Replies

1. 
   jackiechan | Sep 21, 2005 03:32am | #1

   Roger,

   Use distilled or very filtered water (to prevent water mark staining), and lightly wet down the effected area.  If the leather was ever pressed and rolled, it would swell up like a joinery biscuit when the water hit it.  You will want to do this only one time, so use your judgement as to how much water to use.  There should be enough to wet it through, but not so much as to do more damage.  Once it is wet, the edge will need a little persuading to go back down.  Laying a piece of wood over the damaged area and roll over it with a laminate or flooring roller to help it go down.  To weigh it down, use a piece of flat wood, plywood works well, that is big enough to overlay both the water area and the wood surrounding it.  This will keep the leather flush to the wooden border.  The plywood should be covered with some clear packing tape to prevent any staining once it contacts the water.  After rolling it, evenly lay some heavy items on top of the wood, and leave it overnight (5 and 10 pound dumbbell plates work well). 

   The tape covered wood will slow down the drying process, so may have to sit on there for a day or two.  The leather itself may be stained or lightened from the water damage, but it can be re-dyed. I would highly recommend using a professional restorer if any re-coloring is needed.

   Dan Kornfeld, Owner/President - Odyssey Wood Design, Inc.

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   Edited 9/20/2005 8:33 pm ET by jackiechan

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   Edited 9/20/2005 8:34 pm ET by jackiechan

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   Edited 9/20/2005 8:34 pm ET by jackiechan

   
   

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   Edited 9/20/2005 8:35 pm ET by jackiechan

1. 
   rog | Sep 21, 2005 05:56am | #2

   Jackiechan

   Thanks very much for the good advice. This furniture repair person suggested the same thing.

   Could I clamp the piece of plywood to the surface? I can remove the desk center drawer.

   Also wondering if I should just dampen the wood with a pad or sponge. When the damage was done it actually had a little puddle of water sitting there for about 6 hours.

    

   Thanks

   Roger

1. 
   jackiechan | Sep 21, 2005 06:20am | #3

   Roger,

   You could clamp the plywood to the surface depending on where the damage is.  You want the clamping/weight pressure to be directly over the damage.  The key is the even distribution of pressure over the leather and the surrounding wood.  Check if the current water damage is completely dry - push one spot with a fingertip, and leave it there for a few seconds.  If the finger print looks wet again, the bottom surface of the leather is still wet.  Now you'll only need to re-wet the top layer of the leather.  I'd use a soft sponge - wet, but squeezed out of any excess water. Rub it on in small circles - do the finger test again to see if you've saturated it enough.

   Just before you're ready to apply weight/clamps, use the roller to get the leather situated first. 

   If you have any questions, please feel free to ask.Dan Kornfeld, Owner/President - Odyssey Wood Design, Inc.

2. 
   triplenet | Sep 21, 2005 04:39pm | #4

   Roger,
   FYI, that desk is now $4,000. I have 2 and needed another (finally found one on Ebay). I called Sligh as one file drawer slide was missing. The end of the story is that Sligh is closing domestic production, can't remember the term they used, but they are moving production to Asia. Another one bites the dust, but I kind of feel guilty as I decided $4,000 for a domestic desk was too much, as I suspect most people did.

   Good luck,
   Bob