Leather sofas are incredibly durable and long-lasting, but they can still be damaged. Fortunately, with the right care and leather sofa repairs, you can keep your leather looking new for years to come!
The first step in repairing leather furniture is to thoroughly clean the damage. Use a cotton swab or a cotton pad with 90% rubbing alcohol to remove loose dirt, dust, and grime.
Scratches
Leather is a durable material, but even a well-maintained sofa can become damaged from pets and toys. When scratches occur on your leather furniture, it’s important to take action right away.
Light scratches on leather can usually be easily repaired with a good conditioner. This can help to reduce the appearance of scratches, as well as make the repair process faster and easier.
Deep scratches on leather can be harder to rectify. These scratches can often come with scuffs, tears, and excess fibers hanging off of the damaged portion.
To repair deep scratches, start by cleaning the damaged area and surrounding areas thoroughly with a cotton swab or cotton pad soaked in 90% rubbing alcohol. Next, apply the heavy filler to the scratched area. Once this is dry, sand it down with 1200 grit sandpaper. This will level the surface of the repair and blend it with the rest of your furniture.
Tears
Tears in leather sofas can be caused by a number of things, from rough play to a car key at the wrong angle. If the tear is not too large or is not in a visible place, it can often be repaired with the right tools and knowledge.
If the tear is large or in a prominent place, you might need to reupholster the couch. This will require professional skill and experience, so it’s best to rely on a professional service.
Small tears, scuffs, and scratches can be fixed with leather repair kits that include patches, glue, toothpicks, and leather paint. These repairs can be very discreet and can even hide color loss.
To repair a tear, first clean the area with 70% isopropyl alcohol to remove any dirt or oil that might interfere with bonding. Next, apply a thin layer of the leather repair compound to the tear and let it dry. Repeat this process as needed.
Cracks
Leather is a beautiful material that provides the ultimate in comfort and luxury. It’s also an extremely durable furniture option, but it can be damaged by exposure to sunlight and abrasion from sharp objects or chemicals.
Cracks can occur when leather dries out and is exposed to sunlight, which results in fibers within the leather abrading one another. Luckily, there are some effective ways to repair cracks and hide their appearance.
Firstly, make sure the damaged area is clean with a good leather cleaner and conditioner. If possible, avoid using harsh cleaning products that contain alcohol.
Second, fill any deep cracks with a color-matching leather dye. Apply the dye with a colour-fast sponge or applicator pad, and rub it into the leather surface around the crack.
Then, let the leather dry for two minutes with a hairdryer set to low. Move the dryer left and right over the dyed area to blend it in. It should take several treatments to get the dye evenly distributed over the cracks.
Faded Colour
When you buy a leather sofa, you’re investing in something that is comfortable and looks great. However, over time, the colours can fade.
The colour will fade from exposure to the sun and can also happen when your sofa is moved around the room. Fading is a problem for aniline, suede and nubuck leathers as they do not have any coatings to protect against UV rays.
You can restore the colours on your leather sofa by spot dyeing. This is a quick and easy way to restore a faded area without affecting the rest of the couch.
To spot dye, first clean the sofa thoroughly with a leather preparation product. This will get the leather ready to accept the dye and remove any conditioners or other products that could prevent it from being dyed.
After the leather has been cleaned, paint it with the dye color you’d like to apply. Then, wait up to 48 hours for it to dry before using the leather sofa.