Leather Cases - Patina Proud Photos

[Daniel Narciso]

Golden brown apple case. What do you guys think?

 

[DR3MCLAREN]

Golden brown apple case. What do you guys think?

I think it looks great.

 

[kingston73]

For anybody wondering how nomads lighter tan color ages, this is after about a week.
It is by far my favorite case. I tried the journey and it was nice, better in some ways than nomad. I didn't like the exposed buttons though.

 

[Knowlege Bomb]

For anybody wondering how nomads lighter tan color ages, this is after about a week.
It is by far my favorite case. I tried the journey and it was nice, better in some ways than nomad. I didn't like the exposed buttons though.
View attachment 1943959

That looks great! I've moved from my Nomad to the Andar Aspen for the color alone, but I miss the fit and feel of that case.

 

[DR3MCLAREN]

For anybody wondering how nomads lighter tan color ages, this is after about a week.
It is by far my favorite case. I tried the journey and it was nice, better in some ways than nomad. I didn't like the exposed buttons though.
View attachment 1943959

Thats a beauty. I just wish it didn't have those rubber sides. If it was full leather on all sides I'd be sold.

 

[iPhono]

Hey guys,

I read some of this thread and wanted to help my new iPhone 13 case patina. I read that some use sandpaper, magic erasers or alcohol to get rid of the protective layer. From what I saw the people using alcohol had the best results, so I used 70% iso alcohol on mine. After just a few seconds my cloth turned orange and the case starts to turn white. Did I ruin my case?

 

[PinkyMacGodess]

Hey guys,

I read some of this thread and wanted to help my new iPhone 13 case patina. I read that some use sandpaper, magic erasers or alcohol to get rid of the protective layer. From what I saw the people using alcohol had the best results, so I used 70% iso alcohol on mine. After just a few seconds my cloth turned orange and the case starts to turn white. Did I ruin my case?

View attachment 1944006

I don't get it. Not a criticism on you, but want/need to artificially 'age' things. Jeans, leather, books, furniture, plumbing fixtures, etc...

I had a leather case, years ago, that I used everyday. It never left my side. After 6 months or so, it started looking its age, and it looked amazing. I have a Coach wallet that is also much better with age, something like 15 years so far.

Time catches up with all things eventually, to accelerate it just seems so wrong, and odd...

But maybe I'm just a grumpy old man watching the world change before his old eyes.

Natural wear, if there is such a thing anymore, would mean the edges turn before the larger flat surfaces and getting that slow subtle fade between the edges and those larger flat surfaces takes time to pull off convincingly. *shrug*

 

[iPhono]

No, I think you don't understand. I want it to age naturally, but there is a plastic coating on the leather that prevents it from doing that, which needs to be removed.

 

[Madtiger27]

No, I think you don't understand. I want it to age naturally, but there is a plastic coating on the leather that prevents it from doing that, which needs to be removed.

But the coating DOES indeed wear off over time….otherwise, the edge would not get dark. The wearing off takes longer because it is not a stress point like the edge. My Midnight black has patina on the flat side after 3-4 weeks.

 

[DR3MCLAREN]

No, I think you don't understand. I want it to age naturally, but there is a plastic coating on the leather that prevents it from doing that, which needs to be removed.

The alcohol will dry the leather out. Once I removed my coating I massaged it with my hands for an hour while watching TV to get some oils back into the leather. Some people used balms or oils but I wanted mine to be a natural patina. Turned out great. But yes, the coating removal process will scare you into thinking you've ruined it.

 

[iPhono]

But the coating DOES indeed wear off over time….otherwise, the edge would not get dark. The wearing off takes longer because it is not a stress point like the edge. My Midnight black has patina on the flat side after 3-4 weeks.

I don't know. I saw cases 6 months old with black sides and no patina at all on the back. I don't want that to happen on mine. Better make sure the coating is gone.

The alcohol will dry the leather out. Once I removed my coating I massaged it with my hands for an hour while watching TV to get some oils back into the leather. Some people used balms or oils but I wanted mine to be a natural patina. Turned out great. But yes, the coating removal process will scare you into thinking you've ruined it.

Yes, I don't want to use any extra oils, it looks bad most of the time, I want the slow natural patina. I hope it will look as good as yours some day. I was just scared because the alcohol just seemed to take off all the color. Did that happen on yours too?

 

[DR3MCLAREN]

I don't know. I saw cases 6 months old with black sides and no patina at all on the back. I don't want that to happen on mine. Better make sure the coating is gone.


Yes, I don't want to use any extra oils, it looks bad most of the time, I want the slow natural patina. I hope it will look as good as yours some day. I was just scared because the alcohol just seemed to take off all the color. Did that happen on yours too?

To be fair I removed most of my coating using a damp magic eraser. Once that was done I let it dry and then hit it with an alcohol wipe to remove any last bits of coating. The magic eraser turned orange, the wipe not as much because of most of the coating was gone by then. If you're using just the wipes then its safe to assume they will turn quite orange.

 

[expatable]

Anyone had a try at Native Union’s new MagSafe case for the 13 line?

This case specifically: here.

