Leather Repair Made Easy

Leather is a great material and some of the most comfortable and beautiful furniture is made from it. However, it is also extremely easy to damage. The soft surface can often get scratched by our beloved pets and children. You may want to consider a different choice in fabric if you have pets. For example, even when they are front declawed or do not intentionally scratch at furniture they can still leave accidental scratches behind.

There are other things that can be easily damaged. The leather seats in a car should be kept covered to avoid damage of over exposure to the sun. When this happens the leather will begin to fade into a worn old look. This happens because the sun against the windows of the car will cause the leather to overheat and become softened. There are covers available to protect your car when parked. Another option is visors. These deter the sun away from the windows and are easily placed and stored in the car when not in use. These will also help keep unwanted heat from filling the car.

The best repair is always prevention. If you have a family get together you may want to cover the furniture in plastic or fabric seat covers. This will help keep the damage from happening. Some clothing can damage leather. Studded jeans or extra zippers are often the cause of unwanted damage. When a person sits they often slightly slide on the seat. This will cause the zippers or studs to grind against the fabric. It is always better safe then sorry.

In the event that damage does occur, this article will outline a few different methods for repairing damage. Some methods are better for large rips or scratches. Others are appropriate for small scratches. They can range from a very small expense to needing professional repair. In any event, you will be provided with multiple options.

There are a lot of home remedies for very small scratches. You can use any wax or oil based product to fill a small discoloration on leather. Keep in mind these products may not exactly match your material. Some of these include, Vaseline and shoe polish. Shoe polish may rub off onto your clothes. They key with this method is to find something that will dry and blend into the furniture.

Another method for small discoloration is a color pen. This will not completely fix the scratch. However, if it is small enough it will be generally unnoticeable. These pens are available in a wide range of colors. They can be found at arts and crafts stores for a relatively low cost. These pens come in varieties for leather and wood scratches. They should be used on more inconspicuous areas of the furniture.

Leather dyes are also available. They work much like the pens, but are liquid based. These can be purchased from car manufacturers. They may also be found in furniture stores. These are better fitted for damage from the sun. The seats from a car often have this for of damage. A couch may also have this if placed directly in front of a window. Dyes are very easy to use and will usually completely match in color. However you will still have an indent if a scratch is present.

For larger areas of damage there are a few more methods available. For example, if the side of a couch has been scratched up you can use sand paper to sand down the fibers. Afterwords, you will clean them with an alcohol, and redye the fabric. This process is time consuming and is best done by a professional.

There are choices for bigger areas that can be completed at home for larger areas. The first is by using a leather repair kit. These are available in many different brands. They can easily be ordered on line for small prices. They generally include multiple items. These items include multiple liquid colors. If your exact color is not available you can mix them to create the right color. You apply the liquid color with a toothpick or similar applicator. They key is to do this evenly. You can use another object to blend them in as needed. They also include different papers with textures on them to match your furniture. You use a heating element to heat the liquid to the paper. This will bond the liquid into your fabric and leave you with the appropriate pattern.