How to Repair a Worn Leather Couch

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Things You'll Need

  • Soapy water

  • Sponge

  • Leather prep solution

  • Soft lint-free cloth

  • Sandpaper

  • Color coat

  • Leather conditioner

Revive a worn-looking leather couch with a new coat of color.

Although leather couches are considered to be very durable, they can begin to show wear and tear after many years of service. This wear typically exhibits itself in the form of thinning, cracking or peeling. The best thing to do to keep such wear at bay is to actively maintain your leather couch; but once the damage has occurred, it can still be repaired.

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Step 1

Wipe the worn leather couch down with warm soapy water to remove dirt, body oils or other contaminants. Anything left remaining on the leather can cause the repairing process to fail.

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Step 2

Rub a layer of leather prep solution all over the worn leather couch, working in small sections. Scrub the surface of the couch with a soft cloth to open the pores of the leather. The leather should dry completely, which takes 15 minutes to an hour, before you continue.

Step 3

Sand the leather couch with light pressure, making sure that you don't deeply abrade the leather surface. You want to scuff the surface only slightly so the leather can absorb the product. Avoid sanding over the seams of the couch so they won't begin to fray. Clean the dust from the couch with a damp sponge and wait for the leather to dry.

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Step 4

Apply a light mist of the color coat with the provided spraying apparatus, using long, even strokes to avoid overlapping and missed areas. Apply several coats of color, allowing each to dry before applying additional applications. Leave the leather couch undisturbed for 48 hours.

Step 5

Rub an ample amount of leather conditioner into the whole leather couch with a soft, lint-free cloth, taking care to get into the cracks and crevices. Allow the leather conditioner to cure for about two hours before using the couch.

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