Different Types of Suedes & Leathers

Know the Different Suedes and Leathers

Cleaning leather and suede today is much easier than ever before because of the SuedeSmart System. However, because leather and suede comes from the skin of an animal, every garment is somewhat unique. They are completely different from cloth garments in many ways, so it helps to know the facts about suede and leather in order to successfully accept them for cleaning and refinishing.

When the customer brings a suede or leather garment for cleaning, if they are shown and educated with a copy of our Acceptance Form, they can prepared for possible problems before processing, and many lengthy discussions can be avoided after cleaning if they know what to expect. This Acceptance form is not a release. It is merely a tool to use that will help you educate your customer about situations that could occur in cleaning. While a high majority of leathers and suedes clean and dry beautifully in the SuedeSmart System, being educated and educating your customer will lead to a successful leather and suede business for years to come.

Suede

All suedes and leathers are made from animal skins. They are recognized in two major categories:

  • Sueded leather
  • Smooth leather

Sueded leathers

Sueded leathers are animal skins with the hair removed and the flesh side of the skin rubbed by an abrasive wheel to raise a velvet-like nap on its surface. This is the outside surface of the sueded garment. Suedes are identified by the name of animal the skin comes from. There are several types of sueded leather. The three most common types of sueded leather are:

  • Sheepskin suede
  • Cowhide suede
  • Pigskin suede

Sheepskin suede is made by dyeing and sueding the skins of sheep and lambs. It is light in weight, soft in texture with a velvet-like suede nap. Sheepskin is the softest, most delicate skin of the three types.

Cowhide suede is made by dyeing and sueding the skins of cows and calves. It is called by many names including bush coat, rough out, rawhide, split cowhide and calfskin. It is typically a stiff, heavy, thick skin with a coarse nap. It is a tough, hard wearing and durable skin.

Pigskin suede is made by dyeing and sueding the skins of pigs. It is typically a stiff and heavy skin with a very short nap with pores like human skin. It is a very durable, tough and hard wearing skin.

All three of these types of suedes can be easily cleaned using the SuedeSmart System relatively easy.

Leather

Smooth leathers

Smooth leathers are made from the skins of animals that have had the hair removed and have been dyed or painted on the hair side of the skin, which then becomes the outside surface of the leather item.


Leathers are named for the type of surface finish they have on them rather than the name of the animal they came from. There are three major types of leathers:

  • Painted leather
  • Cuir savage leather (or analine leather)
  • Naked leather

Painted leather is just that. It is made by applying a special pigmented leather finish (a leather lacquer paint that stretches with the skin) to the surface of the skin. The result is a surface coating which is smooth, slick and shiny. You will not be able to see the grain of a painted leather.

Cuir savage leather (or analine leather) is made by dyeing color into the skin and then either buffing or applying a light coating of a special clear leather finish to the surface of the skin. This gives the effect of seeing the color down in the skin through a transparent surface sheen finish. Cuir savage leather is attractive, delicate, soft, comfortable, slick feeling and porous. You will be able to see the grain of the Cuir savage.

Naked leather is made by dyeing color into the skin. There is no surface finish. It is very soft, dry, porous leather. You will be able to see the grain in Naked leather.

For more information contact Dennis Hart, Sales Manager of SuedeSmart at 336-263-3584.

 

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