Yes, you can wax a suede jacket, although it is important to understand that waxing will significantly change the appearance and texture of the suede.
Understanding Suede and Waxing
Suede is a type of leather with a napped finish, giving it a soft, fuzzy surface. Applying wax creates a water-resistant barrier and changes this unique texture, often resulting in a smoother, darker, and sometimes stiffer finish. This process is not reversible and essentially transforms the look of the suede into something closer to a waxed canvas or waxed leather.
The Process According to Otter Wax
According to Otter Wax, applying their Heavy Duty Fabric Wax to suede is considered a "relatively straight forward project". They note that there are "a couple of optional steps depending on what look you want to achieve." Based on their experience with a specific project:
- Duration: The project took "about 30 minutes" from start to finish.
- Wax Usage: It used "about 3/4 of one of our Regular Size Otter Wax bars."
This indicates that waxing suede is a viable, albeit transformative, project that can be completed relatively quickly using a specific amount of wax.
What to Expect When Waxing Suede
When you wax suede, you are essentially saturating the delicate fibers with wax. This will:
- Darken the color of the suede, often significantly.
- Flatten the nap, removing the soft, fuzzy texture.
- Make the material more water-resistant.
- Potentially add stiffness to the fabric.
- Create a look similar to waxed canvas or traditional waxed leather.
Therefore, deciding to wax a suede jacket should only be done if you intend to permanently change its appearance and are looking for the benefits of waxing, such as increased durability and water resistance, at the expense of the original suede feel.
Key takeaway: Waxing suede is possible and can be a relatively quick process, but it fundamentally alters the material's texture and appearance.
