What is 'Unfinished leather'?
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Joined: Nov 2003
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From: Ponte Vedra Beach FL/ Hampstead, London, England
'84 380 SL/ '02 XK8
What is 'Unfinished leather'?
Section through upholstery leather - Diagram by Advanced Leather Solutions
Prior to 1980 most automotive leather upholstery used was high quality top grain full grain leather with a pigmented solvent-based Nitrocellulose lacquer coating and their unstable plasticizers would easily migrate in the heat from sun exposure and again create 'fogging' on the internal surfaces of the windows. As a result of this plasticizer migration the use of oil-based products that contained solvents to keep them from becoming brittle and cracking, creams, waxes and oils were needed in aftercare products to try and bring the suppleness back into the leather
By applying an oil-based conditioner and allowing time for it to work in a heated environment. By covering the seats with a plastic bag to help retain the heat and them leave overnight will ensure the oils permeate the lacquer and reach the leather hide. This process can also be used for equestrian tack; bridles, harnesses’, saddle and leather chaps and riding boots
Automotive leather and finished leather surfaces have undergone major technological improvements over the past few decades. The leather used for automotive upholstery is finished leather; the ‘finish’ applied to the leather hide is a pigmented (colour) urethane protective layer and a clear abrasion resistant topcoat.
Unfinished vs. Finished leather
a) Unfinished leather - the appeal of this type of leather is its initial "natural" look and the soft, supple texture. The downside is aesthetic vulnerability; due to the porous nature of untreated leather, it stains easily and it is sensitive to ultra violet (UV) light, which means that the colour is subject to photochemical degradation (bleaching, (fading), discoloration, chalking, brittleness and cracking) all indications of UV deterioration. The porous nature of unfinished leather will allow a water- or oil-based solution to permeate the leather.
b) Finished or micro pigmented leather - is commonly used for automobile as these resins create a film that protects the leather. The water-based urethane pigmented (colour) coat and the clear topcoat provides abrasion and stain resistance.
This type of leather finish is the most durable and easiest to care for but tends to be stiffer than both unfinished and micro pigmented leather. When Ford first introduced its King Ranch leather in their F-Series trucks it had unfinished leather, later they adopted a micro pigment type finish
Using advanced micro pigments this finishing technique makes the finish rigorous enough to stand up to the conditions it would be subjected to in an automobile.
Generally speaking micro pigment style leathers come in very earthy natural colours, incorporating a small quantity of pigment (a thin clear sealant that provides a uniform colour and affords some protection) but not so much as to conceal the natural characteristics of the hide so it will still retain the soft hand of Aniline leather. This type of leather is also used for perforated leather finishes.
Top-grain premium Aniline leather is mostly used in prestige European automobiles; Aston Martin, Bentley, Ferrari, Jaguar, Lotus, and Rolls Royce, US Cadillac and high-end German automobiles such as; Audi, BMW, Daimler AG, Mercedes-Benz, and Porsche, for some of these vehicles premium leather is standard OEM specified equipment, but for most it’s a ‘premium’ package that costs upwards of 2,000 USD .
This is the niche market sector both Leatherique and Connolly were originally formulated for.
Be cognizant that most if not all OEM leather in these vehicles is now a semi-aniline (micro pigmented) finished leather Is a term used by the auto leather industry to better describe leather with a thin urethane layer of pigment coating, which provides an even colour and both abrasion and stain resistance.
As opposed to the mislabelled Aniline leather (aniline is a dye (immersion) method not a leather type), which will absorb body oils and moisture and would be subject to abrasion unless it has been treated in some way.
This type of leather has an aqueous (water- based) urethane pigmented (coloured) coating, think of it as a urethane paint applied on top of the leather, and then a clear top coat is applied, o you are not actually touching the leather.
The coating gives the leather more durability and protection. It is also much easier to clean. Finished leathers make up almost all auto leathers. Just because leather has a top coat doesn't mean it is any less desirable.
