How to Dye a Black Leather Coat

Black leather coats have a tendency to either fade or crack as they age. If the leather coat was not taken care of, then it weathers more quickly. It's a fairly simple process to dye a black leather coat to bring it back to life.

Things You'll Need

• Mild soap
• Hanger
• Leather dye
• Leather conditioner
• Waterproofing

Instructions

1. Clean the black leather coat. Cleaning the leather coat with warm soapy water removes dirt and grime off the surface of the leather, which in turn allows the leather to soak in the dye. Leather shops supply a cleaning solution you can use, but soap and water work just as well.

2. Set up a place to dye your black leather coat. Secure the leather coat on a hanger in a ventilated area. You will need space to work around the coat if you have it on a hanger.

3. Apply your choice of black dye upon the clean and moist surface of the leather coat. The moist surface will allow the leather to soak in the dye. Apply the dye evenly.

4. Allow the first coat of dye time to soak into the leather and dry a little bit.

5. Apply a second coat of dye. Apply the dye evenly. Allow the coat to dry.

6. Determine if you need to apply a third coat of dye. Two coats of dye is usually enough for badly faded black leather. If you are satisfied, then apply leather treatments such as conditioner and waterproofing chemicals to protect your black leather coat. Your local leather shop can be a good source for tips on what to use to protect your leather for long life.

Resources

• Read this Article in Spanish
• Leather Dye Guide: Dye Information
• LeatherCoats: How to Weatherproof a Leather Coat