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| Frequently Asked Questions
Many of our customers have asked pertinent questions about Our Leather Care Products, and leather care in general. We have included some of these questions here to help you understand more clearly the aspects of making repairs to leather, as well as the care of leather. Following is a list of questions that are most frequently asked. Please click on the questions you would like answers to. I thought leather repair was very difficult, can I really do it myself? How long does it take to make a repair? Will I be able to match the color? Do I need the correct color code? How can I get a Sample of My Color? Are these chemicals hazardous? Will the Leather Repair Kit work on Vinyl or "Simulated" Leather? How do I tell if I have Leather or Vinyl? Can I get help or advice on making my repairs? How long will it take to get my order? Can I order Replacement Items? How can I determine the type of leather that I have? Will The Color Coats rub off onto Clothing?
Question #1: I thought leather repair was very difficult, can I really do it myself? Answer: Leather repair has, traditionally, been a difficult task. But as we all know, technology never stands still. New developments in chemestry and knowledge of leather itself has made the repair of leather much easier and produces much better results. The materials compiling the Leather Magic products are made from the latest developments of this technology and enables the user to make necessary repairs without any previous experience, or knowledge of leather. The Leather Repair Kits that you will find on our site will provide you with the safest and easiest products to use. These materials have been professionally used and proven for many years. You can be assured that you will be receiving the very best that the industry has to offer. Complete instructions are included in the kit to fully explain the process step-by-step. We also provide you with support via e-mail, or by telephone, to help you feel more confident! You may also view our How To Make Repairs Page to see a brief demonstration on making these repairs. Back to top
Question #2: How long does it take to make a repair? Answer: The average repair, from start to finish, will take about 1/2 hour. This of course will vary due to many circumstances; size of repair, weather conditions (if working outside) etc. The repair compounds require 48 hours to cure to their maximum strength capabilities but will be dry enough to put back into service as soon as the repair is complete. Care must be exercised during that time so as not to damage the repair before it is completely cured. Back to Top
Question #3: Is this repair permanent? Answer: Absolutely!. The compounds used in this repair process actually bond themselves to the leather. They remain soft and flexible to retain the natural feel and flexibility of the leather. Once repaired, your leather item will provide the same service as it was designed to do. As with any type of repair, the conditions governing the application of the repair determine the quality achieved.
Question #4: Will I be able to match the color? Answer: Yes. Complete color matching instructions are included in the Standard Repair Kits. By mixing the colored compounds together, you will be able to match virtually any color. The colors chosen to make up these kits have been selected to enable you to match any of the common colors of leather or Vinyl finishes. This makes the task of color matching easier. Everyone has the ability to determine different shades, the only thing that is really needed to be able to match colors is a little coaching. This coaching is provided to you in the kit and through our support. Back to Top
Question #5: Do I need the correct color code? Answer: Color codes do not help us a great deal in most cases. Occasionally, automotive manufacturers color codes may be helpful in determining the exact color for your requirements, but in most instances, we rely on our color charts, which have been compiled from OEM charts as well as through everyday work experience. The best way to choose automotive colors is to look through our color charts. Choose the auto manufacturer, scroll through the list of colors and choose the one that best matches your interior. Please keep in mind that most color monitors will display colors differently and may not exactly match your choice. Our color charts that we mix from are very accurate to the original factory specifications. Due to the vast number of colors available from auto manufacturers, it is not possible for us to list every available color. If you do not find your specific color listed, we most likely have a factory original color that we can provide.Simply contact us and we will gladly research the color for you. Occasionally, we may not have a listing for a particular vehicle. In this case, we may request that you send a small sample of the color for us to match to. This will ensure a perfect color match for your vehicle. Furniture: We will almost always require a sample of the color that you need for furniture restoration. This is due to the fact that all furniture manufacturers use varying colors in the dying process of their leather. Even colors of the same name, from the same manufacturer will vary. This makes it extremely difficult to maintain an accurate listing of colors. Our goal is to provide you with products that completely meet your needs. In order to do this, we require samples for accuracy. To find out where to send your sample, Click Here. Back To Top
