Leather types
Know your leather type so you can clean, care for or refresh your leather furniture with the best leather care products. All leather needs care, regardless of color, tanning method and surface protection. Leather that is not cared for will dry out and lose strength, thus shortening its lifespan.
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ANILINE (also known as 'natural')
Aniline leather is the densest possible "raw" natural leather.
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The surface of this leather is colored with transparent dyes.
This effect of transparency is similar to that observed when looking at a piece of stained wood, where the color does not cover but enhances the knots and natural grain of the wood. In fact, the top grain remains natural and very visible.
This effect of transparency is similar to that observed when looking at a piece of stained wood, where the color does not cover but enhances the knots and natural grain of the wood. In fact, the top grain remains natural and very visible.
The aniline leather will have some imperfections that naturally occur, ensuring that each piece is unique. This type of leather has only minimal coverage on the surface, so it is more sensitive to the effects of wear and tear.
To maintain its natural beauty, it is absolutely necessary to follow a cleaning and protection routine from the beginning of use.
Advantages: natural appearance, excellent feel, natural, top grain and minor defects, very soft and breathable
To maintain its natural beauty, it is absolutely necessary to follow a cleaning and protection routine from the beginning of use.
Advantages: natural appearance, excellent feel, natural, top grain and minor defects, very soft and breathable
Other features: Visibility of natural defects, variations in color, expensive, hard to keep clean, poor resistance to light, unevenness of grain, protection is essential!
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SEMI-ANILINE
Semi-aniline is leather that has received a light surface treatment and has thereby become more resistant to impacts during use.
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This type of leather is covered with a slightly pigmented finish, to make the color more uniform and hide small defects.
To protect the natural appearance of the leather, they are then sprayed with light, transparent colors.
This coating only provides light protection, so the use of leather protectors is highly recommended.
Advantages : Natural finish, Pleasant feel and appearance, Improved lightfastness compared to pure aniline leather, More practical than aniline leather
To protect the natural appearance of the leather, they are then sprayed with light, transparent colors.
This coating only provides light protection, so the use of leather protectors is highly recommended.
Advantages : Natural finish, Pleasant feel and appearance, Improved lightfastness compared to pure aniline leather, More practical than aniline leather
Cons: Visibility of major natural defects, Small variations in color
Needs maintenance
Needs maintenance
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PIGMENTED
Deck-dyed leather is leather that has been given a somewhat stronger surface protection, typically with leather varnish, which also results in a very practical leather that can stand up to a little bit of everything.
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This is the most widely used finishing technique, consisting of a uniform surface of a base coat of pigments and resins followed by a protective coating. They can be identified by their uniform color and uniformity.
This type of leather is ideal for frequently used items such as furniture and car seats, especially when a "child-friendly" solution is required.
FENICE leather care products provide an easy care solution for all these types of leather. Full refinishing is possible when restoration is needed.
Advantages: Uniform color and coating, Good coverage of defects, Lightfast, Easy to maintain
This type of leather is ideal for frequently used items such as furniture and car seats, especially when a "child-friendly" solution is required.
FENICE leather care products provide an easy care solution for all these types of leather. Full refinishing is possible when restoration is needed.
Advantages: Uniform color and coating, Good coverage of defects, Lightfast, Easy to maintain
Cons: Looks less natural than aniline leather
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NUBUCK
Nubuck is leather that has been processed in a special way to get its special "calm" appearance.
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Nubuck is actually aniline leather that has a sanded surface to give a fine, velvety finish. The look of this leather is incomparable and works well for infrequent use.
FENICE's exclusive, highly specialized care products are ideal for the care, protection and preservation routine required by nubuck leather throughout its life.
Benefits: Velvety look and feel, Very soft, warm and natural, Soft and breathable
Cons: Expensive, Sensitive to stains that are difficult to remove
FENICE's exclusive, highly specialized care products are ideal for the care, protection and preservation routine required by nubuck leather throughout its life.
Benefits: Velvety look and feel, Very soft, warm and natural, Soft and breathable
Cons: Expensive, Sensitive to stains that are difficult to remove
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PULL UP - antique leather (wax and/or oil)
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Fashions come and go, but waxy, oiled leathers are here to stay!
"Pull up" was originally used to describe the effect on a type of leather known as "Timberland," after the well-known shoe manufacturer famously produced this type of article.
This leather glows when stretched, folded or "pulled up"
Pros: Great looks, Vintage effect
Unique striped lightning effect when pulled or folded
Cons: Requires regular maintenance
"Pull up" was originally used to describe the effect on a type of leather known as "Timberland," after the well-known shoe manufacturer famously produced this type of article.
This leather glows when stretched, folded or "pulled up"
Pros: Great looks, Vintage effect
Unique striped lightning effect when pulled or folded
Cons: Requires regular maintenance
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CITYCAST
Better known by names such as Royal Leather, PU Leather, Creta Leather and the like.
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This type of leather requires a completely different system for finishing or enhancing "split" or "heavily buffed" leather that maintains uniform thickness and softness.
The technique consists of creating a finish film on a continuous support of release paper. An adhesive is applied to the film, then the film is pressed onto the leather. The finished leather is then removed from the release paper, revealing a perfectly uniform surface. When bycast leather is stretched, a lighter color is visible, which disappears when it is not stretched. This stretch is sometimes used to identify bycast leather.
Advantages : More resistant than 'split' / 'heavily buffered' leather
Cons: Unnatural look and feel, Requires protection from skin oils
The technique consists of creating a finish film on a continuous support of release paper. An adhesive is applied to the film, then the film is pressed onto the leather. The finished leather is then removed from the release paper, revealing a perfectly uniform surface. When bycast leather is stretched, a lighter color is visible, which disappears when it is not stretched. This stretch is sometimes used to identify bycast leather.
Advantages : More resistant than 'split' / 'heavily buffered' leather
Cons: Unnatural look and feel, Requires protection from skin oils