The classic leather jacket is the basis of a wardrobe that can never go out of style. Just wearing your coat outside on a rainy day can be dangerous, however, as water can cause real damage to the skin. If you want your skin investment to last for years, waterproofing is a good idea – as long as you know the right way to do it.
Why Waterproof
Water can damage your leather jacket by making temporary bonds with natural skin oils if allowed to stay on top of things. These natural oils are the soothing properties of the skin, making it soft, supple, and beautiful. They also help to make things last longer.
When water and oil bond, they weaken the protein bindings that hold the fibers together, making them more likely to break. As a result, your leather jacket may become stiff and dry. Water can also leave spots and lines on the skin, and these watermarks are very difficult to remove as soon as they occur.
Silicone Repels Water
Silicone sprays form a barrier over your coat, so the water rises and flushes out before being soaked in the skin. Oil-based silicone sprays work well on many smooth, grain-filled skin types. For a coat made of navy leather, such as nubuck or suede, choose a lightweight water-based silicone spray. Because these skins have many holes, they can soak heavy oil-based sprays and change color. Water-repellent silicone sprays can make your coat feel a little smoother and may have a drying effect on the skin over time, so do not use them too often.
Acrylic Copolymer and Waterproofing
Acrylic copolymer sprays use new technologies to keep the skin waterproof. Acrylic copolymers in the spray create a net-like barrier that the water molecules can pass through but cover them tight enough to allow your leather jacket to breathe. Unlike silicone sprays, acrylic copolymer sprays will not leave your coat slippery, and you do not have to worry about color changes. They work on all skin types.
Tips for Waterproofing
Always wash your coat before using a waterproof product. Wipe the skin with a soft cloth; keep the cloth dry so that your coat does not get wet before starting the waterproofing process. When it is time to put the spray-on, put your jacket on the hanger and hang it in an area where you can easily reach all sides. Hold a can of waterproof spray about 1 foot from the jacket and spray evenly over the area. Make sure you work in a well-ventilated area to avoid inhaling the spray. Let your coat dry completely before you put it on. Because some water-repellent sprays can change skin color, check your product regularly to see if there is a reaction before spraying the entire coat.