I’ve had fantastic luck with the Native Union AirPod Pro case - amazing patina, really natural look & smell … but wondering if anyone here has tried their new phone cases?

Thx!

 

[DR3MCLAREN]

Anyone had a try at Native Union’s new MagSafe case for the 13 line?

This case specifically: here.

I’ve had fantastic luck with the Native Union AirPod Pro case - amazing patina, really natural look & smell … but wondering if anyone here has tried their new phone cases?

Thx!

There was someone on here a couple weeks ago with one of these. Might have to scroll back to find it. They mentioned it had a coating like the apple case.

I have the Native Union case for my airpods and it developed zero patina after 10 months so I used some alcohol wipes to remove the coating and then it started developing a patina. Now it looks really good. I posted a photo of it a few days ago with my phone case.

 

[brian129]

Anyone had a try at Native Union’s new MagSafe case for the 13 line?

This case specifically: here.

I’ve had fantastic luck with the Native Union AirPod Pro case - amazing patina, really natural look & smell … but wondering if anyone here has tried their new phone cases?

Thx!

I've had one since December and removed the coating two weeks ago. I've posted some pictures and impressions before, you have a look at my post history.

Here's a new pic of it today:

 

[iPhono]

The magic eraser turned orange, the wipe not as much because of most of the coating was gone by then. If you're using just the wipes then its safe to assume they will turn quite orange.

So is the orange paint the coating I need to take off? I read somewhere that the coating is transparent... Do I need to get to the white base eveywhere for it to patina?

 

[DR3MCLAREN]

So is the orange paint the coating I need to take off? I read somewhere that the coating is transparent... Do I need to get to the white base eveywhere for it to patina?

Mine is the saddle brown. The coating is a light brown Color. I knew I was through it when the leather under it turned dark brown from the water in the eraser. Once it dries it turns back to the original saddle Color again

 

[Fraud Goblin]

I just sent them an email letting them know about the issue I was having with the magnets and that I was a bit bummed about it not working so well with my car mount. I didn’t demand a new one or anything like that, just sent it mostly to let them know my thought on the matter.

They got back to me a week or so later and offered a replacement. I took them up on it and that’s it.

So update to this, I got the new case in, and...it still falls off the Belkin mount. Ended up getting this VICSEED mount in the mail today and it's really strong. Like the magnets are very good, and now the Bullstrap doesn't fall off. That solves that, I do appreciate Bullstrap sending me a new case. They didn't have to but they did and that's some really good customer service. It's probably my favorite case now that it works in the car again for me.

 

[curious248]

So update to this, I got the new case in, and...it still falls off the Belkin mount. Ended up getting this VICSEED mount in the mail today and it's really strong. Like the magnets are very good, and now the Bullstrap doesn't fall off. That solves that, I do appreciate Bullstrap sending me a new case. They didn't have to but they did and that's some really good customer service. It's probably my favorite case now that it works in the car again for me.

Nice! Thanks for the update. Glad to hear the new mount is working well - do you have a link to it by any chance?

 

[Fraud Goblin]

Nice! Thanks for the update. Glad to hear the new mount is working well - do you have a link to it by any chance?

Sure thing, here's the one I ordered: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08YJ9YYFR/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

And then here's a fancy 2022 EXTREME WHATEVER version I missed on buying lol, it looks different but no idea if its better or whatever: https://www.amazon.com/VICSEED-Magnetic-iPhone-MagSafe-Strong/dp/B098NJXXMD?ref_=ast_sto_dp

Edit: I see now, the newer model allows air to go through the back of the phone. That's not a bad idea.

 

[rgarjr]

For anybody wondering how nomads lighter tan color ages, this is after about a week.
It is by far my favorite case. I tried the journey and it was nice, better in some ways than nomad. I didn't like the exposed buttons though.

damn, that looks nice when it gets darker.

 

[Brooke795]

Update:

All the gear is in! With the exception of a bullstrap wallet I ordered. Needless to say I love Everything bullstrap!

Bullstrap all the way around aside from hubby’s watch band which is nomad. Bullstrap didn’t make a graphite metal band.

 

[Jacob_116]

Has anyone noticed this on their apple leather case? I’ve been using mine for a while and the front lip of the case feels rough, dried out and kinda nasty. I’ve tried conditioner and even lotion and nothing makes it better. I’m just curious if anyone else has noticed this

 

[expatable]

Maybe a stupid question, but all this forced patina talk - rubbing alcohol, magic erasers, oils and balms, etc - is there any reason to do this on any other case color that isn’t tan/brown/poppy/etc?

Meaning…I don’t really see people talking about trying to force patina their midnight, sequoya green, cherry, etc colors.

Any reason? Again, maybe a dumb question! (Dealing with two kids under 3 and think I’m going insane… I know the classic patina is watching, say, the old saddle brown turn from an almost yellow to the dark brown of an old belt…but what’s the end game for the iPhone 13’s sequoya green? Just a darker green?)

 

[iNotion]

I just wanna change the “Orange peel” coloured leather case to a leather saddle brown case. Plus i’m unsure whether i will continue using this case when iPhone 14 comes. Let nature takes its course for patina?.. hmm..

just found a video on YouTube
For those who prefer to wait for natural patina on their Apple leather case.