Stingray leather is a very strong. It is much stronger than cow leather because of its physical composition. With cow and other types of leathers, the underlying fibers tend to run in a parallel direction to each other, while in stingray leather, the fibers are random and most often criss crossing each other, forming a much tighter bond between the fibers. While some leathers are easily torn, stingray leather is not, due to this cross hatch arrangement of the fibers. Additionally stingray leather has those famous little bumps that are actually calcium scales that were a protection for the stingray against some predators. Once the stingray skin is tanned, these bumps are rock hard and add additional strength to the material composition of the leather and also add a guard against scratching, cutting and results in an increased anti-tear strength.
While this products made from stingray leather are of exceptional strength, they still need proper care to make their beauty last as long as the leather itself.
Here are some tips to take care of your stingray leather item that will help extend the life and beauty of your stingray product.
1 – Removing Dirt – Removing dirt from a stingray items can many times be done by simply wiping the item with a slightly (barely) dampened cloth. In tough spots you can use a very mild soap with water and gently clean the surface area. Do not rub too hard as most stingray skins are both dyed and surface painted to get that beautiful color. Scrubbing too hard may remove some of the surface color of your stingray leather and result in an unsightly showing of the grey-ish scales underneath.
2 – Storage of Stingray products – Never keep leather products in contact with other leather products when storing them. The finishing on each product may cause them to stick together. Do not wrap leather products in plastic bags as this causes drying. To store your stingray items (or any leather items for that matter) it is always best to store them wrapped in paper. Tissue paper works best for these types of products. You could also use a cloth bag that many manufacturers provide with each of their products as a storage container. Keep your stingray products stored away from heat and moisture. Never leave any leather products exposed to direct heat or sunlight as this quickly dries out the natural oils and moisture.
3 – Drying your stingray product – If for any reason your stingray product gets wet, (rain soaked, dropped in water, etc.) do not add heat to it to speed up the drying process. Pretty much the worst thing you could do is heat the leather as this not only removes the water but also the natural oils inherent in the leather. Do not place the leather in direct sunlight. Place the item on a dry surface, preferably on a piece of tissue paper and let it dry at room temperature slowly and naturally.
You can use a water repellant made for exotic skins to protect it from moisture. It is usually available in spray form and should not contain any silicone as this may break down the leather.
Many customers have recommended and highly rated a leather conditioner by the Bickmore Company called Bick 4 leather conditioner. It does not darken finished leather products, and is great for a variety of leather goods, including exotic skin products. In addition to using this product to condition and maintain the appearance of your leather items, the company also recommends using the Bickmore Leather Repellant spray to help make your item more water repellant and protect against future water damage.