Detailing World Forum Response:
In answer to my critics, and the private customer who asked me some questions about the contents of the Dr Leather forum.
6 companies in the last 4 years have infringed my registered trade name, most in the last 18 months and most are placed highly on Google’s pages, Dr Leather is the latest, his label is clearly a brand name. The problem has become so common that we had to place a page on our website asking for people to report any “copy cat” products/services. Our brand is extremely well known in the trade, anyone typing “Liquid Leather” into a computer will find it, claims of ignorance cannot be accepted. See Link. Darryl has complied with our request and I am pleased that the matter has been resolved.
We are advised that a polite letter or email to the manufacturer/seller, plus in this case, a forum dedicated to the company, results in a quick solution, we rarely have the need to use legal threats or solicitors, we emailed Darryl and confined our complaint to only his Forum.
A Detailing World sponsor and a private member of the public informed me of the product and site and has asked me for my opinion on the content. I was asked to do this before in March 2009 when two other companies seemed to be plugging their products rather than answering member’s questions. See Link. The problem now is that the complainant thinks the content is too technical, and it’s designed to baffle the public with science, rather than give simple straight forward advice.
Question 1: Why should “modern” leather be treated differently to “old”?
Answer; Connolly are best known for being leather suppliers to the car industry for many years, this is probably the “old” leather the forum refers, their Cleaner and Hide Food, will damage “modern” leather, most modern aftercare products will not damage either leather, but if the cleaner smells of strong chemicals, do not use.
Question 2: Is there one cleaner that will clean, leather, vinyl, Ancantara [fake suede] and fabric inserts, carpets and most leathers around the home?
Answer; Yes, Liquid Leather GT15 500ml trigger spray cleaner. But it’s not to be used on Aniline, real Suede and Nubuck. It won’t damage them, but could leave a water mark.
Question 3: Dr Leather’s expertise seems to be with glove and shoe leather, is this different to car and furniture leather?
Answer; They are completely different. We are not experts in the glove and shoe field, we only know about motorcycle gloves and boots, but I’ve had nearly 40 years experience with Auto Leather and 18 years with furniture and motorcycle leathers.
Question 4: The Forum has much content on F/C “Protectors”, do they work?
Answer; We were the first company to introduce a F/C Leather Protection Cream, back in the mid 90’s, it was for Semi Aniline leather, at the request of a major UK furniture manufacturer, they were having lots of problems with dye transfer, our product worked by taking the F/C into the leather. It became fully effective after 3 applications, applied 24 hours apart. It did not stop dye transfer, in Lab tests it slightly increased it [by holding it], but it made it easier to remove.
We have found that surface coating “Protection” sprays/creams or balsams, offer only short time protection, they do not prevent dye transfer and can seriously affect the success of any future cosmetic repairs. We sell our F/C product for use on outdoor leather, it’s not designed for use on interior car leather, although many customers use it. This year, a large Furniture retailer was featured on BBC Watchdog for miss selling a spray on “Leather Protection” Treatment, they were selling it for suites that couldn’t be successfully treated, the leather couldn’t absorb the product therefore it wore off in days.
Question 5: How do we prevent dye transfer and remove it?
Answer; Don’t wear dark clothes or jeans, or fit a cover. So much clothing, cheap or expensive, is made in the Far East, and it’s all made to a cost. Our GT14 Safety Solvent Cleaner will remove dye transfer without damaging the top coat lacquer, however it’s performance can be reduced if other cleaning products are used first. I’ll be amazed if the tanneries can produce leathers that reject clothing dye.
Question; 6: Does Gliptone Conditioner make leather shiny as per forum comments?
Answer: No, if used sparingly as per instructions, the people saying it does have applied too much and not rubbed it in, it’s like applying too much hand cream to your skin, it can only absorb so much at a time, we advise our conditioner to be applied “little and often”.
Last Question: Dr Leather says that he and other leather “professionals” agree that modern leathers don’t need conditioning and they attract dirt, what do you think?.
Answer; Many years ago I tried to sell our products to Andrew Muirhead Leather, I think it was a Mr Long I spoke to, and I shall never forget his quote “I shall go to my grave saying that our leather never needs conditioning”, 5 years later Muirheads introduce a there own leathercare kit, packed in a tin which included a conditioner.
I agree that new leather will not absorb conditioner and we suggest that the leather should be used for more than 6 months before being treated. I also agree that certain products do leave a residue on the surface that attracts dirt, we advise customers to avoid products that tell users to polish off or buff up after a few minutes, they don’t soak in, you are putting it on and taking most of it off. See Link.
If you want to follow Dr Leather’s advice that’s fine, but remember once a crease appears, it’s there for life, there are lots of very happy car owners on various club forums who follow our advice and boast about their excellent interiors, the decision and risk is yours.
Spirit Detailing and anybody else can contact me at sales@liquidleather.com if anyone has any questions.
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