We all have had a pair of leather shoes that got faded with time. Also, maybe you got your favorite leather jacket for cleaning and they gave it back to you with dark spots. We can keep going with the disasters but, faded leather and darkened leather is like the warm, pleasant colors have gone with the wind and we're left with something ugly instead. So, that's why we're going to tell you how to restore your leather items that have faded or darkened at some point in their life.
Why Leather Fades Or Gets Dark?
Faded leather is a result of excessive sunlight exposure. Sunlight’s inherent UV rays break leather’s fibers down at a molecular level. 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. 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. The dyes coloring the leather will retreat further into its fiber network, and as they leave, the color loses its potency, making faded leather.
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). You can best prevent darkened leather by protecting it with leather conditioner and performing regular spot cleanings before it has the chance to darken.
How To Restore Our Faded Or Darkened Leather? & Some Care Tips
Faded Leather
- Watch for abnormalities in your leather, strange textures, scents, spots and pretty much anything. Assess the situation, and determine a treatment. Keep vigilance on it.
- Often, faded leather can be treated with a leather conditioner. Particularly, if the leather is finished.
- Always give a basic cleaning to leather items before you condition it. 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. 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.
- To clean your faded leather, use a damp cloth and touch up anything that catches your attention. 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. If the leather has not been cleaned in some time or has gotten excessively dirty, use a leather cleaner instead.
- After your faded leather has dried from cleaning, apply leather conditioner. Give the surface an even coat, and no more or less than it can absorb.
Darkened Leather
- Watch for abnormalities in your leather, strange textures, scents, spots and pretty much anything. Assess the situation, and determine a treatment. Keep vigilance on it.
- Clean your leather good with a soft cloth and a leather cleaner. Give the entire surface a smooth over.
- in case you are desperate, you can use sunlight to get a more light color. But, remember to be careful and always use a good conditioner before you expose your leather to the sun.
Restoring Leather By Re-Dyeing It
This is the last resort. As with leather conditioner, it is important your leather is clean and dry before you begin to dye it. Surface dust can prevent dyes from absorbing properly and will leave a splotchy dye. In addition, you will want to test the leather dye first to make sure the project will turn out to your liking. To obtain the right dye for your leather, it is best to consult a leather professional. Simply visit a local leather crafter and ask for a sample of dyes on a strip of leather similar to your own. This will include a strip that resembles its finish and tanned type. If you don’t know your type, ask for the samples on aniline, vegetable tanned leather. Bring your leather or a picture of it to color match the dye until you are satisfied.
When the leather is ready, set newspapers under it to prevent spills and masking tape any spots you don’t want to be affected (such as suede liners or hardware). Use long, overlapping strokes across the surface, working on one side of the leather at a time if you are working with a larger object. If the dye streaks, repeat the coat until it is even and color matched. Allow the leather to dry in a cool, clean location away from heat, and let the dye set overnight.
That should take care of darkened and faded leather alike. Let’s hope such a drastic measure isn’t necessary!
