Leather furniture is a beautiful addition to any home and with proper care they can last for a long time. While maintenance is rather simple and strict, it can ensure the leather’s longevity. However, through regular use and time, the leather can develop spider web or vein like cracks. Most homeowners would think the leather is at the end of its life and that it’s time to shop for new furniture. What many do not know is that cracks in leather can be repaired. Heart of Texas Chem-Dry will share how you can repair cracks in leather and reclaim your furniture’s beauty.

How to Repair a Leather Upholstery that is Cracking & Peeling

Step 1. Clean the Leather Sofa: Before repairing the leather, you will first want to thoroughly clean the leather first. Often leather dries out. This creates cracks. Your first step is to clean and remove all of the dirt. Follow up by moistening the leather until it becomes flexible. With a dry cloth or soft bristle brush, remove the loose dirt on the surface of the leather and vacuum the dirt until all debris is gone. To deep clean the leather and remove the dirt use Saddle soap or leather upholstery cleaner. Apply the cleaner and allow the solution to soak and loosen the dirt out of the furniture. Use a clean cloth that is lightly dampened. Next, massage the cleaner into the leather and remove the dirt and other contaminates out of the leather and in the cracks. You may need to repeatedly reapply the cleaning solution in severe cases. Allow the leather to completely dry overnight before moving onto the next step.
Step 2. Apply the Repair Filler: Next step is to apply leather filler. You can buy them in kits. Many will come with small sandpaper patches. You will want to use the sandpaper and smooth the surface of the leather. Make sure to wipe the area clean after sanding the leather down with a dry cloth. Next you will apply the filler. The kit should have a spatula or plastic applicator. Take small amounts of the leather filler and work the filler into the cracks. You may need to work it in using multiple directions. When applying the filler, make sure you use a thin layer of the filler. Don’t over use or make it to thick. You want to work the filler into the cracks and avoid building the filler on top of the leather. After covering the cracks with the filler, allow the filler to dry. Depending on how deep the cracks are, the drying time will vary. A thin coat can easily take six hours to dry. For deep cracks, you may need to apply a second coat of the filler. Once the cracks have been filled in, and the filler has had time to dry, you will want to use the fine sandpaper and smooth the leather down again. Wipe the area clean.
Step 3. Apply the Dye: Make sure to match the dye to your leather’s color. With the dye sponge, squeeze a small amount of dye and lightly rub the dye on the affected areas. Make sure the first application of dye is very light but enough to cover and soak into the filler. Let that coat dry. You can use a hair dryer to speed up this process. Once the first coat of dye is dry, once again apply another coat of dye and dry. For the third coat you’ll want to apply a thicker coat. Do this by dabbing the dye around the affected area. Repeat applying and drying the dye until the cracks are no longer visible. This can take many applications. Your last step is applying the leather protector.

Leather Sofa Cleaning, Conditioning & More in Waco, Dallas, Arlington, Harker Heights, Cedar Park, Allen & the State of Texas

Repairing leather cracks may be time consuming work. However, the results can help save you money and your leather furniture. For professional leather upholstery cleaning and conditioning, contact Heart of Texas Chem-Dry today!