Leather finishing: A DIY guide to protect and maintain leather
Leather is a natural material, and every hide is unique in terms of feel and appearance. During manufacturing, natural leather undergoes a finishing process to modify its surface and achieve the desired appearance and feel. This process involves several surface finishing techniques such as dyeing, buffing, sanding, polishing, and embossing.
To protect and maintain the leather finish created at the tannery, periodic refinishing using various DIY methods is necessary. In this article, we will discuss these leather finishing methods and understand the importance of maintaining leather finishing.
Note- Before getting into the various methods to make leather soft let’s discuss some tips and precautions to keep in mind before attempting to make your leather jacket soft:
1.| Test first– Always test any product or method on a small inconspicuous area to ensure it doesn’t damage or discolor the leather
2.| Avoid over- Conditioning– Too much conditioning is also not good as it can make leather greasy
3.| Protect the lining– Be careful while applying conditioner and avoid getting it on the jacket’s lining as it can damage it
Table of Contents
Types of leather finishing
There are two main types of leather finishing, divided by their objectives. The first type involves modifying the surface properties, and the second one focuses on maintaining that surface finish. The first type is usually done in a leather factory, while the second type is taken care of by the user.
Modifying leather finish
Modifying the leather finish includes painting, embossing, dyeing, or applying a protective coating. While tanneries typically perform this finishing process, some people choose to repaint leather at home or with a professional leather worker.
Maintaining leather finish
Leather finishing can involve maintaining and enhancing the original finish. This is achieved through applying leather conditioner and cleaning products, typically done by the users themselves. This is what we’ll be discussing in further detail.
How to finish leather at home
There are several ways of leather finishing. Here’s the overview of methods
1.| Acrylic leather finish
The acrylic coating is used to enhance the durability and appearance of leather. It provides a clear, coating that resists water and stains and is available in glossy and matte finish.
Steps to apply acrylic finish:
1.| Cleaning- Cleaning the leather with a good leather cleaner to remove any loose particles, dirt and grime
2.| Conditioning- Now apply a compatible leather conditioner with a clean cloth to make the leather soft and moisturized. Then let it dry
3.| Apply acrylic finish- Now apply acrylic finish with a clean cloth in a circular motion. Make sure not to apply it directly on leather and work in small spots for maximum coverage. Let it dry for 2 to 3 hours
4.| Second coat- When the first coat of acrylic is dried then you can repeat step 3 to apply the coat and let it dry again
5.| Buffing- Once the acrylic is fully dried you can buff the surface gently with a clean cloth in order to get a smooth and shiny finish
2.| Leather conditioner
You should condition your leather goods periodically in order to protect the original leather finish. Here are the steps to do so:
1.| Cleaning- Clean the leather with a good leather cleaner to remove dirt or grime
2.| Apply conditioner- Now apply leather conditioner with the help of a clean cloth in circular motion
3.| Let it soak- let it soak and dry naturally so that conditioner penetrates into leather fibers
4.| Polish- After conditioning is done, apply polish to maintain the smooth finish
3.| Beeswax on leather
Beeswax is the most common method to protect and waterproof leather. It creates a protective barrier between the leather surface and outside elements. Here are the steps for using it:
1.| Cleaning- Clean the leather with leather cleaner to remove dirt
2.| Applying beeswax- Heat some beeswax with a hairdryer so that it becomes soft and pliable. Now take some wax in your hands and apply it by gently rubbing it on the leather surface. Alternatively, you can also use a cloth and let it sit there for 30 minutes
3.| Buffing- After the beeswax coating is dried, buff the surface with a clean cloth which makes it shiny and smooth
4.| Neatsfoot oil
Natural oils such as Neatsfoot oil an amazing leather conditioners as they penetrate deep through the leather fibers restoring their oil. You can also use mink oil as a Neatsfoot oil substitute Here’s how to use it:
1.| Cleaning- Clean the surface of the leather with a damp cloth and let it dry completely
2.| Apply oil- Apply very thin layer of Neatsfoot oil with the help of a clean cloth
3.| Let it soak- Let it soak for a while so that oil penetrates the leather fibers
4.| Wipe off excess oil- Wipe off any extra oil from the leather with the help of a dry cloth
Conclusion
Leather finishing is a versatile and effective way to enhance the look and durability of your beloved leather goods. With careful preparation and application, you can achieve a professional-quality finish that will protect and beautify your leather goods for years to come. Moreover, you should always invest in high-quality leather care products. To ensure they are suitable for the type of leather you are using, you should thoroughly read the product label. If you have any doubts or queries about leather and leather care products, you can comment down below in the comment section and I will definitely try to help you with that.
For more information on leather products, you can check our other articles or you can contact us. LeatherBlues is known as one of the best stores for real leather products. Explore our amazing collection of leather garments and services.
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