Does Sunlight darken leather? Experts say...

mufflowne · Post by **mufflowne** » Tue Jun 26, 2007 11:21 pm

Hookay, so Michaelson ruffled me to make a new topic. So here goes.
I just got my new worn-look lambskin wested and it's pretty light.
I've also been told that sunlight will apparently darken the leather.

IS THIS TRUUUEE?

Okay, weird title of the forum.

Tycoonman · Post by **Tycoonman** » Tue Jun 26, 2007 11:38 pm

Sunlight usually fades colors, so I'd assume it is the same with leather. I know that sometimes wetting leather with water will bring up more dye and darken the leather, but it also dries the leather out. Usually a good dosing of Leather Dressing will bring the life back into the leather.

Others should have far better advice than I though.

Tycoonman

Ripper · Post by **Ripper** » Tue Jun 26, 2007 11:54 pm

Sunlight will darken a Whip.

Tycoonman · Post by **Tycoonman** » Tue Jun 26, 2007 11:58 pm

But it also comes into question which types of leather darken. Does kangaroo hide darken while lamb skin lightens, or do they both darken?

Tycoonman

Ripper · Post by **Ripper** » Wed Jun 27, 2007 12:01 am

That I do not know. I would imagine that a natural hide would darken(kind of like a suntan) as to where a dyed hyde would fade.

Indiana Jerry · Post by **Indiana Jerry** » Wed Jun 27, 2007 1:11 am

Not to make matters worse...

...but is it the LEATHER darkening, or something it's treated with?

Tycoonman · Post by **Tycoonman** » Wed Jun 27, 2007 1:32 am

Another valid question Jerry. It makes you wonder what we are dealing with here, leather, dye, or one of the many other treatments used on the jacket... maybe it then becomes a combination of all of that.

Tycoonman

mufflowne · Post by **mufflowne** » Wed Jun 27, 2007 3:14 am

haha noone knows anything.

Indiana Jerry · Post by **Indiana Jerry** » Wed Jun 27, 2007 3:56 am

hey, it's a better starting point than knowing things that aren't true.

mufflowne · Post by **mufflowne** » Wed Jun 27, 2007 4:01 am

I just read that Mink Oil and other animal fats can darken the leather, but they clog up the pores, so they damage it sorta.

And sunlight may fade the color. Does anyone know if the worn-look lambskin is tanned lamb with dye or what? It may very well also depend on the lightfastness of the color itself. Just like magazines on a rack. Boo.

Rabittooth · Post by **Rabittooth** » Wed Jun 27, 2007 6:39 am

It's not the light of direct sunlight that will darken leather (I've had some experience with whips here)...it's the heat.
I've intentionally baked new natural kangaroo bullwhips in the oven for VERY brief periods to hasten the darkening and it worked.
Light without heat will do nothing to leather.
Your skin tans as part of an active biological process to protect your skin from burning. Dead leather will not do that.
Now..as I said...I've done this with whips, as to jackets that are too light colored. I'd stick to some kind of leather dressing with a dye in it to darken it.

-Rabittooth

Swindiana · Post by **Swindiana** » Wed Jun 27, 2007 6:49 am

I think we might have covered all the household appliences soon!
You're a brave man, Rab.

Got any shots for comparison?
I myself darkened mine with light dabs of shoecream.

Regards,
Swindiana

Post by **Michaelson** » Wed Jun 27, 2007 8:20 am

From my reading and interviews with owners of leather hide companies here in Tullahoma TN over the years, tanned and dyed hides will lighten up in color after extended exposure to sunlight, unlike kangaroo hide. 'roo hide is as close to human skin as you can get, and the hide actually suntans like human skin the longer it remains exposed to sunlight....so your 'roo hide actually gets darker over time and exposure in sunlight, and everything else get lighter.

Regards! Michaelson

mufflowne · Post by **mufflowne** » Wed Jun 27, 2007 10:21 am

Bummer. Now we should all go bug Peter to make a roo jacket. That would be my ideal kind of indy jacket.

indy89 · Post by **indy89** » Tue Jul 03, 2007 3:03 pm

Good. Maybe my darkbrown USW goatskin jacket will fade.

whiskyman · Post by **whiskyman** » Tue Jul 03, 2007 4:07 pm

I think you have to discern between leather and dye. Natural leather (not only roohide) will darken with light/heat. A dye will fade with light. Personally, I can't imagine a dyed leather hide used for a jacket darkening due to exposure to light. I may be wrong.