Semi-Aniline Leather...what is it? (1 Viewer)

[Madtiger]

Since there was a discussion about semi-aniline leather, i found this site that talks about the different types: How to Choose the Right Upholstery Leather? Aniline or Semi-Aniline?


“A semi-aniline leather may sometimes be a better alternative for applications where heavy traffic, direct sunlight and regular maintenance play a part. This leather type can be a wonderful compromise for those who want to achieve a uniform look while still retaining the many beautiful natural characteristics of leather. Scratching will be far less obvious and colour will remain more consistent over time.

Combining durability with the soft handle of natural leather, semi-aniline leathers are especially suited to commercial areas. The light pigment coating on semi-aniline hides is similar to a light layer of foundation makeup over your skin. It helps protect, smooth and create an even colouration while still letting the skin breathe underneath. Hence why breathability and seating comfort are still good for this leather type as their performance is not hindered by the light protective layer.

Semi-Aniline leathers provide:

• Higher lightfastness and durability
• Soft handle and retains appearance over time
• Requires less maintenance, perfect for high traffic areas”

 

[Madtiger]

From another site:

"Semi-aniline leather is produced through a very similar process to full-aniline, but has a thin protective top coat added to protect it from wear and staining. Like aniline leather, it is often manufactured from better-quality hides with fewer natural markings.

Semi-aniline leather tends to have a waxy feel though still soft like aniline leather, since only a thin layer of pigment is used to coat its surface. This also allows natural markings in the leather to show through in the way pure aniline does. Semi-aniline leather sofas are suitable for people who want to see the natural beauty of leather, but would also like the durability and some of the color consistency that comes with corrected grain leather.

Both pure aniline and semi-aniline are made of the highest quality grain leather. Aniline has the advantage in it’s fully natural qualities, and semi-aniline has the advantage in a bit more durability."

 

[Madtiger]

This is what Lexus says about it: “Available extremely soft perforated leather is dyed all the way through, unlike leathers with conventional surface dyes. A higher grade of leather must be used since imperfections cannot be hidden.”

 

[LBridges]

I'm not aware of any automotive seats made with Aniline leather unless something like a Bentley or Rolls (or similar) uses them.

My understanding for vehicles basically one of two types are used: semi-aniline and pigmented leather.

You've described the semi-aniline, here's some info on the "regular leather" used in vehicles: Pigmented Leather is the most durable and is used in the majority of furniture upholstery and almost all car upholstery. The durability is provided by a polymer surface coating which contains pigments.

 

[Madtiger]

I'm not aware of any automotive seats made with Aniline leather unless something like a Bentley or Rolls (or similar) uses them.

My understanding for vehicles basically one of two types are used: semi-aniline and pigmented leather.

You've described the semi-aniline, here's some info on the "regular leather" used in vehicles: Pigmented Leather is the most durable and is used in the majority of furniture upholstery and almost all car upholstery. The durability is provided by a polymer surface coating which contains pigments.

True...very durable...but it is apparently prone to cracking per link in 1st post of this thread.

Link: 2 Quick Layering Steps to Prevent Leather from Cracking - IGL Coatings Blog

“Most commercial leathers used in upholstery of vehicles are pigmented leathers. For heavily used leathers like the driver’s seat of your car, it can easily be worn out from scratches and abrasions over time. Heat and moisture levels will also play a role in the deterioration of the leather.

Additionally, when pressure is applied to bend and ply the leathers, microbreaks occur which make the leather appear greyish. These microbreaks usually occur in the depth of the grain and lead to cracks overtime.“

 

[LBridges]

... For heavily used leathers like the driver’s seat of your car, it can easily be worn out from scratches and abrasions over time. Heat and moisture levels will also play a role in the deterioration of the leather.
...

If the the reference post is correct in saying for the more durable pigmented leather can "be easily worn out" then I'd be worried about using the less durable leather - semi-aniline - which also is subject to scratches and cracking (was already mildly cracking on my 2017 LC).

Living in Florida, my vehicles are subject to a fairly high level of sun and humidity. For whatever it's worth, I'm also not the easiest on my cars/trucks.

Time will tell on the modern Toyota/Lexus product, but I can say that the leather in my 2000 LX didn't hold up so well in comparison against regular leather in a 2002 MR2. The MR2's leather was still in good shape two years ago when some fool ran into it while one of my my sons was driving and totaled the fun little car. I replaced my LX leather with regular leather, four years ago. Even though the regular is not as soft, no regrets so far.

