Care & Handling of Leather Panels or Rails

Congratulations on purchasing a TruStile Door with leather panels or rails. Our doors are built with superior quality and craftsmanship resulting in architecturally correct details and a product that lasts a lifetime. TruStile doors with leather panels or rails require special care, handling and installation procedures that are different from our more traditional panel and glass door products. Please be sure to read this document carefully before receiving your TruStile doors with leather panels or rails. Failure to follow these instructions will void TruStile’s warranty.

These instructions only refer to the leather rails or panel inserts. For information on either Wood Doors or MDF Doors, please refer to the applicable Care, Handling and Finishing Instructions.

Handling and Storage Instructions:

  1. TruStile leather panels should not be stored on the job site.
  2. Leather panels should be stored flat on a level surface in a dry, ventilated building with an operational and balanced HVAC system. Never store the leather panels outside exposed in the elements.
  3. Keep leather panels sealed in the plastic bag they were shipped in and place them on a piece of plywood or cardboard to protect the face of the bottom panel.
  4. Treat the TruStile leather panels as you would a fine piece of leather furniture. Handling damage is not considered a factory defect.
  5. TruStile leather panels should be handled with clean gloves and clean equipment to prevent any damage to the panels.
  6. DO NOT lean panels against the wall
  7. DO NOT store panels in direct sunlight

Leather Panel Insert Instructions:

  1. Only install your TruStile leather panels once the door has been finished, curing has completely occurred.
  2. Prior to installation, the job site should be completely finished with an operational and balanced HVAC system in order to prevent any damage occurring to the leather panels.
  3. Prior to opening the clear plastic bag, inspect the leather panels for any defects or damage that may have occurred in shipping. Once the seal on the clear bag has been broken, the owner accepts responsibility for the condition of the panels.
  4. To install the leather panels into the door, remove the sticking on one side of the door. It should be loose and can be easily removed with a clean flat head screw driver or chisel.
  5. Install the leather panels into the door as you would install any loose glass or resin panels. Place the leather panels into the opening and re-install the sticking. The sticking should be re-installed with the nails provided using a tack hammer.
  6. If needed, carefully retouch the sticking for any paint or stain finishing that may have been chipped or scratched.

Panel Insert Instructions for TM9170 and TM13170:

  1. Only install your TruStile leather panels once the door has been finished, curing has completely occurred.
  2. Before installation can occur, the job site should be completely finished with an operational and balanced HVAC system in order to prevent any damage occurring to the leather panels.
  3. Prior to opening the clear bag, inspect the leather panels for any defects or damage that may have occurred in shipping. Once the seal on the clear bag has been broken, the owner accepts responsibility for the condition of the panels.
  4. The TruStile leather panels can be installed in any configuration you desire. The panels are not numbered and are not meant to be installed in any certain order. If you desire, lay out all the leather panels on the floor to arrange them in the order you prefer.
  5. The wrapped leather panels adhere to the door via the 3M™ Dual Lock™ Reclosable Fastener system. The black polypropylene fasteners have been pre-installed on the door and the leather panels.
  6. To install the leather panels into the door, simply line up the fasteners and press together until an audible SNAP is heard. The audible SNAP indicates proper engagement has occurred. This system provides high tensile strength for a strong hold.
  7. The leather panels are not meant to be removed. However, in the event that you desire the panels to be removed from the door, simply cleave or peel open the closure using either a clean flat head screwdriver or chisel.

Care and Cleaning Instructions:

  1. TruStile uses only the finest Edelman Leather. It is a full grain, vegetable tanned leather which will patina over time becoming more beautiful. Leather is a natural material that breathes and moves as it wears. With normal use, Edelman leather requires almost no care.
  2. Care for Edelman Leather by simply dusting it with a clean dry cloth.
  3. If a spill or spot should occur, blot immediately with a clean absorbent cloth or sponge.
  4. NEVER use cleaning solvents, polishes, soaps with a detergent base or ammonia.
  5. DO NOT rub with force or pressure.
  6. AVOID direct sunlight.