What kind of effect does water have on full grain genuine leather?

Answer 1

Full grain just means that the epidermis is intact; the leather is not "corrected" or "split" which is normally to resolve scarring/poor quality hides. Full grain doesnt let me know what type of tanning has been done to it, but I would have to say if it is a full analine please be very careful if you choose to take Judy's advice as alot of leathers will nor dry evenly due to porousity, natural markings ,leather from different areas of the animal ( different fibre structure= different drying time=different darkening; or staining as I prefer to call it ;-) ..) I have had to refinish many pieces of furniture because people wiped them down and created streaky stains all over.
The type of water also makes a huge difference, tap water will have a worse effect than distilled water, pool water will have the potential for worse staining etc. If it gets wet blot dry and then take a hair dryer and actively dry the piece if it darkened...leaving to air dry sets the stain and you generally have to use the services of a company like mine to resolve it.
The pH of most water supplies will probably be 6.5- 7.5. leather is normally more like 4.5- 5.5 so water itself will damage if left in sufficient quantity, creating significant stiffening, and if the water is dirty or had minerals etc they will be left at the outermost edge of the stain as a ridge ( obviously minerals etc dont evaporate as the water does and if left to slowly dry they create a swollen edge).
Hope this helps
David

Answer 2

Leather needs water. Wiping over with a damp cloth is necessary to keep the leather hydrated.
How the leather is finished will determine what happens when you wipe it down or spill something.

Full grain leather is the top quality leather you can buy. If this has tehn been aniline dyed and lightly finished it may be very absorbent and you will need ot work a panel at a time to wipe it down. It may go very dark when wet but if done evenly will dry out evenly. If you have a finished leather then the surface should not absorb moisture readily but will over time so can be wiped over regularly and this should be done.

Use water based leather protector which will help inhibit the absorption of dirt and oils. Cleaners should also be water based.

Do not use anyhthing containing oils or waxes.

Saddles are a completely different product to upholstery leather and need to be treated in a very different way.

Answer 3

Genuine leather does not have any grain. Leather is natural quality. It goes nothing bad by time to time but various kinds of leathers exist in market. So be sure before picking out leather & recommendation for best brand like as Phive Rivers.

Answer 4

If your saddles become wet and then dry, let Judy B then see what water will do. Leather does not need water but does need oil and waxes.

Once you use your leather goods like your saddle you should wipe it clean then give it a good coat of "Neets foot" oil, then wipe it down again. If it gets wet from the rain and soaked from an overnight, then clean it good with other products from a good saddle maker, these all contain waxes and oils that protect the leather and, keep it supple.
Once leather that has been kept wet consistently and is let to dry, it will become dry and brittle. If you can't make it soft again with oils then you might as well throw it away.

When you pay as much as $1000.00 for a good saddle you want to keep it as new as the day you bought it, it will last you a lifetime. Like the ones we have.

Answer 5

Depending upon how the leather is treated and length of exposure to the water, you could just end up with no noticeable effect, a water stain or leather that has become stiff because the oils and lanolin have leeched out.

Answer 6

water stain.