Making a weathered leather Apple iPhone X Case.

[Xtremjeepn]

I posted this a few years ago when I started doing this to my cases. So this I just a quick refresher since I have an iPhone X on the way.

I love how well Apples leather cases fit and function. I don't like how boring and sterile they look and feel. The leather is simply "too new".

Here you can see a brand new Apple leather case for my X next to an Apple iPhone case from my 7+. The 7+ case started out looking exactly like the X case. I've stained several phone and iPad cases this way. Just gives them a much richer texture. (the 7+ Case also has a year of use on it)

I've done several techniques to stain these. I will first just soak it in hot coffee grounds over night and see how good it looks.

I filled up this tray with hot espresso and then a pile of wet ground.

If you don't get the darkness you want. You can also scuff with sand paper and rub down with leather oils to give it that rich leather feeling and look.

 

[techno-Zen]

This is dumb. Just buy the leather conditioning wipes. One wipe down and the case will look like the used case you posted

[doublepost=1509575586][/doublepost]I mean, if you want your case smelling like coffee by all means...

 

[troubleonline]

I remember you posting this before and being horrified cos I love the new 'sterile' look and hate the smell of coffee.

 

[Xtremjeepn]

This is dumb.

Yup! Because those wipes don’t accomplish anywhere near the same thing.

And your case doesn’t smell like coffee when dry.

 

[MjWoNeR]

Not sure if I’d do all this to my saddle brown case but it does look very nice.
I’ll probably just apply some car leather impregnation oil.

 

[OneMike]

To each their own, but I prefer the new look.

 

[Xtremjeepn]

Gotta love the Internet. Where everyone NOT interested in something waste their day away posting about it.

 

[ck2875]

Can you post a photo once you're done 'conditioning' it?

(No way in hell I'm trying this with my saddle brown I got today though)

 

[Korican100]

lol is this a joke. what in the hello

 

[Spink10]

I enjoy watching the patina develop. I agree at first its too sterile. I just rub it with my hands alot the first month. lol

 

[andyw715]

I do t get it. My year old saddle brown case for 7+ looks just like yours. No conditioning needed. Just use it.

 

[Xtremjeepn]

I enjoy watching the patina develop. I agree at first its too sterile. I just rub it with my hands alot the first month. lol

I do t get it. My year old saddle brown case for 7+ looks just like yours. No conditioning needed. Just use it.

For some people it works better than others. My hands don't tend to produce a lot of oils so the cases take forever to break in. So really this process is just to speed things along. Since I've been on the iPhone upgrade program I've been getting a new phone a year and, for me, the cases still look barely broken in a year later.

I've noticed that this latest case also seems to have a better water resistant layer on it. I've had to take more time and some acetone to get the protection layer off to get it to start to absorb stain. So these latest cases might not get that worn in look for a very long time.

 

[tongefactor40]

To each their own, but I prefer the new look.

My old 7 case looks like the one on the right - don't expect your saddle to stay in its "new" color - unless you continually condition the leather.

 

[stooyleown]

For some people it works better than others. My hands don't tend to produce a lot of oils so the cases take forever to break in. So really this process is just to speed things along. Since I've been on the iPhone upgrade program I've been getting a new phone a year and, for me, the cases still look barely broken in a year later.

I've noticed that this latest case also seems to have a better water resistant layer on it. I've had to take more time and some acetone to get the protection layer off to get it to start to absorb stain. So these latest cases might not get that worn in look for a very long time.

So I doubt I’d go the coffee route. I love the look though. Actually going to try something different. Those will match my watch and wallet. Nice job

 

[stooyleown]

@Xtremjeepn any tips on oils or polishes to try? Or have you always used the coffee/espresso way? I watched a couple videos where people used black but I’m leaning towards a brown oil/polish. Any advice outs be great.

 

[Spink10]

@Xtremjeepn any tips on oils or polishes to try? Or have you always used the coffee/espresso way? I watched a couple videos where people used black but I’m leaning towards a brown oil/polish. Any advice outs be great.

Youtube has tons of videos with different methodologies.

 

[Xtremjeepn]

@Xtremjeepn any tips on oils or polishes to try? Or have you always used the coffee/espresso way? I watched a couple videos where people used black but I’m leaning towards a brown oil/polish. Any advice outs be great.

Yeah, I’ve used brown and black shoe polish.

Acetone or finger nail polish remover to remove the protective clear finish.

Even lightly scuffed with fine sand paper

Old school leather oils also help.

 

[Daremo]

Yeah, I’ve used brown and black shoe polish.

Acetone or finger nail polish remover to remove the protective clear finish.

Even lightly scuffed with fine sand paper

Old school leather oils also help.

I wanted to thank you. I've been looking for a weathered case, and came up short. I picked up the saddle case, and went to work. Sand paper, Emu Oil, Coconut oil, brown shoe polish, more Emu oil... A few days of working at it. I finally got what I wanted out of it, and I couldn't be happier. Thanks for this post!

 

[THE JUICEMAN]

Does this give the case a nice softer leather feel as well or is it just for looks?

 

[AlphaHumanus]

Gotta love the Internet. Where everyone NOT interested in something waste their day away posting about it.

New here?

I’m putting these tips in my back pocket for if/when I get a leather case. Since I basically survive on coffee, this entire thing makes me giddy.

 

[Xtremjeepn]

Does this give the case a nice softer leather feel as well or is it just for looks?

Yes, feels more like real leather when done.

 

[bopajuice]

I think it looks great. Interesting method. If your ever feeling a little tired and need a caffeine boost you can just lick your case!

 

[belligerent]

I wanted to thank you. I've been looking for a weathered case, and came up short. I picked up the saddle case, and went to work. Sand paper, Emu Oil, Coconut oil, brown shoe polish, more Emu oil... A few days of working at it. I finally got what I wanted out of it, and I couldn't be happier. Thanks for this post!

Looks great! I did a coat of coconut oil and a coat of brown shoe polish. Similar results. But now my case feels slightly oily and smells like the shoe polish. Did that happen with yours and if so, did it go away after using it for a bit?

Edit: Nvm, I worked it a little more with a cloth to remove the excess and it's smooth and relatively smell free now.

 

[ducatiti]

^ Won't the shoe polish stain your hands or garments when heated or getting wet?

 

[belligerent]

^ Won't the shoe polish stain your hands or garments when heated or getting wet?

Not sure about getting wet but not with regular use. I used a small amount and really worked it with a white cotton shirt until it was free of excess polish, smooth and dry. I wouldn’t recommend it because of the smell. But maybe that’s my brand of shoe polish or maybe it will go away in a few days. I would recommend actual leather oils because the coconut oil will spoil in a year or two but I love the new look and I’m so happy I did it.