Water-resistant leather products are capable of withstanding light rain showers and damp weather, which is perfect for everyday use. Leather products are often questioned about their durability in wet conditions. Is leather water resistant? While leather can withstand light exposure to moisture, it is important to note that it can become damaged if it’s soaked or exposed to excessive water for prolonged periods. Leather can never be fully waterproof because of its natural and permeable qualities.
Raw leather does have a certain degree of natural water resistance, but it would likely be destroyed if it got soaked. However, leather can be treated to give it extra water resistance. Many leather products, such as leather jackets and wallets, come with a protective layer that gives you enough time to clean up the water before it soaks into the material and causes damage. In this blog, we will discuss facts about leather and water resistance, types of leather, and their ability to absorb water. Keep reading and gain the knowledge.
Is Leather Waterproof?
Many people wonder, are leather jackets water resistant? The answer depends on the type of leather used and whether the jacket has been treated with water-repellent products. When you’re walking to work on a rainy day and forget your umbrella, it’s especially hard to keep your leather jacket or bag completely dry. So it’s a good thing that a little bit of water won’t hurt the leather all that much. But does excess water cause damage? To understand this, we need to know the difference between waterproof and water-resistant.
Waterproof vs Water-Resistant Leather: What’s the Difference?
Although they are similar, waterproof and water-resistant aren’t the same thing. These concepts are essential to understanding your leather products, especially the ones you use for everyday use. The short explanation is that water-resistant items are not waterproof. If you have a leather product that is labeled as water-resistant, that means that its surface can repel water to a certain degree, but it isn’t necessarily waterproof. However, waterproof leather is impervious to water.
Different Types of Leather and Their Water Resistance
Different types of leather texture have their own distinct properties and levels of water resistance. But we've reduced it down to some of them that you should know the most. You should know about these primary varieties of leather and their ability to absorb water.
Faux Leather
People often think that faux leather will act like real leather, but this isn't true. Faux leather is produced from polyurethane, which is a type of plastic. Therefore, it needs to be waterproof in a very different way. Putting a layer of synthetic plastic between your leather and any water is what waterproofing leather is all about. Faux leather is already waterproof because it is made of plastic.
Full Grain Leather
Full-grain leather is frequently the best choice for water resistance and durability since they are made from the toughest parts of the animal skin (the outside part). These attributes carry over to the final product. Full-grain leather isn't totally waterproof when it's new, so treatment sprays and wax are used to make it as water-resistant as possible. But you can be sure that full-grain leather will be used to make something that needs to endure a long time or be tough.
Synthetic Leather
So, is fake leather water-resistant? Synthetic leather items are constructed of plastic, which makes them waterproof most of the time. PVC and PU are two types of plastic that are made from petroleum. Synthetic leather is usually lighter and cheaper than real leather, yet it also absorbs water easily, just like real leather. To make synthetic leather water resistant, you need to spray it with a synthetic spray that will establish a barrier between the water and the synthetic layer.
Nubuck Leather
Nubuck leather is basically full-grain leather that has been treated and buffed to give it a unique napped finish. This makes nubuck leather have an extremely smooth surface that lasts longer than other fine leathers, like suede. Nubuck is used to make a lot of tough shoes. When they get wet, they darken, but precipitation won't hurt them permanently. The material can withstand water to some extent, but it needs a water-repellent spray to be even more protected.
Suede Leather
Suede is far more delicate than the other leathers on this list and can be quickly ruined by water. This is because it comes from the backside of the animal skin, which has a weaker grain structure and is hence weaker. Buffing suede also makes it softer by elevating the fibers, which is why it feels so smooth and "velvet" to the touch. Suede stains and fades quickly since it isn't as strong as full-grain leather. Humidity and moisture in the air can also impair it, so we suggest treating your suede items often with proper suede leather care and being careful about using them in bad weather.
How to Waterproof Leather with Easy Steps
Are you seeking good ways to keep things dry? To keep leather products healthy for longer, let's look at two of the most common ways to make them waterproof. Before we start, we need to be sure that different kinds of leather need different kinds of care. For instance, a delicate suede is more likely to be damaged by water than other tougher leathers. Thus, it needs a stronger waterproofing treatment.
Clean the Leather: Before applying any waterproofing products, clean the leather to remove dirt and grime using a soft cloth and leather cleaner.
Use a Leather Waterproofing Spray: Apply a waterproofing spray specifically designed for leather. Hold the spray about 6-8 inches away from the surface and evenly coat the leather.
Condition the Leather: After waterproofing, apply a leather conditioner to keep the material soft and prevent it from becoming stiff or cracked.
Apply Beeswax: Beeswax can provide additional waterproofing. Rub a small amount of beeswax onto the leather and work it in with your fingers, then buff with a clean cloth.
Test on a Small Area: Always test any product on a small, inconspicuous area of the leather before applying it to the whole item.
Let It Dry Properly: After applying the waterproofing agent, allow the leather to dry naturally in a well-ventilated area, away from direct heat sources.
