Movers were in the house today and bumped a vase. The vase spilled water onto a treasured antique table with a tooled leather top. By the time we discovered it 3 or 4 hours later the water had left white rings in the brown leather.
We’ve wiped up the water but are unsure what to do about the rings.
What do we do?
Much thanks,
dave
Replies
I'd try distilled water first, on the assumption that the rings are water soluble minerals. Apply the water sparingly with cotton balls or Q-tips. If that didn't work and it were my table, I'd try saddle soap next, but that may be farther than you want to go without expert advice.
Edited 12/16/2004 2:40 am ET by Uncle Dunc
I think you will have to re-dye it. I would not put more water on it, with all due respect to UD. I just don't think there are any minerals coming out of it.
dave,
Possibly the leather was waxed, which will turn white on exposure to water. I'd try saddle soap, sparingly. Start with a q-tip. Next step would be maybe mineral spirits, but go lightly. Try a dab in the most inconspicuous spot (where is that, on a table top?) And let dry overnite to see how it affects the color. Whatever you end up doing, you'll likely want to do the whole top so it ends up a consistant color.
Good luck,
Ray
Thanks everyone. I think Ray was right about the wax. I little dry rubbing showed the white ring moved around like a waxy substance. After letting it just dry overnite the far far majority of the white color disappeared.
I'll try rewaxing a tiny spot this weekend and see if it all goes away before trying something on the whole top.
Again, thanks.
Dave
I had removed white water rings out of antiques and floors with denatured alcohol. I'm sure it would work on leather too but I would try a small section first.
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