Patent Leather

Patent leather is leather that has been given a high gloss finish. Patent leather refers to leather with a glossy surface. Patent leather is leather that has been treated with lacquer to give it a hard, glossy surface. Leather is a material created through the tanning of hides, pelts and skins of animals, primarily cows. Leather was a very important clothing material, and its other uses were legion. Together with wood, leather formed the basis of much ancient technology. Leather with the fur still attached is simply called fur.

The name Patent leather is derived from the idea of protection. The original process on making patent leather was developed by Newark, New Jersey based inventor Seth Boyden in 1818. Patent leather was manufactured commercially at the beginning September 20, 1819. Boyden's process used a linseed oil based lacquer coating. Modern patent leather usually has a plastic coating.

Patent leather is sometimes confused with poromeric imitation leathers such as DuPont's Corfam and Kuraray Co.'s Clarino which are manmade materials with a similar glossy appearance. Patent leather and poromerics are cleaned in a similar way. Dirt adhering to the coating can be removed with a damp cloth, using a mild soap if needed. Minor scratches and scuff marks in the coating itself can be removed using one of several special purpose patent leather and poromeric cleaners on the market.

Patent leather and poromerics are used in applications where an eye-catching glossy appearance is the main consideration. Examples include fashion items such as wallets and handbags, dance and uniform shoes, professional wrestling boots and fetish clothing.

Patent leather is sold in a variety of thicknesses. Top-grain thicknesses, called weights, are categorized by ounce ranges, as in "7-8 oz" or "3-4 oz". Derived from the weight per square foot, these measures actually refer to the thickness of the piece of leather; each "oz" is approximately 1/64th of an inch of thickness. Hence, 7-8 oz leather is roughly 8/64ths or 1/8th of an inch thick. The weight is usually given as a range, as above, because the inherent variability of the material makes ensuring a precise thickness very difficult. Some leather manufacturers report leather thickness in millimeters; 3-4 oz leather is roughly equivalent to 1.3mm leather.

Patent leather, due to its excellent abrasion and wind resistance, found a use in rugged occupations. The enduring image of a cowboy in leather chaps gave way to the leather-jacketed and leather-helmeted aviator. When motorcycles were invented, some riders took to wearing heavy leather jackets to protect from road rash and wind blast; some also wear chaps or full leather pants to protect the lower body.

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