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Whether you’re restoring a classic car or upgrading the interior of your home, leather can make all the difference, as consumers now have an ever-increasing degree of choice of materials for their project. Leather brings not only beauty, but comfort and style too, making it a material that not only looks good but feels great as well.
Transforming your Project:
Crest offers an extensive range of over a dozen articles which include over 450 colours, providing a huge amount of possibilities for your project. Whether you’re looking for vibrant hues, subtle tones, or even unique textures, Crest have the perfect selection to bring your vision to life.
Which leather would we recommend?
This question is solely dependent on the type of project you are working on. All of the three types of leather finish possess advantages which can suit your projects specific needs…
Aniline:
Aniline is a type of leather that is dyed exclusively with soluble dyes without covering the surface with a topcoat or pigment layer. This means that the natural texture and characteristics of the leather remain visible, including any imperfections or variations in color. Aniline leather is highly prized for its soft, supple feel and luxurious appearance, as well as its ability to develop a rich patina over time with proper care. However, because it lacks a protective coating, aniline leather is more susceptible to staining and fading than other types of leather. While aniline leather is suitable for a wide variety of projects and applications it’s more suited in environments where it can be looked after and not receive a huge amount of ‘wear and tear’.
Semi-Aniline:
Semi-aniline leather is a type of leather that shares characteristics with both aniline and pigmented leather. Like aniline leather, semi-aniline leather is dyed with soluble dyes that penetrate the leather, allowing its natural texture and characteristics to remain visible. Semi-aniline leather is treated with a light coating or pigment for added durability and stain resistance. Whereas, pure aniline leather lacks this treatment.
The protective coating on semi-aniline leather helps to provide some degree of protection against wear and tear. This makes it more practical for everyday use compared to pure aniline leather. At the same time, it retains much of the softness, suppleness, and natural appearance that are characteristic of aniline leather. This combination of qualities makes semi-aniline leather a popular choice for furniture upholstery, leather goods, and automotive interiors where a balance between aesthetics and durability is desired. In some respects semi aniline leather offers ‘the best of both worlds’ by retaining the majority leather’s natural characteristics but with added protection and character.
Pigmented:
Pigmented leather, or protected grain leather, is treated with a coating of pigments and protective substances for a uniform appearance. Unlike aniline or semi-aniline leather, pigmented leather has a uniform appearance due to its opaque pigment coating.
The pigmented coating serves several purposes:
Colour Consistency:
Pigmented leather offers consistent color and appearance because the pigment layer covers any natural variations or imperfections in the leather.
Durability:
The pigmented coating provides a protective barrier that helps to resist scratches, stains, and fading. This makes pigmented leather more durable and easier to maintain than aniline or semi-aniline leather.
Customisation:
Manufacturers can apply pigmented coatings in a wide range of colors and finishes. This allows for greater customisation to suit different design preferences and applications.
Pigmented leather is commonly used in a variety of applications where durability and uniform appearance are important. For example, commercial furniture upholstery and automotive interiors. Pigmented leather, while lacking some natural beauty and texture, offers practical benefits in performance and maintenance.
Inspiration:
We’ve also listed a variety of case studies to give you some inspiration for your projects:
But don’t just take it from us, our established customers agree too! Ian Jones, Founder of Vintage Innovation directly worked on renovating the RA4 Vanguard Car earlier this year!
“Crest were a great asset in the renovation of the RA4 Vanguard Car, they provided us with a premium quality leather for the interior of our vehicle. I’ve been in the industry for over a decade and it’s clear that Crest are the market leaders within the industry, their materials are long-lasting and durable, making it the perfect fit for our project! Having received spectacular feedback at the car launch party in February; the car has now secured a major article in the Octane magazine and have been invited to the Shelsey hill climb (as VIPS) and also malli mile this summer. Without the superb quality of workmanship and products used this would not have been possible!”
So, how do you get started?
Getting started with Crest is an extremely quick easy process! All you need to do is create a free account on our website. You’ll gain instant access to our extensive range of samples.
Once your account is set up, ordering is simple. Just browse our products page, select the samples you need, and proceed to checkout. But here’s what makes it even better: once you’ve placed your order, your samples will be on their way to you within 48 hours!