How to Restore a Leather Coat
Leather garments can get stiff, crack, or lose their shape over time. There are preventative actions one can take to make them look their best for longer. You can hang a coat on a wide, padded hanger, keep it out of the sun and keep as much oil from your skin and body away from it as possible. You can also put tissue paper or used shopping bags in the arms of the coat when you store it, to keep its shape. Leather is skin, and like our skin it needs to be moisturized. When it needs to be restored there are some products you can make or buy to have it feeling soft and looking new. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Dry, aerated place to work
- Store-bought leather conditioner, or white vinegar and mink oil
- 2 chamois cloths
Instructions
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Restore
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1
Hang the coat up so that you can reach all areas of it. Make sure the environment is out of the direct sun.
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2
If you are using a store-bought leather conditioner (Lexol, Carnuba Cream, Leather Balm and Atom Wax are all good brands to use.) Read instructions and apply the conditioner.
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3
If you are using vinegar and oil, mix 1 part white vinegar to 2 parts oil.
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4
Use Dry Chamois cloth to rub oil and vinegar mixture into the leather.
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5
Using a round stroking motion rub for at least 15 minutes.
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6
Use another dry chamois cloth to wipe away excess mixture. Allow to dry.
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1
Tips & Warnings
If you have hems that need to be fixed, rubber cement can do the job at home.
If you are at all hesitant about doing the restoration, or the coat is in really bad shape, there are professional leather cleaners and restorers who you can hire to do the job.
If you have nicks and scratches that you want to disappear, it's best to use a store-bought conditioner, they contain filler to help the leather look new. A few scratches, however, can add a James Dean cool to your coat.
