Fading Thread?

[Gosut]

The thread: brown polyester waxed 1mm sold under the Tenn brand name.

The problem: Fading that isn’t UV related.

First noticed this on a key fob. The brown thread is distinctly whitish. Another project, a woman’s checkbook, shows some whitening in spot. Both imply it’s abrasion related, but the thread shows no fraying.

Wouldn’t think the thread is dyed, being it’s polyester, but it’s as though the color is on the fibers instead of in them.

Has anyone run into this before? Before I try some Rita Tiger Thread, is this sort of thing common?

[JDFred]

Could it be the wax in the thread coming to the top from heat?  If that's the case you should be able to rub it back in.  I had the wax in thread build up on stitches when sewing but haven't run into it after a project was completed.

[kgg]

5 hours ago, Gosut said:

The brown thread is distinctly whitish. Another project, a woman’s checkbook, shows some whitening in spot.

I think @JDFred is probably onto something. 

Maybe wax coming to the surface in areas that are bending more then other areas and forcing the wax to the surface. Try heating the spots with a hair dryer to melt the wax back into the thread. Maybe also try pre-wiping the thread before sewing to get rid of any factory access wax.

kgg

 

[Gosut]

Thanks, all. Tried a hair drier on the fob, but the whiteness remained. Also tried to scrap it off with a thumbnail. If it's wax, it didn't go back into the fibers.

Might be throwing good money after bad, but in buying supplies for a holster project last night, went with different brand of thread. Not Ritz Tiger, due to price, so that might be a mistake.

[kgg]

3 hours ago, Gosut said:

Tried a hair drier on the fob, but the whiteness remained.

If possible why not take apart the fob. Careful disassembly may help to determine if the whiteness is from the thread or possibly glue or leather or something else.

kgg