Aniline: Cleaning Code "A" (also called Natural, Pure, Naked or Unprotected) - These leathers are colored with transparent dye stuff. This means that you are able to see the actual surface grain and markings. These leathers have very little or no protective treatments applied to them. The most common thing to do is spray a wax finish on the surface that gives short term water repellence. Ways to identify ANILINE:

• Lightly scratch the surface to see if it leaves a lighter colored scratch mark. It it scratches to a lighter color, it is ANILINE. This not the only test to do because some NUBUCKS will do this also.
  
• Wet you finger and lightly rub it into the leather to see if it darkens. It should darken lightly, but dry invisibly.
  
• You apply the PROTECTION CREAM to a hidden areas and dry it. If it dries invisibly, it is an ANILINE leather.
  

Protected: Cleaning Code "P" (also called Finished, Semi-aniline, Everyday, Pigmented or Painted) - These leathers have combined the best aspects of a natural product (leather) and have utilized tannery technology to create a product that is more uniform in appearance and color. Ways to identify PROTECTED:

• Lightly scratch the surface to see if it leaves a lighter color scratch mark. If it does not scratch to a lighter color (this means the color remains the same), then this is a Protected leather.
  
• Use SOFT CLEANER and clean the leather. The cleaner should stay on top of the finish and should not darken the leather.
  
• The surface should have some sort of sheen to it. It is like looking at wood that has a lacquer finish compared to a wipe-on oil treatment.
  

Nubuck: Cleaning Code "N" (also called Chaos, Distressed, Bomber or Suede) - These are actually ANILINE leathers on which the surface has been brushed, and have created a texture similar to a velvet on leather. Many people confuse these with Suede Leather. Suede is the flesh side of a piece of leather and NUBUCK is an effect that is done to the grain side, making it incredibly soft. Ways to identify NUBUCK:

• The surface should have a texture similar to velvet. You move you hand across the surface and, if it leaves shading traces similar to the effect when you vacuum a carpet in one direction and then in another, t is Nubuck.
  
• Wet your finger and rub it lightly on the surface. This surface will darken and also will dry to a slightly darker shade.
  
• For waxed surfaces, rub an area of the leather with a sponge several times. This will remove the wax and let you see if the leather meets test 1 or 2 above.