How to Soften Veg Tan Leather
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When it comes to wallets, belts, and other leather goods, vegetable-tanned leather is a great choice because it is super-durable, affordable, and can be dyed any number of colors to match your wardrobe. The only problem is that veg tan leather is stiff and difficult to work with in the beginning, so softening it can be a bit of a challenge. Nevertheless, learning how to soften veg tan leather doesn’t have to be complicated because there are numerous ways to make the task a little easier.
Why is Veg Tan Leather So Popular?
In addition to the benefits mentioned earlier, veg tan leather can be formed into many different shapes easily and quickly. It also keeps its shape a lot better than other types of leather, especially when it is wet. What this means in practical terms is that you can use water to control creases and folds in the leather. When you do this, it won’t ruin the look or feel of the item but instead will remain the same when it comes to its look and feel.
While some types of leather get sticky with age, veg tan leather does not. In fact, over time veg tan leather develops a shininess to it that some people think looks better than brand-new veg tan leather. One of the biggest reasons people love working with this type of leather is its ability to be dyed to a specific color, which means you can always match an item made of veg tan leather to another item if you like. And as the item ages, the natural sheen of it changes according to the oils in your skin, meaning it is truly uniquely yours.
How Do You Soften Veg Tan Leather?
The first thing you need to do when you wish to soften veg tan leather is to make sure your hands are as clean and dry as possible. Make sure the area is well-ventilated and place newspapers or plastic underneath the item so that nothing spills over onto something it shouldn’t. If you notice dirt on the leather, wipe it off well before you start to work. This is important because if you don’t get the dirt off at this point, it may get pushed further into the item later on during the process.
Most people will dye their leather before softening it, not only because it allows the dye color to adhere to the leather better at this point, but also because in some ways, dyed leather is easier to soften than leather that hasn’t been dyed. Choose your dye carefully and keep in mind that mink oil dyes, which have gorgeous colors, are usually very dark. Unless you want the final color to be very dark, it’s best to avoid this type of dye for your veg tan leather.
When you apply your dye, paint it on in 1/4-inch layers, and keep applying those layers until you notice that the dye is no longer sinking into the leather. Wipe off the excess dye with a paper towel, and keep wiping until no more dye comes off, then let the item dry for several minutes. If you’re not happy with the color, you can add more dye to the item, and once it gets to the color you want, it is time to start applying some type of oil to soften the leather.
using a circular motion. Do this for up to 10 minutes but no longer. After you’re done, wipe off all of the excess oil and let the leather item dry overnight. As a general rule, you’ll want to let it dry 2-3 hours for every coat of oil you put on it, but overnight is best because it will make sure the oil is completely dried.
Conclusion
Keep in mind that in addition to the oils listed above, you can also use wax or glycerin to soften your veg tan leather. Oils leave a nice sheen and usually darken the color slightly, and they make the leather more pliable. Glycerin will remove impurities in the fibers of the leather but produce a clean matte finish, not a shiny one. This type of conditioner is best for older leather and not brand-new pieces. Finally, wax conditioners require that you apply them with a soft cloth, let them sit for around 5 minutes until dry, then buff them with a polishing cloth to get the right look and feel.
Softening your veg tan leather is not difficult. You just have to decide how you want the item to look before you decide on the type of conditioner to use, and the rest is simple.
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