Bicast leather can be defined by a glossy, shiny leather material that has been made using a combination of vinyl or polyurethane, along with leather. Such material had originated in the first place because the apparel industry was looking for a cost-effective & glossier alternative to leather shoes. Since then, the material has been adapted to be used for furniture upholstery and other needs.
In case you’re interested to know more about bi-cast leather, then you’ve arrived at the correct juncture. In this all-inclusive guide, we’ll be talking about the features, uses and the procedure of manufacturing bi-cast leather.
How Bicast Leather Is Made?
According to professional services for leather seat restoration, the first step that is involved in making bi-cast leather is to split the different layers of raw leather. Firstly, the top grain of raw leather should be removed. In case the leather quality is thick, then the leather layers must be segregated until there’s only a thin, single bottom layer. Once done, this layer is then covered using polyurethane. And to wrap up the process, the overall combination is embossed, so that it looks just like real leather. It should be known that bi-cast leather is also known as reconstituted leather because of its manufacturing process.
However, you should not confuse bi-cast leather with a synthetic item such as polyurethane leather or PU. PU is entirely vegan as there’s no use of natural leather in its production procedure.
How Is The Overall Quality Of Bicast Leather?
You must learn that since bi-cast leather does contain natural leather, it’s definitely of higher quality material than PU leather. But, the quality isn’t close to an item that’s made from 100 per cent pure leather material. Moreover, when it comes to longevity, bi-cast leather will not have the same longevity as natural leather. Besides, the breathability & durability of bi-cast leather compared to natural leather is also less.
What’s The Overall Appearance Of Natural Leather?
If bi-cast leather can be manufactured properly, then it looks very much similar to natural leather. One of the best features of bi-cast leather is its glossy & polished appearance. It’s quite impossible for the natural leather to maintain a similar level of gloss over an extended period.
But, it should be noted that bi-cast leather can tear & crack very quickly because the overall level of durability is lesser than natural leather. Generally, you cannot repair bi-cast leather-like natural leather.
Where Bicast Leather Is Used?
- Handbags
- Shoes
- Belts
- Jackets
- Sofas
- Couches
- Lounges
What Are Some Of The Major Merits Of Bicast Leather?
One of the most significant benefits of bi-cast leather is that – it’s a much cost-effective alternative to natural leather. Natural leather can easily burn a hole in your pocket. On the other hand, bi-cast leather will only need a couple of thousand dollars to be purchased. Therefore, the overall cost-effectiveness makes it ideal for consumers who want to enjoy the feel of real leather but don’t have the means to purchase leather and are on a budget.
Apart from the aforementioned benefit, bi-cast leather also offers a very unique look with its glossier & shinier surface. As a result, it can easily prove to be a stylish alternative to natural or real leather.
What Are Some Of The Major Demerits Of Bicast Leather?
Even though bi-cast leather can turn out to be more shiny & stylish than real leather, it cannot retain its gorgeous look over time. The overall glossy look of bi-cast leather will easily become dull after multiple months of usage. Scratches or cracks will start showing and the same will get deepened over time. Therefore, if you’re looking for a specific product that will stay in the same condition over an extended period, then maybe bi-cast leather is not the ideal material for your use case scenario.
How Can You Care For Bicast Leather?
When taking care of your bi-cast leather product, remember to not use any oil or waxes that are meant to be used on real leather. Instead, we suggest you apply a bicast protector on your leather item and use a bi-cast leather cleaner.
And that concludes our in-depth look into bi-cast leather. We hope you enjoyed our small yet insightful write-up and for any additional queries, do reach us out.
