Common Leather Finishes
All good quality upholstery, footwear & accessory leathers are cured (tanned) and then dyed right through.
It is from this base that tanners then finish leathers in various ways to create different colours, softness and special effects.
Some of these special effects are visual and others are to create leathers with different wear characteristics for varying types of use, ie heavily pigmented leathers for heavy soiling and heavy loadings to very soft open leathers for areas of low soiling and lighter wear situations.
Knowing which leather type you have means understanding better how it will wear and what you need to do to keep the appearance of your furniture while enjoying using it.
As today’s leathers are more sophisticated so also are the care products needed to maintain them.
Pellé Leather Care Products are one of the world’s very few industry approved care ranges.
For protection before release every batch is tested at LASRA, a registered testing authority with the International Council of Tanners.
The Pellé Care Products come highly recommended and are very easy to use. Leather is made to be used and enjoyed.
If you have chosen the correct leather for your use, you should enjoy it for many years ~ if you care for it. By cleaning and servicing as required you will extend the life of both the leather and the finish.
PIGMENTED TOP-COATED LEATHERS
These leathers have several spray coats of a pigmented (paint like) finish giving a depth to the colour, plus a clear coat for extra protection.
Regarded as the most practical of upholstery leathers.
Recommended for wear areas of heavy or hard wear i.e. hotels, offices, family rooms, car upholstery, etc.
These leathers soften with use and have good resistance to fade or colour loss.
To maintain this type of leather use the Pellé Leather Cleaner and the Pellé Leather Conditioner Protector as directed in the product instructions.
Also available is the Pelle Leather Care Master Kit which contains both products.
SEMI-ANILINE LEATHERS
These leathers are coloured by dye only and then a coat of a clear sealer is applied as a protective coating.
The prefix semi is used to advise that a protective surface coating has been applied and are therefore also finished leathers that are suited to medium to light wear areas.
Very soft, they often show the natural markings of the hide, healed scars, growth marks, etc.
Do not place in direct sunlight, as resistance to colour loss is medium.
To maintain this type of leather use the Pellé Leather Cleaner and the Pellé Leather Conditioner Protector as directed in the product instructions.
Also available is the Pelle Leather Care Master Kit which contains both products.
WAXED OR OIL FINISHED LEATHERS
After dyeing these leathers are finished with wax or oil or a combination of both.
These special waxes and oils provide a protective coating plus enhance the base dye colour. For areas of heavy to medium wear, ie family rooms, dens, etc.
This leather may lighten in colour over time requiring replenishment of the waxes and oils.
Do not place in direct sunlight, as resistance to colour loss is medium.
To maintain this type of leather use the Pellé Leather Cleaner and the Pellè Revitaliser and occasionally Pellé Leather Conditioner Protector as directed in the product instructions.
Also available is the Pelle Aniline Leather Care Master Kit which contains both the Leather Cleaner and Revitaliser.
NUBUCK LEATHERS
A nubuck is an aniline (dyed only) leather, lightly snuffed or sanded leaving a nap or velour type finish.
These leathers are coloured by dye, however, they can be airbrushed very lightly with pigment to give added colour.
They do not have any protective surface coating.
However, they have some protection through the addition of special treatments during the processing.This will give some resistance to soiling or spillages.
Do not place in direct sunlight, as resistance to colour loss is medium to light.
Recommended for wear areas of light soiling.
Regular cleaners and conditioners are not suitable for maintaining suede.
SUEDE LEATHERS
Suede has a soft, luxurious touch and appearance.
When bushed by hand there is visible patterning called nap and the fibres are brushed in one direction.
Suede generally has very little protection from dirt or staining and required specialist care.
Regular cleaners and conditioners are not suitable for maintaining suede.