Refinishing a Leather Jacket

The surface of a leather jacket can become cracked and worn.

After long periods of wearing that beloved leather jacket, it is common for the leather to become damaged or worn. Once your leather jacket looks worn, you can either keep wearing it that way, or you can fix it. A leather shop can refinish the jacket for you, but you can also complete the process at home using a leather repair kit.

Reasons

Whether your leather jacket has a shiny finish or a raw one, normal wear and tear can result in a jacket that looks old and worn out. Cracks can develop in the finish, or your jacket may acquire small tears in the surface. The finish may also become faded. Some people like the weathered look of a leather jacket, but others prefer for their leather to look like new. Refinishing your jacket can repair the damage and refresh your jacket's look.

Materials

To refinish your leather jacket, purchase a leather refinishing kit. If you don't know the exact color of your jacket, you may need to ask for assistance in choosing the right one. In addition to the kit, you need alcohol or lacquer thinner, a soft rag, foam paintbrush and 320-grit sandpaper. If your jacket has tears, you also need a leather repair kit that contains patches and glue to fix these tears.

Preparation

Inspect your jacket thoroughly to check for any tears in the leather. Tears must be repaired before refinishing. If you locate a tear, sand the area with 320-grit sandpaper to remove any rough edges. Complete the repair as instructed in the leather repair kit. This typically involves cutting a patch, inserting it underneath the leather and gluing it in place. After you make all repairs, clean the jacket with a soft rag soaked in rubbing alcohol or lacquer thinner to remove dirt and oils from the leather.

Refinishing

Once the leather jacket is completely cleaned and repaired, refinish it. Shake the refinisher thoroughly before using it. Test it on the inside of the jacket to make sure it is the proper color before you apply it to the rest of the jacket. Add any of the additives your jacket requires, such as bond aid, slip agent or flex aid. The bond aid helps the refinisher stick better; the slip agent gives your jacket a shine; the flex aid adds flexibility to the leather. Apply the refinisher to the jacket with a foam paintbrush. Allow it to dry for 10 to 20 minutes before deciding whether you need a second coat.

References

• Leather Renew: Universal Instructions for Leather Repair and Refinishing

Resources

• Read this Article in Spanish