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How Does One Condition Suede?

benjamin831

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All leather needs conditioning. Oils that naturally exist in leather evaporate over time and its fiber structure will wear out with movement, sometimes leading to cracks. Suede is no different except that what we see is the underside of the hide, which may hide damage well. We all want our leather pieces to last a long time, and that's why we should think about conditioning suede.

The problem with suede is its fine nap texture. The use of traditional conditioners will destroy this velvety finish, causing it to flatten into an ugly matted surface. The highly absorbent nature of suede also causes blotchiness from traditional conditioning methods.

What would be the best way to approach this problem and circumvent the problems with napped leather? Currently I'm thinking of putting diluted Lexol conditioner into a pressurized spray and spraying a very fine atomized mist over my suede jacket and letting the nap absorb the conditioner. The reason I picked Lexol is because the conditioner is already highly emulsified/homogenized and is more or less water soluble. Using an atomizer also means that I wouldn't have to touch the suede, crushing the nap.
 

FlyingHorker

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I've heard of Saphir Renovateur Suede Nubuck Spray being used for this, but I haven't tried it myself.
 

benjamin831

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I've heard of Saphir Renovateur Suede Nubuck Spray being used for this, but I haven't tried it myself.

Oh wow, never heard of this before. Thanks! Interesting that it's in a aerosol spray, sorts of validates my idea of misting suede with conditioner.
 

emidyl

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I use it on my wifes Carmina boots. Pick the closest colour and apply. I like to give it a light brushing before application and then a light one afterwards. If it looks like it needs evening out I'll apply some more lightly to the specific area. It says it conditions the suede as well and here I thought is was only to maintain the colour of the suede, which it does wonderfully. Not sure how you would address boots with say a contrasting stitch. Perhaps Saphir makes a clear conditioner?
 

Torulf

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I always use first Saphir Renovateur Nubuck & Suede Spray (coloured) and then Saphir Super Invulner (no color) with great results. I clean and reapply about every two months.
 

benjamin831

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Does the Renovateur spray have a noticeable effect on the suppleness or softness of the suede?
 

Torulf

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Does the Renovateur spray have a noticeable effect on the suppleness or softness of the suede?
On "new suede" I would say that it has no effect on suppleness/softness, but if the suede has become dry it adds suppleness/softness, basically restoring it to "normal", similar to a leather conditioner.
 

benjamin831

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Question: some older suede items really "wild" nap piles and long fibers due to years of brushing. Is there anyway to shave down this hairiness?
 

Irish95

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Torulf gives great advice. I use it on all my wife’s suede boots. Works great. After that, spray with Tarrago. Really repels everything from the suede.
 

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