How to Help Reduce the Look of Scratches on Leather Car Seats

Dog and cat nails can cause multiple scratches on a leather seat.

Leather car seats endure a lot of use and are susceptible to scratches, scuffs, tears and abrasions. Keeping leather seats looking new requires some routine maintenance and care. Shallow or deep scratches can detract from the aesthetic appeal of fine leather, regardless of the kind of car. Depending on the depth of the scratch, most leather repair kits have the necessary products and tools to reduce and even eliminate leather scratches. Repair kits can be purchased at hardware or auto parts stores.

Things You'll Need

• Leather repair kit
• Sandpaper (800-grit)
• Rags
• Cotton swabs
• Toothpicks
• Plastic tape

Instructions

1. Open all the doors of the vehicle to provide adequate ventilation for chemical fumes contained in the leather repair kit. Retrieve the cleaning solution from the kit and wet a cotton swab or rag end. Clean the total width and length of the scratched area, running the swab or rag along the groove, perpendicular to the scratch line. If you have several localized scratches, clean them all in the same fashion, removing food stains, body oil and any residual leather protector or wax.

2. Use a cotton swab to apply the leather preparation ingredient to the scratch; make sure to reach inside the scratch and outside the scratch area on all sides. The preparation ingredient serves to etch or rough up the texture of the leather material to provide proper adhesion.

3. Apply a small amount of kit filler material if the scratch has extended deep into the leather. Apply the filler with a cotton swab, making one pass over the scratch and allowing it to dry according to directions. Apply another coat to raise the surface further, and allow it to dry. Apply as many coats as needed to raise the surface and fill in the scratch depression.

4. Use the kit sandpaper to sand down the dried filler material until the top of the leather surface is level and smooth. If the kit does not contain fine sandpaper, use 800-grit sandpaper. Sand perpendicular to the scratch line, slightly feathering the ends and outside edges. Wipe away any excess and allow the filler to dry.

5. Apply the kit leather ingredient (matching color) over the scratch area. Use the end of a rag or cotton swab to make one pass. Allow it to dry. Make a second or third pass over the scratch with the leather repair ingredient, until it has penetrated thoroughly into the filler. Allow to dry. Apply a coat of leather conditioner-protector (in the kit) to the scratch; this creates a natural shine and serves as a dirt barrier.

6. Pry up the end of the leather by using a toothpick if the scratch has penetrated far enough to cause a tear in the leather. Apply some kit glue to the edge of the tear area, then gently coax the torn ends together. Use a small piece of plastic tape to hold the torn seam together. Allow the glue to dry according to directions. Apply leather filler over the tear as needed to raise the surface. Sand with 800-grit sandpaper, then apply the leather repair ingredients. Apply the conditioner-protector as the final step.

Tips & Warnings

• If a repair kit is not available in the exact color of the leather interior, purchase a leather dye kit and follow the instructions for mixing and matching to achieve the proper hue or tone.

• Repair creases or wrinkles in leather as you would abrasions and scratches. If the crease is severe enough to cause thinning of the leather, apply the kit adhesive to bond the crease.

References

• Beauty Cosmetic Guide: How to Repair Leather Scratches
• LeatherHelp.co.nz: How to Quickly and Easily Make Minor Leather Damage Disappear