Question #6: How can I get a Sample of My Color? For special order colors, it is best to supply us with a small sample of the material. A 1"X1" piece is sufficient, but the larger the better! Furniture: There is sometimes a piece of the original material sewn to the cover by the manufacturer under the cushions. A small piece of this patch may be cut off and sent to us. If this piece is not available, it will be necessary to turn the furniture over so as to reach the underside. There, you will find a light cloth which is stapled to the frame of the furniture. Remove a few of the staples to allow you to reach up inside the frame of the furniture. Excess leather is always wrapped around the wooden frame of the furniture which may be cut and sent to us. If all else fails, a "Paint Chip" from your local paint store may be substituted. Just be certain that the color that you choose is acurate since this is the color we will be sending back to you. Automotive: Again, there is usually a piece that may be removed from under the frame of the seat. It may be a bit difficult to obtain due to the lack of room to work, but in many cases, a plastic trim panel may be easily removed to make the job easier. It is also possible to send us a small trim piece from the interior of the car. We can match the color to that piece and return it to you with your order. Please be certain to specify that you would like to have the piece returned. Back to Top
Question #7: Are these chemicals hazardous? Answer: No. All of the chemicals contained in the kit are either water based or alcohol based. There are no solvents or hazardous materials present in any of our kits. All products are environmentally friendly, and safe to use. There are no harsh odors or vapors to cause you concern or discomfort. Back to Top
Question #8: Will the Leather Repair Kit work on Vinyl or "Simulated" Leather? Answer: No. The materials that make up the Leather Magic Leather Repair Kits are designed specifically for leather. We have experimented with the product on vinyl and found it to do a nice job. However, the durability and longevity of a permanent repair are not guaranteed. The chemical make-up of Leather and Vinyl differ so dramatically, that it is impossible to make a repair compound that will work equally well on both materials. Vinyl is made from Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC Plastic) and contains plasticizers which make it very soft and flexible. Because Vinyl is a plastic material, it must be repaired in a different manner in order to achieve maximum results. Some repair kits advertise that they may be used to repair both Leather and Vinyl. Although the immediate results may be pleasing, the longevity of the repair is short, and the repair process may actually cause more damage to the Leather, over the long run, than the good that it did. If you have need of making a repair to a vinyl product, you will want to consider our Vinyl Repair Kit. Back to Top
Question #9: How do I tell if I have Leather or Vinyl? Answer: This is an important step to take before placing your order for a repair kit. Please keep in mind, that a majority of upholstered furniture and automotive seats will have leather seating areas, but will also have vinyl trim on the sides or in other areas. this makes the job of identifying your material a bit more difficult. First; leather feels softer, warmer, more natural. Vinyl, on the other hand, feels colder, stiffer, and artificial. This may be easy for some to determine the difference, but others may have a very difficult time in making the decision in this manner. One sure fire way of determining which you have is to look on the under side of the material. This can be done easily if you have a cut or hole all the way through the material. Just lift up a small section and look at the back side of the material. If you see a cloth like material that appears to be glued to the backside of the fabric, then you are looking at a piece of vinyl. Sometime this backing will be of a white colored "fuzzy" nature. Leather has no backing material of any kind, only "rough" or suede looking (usually of the same color as the surface). Back to Top
Question #10: Can I get help or advice on making my repairs?
Question #11: How long will it take to get my order? Answer: Your order will be processed within 24 hours. Special order colors may require up to 72 hours.Your order is usually shipped by U.S. Postal Service Priority Mail. We also offer shipping options such as UPS, Federal Express and Airborne Express.. Shipping time will vary according to destination, but usually is within two to three days in the continental US. Back to Top
Question #12: Can I order Replacement Items? Answer: Absolutely! Go to our Individual Items Page and you will find a list of our most populat replacement Items. If you do not find what you are looking for, Contact Us for assistance. Back to Top
Question #13: How can I determine the type of leather that I have? Answer: There are many different types of Leather used in upholstery, clothing and other items. The most common is Top Grained, or Top Coated Leather. This type of leather is the most durable and easiest to care for. It has a very thin coating over the surface, which seals the Leather and prevents water and liquids from immediately soaking into the leather. If a small droplet of water is placed onto the surface of the leather, it will immediately "bead up". This method will quickly identify Top Grained Leather. Aniline (AKA NuBuck, Naked, Suede and many others) has no surface coating. This permits liquids, dirt, oils and other foreign matter to be quickly absorbed into the leather. This type of leather requires a different method of cleaning and care than does Top Coated Leather. The easiest method to determine this type of leather is to place a small droplet of water onto the surface of the leather. If the water is immediately absorbed into the leather and creates a "dark" spot, then you have Aniline type leather. Occassionally, the manufacturer will provide a tag that describes the type of leather that the furniture was upholstered with. If you have difficulty in determining the type of leather that you have, please Contact Us, one of our staff will gladly assist you.
Question#14: Will the Color Coats Rub Off onto Clothing? Answer: No! These Color Coats are formulated to actually perform better and be stronger than the original finish. Even if the finish has gotten wet from water or other liquids, the color will remain fixed and permanent.Once completely cured (within 48 hours) these color coats are tougher than the original finish and will not be easily removed. When completely dry, if you sit on the new finish with white slacks, the clothing will still be white when you stand. Main | About
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