Caring For Your Leather

Everyone loves leather...be it furniture, automotive upholstery, leather jackets, or what have you. It just looks and feels so nice, so expensive! But it does require regular maintenance, care and occasionally minor repair. At Leather Magic, we also appreciate the quality of fine leather and the satisfaction of owning these leather products. We know what it takes to keep your leather items in good condition, so we have made available to you, the same products that we use professionally to keep leather in tip-top condition for our customers.

Most people have little knowledge about how to care for leather. Leather, just like any other type of material, needs to be cared for, cleaned and repaired to keep it in good condition. But most important, the proper types of products must be used to maintain the natural beauty of leather. The information listed below will give you a better idea of what leather is and how to choose the proper products for your leather. Please click on the links below to learn more about your leather.

What Is Leather?                               Types of Leather                           Why Maintain Leather

Repairing Leather                  Faded & Worn Leather                  Stains

Changing the Color of Leather                                                 Cleaning, Conditioning & Protecting Leather

What is Leather?

All leather comes from one source; the hides of animals. Different animal skins are used to produce a variety of looks in leather. The most common is Cow Hide. All leathers are processed in similar manners to achieve the look and feel of a particular purpose. Once the leather is tanned and processed, certain sections are then selected for use on a particular application. It will then go through another series of processing and splitting for each application. This process determines the type of leather that will be made available to you. In almost all situations, similar tanning and dyeing chemicals and processes are used.  In recent years, the chemicals used in the tanning process have dramatically changed.  This is due primarily to environmental concerns as well as cost factors.  Leather quality is not determined by brand identification, rather, it is determined by the actual processes and chemicals used in it's production.  It is impossible to determine the quality of leather by brand name or price alone.  Reputable manufacturers use a high quality leather in the production of furniture and automotive upholstery as well as the manufacture of Jackets and clothing.  However, there are increasingly greater numbers of lower quality leathers being used in today's market. Normally, lower priced items will have lower quality leather.  Do some shopping before you make that final purchase. Leather generally known as "By-Cast" is a very poor quality leather but becoming very popular in furniture upholstery due to cost factors.  Don't expect this type of leather to last!

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Types of Leather

Many different types of leather are used in different applications. The most common, Top Grained (Protected or coated) (Manufacturer Code "P") leather is used in almost all applications including automotive and furniture upholstery, jackets and clothing, and more. This type of leather is the easiest to maintain, and also the most durable. It will appear to have a distinct "finished" look and somewhat heavier in feel than an unprotected or unfinished leather. When a droplet of water is placed on the surface of this leather, the droplet will "bead up" and cause no darkening of the spot and is easily wiped away.  Aniline ( Manufacturer Code "A"), is a very soft feeling form of leather with no finish on the surface of the leather, leaving it unsealed and susceptible to dirt and staining. Being much more difficult to maintain, it is found used primarily on furniture and clothing. Suede (AKA NuBuck) (Manufacturer Code "N"), is a form of Aniline leather. The finish is brushed and appears to have a "Knapp" which will change colors when the surface is gently wiped with a hand or other object. When a droplet of water is placed on the surface of this type of leather, it may "bead up " initially, but when gently wiped over the surface the water will be quickly absorbed into the leather creating a "dark" spot.  Semi-Aniline (Manufacturer Code "A"), is also an uncoated type of leather but has a "finished" look.   The surface of the leather will have a similar appearance as Top Coated leather, but will be a bit softer and lighter in feel.  When a droplet of water is placed onto the surface of the leather, it will immediately be absorbed into the leather and cause a "dark" spot.  This is the most difficult leather to care for and to keep looking new, especially when used in a "family" room or other high use area.  It is also the most common type of leather sold in furniture.  Leather is called by many different names, most of which are nothing more than Manufacturers identifications, or "Remnants of Tradition". In most instances, your leather will be identified with a tag referring to the specific type of leather used in your application.

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Why Maintain Leather?

