Mending a leather jacket

Video: How to Repair a Tear in Leather Jacket | Fix Torn or Ripped Leather Jacket (DIY)

Content

To step
Method 1 of 2: Restore a dried out and discolored coat
Method 2 of 2: Make worn spots and scratches disappear
Necessities
Restore a dried out and discolored coat
Make scratches disappear

A leather jacket is a valuable asset that, if cared for properly, can be worn with pride for a lifetime. However, leather jackets start to dry out and discolor after years of wear. If your old beloved coat is starting to wear out, or if you find a vintage leather jacket in a thrift store that has had its day, you'll want to return it to its original state. The repair process is actually quite simple and can be done with just a leather protector and your own hands. Once you've brought your jacket back to life, make sure you know how to get rid of any scuffs and scratches so it keeps looking like new!

To step

Method 1 of 2: Restore a dried out and discolored coat

Place the jacket on a flat surface such as a table. Lay the jacket face up and spread the arms so you can access the entire front. Smooth it so that there are no folds hiding parts of the leather. Loosen any buckles or buttons to access all parts.
- This approach works for leather jackets of any color. With this you can give color back to a jacket that is dry, cracked and discolored due to age and wear. The jacket is also protected and preserved in this way, so that you can wear it for years to come.
Brush the entire coat with a horsehair brush to remove loose dirt. Start at the front and brush the entire front of the jacket in short and even strokes away from you. Flip it over, smooth it on the work surface and brush the entire back in the same way.
- Horse hair brushes are usually used to polish shoes and to care for other leather goods. They help to clean and polish the leather without damaging it. These brushes are usually sold in stores where you can buy shoe polish and leather goods.
Wipe the entire jacket with a damp, lint-free cloth. Dampen a lint-free cloth with clean, cool water and wring out the excess. Wipe the front and back of the jacket with the cloth to remove the dirt and prepare the jacket for mending.
- A microfiber cloth works well for this, but if you don't have one, a piece of an old cotton T-shirt is a good alternative.
Use a neutral colored wax-based leather protector to restore the jacket. A leather protector is a natural preservative, often made from beeswax and lanolin, also known as leather conditioner or boot wax. Leather protector moisturizes, makes waterproof and protects the leather against wear and scratches.
- As the leather absorbs the protectant, the shine is restored and the jacket no longer looks dry and faded.
- You can buy a leather protector at a shoe store, a leather goods store, or online.
Warning: Do not use shoe polish, marker or other coloring agents to restore your leather jacket or you may ruin the leather. All you need is a neutral leather protector that restores the natural color of the jacket and moisturizes and protects it.
Test the leather protector on an inconspicuous area of the jacket. Some leather protectors can darken the leather, so test it in an inconspicuous area first to see how it affects the color. If the color changes to a color you don't like, try a different brand of leather protector.
- If the color of the leather changes slightly, you don't necessarily see this as a negative. Continuing to wear the jacket and apply the leather protector over time will enhance the uniqueness of the jacket and improve its appearance over time.
Rub the leather protector into the leather jacket with your fingers. Put a tuft of leather protector on one of your fingertips. Rub it into the jacket with circular movements of your fingertips until it is absorbed into the leather. Repeat this until you have covered the entire coat.
- Due to the heat from your fingertips, the leather protector melts and is better absorbed into the wax. The substance is in no way harmful to you. Wash your hands when you are ready to get rid of the fat layer.
Repeat this process every six months to keep your jacket in top condition. Regularly cleaning and moisturizing your jacket with leather protector prevents the leather from drying out, cracking and losing its color due to wear and weather influences. Take good care of your leather jacket, and it will last a lifetime.
- When not wearing your jacket, store it properly by hanging it on a wooden or padded coat hanger in a cool and dry closet. Never store your leather jacket in a place where the sun shines directly on it.

Method 2 of 2: Make worn spots and scratches disappear

Rub your hand over small scratches until they disappear. Massage the scratch firmly with your fingertips in circular motions. The heat and pressure of your hand will make light scratches disappear and blend in with the rest of the jacket.
- This usually works for very fine scratches, such as those on the nails of dogs or cats.
Use a hair dryer to heat up larger scratches as you rub them in. Set a hair dryer on a high heat setting and keep it 6 to 12 inches away from the scratch. Heat the scratch while massaging it back into the jacket with circular motions.
- The heat from the hair dryer activates the waxes and oils in the leather, making them easier to transfer into the scratch and back into the leather jacket.
- If the heat is too hot for your hand, turn it down. If it is too hot for yourself, it is also too hot for the leather and can eventually dry out.
Apply leather protector if you can't make the scratches disappear with heat. Put a small tuft of leather protector on one of your fingertips. Rub the leather protector into the scratch with circular movements until it has been absorbed by the leather and the scratch is no longer visible.
- If the area where you repaired the scratch with this method is clearly a different color from the rest, polish the scratch with a lint-free cloth and circular motions until it is no longer visible.
Warning: You might be tempted to use something like a leather or vinyl marker to smooth out scratches, but it means adding color to the jacket and damaging the original finish. All you need is a little patience and a leather protector to hide scratches and restore the finish to a leather jacket without damaging it.