Here's hoping, for all the 200 series owners, that Toyota and Lexus leathers last longer and stay in better shape than they did in the 100 series.

 

[Madtiger]

If the the reference post is correct in saying for the more durable pigmented leather can "be easily worn out" then I'd be worried about using the less durable leather - semi-aniline - which also is subject to scratches and cracking (was already mildly cracking on my 2017 LC).

Living in Florida, my vehicles are subject to a fairly high level of sun and humidity. For whatever it's worth, I'm also not the easiest on my cars/trucks.

Time will tell on the modern Toyota/Lexus product, but I can say that the leather in my 2000 LX didn't hold up so well in comparison against regular leather in a 2002 MR2. The MR2's leather was still in good shape two years ago when some fool ran into it while one of my my sons was driving and totaled the fun little car. I replaced my LX leather with regular leather, four years ago. Even though the regular is not as soft, no regrets so far.

Here's hoping, for all the 200 series owners, that Toyota and Lexus leathers last longer and stay in better shape than they did in the 100 series.

Your experience may be due to your use case. dnh1 and others report that the semi-aniline has worn better than previous LC that they have had. So, who knows?!

The good news is that our LC side windows block almost all UVs, which does terror on leather.

The leather may not have changed from 100 to 200 series...because Toyota did not really make a big deal about it...until 2016 when Toyota switched to semi-aniline in the LC. I am sure that they source leather from different sources for different grade of vehicle. I only have "semi-aniline leather" to work with because that is what Toyota emphasized in 2016 during the intro...and according to Lexus, semi-aniline is a higher grade leather than their regular leather.

For the Heritage Edition, i am sure that Toyota uses high grade leather that is high quality. It could be just as good as semi-aniline...no one knows. The only thing that has been confirmed is that it is not semi-aniline. YMMV.

 

[Audiophilitis]

a fairly high level of sun and humidity

UV will definitely damage leather — but humidity, from what I’ve read is actually good — well, better than dry air.

Any thoughts on use of leather conditioners?

 

[Madtiger]

UV will definitely damage leather — but humidity, from what I’ve read is actually good — well, better than dry air.

Any thoughts on use of leather conditioners?

Personally, since these leather are coated, I think that conditioners are a waste of money.

Damp cloth is what I use to spot clean if needed. Otherwise just vacuum to prevent dirt from scratching the leather.

 

[eatSleepWoof]

Any thoughts on use of leather conditioners?

Leather has a tendency to dry out and crack over time. I do apply conditioner to my seats every ~4 months or so, and should probably be doing that more frequently. I haven't owned the car long enough to definitively say how much it helps.

 

[Audiophilitis]

Leather has a tendency to dry out and crack over time. I do apply conditioner to my seats every ~4 months or so, and should probably be doing that more frequently. I haven't owned the car long enough to definitively say how much it helps.

Curious to know what brand conditioner you use...I used Zaino leather conditioner religiously on my 100 since new for 16 years with good results — no cracking whatsoever. For the 200, i’m experimenting on Pinnacle Black Label — applied a coat after my first detail job just to see how the leather feels (and smells, more importantly).

 

[eatSleepWoof]

Curious to know what brand conditioner you use...I used Zaino leather conditioner religiously on my 100 since new for 16 years with good results — no cracking whatsoever. For the 200, i’m experimenting on Pinnacle Black Label — applied a coat after my first detail job just to see how the leather feels (and smells, more importantly).

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I'm somewhat ashamed to admit that my product is made by AmorAll, and came from a Canadian Tire many, many years ago. It's simply what I had on the shelf and I use it out of convenience. I really should get a proper conditioner.

I bought my '14 LX at the very end of '18, and the driver's side seat already had signs of drying/cracking leather. A real shame, as the LX only had 38k km on it, and was otherwise very, very clean. The leather hasn't gotten any worse in my ~14 months of ownership, and I hope that (with my attempt at proper care) it won't.

 

[MichaelRogers58]

Also, for this topic, you can read this article Aniline Leather: The Guidelines for Users - Leather Toolkits. This is a more expanded version of The Guidelines for Users of Aniline Leather.

 

[Madtiger]

Also, for this topic, you can read this article Aniline Leather: The Guidelines for Users - Leather Toolkits. This is a more expanded version of The Guidelines for Users of Aniline Leather.

Note that this is Aniline leather, not semi-aniline that is used in Lexus and our LC.