Why Leather Wears Out Faster in Chicago
Chicago's swing from dry, heated winters to humid summers is hard on leather. These are the problems we see most around the city.
Dry winter heat at home
From November to March, radiators and forced-air furnaces pull the moisture out of indoor air. A sofa next to a vent in a Portage Park bungalow or a Lakeview two-flat dries out, stiffens and starts cracking along the seat and arm folds. We clean the surface, fill and flex-seal the cracks, then recolor and seal the leather so it stays supple.
Road salt and slush in the car
Salt tracked in on winter boots leaves white rings on seats and door panels, and sliding in and out all winter wears through the driver's side bolster first. We remove the salt residue, rebuild worn bolsters and refinish them to match the rest of the seat, usually right in your driveway or garage.
Summer sun and lake humidity
South- and west-facing windows in downtown high-rises fade leather unevenly, and boats kept at the city's lakefront harbors take sun, spray and mildew all season. We bring back faded color, clean mildew from marine vinyl and add UV protection.
