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It is important to be able to recognise the different materials used for vehicle upholstery as some OEM use different materials for the various surfaces (i.e. perforated leather for the seating areas, PVC bolsters and seat backs)
Before choosing a product to clean or maintain interior surfaces you must be certain of the material used and wither it is Urethane covered or Aniline, as the correct product requirements are vastly different.
To identify the material used; (N-Nubuck / Alcantara?) (A-Aniline / Non-Coated) (P-Protected / Coated)
(a)Protected leather ((P-Protected / Coated) - by slightly scratching it with your nail, if it changes to a darker / lighter shade, it is unprotected (i.e. how suede changes colour depending on the fibres' orientation). If this has little effect it?s protected. If water ?beads? on the surface, or if cleaners and conditioners remain on the surface. It is protected leather as liquids will not penetrate this type of leather; it will also have an even shine.
(b)Natural leather (A-Aniline / Non-Coated) Aniline Leather is coloured all the way through with a transparent dye. The effect is applied by immersing the leather in a dye bath. Because the finish is transparent and shows the natural markings of the leather, only top quality hides can be used. It has a random shade colours and grain pattern; lightly scratch the surface to see if it reveals a lighter colour, water drops will darken its colour (temporarily).
(c) Nubuck, Alcantara? (N-Nubuck / Alcantara? ) - are top-grain cattle hide leather that has been sanded or buffed on the grain side, or outside, to give a slight nap of short protein fibres, producing a velvet-like surface. It is very soft to the touch will scratch or scuff very easily; water drops will darken the leather but it returns to its original colour after drying.
(d) Nappa Leather (A-Aniline // Non-Coated ) ? a very soft, full grain (uncoated) leather made from an un-split sheepskin, lambskin, or kidskin, usually tanned with alum and chromium salts and dyed throughout, water drops will darken its colour (temporarily).
(e) Vinyl - will have a much more even, almost repeating pattern. The depth of the lines within the grain on vinyl is also consistent, while the same lines on leather will vary; it is also usually smooth and soft to the touch. water drops will remain (unchanged) on its surface
Before choosing a product to clean or maintain interior surfaces you must be certain of the material used and wither it is Urethane covered or Aniline, as the correct product requirements are vastly different.
To identify the material used; (N-Nubuck / Alcantara?) (A-Aniline / Non-Coated) (P-Protected / Coated)
(a)Protected leather ((P-Protected / Coated) - by slightly scratching it with your nail, if it changes to a darker / lighter shade, it is unprotected (i.e. how suede changes colour depending on the fibres' orientation). If this has little effect it?s protected. If water ?beads? on the surface, or if cleaners and conditioners remain on the surface. It is protected leather as liquids will not penetrate this type of leather; it will also have an even shine.
(b)Natural leather (A-Aniline / Non-Coated) Aniline Leather is coloured all the way through with a transparent dye. The effect is applied by immersing the leather in a dye bath. Because the finish is transparent and shows the natural markings of the leather, only top quality hides can be used. It has a random shade colours and grain pattern; lightly scratch the surface to see if it reveals a lighter colour, water drops will darken its colour (temporarily).
(c) Nubuck, Alcantara? (N-Nubuck / Alcantara? ) - are top-grain cattle hide leather that has been sanded or buffed on the grain side, or outside, to give a slight nap of short protein fibres, producing a velvet-like surface. It is very soft to the touch will scratch or scuff very easily; water drops will darken the leather but it returns to its original colour after drying.
(d) Nappa Leather (A-Aniline // Non-Coated ) ? a very soft, full grain (uncoated) leather made from an un-split sheepskin, lambskin, or kidskin, usually tanned with alum and chromium salts and dyed throughout, water drops will darken its colour (temporarily).
(e) Vinyl - will have a much more even, almost repeating pattern. The depth of the lines within the grain on vinyl is also consistent, while the same lines on leather will vary; it is also usually smooth and soft to the touch. water drops will remain (unchanged) on its surface
An extract from one of a series of in-depth detailing articles ? TOGWT ? Ltd Copyright 2002-2008, all rights reserved
