How to Cover Scratches in Leather Furniture
Beautiful leather furniture can be reduced to shreds by cats, dogs, child's play and even fingernails. Large rips or tears are best repaired by a professional. This can be a costly undertaking so if the tears are inconspicuous or small, you can restore them yourself at a fraction of the cost. Does this Spark an idea?
Other People Are Reading
Things You'll Need
- 3 clean cotton cloths
- Dish detergent
- Leather oil or mineral oil
- Leather repair glue
- Tweezers
- Very fine grit sandpaper
- Shoe polish that matches furniture color
Instructions
-
-
1
Clean and prepare the surface to be repaired. With a clean, damp cotton cloth and 2 drops of dish liquid, dab the scratched area to remove any dirt, oil and debris. Clip and remove any loose threads, lint or hair that may be lodged within the scratch. With a second clean, damp cloth rinse the area. Ensure that any soap residue and water are removed quickly by wiping the area with a clean, dry cloth.
-
2
Daub a small amount of mineral oil on the corner of the clean cotton cloth. Using small, circular motions gently rub the oil into the edges of the scratched or torn pieces of leather. The oil gives the leather moisture and flexibility. For some minor scratches, this may be all that is necessary to repair the damage.
-
-
3
Glue down flaps and ragged edges of deeply scratched areas. Place a small bead of glue along the scratched area as required. Gently push the rough edges together with a set of tweezers. Let the glue dry for at least an hour.
-
4
Sand the scratched area to remove excess glue. With a small square of fine grit sandpaper, smooth the roughened edges of the glued area.
-
5
Check the color match of the shoe polish by testing the polish color in a hidden area. Apply a small amount and wait for it to dry.
-
6
Cover the scratched area with matching shoe polish. Using a soft, clean cloth gently rub a small amount of shoe polish in a circular motion to the repaired area. Wait for polish to dry completely before applying additional applications, as may be required for some leather upholstery.
-
1
Tips & Warnings
If you do not have leather or mineral oil, try plain corn oil or other cooking oil.
In an emergency, cover the scratch with a felt tip marker that matches the leather color.
Keep your leather sofa in good repair by using the manufacturer's recommended products.
You can purchase whole repair kits made specifically for your furniture brand or leather color.
When initially cleaning the leather, do not use excessive amounts of water as it can stain the leather.
Do not use too much oil as it may darken the leather and draw more attention to the scratches.
