Faux leather is a popular choice for upholstery, furniture, and car seats because it is affordable and easy to care for. But does faux leather fade in the sun? And if so, how can you prevent it? If not, how come? This article will explore the answers to these questions and more!
Faux leather is generally resistant to fading in the sun compared to real leather and other natural materials. But faux leather can still be damaged by sunlight if exposed for extended periods of time.
To learn the reasons why faux leather does not fade in the sun and what can happen if it is exposed to sunlight for too long, read on!
Reasons Faux Leather Does Not Fade in the Sun
There are a few reasons why faux leather is so resistant to sunlight. Here are the most important ones:
1. Faux Leather Is A Synthetic Material
The primary reason faux leather is so resistant to sunlight is that it is a synthetic material. This means the material is not derived from an organic source, such as animal skin.
As a result, faux leather is not dyed like natural leather. The pigment in faux leather is added during manufacturing and is not as susceptible to fading as natural dyes.
The pigments are a part of the faux leather material, so there’s no way they can bleed or fade away.
When real leather is dyed, the dye seeps through the pores of the leather into its fibers to form a bond.
For faux leather, the pigments are mixed with the plastic material during fabrication to create a more permanent and fade-resistant color. This is why faux leather does not generally fade in the sun.
2. Faux leather is Protected With UV-Resistant Chemicals
Another reason faux leather is resistant to fading is that it is often treated with UV-resistant chemicals during manufacturing.
Since the manufacturing process of faux leather is completely controlled, the chemicals used to protect it from sunlight can be added in specific concentrations.
This ensures that the faux leather will be resistant to fading and other damage caused by UV rays.
These chemicals work by absorbing or reflecting UV rays, which prevents them from reaching and damaging the material.
The level of protection these chemicals provide varies depending on the type of faux leather and the chemicals used.
Some types of faux leather are more resistant to sunlight than others, but all types will provide some level of protection from UV rays.
These chemicals help protect the color of the faux leather from fading in sunlight.
They also make the material more durable and resistant to other environmental factors–making it less likely to crack or peel very quickly over time.
3. Faux Leather Is Finished With a Protective Topcoat
In addition to being treated with UV-resistant chemicals, faux leather is also often finished with a protective topcoat.
This topcoat helps protect the material from fading, staining, and other damage. The type of topcoat used depends on the type of faux leather.
Some types of faux leather are given a clear coat of polyurethane, while others are given a pigmented topcoat.
The clear coat of polyurethane helps protect faux leather from UV rays, while the pigmented topcoat helps protect the material’s color.
Both types of topcoats help make faux leather more resistant to fading in sunlight.
What Happens To Faux leather In The Sun?
While faux leather is resistant to fading in the sun, it is not immune to all damage. There are some damages that can still occur when you leave faux leather is exposed to the sun for prolonged periods of time.
Here are some of the most common damages that can occur to faux leather in sunlight:
1. Faux Leather Will Weaken Over Time
One of the main damages that can occur to faux leather in sunlight is that it will weaken over time.
Faux leather is a material that will eventually crack and peel since it’s not like natural leather that can last a lifetime.
This means that leaving your faux leather furniture in the sun for too long will shorten its lifespan and cause it to break down faster.
This will be due to the constant heat and UV exposure, causing the material to weaken and dry out.
It is important to remember that while faux leather is resistant to fading, it is not immune to all damage.
2. Sun Exposure Can Cause Faux Leather To Get Very Hot
Another damage that can occur to faux leather in sunlight is that it can get very hot. This is especially true for darker faux leather colors since they absorb more heat.
Leaving your faux leather furniture in the sun for too long can cause it to become too hot to touch.
Also, faux leather items like jackets, purses, and shoes can become uncomfortable to wear in hot weather.
This is because the material does not breathe like natural leather, so it can trap heat and make you very sweaty.
While this is not permanent damage, it is still something to be aware of when you are using faux leather in hot weather.
3. The Faux Leather Will Become Sticky
This usually occurs when the protective layer on the faux leather gets damaged from the sun’s heat and UV rays.
When this happens, the material underneath can become sticky and tacky to the touch.
This is uncomfortable and can also attract dirt and dust, which can further damage the faux leather.
If your faux leather becomes sticky, you may not be able to repair it and will need to replace it.
Final Thought
As you can see, faux leather is generally resistant to fading in the sun. This is because faux leather is a synthetic material made from PVC and PVA materials.
But chances are if you leave it long enough in the sun, other damages such as drying out, weakening, and becoming sticky can occur.
So if you want to keep your faux leather furniture in good condition, it is best to avoid prolonged exposure to sunlight.
This way, you can enjoy your precious faux leather items for many years.
