How to Repair a Leather Couch Tear

Fix a tear in your leather couch with a leather repair kit.

Before you call the high-priced leather repair shop, consider fixing that tear in your leather couch on your own. Leather repair kits are available at furniture stores, shoe stores, and many online retailers, and can restore your leather couch to its pristine appearance.

Things You'll Need

• Leather repair kit
• Utility knife
• Toothpick

Instructions

1. Clean the leather around the tear with leather cleaning solution included in the kit.

2. Smooth any rough edges with a utility knife. The edges of the tear need to lie flat.

3. Canvas should be included in the leather repair kit. Cut a piece of canvas 1/2 inch larger than the tear on all sides.

4. Slide the canvas under the tear. Make sure the canvas is smooth, without wrinkles or bumps.

5. Use a toothpick to apply a layer of leather glue, included in the leather repair kit, between the canvas and the leather.

6. Smooth down the leather. Allow the glue to dry.

7. Apply a thin layer of filler, from the leather repair kit, to the crack between the edges of the tear. Allow the filler to dry, and repeat until the crack is filled. Large cracks and thick leather will require more layers.

8. Rub the filled tear with sandpaper, which should be included in the leather repair kit, until the filler is level with the surrounding leather.

9. Apply leather protectant, from the repair kit, to the filled tear.

Tips & Warnings

• Be careful when handling sharp objects.

References

• Furniture Clinic: How to Repair a Tear in Leather
• Leather Repair Technologies: Leather Repair