How to fade the leather?

D

Domas

New member
I got my steering wheel re-wrapped, and the leather is almost black. The rest of my interior is dark gray, so I was wondering if there is a way to fade/lighten the leather a bit?



I was thinking - what if I remove the steering wheel and expose it for direct sunlight for several weeks, would it fade the leather a bit? (I have a "spare" steering wheel for driving :))
 
I'm thinking, if you try to apply anything to the wheel to try to lighten it, you'll end up ruining it. I'd leave it alone and let nature take it's course and live with the darker color.....
 
Somewhere on the net I found an "advice" to wipe the leather with paint thinner, it makes the leather lighter, but won't it remove any protective coatings of leather?
 
Domas said:
Somewhere on the net I found an "advice" to wipe the leather with paint thinner, it makes the leather lighter, but won't it remove any protective coatings of leather?
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The problem as I see it would be the risk of uneven fading. You don't want it to look "old".



I think that's the process used to "distress" leather jackets.
 
I'd say exposing it to a UV light source would be your best bet. Either the sun or get a UV bulb so you can expose it 24/7. You'd just need a high powered one.
 
XRL said:
I'd say exposing it to a UV light source would be your best bet. Either the sun or get a UV bulb so you can expose it 24/7. You'd just need a high powered one.
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Great idea, thanks ;) I'll try to get the UV lamp... How many Watts would be enough power?
 
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