Sun Tanning Buffalo Leather

[Eric G]

Hello leather experts,

I have this Mr. Bright buffalo leather jacket. Would I be able to tan this leather in the sun to make it darker the way Mister Freedom tans their natural cowhide jackets?

 

[raf]

Never heard of "sun tanning", but I don't hear everything, either. Maybe a proprietary process?

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[Eric G]

I’m referring to what Mister Freedom does here.

“This natural veg-tanned CAMPUS Jacket have received a special outdoor treatment over several months, bathing under our lovely California sunshine and conditioned with ample doses of patience and elbow grease!”

 

[Boyo]

i don't think that would work, as it looks like this leather has already been colored. but it wouldn't hurt to try it..
you could use a conditioner on it the darkening might be some what temporary but it could give you an idea regarding possible outcomes. you could also truly dye it using clothing dye.. ive seen it work well and then not so well..

 

[Eric G]

i don't think that would work, as it looks like this leather has already been colored. but it wouldn't hurt to try it..
you could use a conditioner on it the darkening might be some what temporary but it could give you an idea regarding possible outcomes. you could also truly dye it using clothing dye.. ive seen it work well and then not so well..

Yeah I think some conditioner will give me the desired effect. I'm not looking for a total color change, just a slight darkening and more of a rich color. I was just curious if it needed some sun like those Campus jackets. Thanks for the reply!

 

[MonsieurTK]

I would always associate UV to lighten dyes, making them more appear lighter and faded.

I'd have to assume they put some sort of darkening conditioner/oil that makes the leather darker and then the sun will make it appear more naturally dyed.

 

[Eric G]

Yeah probably. I’m curious now. I’ll have to stop by and ask them.

 

[Pandemic]

Just like human skin darkens with sun exposure, so do other hides. But it’s not a dramatic darkening and if the leather has already been dyed then it’s unlikely to be noticeable. The above MF jackets start out as naked cowhide and go an orange color in the sun. Then the conditioner adds an extra layer of darkness.

I have a light brown analine jacket I’ve thought about leaving in the sun for a few days as an experiment, but the risk of an uneven effect outweighs the chance it would really add that much character to it.

http://vintageengineerboots.blogspot.com/p/mf.html

 

[MonsieurTK]

Just like human skin darkens with sun exposure, so do other hides. But it’s not a dramatic darkening and if the leather has already been dyed then it’s unlikely to be noticeable. The above MF jackets start out as naked cowhide and go an orange color in the sun. Then the conditioner adds an extra layer of darkness.

I have a light brown analine jacket I’ve thought about leaving in the sun for a few days as an experiment, but the risk of an uneven effect outweighs the chance it would really add that much character to it.

http://vintageengineerboots.blogspot.com/p/mf.html

Your logic is correct, but human skin is 'alive' and not 'dead' like tanned leather, so to speak. Melanin, pigment that darkens skin, is produced by live cells whereas there are no live cells in leather to produce melanin.

Please keep in mind I'm just making assumptions and have no knowledge in leather tanning.

 

[Pandemic]

You could also add a crazy motif, if you wanted:

 

[NickD]

Natural veg tan will darken as it ages, as will some other leathers - I have a kakishibu dyed Y'2 jacket that has darkened significantly since it was new. Not every light coloured leather will darken with light - I had a 911 with tan seats and the interior hadn't changed colour at all in 20+ years. I assume the leather was chrome tanned.