’re saying there are “cracks in your leather”, then the first thing you need to do is condition the leather with Soffener Leather Conditioner. Here is what’s causing those “cracks” in your leather. The
interior layer of the leather is a bunch of omni-directional fibers. These fibers hold residual oil and moisture. Over time, this residual oil and moisture evaporates through the pores of the leather. As the leather hide loses moisture, it begins to shrink and stiffen. This leaves a miniscule gap between the leather hide and the color coating on top of it. The color coating is no longer supported by the hide. Without proper support, it starts to crack. The cracking you see on your seats starts in the color coating. Without treatment, the cracks can become severe enough to affect the hide. Before you apply the SURFLEX Colorant to restore worn or abraded color, and in order to diminish the cracking, you first have to condition the leather with SOFFENER™ Leather Conditioner. Now, with it’s natural moisture restored, the re-hydrated hide underneath can once again support the color coating. If your
leather is very dry, it may take several applications of the SOFFENER™ Leather Conditioner to restore enough moisture to the leather hide so that it can again provide enough support for the color coating to prevent further cracking. The edges of the cracks are microscopically lifting off the surface of the leather. After you have applied the SOFFENER™ Leather Conditioner, you can use 400 or 600 grit sandpaper to go LIGHTLY over the cracks to smooth the lifted edges. This technique usually does not affect either the color or the grain pattern of the leather – however, it is important that you test this technique first in an area that doesn’t show to make sure it will not affect either on your leather. You can repeat this condition/lightly sand process until the leather has absorbed as much of the SOFFENER™ as it needs and the cracks have been minimized as much as possible. Then you can use SURFLEX Colorant to restore color to the leather surface
Q. How many applications of SOFFENER™ do I need to restore my leather to suppleness?
A. It depends on how dry the leather is to begin with. Generally, apply the SOFFENER™ as many times as you wish until no residue is left on the leather after waiting the 24 hours to let SOFFENER™ absorb. If the SOFFENER™ does not absorb completely into the leather, wipe it off with a damp cloth wrung out in warm water. Sand the surface of the leather lightly with fine sandpaper, to open the pores. DO NOT sand vigorously . You do not want a suede effect. Then reapply SOFFENER™.
Q. How should FLEX-FILL be applied?
A. Use FLEX-FILL like spackle. After the leather has been cleaned and conditioned, apply FLEX-FILL into the crack. Tip
it in with your finger, a small spatula, or even a toothpick. Try to keep it from coating the surface of the leather. FLEX-FILL is a cosmetic filling compound, NOT a surface prep. Wipe
over the surface with a damp sponge wrung out to almost dry to remove excess FLEX-FILL. Clean the edges of the crack with a paper towel. Let
FLEX-FILL dry for 24 hours or at least overnight. Repeat the steps above until you have filled the crack up to the surface level of the leather. If needed, you can sand (350 or 400 grit) to even out the surface of the repair. Let it dry overnight. Apply SURFLEX.
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You may add a small amount of the SURFLEX Colorant into the FLEX-FILL to tint it. Mix well to insure uniform color. DO NOT add more than 20 or 30 drops of SURFLEX into a 4 oz. FLEX-FILL. DO NOT overload the FLEX-FILL with the SURFLEX.
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Condition your leather regularly with SOFFENER Original Formula Leather Conditioner to insure extended wear from the filled crack
Q. How much SURFLEX will I need to complete my project?
A. From the restoration shops that regularly use SURFLEX, the "rule of thumb" quantities are: •1 Quart for the entire interior of a car. The exception to this would be a very large car such as a Rolls or Bentley. In that case you may need 1-1/2 to 2 quarts of SURFLEX. •1 Pint for the front seat(s). •1/2 Pint (8 ounces) is enough for touch-ups, visors or door panels.
Q. Can I save any SURFLEX that may be left over?
A. Because the pigments used in SURFLEX are water-borne and organic, they are subject to deterioration when exposed to air over an extended period of time. If you have any SURFLEX left over, fill the air space between the left over colorant and the top of the can with crumpled plastic wrap and replace the lid on the can tightly. Store at 65° - 75° F. Over time the SURFLEX may thicken. Since it is water-base, add water to thin to proper consistency. Always test any left over SURFLEX in an inconspicuous area first before applying to overall surface.
Q. Will the color crack or peel off?
A. A properly prepared surface is essential for good adhesion of color.
The main reasons why the color would crack or peel off after application are:
Q. Do I need to use CLEAR-COTE?
A. Originally developed to protect vinyl tops from oxidation and embedded
dirt build-up, CLEAR-COTE is also recommended as a protective top coat
in exceptionally warm and/or humid climates. It is also recommended for use
over bright red colors, white, or very light colors. CLEAR-COTE provides
an extra layer of molecules over the surface protecting these colors from soiling.
Q. When should I use CLEAR-COTE vs. Simix Non-Wax Clear Coating?
A. CLEAR-COTE Protective Top Coat is for use OVER the application of SURFLEX Colorant.CLEAR-COTE gives added protection to very bright red colors, and to white, off-white or other very light colors. It is recommended that CLEAR-COTE be applied over these colors, especially in hot or humid climates. The wearability of any color is dependent in part on the nature of the pigment that makes up the largest percentage of the mixture. Bright red colors are mostly made up of organic red pigment dispersions. Very light colors and off-whites may be over 95% white pigment dispersion. This type of mixture has less durability than tan, gray or beige colors. CLEAR-COTE over these bright red or very light colors provides extra protection that ensures longer wear.
Black is the exception. Black gives extended wear in any climate without the application of CLEAR-COTE.
SIMIX Non-Wax Clear Coating provides UV protection for both the interior and exterior of your vehicle. On the interior, it can be used on any leather or vinyl surface. It can be used to protect surfaces that have not been re-colored with the SURFLEX. It can be used over an application of SURFLEX. It can also be used over CLEAR-COTE that has been applied over SURFLEX. SIMIX Non-Wax Clear Coating will also inhibit the growth of mold or mildew on all interior surfaces.
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If the finish on your leather just needs "refreshing": After cleaning and/or conditioning, dip cheesecloth in the SURFLEX and wipe over the surface of your leather to restore faded color and bring back a "like new" finish. Sometimes, even after an extended drying and curing time, the parts of the re-colored leather or vinyl that touch each other (example: seat back to seat bottom) will remain slightly tacky. Spray Johnson's Pledge furniture wax on a cloth and wipe over only the areas that touch each other (do not apply to exposed areas), to give these areas a slight lubrication.