Will Rub ‘n Restore® stain clothing?

Normal dyes float freely in the fiber of the leather and therefore can migrate outward and stain clothing if not properly sealed. Rub ‘n Restore® finishes are more like a paint, not a dye, and will only stain clothing if spilled in their liquid state. Once dried, our finishes do not permanently stain fabric. The new finish should be allowed to cure before coming into contact with water or damp fabrics. Less is always more in post-restoration cleaning and maintenance.

Though rarely “crocking” or transference of dried color to clothing occurs with colors containing a lot of organic (i.e. synthetic not mineral or oxide) pigments (reds, blues, Persimmon, occasionally Cognac, Rust or Mahogany). Our colors are very pigment-rich which is why one can color change in just a few coats.

If you experience this, pre-treat the article with detergent (washing soda or borax are even better, if you have them), perhaps with a gentle scrub brush, and launder as usual. The color will wash out.

Dry buff the surface with a soft rag to remove any unstable pigment. A final coat of glaze (color diluted with Clear Prep+Finish™ to increase the ratio of resin to pigment), Clear alone, or special order Satin Sealer can be applied to lock in the pigment.