Flamingo effect
"Flamingo effect" is a rare leather problem which occurs on pigmented, light smooth leather. When the flamingo effect appears, the surface colour changes to pink only in concealed areas (contact surfaces of the pads against each other on the grain side). Also, it only seems to occur when two grain sides of leather rub against one another. Darkness alone does not trigger the phenomenon. Please see below photo.
The discolorations are not immediately recognisable, but disturbing. Usually, this happens on relatively new furniture.
The surface pigmentation of the leather then becomes reddish or pinkish. Yellowish discolourations also happen but are extremely rare. The reason for this colour change has not been definitively clarified. So far, this phenomenon has happened to furniture leather and within the first couple of years after the purchase. The phenomenon also occurs when the leather is in storage and the grain sides are in direct contact.
After extended storage of folded leather, the light-coloured leather becomes reddish in the contact area of the pigmentation.
An explanation for this phenomenon may be a change in the pigment colour or a bleeding of dyes from the leather into the surface pigmentation. There is no valid explanation why only contact areas of the grain side are affected and not every leather.
'The xenon test shows that reddish discolouration is significantly reduced by UV irradiation.
Therefore, according to the current state, there is no solution except to replace the leather or to bleach it by UV light. If leather is replaced, the same leather should not be used, as otherwise the effect will reappear.
Other leather damages
- Typical leather damages such as aging, fading, fat stains, jeans discoloration etc.
- Dye transfer from leather
- Typical damage to PU leather in the furniture area
- Bronzing: Metallic glimmer on new leather
- Glue penetration from the back side to the visible side of the leather
- Mouldy leather
- Fatty spue - Fat marks on leather
Additional information
a kotori web solution