Before it became leather, nature took care of feeding, cleaning and repairing the animals skin. The chemicals used in tanning the leather, only preserve the usefulness of the skin for a much longer period of time. Nature is no longer able to do what it once did. The responsibility now becomes that of the "new owner". Regular cleaning and replenishment of natural oils, will keep the leather, and its' finish, in good condition for a very long time. We have made available Leather Care Kits that will provide you with everything you will need to thoroughly maintain your leather.  Oils in the leather will dry out and evaporate even when the leather is not regularly used. To keep the leather soft and flexible, dirt and grime which have accumulated on the surface must be removed using our Leather Magic Leather Cleaner and the oils be replaced using our Leather Magic Leather Conditioner .  Regular maintenance should be performed usually about once every three months. Due to changes recently implemented by the Leather Manufacturing Industry, Tanning processes and the chemicals used in these processes have been dramatically changed. This change has occurred because of environmental concerns as well as cost factors. As a result, maintenance products have to be adapted in order to remain compatible and beneficial with the newer styles of leather. The use of "Old Time" remedies such as Neatsfoot Oil, Mink Oil, Saddle Soap, and other similar products, are no longer beneficial to the leather used in upholstery applications. In fact, these products can cause harm to the leather by accelerating deterioration of the fibers of the leather and the finish products used in their production.

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Repairing Leather

It's very depressing when an expensive piece of leather becomes damaged. Nature can no longer fix the problem, but you can! It is not possible to duplicate nature, but we have developed artificial means that simulate what nature does. By using state-of-the-art resins and polymers, it is possible to permanently bond damaged leather back to itself, leaving little trace of damage. Even in nature, some "scarring" may occur. By choosing the proper products, you will be able to repair this damage and control the amount of "scarring" that is left, even eliminating it altogether! Leather Magic's repair and refinishing products have been designed to be 100% compatible with all forms of leather. Our repair processes require no heat be used in making repairs to damaged leather. The heat required to cure some of the more common repair compounds used in the industry, will actually "cook" the leather. This will "tenderize" the surrounding areas of the repair causing the fibers of the leather to eventually break down and seperate.This may take weeks or even months to become evident, but eventually, the consumer will be left with a damaged area that is larger and more evident than that which had been repaired. Check out our repair examples page to see damaged items that have been successfully repaired with our Kits and put back to good use.

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Faded & Worn Leather

The finish that has been placed on the leather from the manufacturer can become damaged, faded or worn, even if proper care is taken. It is possible to obtain a permanent, highly durable replacement finish. Choosing the proper products, will enable you to do this yourself! It is not as difficult as it sounds! It is much like "painting a room" in your home. The surface area must be prepared, and the proper coloring materials applied. Leather Magic's Leather Recoloring Kit will provide you with everything you need!

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Stains

Yes, Stains happen. Children with Markers, Pets, Spills, "Dye Transfer" and many other accidents cause leather to loose its' appeal. Many stains may be easily removed if corrected immediately using the proper product. In most cases, home remedies are tried that only succeed in setting the stain in deeper, making it impossible to remove. It's important that stains be attacked properly from the start. Leather Magic's Ink and Stain Remover offers you the best opportunity to remove most stains from your leather, without damaging the finish. If the stain can not be removed, using a Stain Remover, it will then be necessary to replace the finish over the stained area. Leather Magic's Leather ReColoring Kit will enable you to do this.

