Why Leatherique?

Natural oils were used to treat leather and keep it flexible since cave man days. These natural oils included those excreted by the people who wore the skins for warmth and by the animal fats from the foods they ate.

As “modern” man began using more items derived from petroleum and their by-products, they rationalized that the chemical oils would work to provide the lacquer painted dyed surface the appearance of being softer and more leather-like. It may have provided the lacquer finish with the allusion of flexibility, but it actually was harmful for the leather fibers. These oils are not at all necessary in the preservation of leather fibers, and help induce the break down, separation of fibers, and rot of leather and batting in your upholstery. Remember that we coat our motor parts with petroleum oils so they do not stick together. That is totally contrary to what we wish to accomplish with the minuscule fibers that comprise our luxurious leather upholstery. Lacquer based dyes are being done away with, and the entire world, even the traditional Connolly Tannery is finally accepting the fact that the water based dyes are more beneficial for leather. Our purpose is to continue to educate leather owners on its proper care.

Leatherique Rejuvenator Oil and Prestine Clean work with a capillary action. The proteins, cleaners, and conditioners find their way deep into the natural pores of the leather and force out the dirt, perspiration, air pollution, and other toxins that dry out and destroy the fibers of the leather, depleting the fibers strength and flexibility, and causing them to deteriorate. Perspiration, and the salts left after its evaporation easily find their way into the leather fibers. Notice on an older car, the areas where a person rests their hands or arms, steering wheel, arm rests. They break down the quickest. Tough, heavy stains probably need to be redyed.

Although it was named Rejuvenator Oil by our founding fathers, Ty Peck and George Pavlisko, Sr., it actually contains no oil fillers such as mineral or petroleum oil as Lexol and other products do. The formula is based on a natural old Swedish Secret and is a complex blend of proteins and collagen that actually restore the tensile strength to the leather, not just sit on top and make it slick and greasy. It does not harm carpeting or headliners and will also soften rubber door trim and vinyl. Repeated applications, with sufficient permeation time are required for cardboard hard, neglected leather. The enriching formula, once embedded in the leather fibers, continues to condition for several months.

Tests have been performed on our products by outside sources. They have determined that Rejuvenator Oil contains more beneficial ingredients than Lexol, Connolly Hyde Food, or any other Leather Treatment on the market! And, the other products contain heavy oil fillers. Hyde Food actually instructs not to use too much or you’ll suffocate the leather with the unnecessary oil. Also, our conditioner contains no Silicon that dries leather and no wax that merely sits on the surface and does nothing for the leather fibers themselves, and eventually wears away. We strongly advise against saddle soap, as it has been known to remove the dye from the leather.

If your dye is worn away, call about our simple to use Leatherique Leather Dyes. Our dye is been the premier product of its type and has continued with advances in co-polymer technology and uses only the finest, first quality pigments.

We recommend a preventative maintenance “face lift” three to four times a year, once prior to the winter season to prevent cold crack of leather, and once before the heat of the summer to prevent deterioration and shrinkage of heat which result in continued cracking of leather. In tropical countries hot sun is the worst enemy of every leather product. Use Prestine Clean as a maintenance cleaner and conditioner in one easy step, once every few weeks. Prestine Clean and Rejuvenator Oil may be applied with your hands as heat helps it penetrate. Rejuvenator Oil and Prestine Clean are safe and natural even for use on equestrian leathers and here at our shop the women use it as a cuticle softener!

A good ladies face cream actually shares many ingredients with our Rejuvenator Oil, including collagen. The face creams work on a process that allows nutrients to seep down into the layers of the skin and help them hydrate (retain moisture) plump the new skin cells and restore elasticity. The oils, mineral oils and lanolin in the face creams actually do nothing but soften the dead surface skin cells so they may float away, exposing the vibrant new skin cells underneath.

Have you ever noticed that after shaving, men’s complexions have that “soft as a baby’s bottom” feel? It is purely commercialism on the part of razor manufacturers to allude that the razor was the cause for this effect. Actually, every day, men sluff off their dead skin cells while shaving, revealing the fresh, new skin underneath.

To the point, the Leather Hides in our motor vehicles, upholstery, wearing apparel, and satchels no longer have regenerative powers that nature provides and need help to maintain themselves. Leatherique Rejuvenator Oil does simply that. It provides the Leather Fibers with the same natural ingredients nature intended to help keep them flexibly bound together.

Another myth about leather care involves the Silicon based and “sealer type” family of products, including wax. These products do nothing but cause a seal on your leather, vinyl, and rubber, which may provide an attractive finish upon initial application, as all the dried pores are now filled in with the sealer and the surface has a more uniform, glossy appearance. The silicon products do not allow the leather fibers to breath or receive any nourishment. Would your skin benefit from wearing rubber gloves perpetually or wrapping yourself from head to toe in an air tight coating?

Avoid all raw silicone oil based products. The silicone oil will dissolve out the leather’s natural oils and tend to make the leather sticky. Silicone oil’s high electrostatic attraction will attract dust, grime, and air pollution to settle in your interior. Another unwanted side effect of the silicone products is the haze that forms on the unporous inside of your wind shield and mirror. The vapors have no place to inconspicuously or invisibly resettle and “haze” on these non-porous surfaces. This cryogenic haze is a chemical reaction to the sun and the chemicals. We absolutely do not recommend these products for any type of leather application.

Many myths still exist about exactly what leather is. Real leather is the top split of the hide. It has natural flaws characteristic of the animal to whom the skin once belonged. There are many “leathers” that are actually the thin bottom suede split of the hide. These splits have been coated with a vinyl type coating and a grained impression is applied with rollers. According to U.S. Government standards, these should actually be labeled and sold as suede. However, after being treated, they are being passed as “genuine leather” to the consumer.

If the leather in your automobile is in need of replacing, it is your responsibility as a knowledgeable consumer to be involved in the selection of the new hides. Only the finest Connolly hides are used in the luxurious interiors of Rolls Royce and Bentley. Connolly Tanners applies a distinguishing small sticker to the back of their imported hides, and very few dealers in the United States are able to carry these hides, not to mention countries in Asia and Middle East. Before you make your selection, call several vendors and ask questions. The value of a great car can be diminished with the installation of substitute Connolly leather, or by an improper upholstery installation. Check with several sources before making any final decisions, and always work with a reputable craftsman and reputable vendors. Direct sun is the worst enemy of any automobile interior or home upholstery. Do not place home or office leather upholstery in direct sun.

If you are looking to purchase leather upholstered furniture, apparel, handbags, luggage, or equestrian needs, let the buyer beware and get written guarantees about precisely what grade of leather your piece is made of.

Good quality leathers have been known to last generations with just a little love and care. Our family owned and operated company has been offering leather care advice and premium products for the past 40 years (since 1968) worldwide to museums, collectors, restoration shops, furniture manufacturers and restorers, aircraft maintenance, equestrian enthusiasts, and everyone who loves and appreciates fine quality leather. Please call us or our distributors any time with your leather care questions! We are here to help!