Leather-I-Q
The Premier Newsletter for Care of Leather
Rolls Royce Owners Club now carries
REJUVENATOR OIL & PRESTINE CLEAN
George Pavlisko, CEO of Leatherique Leather Restoration Products is pleased to announce
that the Rolls Royce Owners Club will be carrying "car care" kits in Pint and
Quart sizes for the convenience of its' members and our loyal customers. These kits will
contain equal sizes of our World Famous Rejuvenator Oil and Prestine Clean.
Please support your organization and purchase your leather care products directly from
the club. All profits benefit the RROC.
How to keep Luxurious Connolly Leather
Young and Supple
by Krysti Pavlisko
Rolls-Royce; Bentley; Jaguar: Ferrari. The names alone evoke images of sensual driving
experience. The powerful, refined engine carries us in distinctive comfort. Each unique
hand-crafted appointment of burl wood trim reminds us of each automobile’s
individuality. And, as we open the doors we are greeted by the aromatic leather fragrance
and satiny-soft suppleness that surrounds us in unparalleled comfort.
Ah, Connolly Leather! Connolly Leather Tanners and Curriers has a history as regal as
the Motor Car which it graces. Leathers from this historical 127-year-old Wimbledon-based
company grace not only Rolls-Royce and Bentley, but are found on the distinguished red and
green seats in the British House of Commons and the House of Lords. In other modes of
sophisticated transportation, Connolly leather is found on the seats of the Concorde, on
several luxury liners, and in Jaguar Motor Cars. Many of the world’s leading luxury
hotels also feature furnishings crafted of fine Connolly Leather. Exquisite hand bags,
travel bags, and leather wearing apparel are also crafted from this fine leather, and may
be found in the Connolly Leather Shoppe in England.
Although always on the cutting edge of technological Research and Development, the
historic Connolly Leather Tannery still process their hides at the same 200-year old
family managed tannery and still uses natural methods whenever possible. Their tanning
process still incorporates organic, traditional extracts of mimosa bark and dried fruit
from the myrobalan tree to infuse the leather with the heady fragrance it is famous for.
It has also discontinued use of the enamel based lacquer paints which
were harmful to the environment and the leather.
The tanning process has been improved to produce less waste. After Tanning, hides are
inspected. Only the highest quality hides are acceptable to Connolly standards. The
natural characteristics of the "skin" are no deterrent from the quality and are
also part of what makes each automobile interior, or any other Connolly application,
unique. After inspection, the "skins" are graded and split. Only the choice
"top grain", the top 1.3mm of the "skin", becomes leather suitable for
Rolls Royce and Bentley
The hides are then oiled for suppleness, dyed with water soluble products, stretched
and dried. After re-inspection, a water-soluble pigmented resin is applied to heighten the
color and make them acceptable to the high standards of Rolls Royce, Bentley and Jaguar
Motor Cars. The "skins" are then "fluffed" in wooden drums, to add
pliability and stretched to "tolerance" to ensure smoothness in cutting,
stitching, and consumer satisfaction.
Once one owns a distinguished and revered marquee of Rolls-Royce, Bentley, or Jaguar,
it becomes part of the heritage of ownership to properly care for this historical work of
art we know as our own Connolly leather interior. Leather should be cared for as you would
your own skin. We would never seal our skins in plastic wrap! They would shrivel and
dehydrate from lack of moisture and oxygen. Why use silicon based products, which prevent
the delicate leather fibers from receiving nourishment on our leather? We should clean our
leather, as we do our skin, with gentle, deep cleaning products; not harmful chemicals. We
should moisturize our leathers with the best moisturizers available to keep the fibers
clean and strong.
One of the best products available to maintain suppleness in newer leathers, and to
restore older leathers is Leatherique Rejuvenator Oil and regular cleaning with
Leatherique Prestine Clean. An independent laboratory study observed by Richard M.
Langworth, Publisher of Car Collector Magazine, found that Rejuvenator Oil contains 9
times more natural animal oils and beneficial ingredients than any other leather care
product on the market. He states it is a "most useful product of all,
"Rejuvenator Oil", a leather-conditioned that puts all other
leather-conditioners to shame."
Cleaning and caring for your leather is a simple procedure. Vacuum out loose gritty
dirt that can scratch the finish. Then massage Rejuvenator Oil into the leather. Because
it is also a natural product, Rejuvenator Oil will not harm carpets or wood trim. Roll up
the windows, put up the top, and park the motor car in a sunny spot for several hours,
until the oil is absorbed. Because the Rejuvenator Oil has a capillary action, it
permeates into the pours and fibers of the leather with Collagens and Proteins to return
and maintain tensile strength to the hide. Any tacky residue on the surface is dirt or
pollutants that have been forced out of the fibers. Then, using a clean, soft Terry Towel,
wash the interior using Prestine Clean to gently clean the surface without the use of
harsh chemicals that begin the deterioration process of the fibers all over again. The
harsh use of chemicals actually keeps dirt trapped in the fibers of the leather. If
you abuse or neglect your leather, it won’t survive. Many collectors apply a
generous coat of Rejuvenator Oil to their interiors before they put their vehicles into
storage or if they will be dormant for any length of time.
This product was originally formulated by Ty Peck and George Pavlisko, Sr. more than 30
years ago specifically for Connolly Leather, to resurrect even the driest, cardboard hard
leather. No other product on the market can compare.
Leatherique, also on the cutting edge of environmental awareness for thirty years, is
the world’s leading manufacture of custom-color, water-based Leatherique Leather Dye
for use in maintaining faded, worn interiors. Application is designed with the home
hobbyist in mind as well as the professional restoration shop, and formulas can be
prepared to brush on or spray. Many do it yourselfers have used the dye with a successful,
easy brush application, including J.B. Nethercutt of Merle Norman Cosmetics, "the
results were amazingly wonderful", he reported. "The leather actually
looked like leather, the car is still in the same beautiful condition as it was."
Richard Teague, VP of American Motors Corporation feels that "since using
both the leather softener and following up with Leatherique (dye), I have been asked by
knowledgeable collectors as to "who I had put in new leather in the old 1904
Royal.’" "It really looks that good and is truly a "wonder
material" as my friend called it."
Leatherique’s knowledgeable, courteous staff will ensure your order is prepared to
your customized standards, color and sheen. If your interior is less than exemplary, give
us a call and we will be glad to assist you with Rejuvenator Oil, Prestine Clean, or with
instruction and products to re-finish your interior.
Leather is a very durable product and has survived a broad range of applications over
the centuries. If you take the time to give your leather the same kind of love and care,
and use the same type of natural products, just as Connolly Leather Tanners and Curriers
has, your fine British motor car, or any other car, will remain a valued treasure for
generations.
Family owned and still "Simply the Best Since
1968"