Bronzing leather
Particularly, on newer, black smooth clothing, a metallic glimmer gets formed. This phenomenon is called "bronzing". Like the rainbow on an oil puddle, the glimmer can be gold, bluish, reddish or greenish. The metallic sheen is created by excess aniline dyes which oxidize. Dyes used in leather are anionic, but sometimes basic (cationic) dyes are used on black and dark shades to help the intensity the colouration. If used incorrectly, this can show bronzing. It’s not the pigment colour which causes this, it’s the aniline dye.
If this area is wiped with a slightly damp, white cloth, it becomes discoloured. It’s not the metallic sheen which remains in the cloth. It’s the colour of the oxidized aniline dyes before oxidation.
If you have acquired such a clothing, you should complain. In cases where a complaint is not possible, a professional chemical cleaning and fixing must be carried out. You cannot do it yourself.
Bronzing leather jacket. The oxidation colour is greenish / yellowish; the bronzing colour is a violet tone.
Bronzing lamb leather. The oxidation colour is golden-yellowish, the bronzing colour is red as the pigment colour.
Typical bronzing of Leather clothing. On the second photo, not all sections are affected.
Bronzing leather bag.
Other leather damages
- A list and explanation of known leather damages
- Dye transfer from leather
- Typical damage to PU leather in the furniture area
- Flamingo effect: Reddish discolourations on bright furniture in concealed areas
- Glue penetration from the back side to the visible side of the leather
- Mouldy leather
- Fat marks on leather
Additional information
a kotori web solution