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Changing the Color of Leather

It is possible to change the color of leather.  However, it is not always the most advisable thing to do, and there are certain problems and situations that should be considered before making the final decision. Changing the color of leather is a bit more difficult than restoring the original color. But the procedure may be accomplished quite nicely as long as the proper products are used and adequate preparation is performed.  If the color change is slight or within the same "family" of color such as light Tan to a slightly darker Tan, there is no problem in making this change and may easily be accomplished using our Leather ReColoring Kit.    If the color change desired is more drastic, such as from light Tan to Dark Brown, there are circumstances that should be considered.  There are several problems that may be encountered after the color change has been done. First, keep in mind that it is impossible for any dye or color coat to soak thoroughly into the leather. All types of color coats which are available for leather coloring, after it has been originally dyed, will only coat the surface. This will allow for scratches and wear that may eventually let the original color show through. Changing the original color requires that a greater amount of color coat be applied in order to cover the old finish. This may allow for greater chances of cracking and peeling of the new color coat if everything has not been done properly. Both of the situations may be easily taken care of by periodic "touch-up".  Another solution, would be to apply a top coat of a darker complimentary color. This will create a “Bark” or “Antique” finish to the leather, and while not completely changing the color, it will produce a dramatic change in the appearance of your leather.  Also, changing the color to a completely opposite color, such as Green To Red, is not recommended.  The amount of Color Coat material that will be required will make the leather appear fake and artificial, much more like vinyl, and will have much greater chances of cracking and peeling later.  Also, any color change will require additional materials to complete the project, especially when working with multiple pieces.

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Cleaning, Conditioning and Protecting your Leather

Before choosing any maintenance products for your leather, it is important that you determine the type of leather that you have (see "Types of Leather" above).  Using any product not specifically designed for your leather application can cause staining and permanent damage to the leather.  All leather should be regularly cleaned, conditioned and protected about every three months.  If the leather is subjected to "high use", it may be necessary to perform this routine maintenance more often.
All "Top Coated", Finished or "Protected" leather may be cleaned quite easily by using our Leather Magic Leather Cleaner. Most dirt, oils, food/beverage stains and other types of soiling may be cleaned, without damaging the finish of the leather, or causing hardness or stiffening of the leather. Cleaning of the leather should be followed by conditioning, using our Leather Magic Leather Conditioner. This will replenish the natural oils and lubricants that have been diminished by everyday use and cleaning.

"Naked", Aniline, Suede or "NuBuck" type leather must be treated differently. This type of leather will stain very easily and requires that different formulations of product be used to avoid staining or damage of the leather. To clean this type of leather, use our Leather Magic "NuBuck" Leather Cleaner. This product has been designed especially for the finer, more absorbent types of leather and will not cause further staining of the areas while providing the strongest cleaning agent available.  Leather Magic NuBuck Leather Conditioner should be applied after cleaning, to replenish the oils that have been lost through everyday use. 

Protection from staining of the finish of the leather may be accomplished in several ways:  Our Leather Magic Leather Protection Cream will provide a protective "shield" over the surface of your leather to prevent staining from water, oils, alcohol, body oils and everyday soiling that occurs. This protection should be applied when your leather is first purchased, followed by re-application with regular, routine maintenance. Leather Magic Fabric Guard is also highly recommended for use on this type of leather.  Fabric Guard will provide a similar protective shield in a convenient spray application.  Protection from fading, due to exposure to direct sunlight may be dramatically reduced using our Leather Magic UV Protectant.  This product reduces the amount of UV light that reaches the surface of the leather.  Long term exposure to UV rays will cause fading of the color as well as premature drying and hardening of the leather.  "Semi-Aniline" leather will require the same cleaning and maintenance products as full Aniline, but the application procedure will vary somewhat.
. The correct steps in complete treatment of any type of leather is as follows:
1. Thoroughly clean the surface of the leather using the appropriate cleaner for your particular type of leather.
2. Condition the leather to replace lost oils and lubricants by using the appropriate Leather Conditioner for your particular type of leather.
3. Apply Leather Magic Fabric Guard or Protection Cream to provide a protective “shield” on the surface of the leather to reduce soiling and staining and help make future maintenance much easier.
4. Apply Leather Magic UV Protectant to the surface of the leather to reduce fading and deterioration caused by direct exposure to sunlight.
Each bottle of our Leather Care Products are clearly labeled with instructions on their use.
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