Leather Guru Ponders Animal Hide's Deepest Mysteries

A: Should you use a leather protector? What are you protecting it from? I'll tell you what from: water, weather, dirt, mud, and all those nasty elements you'll pick up on your rain-smothered sojourns! Haven’t you ever heard of Noah’s Ark? One of the first recorded instances of quality leather protectors right there. Without Noah's protection, the rest of the world drowned out, flat out ruining pretty much anything made of animal hide that didn't also sport a nifty set of gills. Those leathers were so thoroughly destroyed that the whole event is widely regarded as a myth today. So by all means ignore leather protectors if you’ve got your eye on turning your expensive leather briefcase into tomorrow’s museum artifact. Your tears are their merrymaking field trip.

Of course, this conundrum sinks a little deeper than museums and flood legends. After all, it doesn’t take a worldwide dunking to prematurely retrograde your leather lovelies. Even the slightest rain shower can sap your leather dry quicker than a trip to the Sahara. So here’s how that works.

A little water’s actually good for your leather. In fact, healthy leather absorbs moisture in the air on its own. This is part of a natural process known as breathing, where the moisture is responsible for moving old oils and dirt out of leather pores to make way for newer, fresher lubricants. You can read up on that in our blog “Common Leather Care Mistakes” and “How Does Leather Breathe?” It keeps the leather clean, and is invaluable for keeping it alive. So why in the world would you want to prevent water from getting through?

Water, young padawan, is like medicine. Very helpful for keeping your throat clean, unless you forget to look at the directions on the back label. Down an entire bottle of those delicious vitamin gummies and you’re just about ready for a trip to the hospital. Same deal with leather. When too much water soaks in through the surface of your leather it travels deep between the leather fibers. As it settles, the water forms temporary bonds with all the oils that have been lubricating your leather and holding it together. As the moisture disperses, so do the oils, and all of sudden, your leather has no lubrication left. The once soft fibers that knitted your leather together turn razor sharp, grinding at each other until your whole leather purse is a big pile of dust. On the surface, your leather will feel very dry and rough, and if this condition goes untreated, the leather will develop cracks and grow brittle. Damage reaped from excess dryness cannot be repaired.

So what does this mean for my leather motorcycle seat, or my fancy leather boots? I can’t avoid getting that stuff wet. Am I condemned to forever purchase a new pair of shoes every couple months? Not so! Leather needs to breathe, it’s true, but that doesn’t mean it can’t be protected. Leather protectors – especially Chamberlain’s Water Protectant no. 3 – are specifically designed to both condition and protect leather from water and all the other nasties weather and nature might conjure up against you. It's never been so easy to protect leather from water.

A few things to note about leather protectors before you use them: always test them first. Leather’s a very diverse species, and different leathers can respond differently to treatments. Unfinished or exotic leather should be treated differently than standard cowhide. Before you use any leather protector – or even any leather conditioner or cleaner for that matter – always test it on your leather item first. To do this, grab a clean, white, lint-free cloth and dab a small, discreet area of the bag with your leather protector, and let it dry. If you spot any discoloration in the leather, excess rub off on your cloth or any other problems, you may want to reconsider using it. In any case, once you’ve found a leather protector that works for you, wipe the surface of your leather in thin and even layers until every area you want to protect is covered. Make sure that the leather protector is spread evenly, or it may dry splotchy. After it’s dried a bit, buff it off with a clean cloth.

Because most leather protectors use wax, there’s a good chance it will darken your leather, especially if you apply too much. Check out our blog “How Much Leather Conditioner Should I Use” for advice on how to avoid this. Not to worry though! Give your leather some use, and that color will typically lighten back up after a week or so. Take it outdoors for some fresh air! Give it some well-earned exercise! One last thing – Chamberlain’s Water Protectant no. 3 will give your leather a shine depending on how much you use and how hard you buff it. This can actually look quite pleasant, so if that’s what you’re shooting for, you’re on the right track. Something to keep in mind.

Alright leathermancers, let’s recap. Water’s good for leather, but bad in excess. For problem climates with lots of rain and snow, it’s best to protect leather from water with a nice dose of a leather protector. This stuff is potent and powerful, nourishing leather and repelling harmful elements simultaneously while even offering a bonus aesthetic boost. Treat it carefully, and it’ll be your best friend. Ciao-ciao!

Contributors
Daniel Sutton
Chris Repp (www.leatherhelp.com)

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