How Do You Fix Faded Leather Jacket?
No doubt leather is a versatile and super durable material that is not only used for clothing but also equally popular when it comes to furniture, shoes, bags and car seats, etc. It is made from animal hide and has characteristics just like human skin i.e. wear and tear, cracking, dryness and stiffness. It may even fade in color after rough and regular use. This could happen due to a lack of proper care and dust, sunlight, and water exposure.
Fading can be a sign of aging that is natural and can be a pleasant and appealing change for some people. For others, however, it becomes unsatisfying and unpleasant. Natural leather or the ones that are vegetable-tanned are more prone to fading as compared to chrome-tanned leather because of all the chemicals, waxes, and oils that are used to treat it. So if your leather jacket, purse, wallet, or couch has been used a lot and is showing signs of fading, here’s how you should freshen it up.
Clean the Jacket
The simple and sophisticated method of leather restoration begins with cleaning the surface of the leather, of course. Remove any dirt, or stains from the surface with a leather cleaning product. (Always use cleaners and conditioners that are specifically made for leather). You can find tons of good leather cleaners in the market so avoid using any detergent because that will do more bad than good. Firstly, wipe off any dirt using a soft brush and a paper towel and then apply the cleaning product to the surface of the leather and use a brush or a piece of soft cotton cloth and rub it in circular and steady motion, making thin, even strokes. Don't rush the process and let the cleaner sit there for a few minutes before you wipe it off with a clean, lint-free piece of cloth or a towel.
If you’re more into environment-friendly alternatives and don't want to use ready-made leather cleaner, here’s a suitable alternative for you; Use a mixture of 1 cup mink oil and a half cup vinegar. Always apply the product at a small spot preferably a hidden one i.e. armpits area of a jacket, in order to make sure that the product works fine and is not damaging to your leather accessory.
Apply leather wax
Leather wax, also sometimes referred to as leather conditioner is used to maintain the moisture in the leather. It can often be used for the purpose of waterproofing the leather accessory and protecting it against scuffs and scratches. Some of the leather manufacturers apply an extra layer of wax on their products for longer durability and protection against damaging factors such as water or dust. It can delay the aging process as well as avoid scratching. tearing and fading.
Leather comes from animal hide, therefore, it can absorb a certain amount of preservatives, which leads to making it shine by restoring the jacket, bag, or piece of furniture. The leather wax or preservative can readily be available at a shoe store, a leather goods store, or online. However, people often get confused between wax and shoe polish, but instead of restoring your leather jacket, it would in fact damage it beyond repair. All you need is a neutral leather preservative that will help restore the natural color of your leather jacket along with keeping it moisturized and protected against damaging environmental elements.
Water damage repair
Your leather accessory, especially a piece of furniture can be exposed to water if you have kids at home. They might spill a glass of juice on your precious sofa. You might be able to get the stain out but what follows can be irreparable in some cases. And this question will pop up immediately: “How Do You Treat a Discolored Leather Jacket?”
Well, treating discolored leather that has been damaged by water can be a tough task but not impossible. The first step is to wipe the water using a dry piece of cloth. Remember, using heat from a hairdryer or any other tool in order to dry the wet surface can be damaging and can cause further dryness, cracking, and fading. Leather honey is a product that can be a lifesaver in such cases. You can find it at any superstore and just apply it on a leather surface just like the conditioner. It will not only avoid any long-term damage to your leather accessories but also restore the faded parts.
Buffing the jacket
Sometimes, when you polish or condition your leather, it’s better to buff your leather jacket surface to get rid of any excess polish. Make sure that you clean it off using a clean, smooth, and soft rag every time after you apply polish on your leather jacket. In order to keep your leather accessory protected from faded from environmental factors, it is important that you cleanse, condition, and polish it after regular intervals of 3 months. It might feel like a simple procedure but you must be absolutely careful to avoid any long-term or permanent damage. So be patient and always be gentle with leather products.
