Leather is one of the most challenging materials to work with. The finished product has a natural look and feels that few materials can match. It’s also extremely durable, which is why so many practical and luxury brands choose to use it in their products. On top of all that, leather requires very specific care and handling. If you’re looking to keep your purchase looking as nice as possible, reading through these helpful tips will help you keep your leather from cracking and peeling easier. Whether you’re brand new to leather working or an experienced leather crafter, you’ll find something here that can help reduce the chances of your leather cracking or peeling. Let’s take a look at some of the most common ways that this happens:
How To Keep Leather From Cracking?
1. Avoid exposing your leather to direct sunlight:
Leather is very sensitive to the elements. If you leave it out in the sun for too long, it can dry out and crack. If you’re working with leather on a regular basis, it’s a good idea to invest in an awning or cover for your workspace so your leather doesn’t get too much exposure.
2. Avoid keeping your leather products in very cold areas:
Just as it easily absorbs moisture from the air, leather also absorbs moisture from its surroundings. If you keep leather in a very cold area (such as a freezer), it will absorb moisture from the air inside and become more susceptible to cracking and peeling once you take it back into warmer conditions.
3. Protect the surface of your finished product with a coat of varnish:
Varnish is one of the best ways to protect your finished product against cracking and peeling. You can buy ready-made varnish or make one at home by mixing several coats of polyurethane together with some thinner until you get a consistency that’s easy to apply with a brush (you don’t want it too thin). Use a brush to apply the varnish over the entire surface of your product. This will help seal it and prevent it from absorbing moisture and cracking.
4. Use a leather conditioner to keep your leather from cracking:
Leather is made up of several different fibers, each with different qualities and levels of durability. The best way to keep your leather from cracking is to maintain the quality of all those fibers by using a good conditioner regularly. Leather conditioners are available in both spray-on and brush-on forms and will help you keep your leather looking great for years on end.
5. Avoid using harsh chemicals on your finished product:
Certain chemicals can be very effective when cleaning or treating leather, but they can also be very damaging if not used correctly. If you’re going to use any type of chemical on your finished product, make sure that you use it in the correct amount and avoid leaving the item exposed for too long or it may damage or discolor it permanently!
6. Use a leather treatment to give your product a protective coating:
If you want to make sure that you’re doing everything in your power to protect your finished leather products, use a good leather treatment. Treatment will help seal the fibers of the leather and keep them from absorbing moisture from their surroundings.
7. Avoid using too much pressure when cutting your leather:
The best way to avoid cracking or peeling on your finished product is to avoid using too much pressure when cutting it. If you try to force the material through the blade, it can cut into the fibers and cause cracking or peeling in the end. When cutting, always use a sharp blade and make sure that you’re not applying too much downward pressure on top of it!
What Causes Leather To Crack And Peel?
1. Using the wrong type of blade:
The first thing to remember when cutting leather is that you need to use a sharp blade. Dull blades can often cut into the fibers of your leather and cause it to crack or peel in the end. Also, make sure that you’re using a metal blade rather than a plastic one as they tend to be sharper and less likely to cause damage.
2. Using too much pressure while cutting:
When cutting your leather, you should always apply just enough pressure to get through it (you don’t want it to be too thin either). If you try to force the material through the blade, it can cut into the fibers and cause cracking or peeling in the end. When cutting, always use a sharp blade and make sure that you’re not applying too much downward pressure on top of it!
3. Leaving your finished product exposed for long periods of time:
Leather is very durable when compared with other materials, but if left exposed for long periods of time without any protection, it will absorb moisture from its surroundings and begin to crack or peel. To prevent this from happening, always seal your finished product with some type of varnish (polyurethane works well) before putting it out for sale so that no moisture can come in contact with it!
4. Using the wrong type of finish:
If you want to make sure that you’re doing everything in your power to protect your finished leather products, use a good leather treatment. Treatment will help seal the fibers of the leather and keep them from absorbing moisture from their surroundings.
5. Not prepping your leather before cutting it:
Before cutting your leather, make sure that you’ve already done a preliminary cleaning and treated it with a good conditioner and protector so that it’s ready to be cut without any issues. If you don’t do this, the fibers can break easily when coming into contact with the blade and cause cracking or even tearing!
6. Cutting through too many layers at once:
When cutting out an item such as a wallet or phone case, don’t try to cut through too many layers at once (if you have multiple pieces of material stacked together). Make sure that each layer is properly secured under something soft and thick like a piece of wood or some foam board before cutting through them all at once! This will help prevent too much pressure from being placed on any one layer which could cause cracking or tearing!
How To Prevent The Leather From Cracking And Peeling
1. Using the wrong type of cutting board:
If you want to make sure that your finished products are as durable as possible, you should always use a cutting board made out of wood or even plastic when cutting out your designs. If you use a hard surface such as glass, marble, or granite, it will cause the fibers to crack rather than make clean cuts.
2. Cutting through too many layers at once:
When cutting out an item such as a wallet or phone case, don’t try to cut through too many layers at once (if you have multiple pieces of material stacked together). Make sure that each layer is properly secured under something soft and thick like a piece of wood or some foam board before cutting through them all at once! This will help prevent too much pressure from being placed on any one layer which could cause cracking or tearing!
3. Not using the right lubricant:
If you want to make sure that the blade glides smoothly across your leather without creating any friction which can lead to cracks and tears, always apply some type of lubricant before you begin cutting. A good example is Pecard Waterproofing Lubricant. It’s made from all-natural ingredients and won’t leave behind any residue on your leather’s surface!
4. Not using enough pressure:
If you don’t press down hard enough on your material, the blade won’t be able to make a clean cut through it and will cause the fibers to break and cause cracking or even tearing. This is especially true with thinner materials such as suede or nubuck. You should always use enough pressure when cutting if you want to prevent this from happening!
5. Using too much pressure:
On the other hand, if you use too much pressure when cutting, it can cause those same cracks and tears to appear as well! Be careful not to push down too hard on your material or else it could lead to problems later on!
Wrapping It Up
Leather is a tough, durable fabric that can survive almost anything. It’s also easy to care for, looks great on the body, and can be used for so many things. However, because of its care required, durability, and flexibility, it’s also one of the most difficult materials to work with. This is why it’s important to take care of your leather as you would your other clothing and accessory items. These tips will help reduce the chances of your leather cracking or peeling. Remember, no two pieces of leather are going to look exactly alike, so don’t worry if yours is a little different from the pictures above.