It also has micro-pores that allow transpiration, i.e. evaporation and hydration (the passage of water vapour through a membrane or pore) they are not sealed per se
Micro pigmented finished leather in more often used for automotive upholstery as it is more durable than uncoated aniline, whilst still retaining a natural appearance Semi-Aniline (micro pigmented) finished leather coating containing a small amount of pigment in the base coat, this surface coating helps impart greater stain resistance.
The increased durability is provided by the application of a light surface coating which retains the ‘feel’ of soft leather and contains both pigment (colour) and an anti-abrasion additive, this ensures consistent colour, imparts stain resistance and helps with the abrasion of entering and exiting the vehicle
Pigmented leather won't absorb liquids because of the protective properties of the finish making for easier clean-up. Since the leather hide has a clear coat finish, when treating the leather, so you are in fact dealing with a urethane (to all intents and purposes; that simply needs to be kept clean and hydrated…it really is that simple.
A simple concept that been stated a million times and still some will swear that treating finished leather with a conditioner is beneficial. But if you feel $50 plus and approx 2-3 hours work is a worthwhile investment of time / money to treat a urethane pigmented covering, that’s your choice
I hope you’ve found this article both informative and helpful.
TOGWT® Autopia Detailing Wiki Articles
1. “What exactly is ‘Finished leather’? “ - http://www.autopia.org/forum/autopia...eather%92.html
2. “Aniline Leather (Micro pigment) Cleaning and Care” – http://www.autopia.org/forum/autopia...ml#post1455011
3. “Proper Finished Leather Cleaning and Care” - http://www.autopia.org/forum/guide-d...ning-care.html
4. “Leather Upholstery Type Surface Identification” - http://www.autopia.org/forum/autopia...fication.html#
5. “Leather Articles Hyperlinks” -http://www.autopia.org/forum/autopia...yperlinks.html
Last edited by TOGWT; Jun 25, 2013 at 07:46 AM.
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2011
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From: Nebraska
2005 CLK500 cab, 2004 S600 designo mocha
I really hate to sound like a n00b, but it can be so hard to tell what is MBtex, what is leather (finished or unfinished, or treated). Isn't there some easy way to say ALL MB from years xx - xx are MBtex, the older years aren't? Or to say all Designo editions are "whatever they are"??
Or am I just completely wrong and Mercedes has thrown in all types of leather finishes across all years and models? There are SO MANY people who post on here to find out what type of leather they have. The only response is to do the drop test thing and see if the water repels or not, which is still confusing.
Or am I just completely wrong and Mercedes has thrown in all types of leather finishes across all years and models? There are SO MANY people who post on here to find out what type of leather they have. The only response is to do the drop test thing and see if the water repels or not, which is still confusing.
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 880
Likes: 4
From: Ponte Vedra Beach FL/ Hampstead, London, England
'84 380 SL/ '02 XK8
Mercedes has thrown in all types of leather finishes across all years and models
Most modern automobiles use a finish on their leather; be it a urethane finished or micro pigmented finished leather as these resins create a film that protects the leather. The water-based urethane pigmented (colour) coat and the clear topcoat provides abrasion and stain resistance.
Synthetic leather finishes are also used (M-B Tex, Alcantara® , Vinyl)M-B Tex and vinyl have a very even texture (as opposed to a leather's grain or raised surface) and a uniform colour
Alcantara has a look and feel similar to suede (which it is designed to imitate)
Most modern automobiles use a finish on their leather; be it a urethane finished or micro pigmented finished leather as these resins create a film that protects the leather. The water-based urethane pigmented (colour) coat and the clear topcoat provides abrasion and stain resistance.
Synthetic leather finishes are also used (M-B Tex, Alcantara® , Vinyl)M-B Tex and vinyl have a very even texture (as opposed to a leather's grain or raised surface) and a uniform colour
Alcantara has a look and feel similar to suede (which it is designed to imitate)
