Suede & nubuck shedding
Why is leather linting?
Suede and nubuck are very fibrous leathers and therefore tend to lint in use. With shoes its not a big problem. But linting leather handbags and leather jackets are disturbing. The same applies to suede on the inside of the clothing.
Linting leather.
In the production of suede, the leather is split in layers. For this purpose, the leather is later leveled by sanding. The following working steps in the tannery do not remove all lint. Also the meat side of a leather is suede. Usually leather is processed so that the back is hidden. Therefore, the tanner does not pay particular attention to back side linting. Only if the customer directly indicates this, the tanner will be able to reduce the lint. As sude has a velvet-like surface on both sides, it is not foreseeable which side of the suede becomes the contact side.
Nubuck is only provided with a light surface fiber structure and is therefore less prone to lint.
Mascing tape test on nubuck: Only little lint stick to the masking tape.
Mascing tape test on suede: Many and coarse lint stick to the masking tape.
Procedure for linting leathers
When linting occurs, first check whether it is really lint or dye transfer. For this purpose, a masking tape can be glued and peeled off in a hidden area. Lint will adhere to it and are easily recognizable. If the suspicion is that it is rather a coloring, then lightly moisten a white cloth and rub it about ten times over the leather and see if the cloth becomes discolored or only lint is caught. In doubt, make a macro shot and check if lint is recognizable. Sometimes there are both phenomena. Lint and discoloration.
In the first picture, the leather has a dye transfer problem. The second picture shows linting leather. The main problem is the discoloration.
First, linting leather should be brushed. Too strong brushing or too strong erasing enhances the effect. For this purpose, the leather can also be blown off with compressed air or vacuumed with a vacuum cleaner. None of these methods is sufficient. But it is a preparatory work.
In case of slight linting of the leather, it is often sufficient to waterproof the surface with a spray can product. Applay at least 2 to 3 layers and let dry. Avoid spraying too close to avoid stains.
Slightly linting leather will stop linting after as while. Use and observe such leather.
The attempt to remove the lint with masking tape is not always successful. By gluing and pulling off, new lint is pulled again and again, and it does not stop linting.
The intensive application of a strong hair spray followed by ironing has proven to be successful with strong linting surfaces. But put teflon paper in between and do not iron too hot! Leather can shrink! This method has the risk that the surface will not be uniform enough in the end.
In the commercial area, Napalan Finish is sprayed with a spray gun on linting leather and then ironed. In both methods, the leather fibers are glued without significantly altering the surface structure.
All methods must always be tested in a hidden area!
Additional information
a kotori web solution