Have you heard of leather painting? When leather becomes severely faded, worn or otherwise damaged, painting may be used to restore it. Not to be confused with dyeing, it involves the application of pigment to the surface of the leather. Painting can restore leather back to its original color, or it can create an entirely different color for the leather. To learn more about leather painting and how it works, keep reading.
Leather Painting Explained
Leather painting is exactly what it sounds like it: the process of applying colored pigment to the surface of a leather garment. The pigment is the paint. If a leather garment is worn or otherwise damaged to the point where it no longer features its original color, it may be painted. Painting will improve the garment’s aesthetics by providing it with a fresh top layer of colored pigment.
There are leather repair shops that offer painting services for many common types of leather garments, some of which include the following:
- Leather jackets
- Leather vests
- Leather trousers
- Leather shoes
- Leather boots
Painting vs Dyeing
Many people assume that painting is the same as dyeing. While both processes are designed to change the color of leather, though, they aren’t the same. The term “painting” specifically refers to the application of colored pigment to the surface of leather. The term “dyeing,” on the other hand, involves the application of colored pigment within the leather itself.
There are two different types of dye used in the production of leather: aniline and semi-aniline. Aniline dye is completely soluble, meaning it dissolves in water. Semi-aniline is soluble as well, but it offers greater resistance to moisture and stains than its full-aniline counterpart. Regardless, most leather uses either aniline dye or semi-aniline dye. They are both soluble dyes that soak into the leather with which they are used.
Painting is different from dyeing in the sense that the colored pigment — the paint — doesn’t soak into the leather. Painting involves the topical application of colored pigment. During the painting process, a leather worker will brush a thin layer of paint onto the surface of the damaged leather garment. After allowing it to dry, the leather garment will look like new.
The main difference between painting and dyeing is that the former involves the topical application of colored pigment, whereas the latter involves the use of a soluble dye — aniline dye or semi-aniline dye — that soaks into the leather itself.
Why Leather Is Painted
Painting is typically performed as a restoration process. Leather garments can become damaged over time. When exposed to direct sunlight over a prolonged period, for instance, they may fade. Garments made of real leather are vulnerable to fading caused by sunlight. Sunlight will dehydrate them while also degrading the aniline or semi-aniline dye used in their construction. Painting can fix minor imperfections by providing the damaged leather garment with new colored pigment.
Painting can change the color of leather garments. Even if a leather garment currently features a light brown color, for example, painting may be used to create a dark brown or even black color.
Do Leather Garments Really Require Painting?
In most cases, leather garments don’t require painting. Painting is only beneficial if a leather garment is faded or otherwise damaged to the point where it no longer features its original color. As long as you choose high-quality leather garments, and assuming you care for those garments, you won’t have to get them painted.
When a leather garment degrades, its color may change. The leather garment may fade to a lighter tone, or it may develop patches in which there’s little or no color leather. Painting can restore damaged leather garments such as this back to their original color. A better idea, though, is to choose high-quality leather garments that aren’t susceptible to damage.
How to Choose High-Quality Leather Garments
A real leather construction is a telltale sign of a high-quality leather garment. Not all leather garments are made of real leather. Some of them are made of faux leather. Also known as artificial leather, faux leather is a synthetic material. It costs less than real leather, but it doesn’t offer the same strength and durability. If you’re looking to buy a high-quality leather garment, you should stick with a real leather construction.
Garments made of napa leather are particularly high quality. Napa leather is a type of real, premium leather. It features an ultra-fine grain, thus making it softer than most other types of leather. Garments made of napa leather aren’t immune to damage. Nonetheless, they feature a high-quality construction that makes them last. If you’re looking to buy a new leather garment that won’t easily fade or succumb to the hands of time, you can’t go wrong with napa leather.
How to Maintain the Original Color of Leather Garments
Even if you choose high-quality leather garments, you should take precautions to preserve their original color. Whether they were colored using aniline dye or semi-aniline dye, they may fade. Prolonged exposure to direct sunlight can cause leather garments to fade. You can still wear the outdoors during the daytime hours, but avoid storing your leather garments in direct sunlight. Instead, choose a dark, climate-controlled environment in which to store them, such as a closet or dresser.
You can preserve the original color of your leather garments by conditioning them. Conditioning involves the application of a hydrating cream, lotion or oil to the surface of real leather. Real leather is porous. Like a sponge, it can absorb moisture, and it can release moisture. Conditioning your leather garments will replenish their moisture content so that they don’t dry out.
Avoid using any harsh cleaning products on your leather garments. Chemical-based cleaning products aren’t necessary. Some of them, in fact, may stain your leather garments. Even if a chemical-based cleaning product doesn’t cause any stains, it may dry out your leather garments. If you need to clean a leather garment, use mild dish soap and a damp washcloth.