How to Fill Scratches in Leather

Leather's smooth surfaces are susceptible to scratches.

Leather sofas and chairs can be great choices for families wanting a classy piece of furniture that also resists stains. However, leather's soft surfaces can become scratched and worn over time. A professional can repair any damages that might occur, but filling scratches in your leather furniture is a fairly simple process.

Things You'll Need

• Scissors
• Sandpaper, 320-grit and 1200-grit
• Palette knife
• Leather colorant
• Denatured alcohol
• Leather surface filler
• Leather glue
• Razor knife
• Foam brush
• Soft cloth
• Spray lacquer

Instructions

1. Trim with scissors any fibers that have been loosened.

2. Shave off any stray pieces of leather with a razor knife.

3. Sand down the surface using 320-grit sandpaper.

4. Clean the sanded area using a soft cloth and denatured alcohol to remove any dirt. Allow the alcohol to dry for 10 minutes.

5. Spread leather surface filler over the scratches, using the palette knife. Allow the area to dry for 5 minutes.

6. Sand the area down again, using the 1200-grit sandpaper to even out the surface.

7. Dab leather colorant onto the leather's surface with a foam brush. Allow the colorant to dry thoroughly.

8. Spray a coat of lacquer onto the repaired area. Allow the lacquer to dry according to the manufacturer's instructions.

Tips & Warnings

• You can use a hair dryer to dry the leather colorant and speed up the repair process.

• Leather filler and colorant can be purchased at a local hardware store or special ordered from a furniture shop.

• If the leather has a very shiny surface, a gloss can be added after the last step.

• If the scratches are particularly deep, it may be necessary to repeat Steps 5 through 7.

References

• Furniture Clinic: How to Repair Cat Scratches on Leather
• Wayne Jordan; How to Cover Scratches in Leather; February 2010

Resources

• Leather Furniture Guide: Handling Cat Damage