To obtain the right dye for your leather, it is best to consult a leather professional. In addition, you will want to test the leather dye first to make sure the project will turn out to your liking. Surface dust can prevent dyes from absorbing properly, and will leave a splotchy dye. But if you’re in the mood to play it safe, it may best to start over and redye the surface altogether.Īs with leather conditioner, it is important your leather is clean and dry before you begin to dye it. 4, although conventionally intended for car leather, contains UV repelling properties useful for any leather intended to face significant time under the sun. But make sure the leather’s at least protected. If you are desperate, some sunlight may get the job done. We’re always fascinated with our counterparts, and leather is no different. ![]() Lighter colored leathers are perhaps the most vulnerable to growing dark. For this reason, it is always very important to test leather conditioners first in a discreet area before using them. However, leather conditioner on its own, even when used in the right amount, may darken leather by its own oily nature. You can best prevent darkened leather by protecting it with leather conditioner and performing regular spot cleanings before it has the chance to darken. Darkening can often occur when oils begin to congest leather’s pores, such as body oils or leather conditioner (if too much has been used). But I’ll get to that in a moment.ĭarkened leather can be just as difficult to treat as faded leather. If this does not work, you will likely need to redye your faded leather. Water Protectant’s unique blend of oils and waxes will also have superior darkening effects, so use at your discretion. More absorbent faded leather may require a heavier leather conditioner, such as Water Protectant no. Depending on how absorbent your leather is, this may require more or less leather conditioner. ![]() Give the surface an even coat, and no more or less than it can absorb. Test your leather cleaner of choice first, and keep away from commercial cleaners not specifically designed for leather.Īfter your faded leather has dried from cleaning, apply leather conditioner, such as Leather Care Liniment no. If the leather has not been cleaned in some time, or has gotten excessively dirty, use a leather cleaner instead, such as Straight Cleaner no. It’s good to give the entire surface a smooth over, as the damp qualities have the added bonus of opening up the leather’s pores more enthusiastically to receive your leather conditioner. To clean your faded leather, use a damp cloth and touch up anything that catches your attention. As this blockade prevents dirt from getting in, it will also prevent dirt from getting out, and the dirt can eventually begin to suffocate your leather, rotting it (" How Does Leather Breathe?"). ![]() Conditioner acts as a protectant to leather, but this works by blockading its absorbent pores so that only small substances can move back and forth. In faded leather’s case, it can often be tempered with leather conditioner, particularly if the leather is finished.Īlways give at least a basic cleaning to leather before you condition it. Assess the situation, and determine a treatment. Watch for abnormalities in your leather – strange textures, scents, spots – anything. The dyes coloring the leather will retreat further into its fiber network, and as they leave, the color loses its potency, making faded leather.ĭepending on how long the leather has been sitting in sunlight, the road to restoring color in your faded leather may be more or less difficult. ![]() Aniline and semi aniline leathers are particularly vulnerable to sunlight’s effects, as they possess no protective pigments to deter the force of the sun’s rays (" How to Identify Types of Leather"). Given significant time in the sun, faded leather will not only become a more severe problem – it may also become sticky, flake, and eventually disintegrate into dust. Sunlight’s inherent UV rays break leather’s fibers down at a molecular level. Many people actually use the sun to restore their leather if it has significantly darkened. This usually results from excessive exposure to sunlight.
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