Content

• Steps
• Part 1 of 3: Choosing the Right Paint
• Part 2 of 3: Dyeing the PU Leather Item
• Part 3 of 3: Drawing on Artificial Leather
• Tips
• Warnings
• What do you need
• Additional articles

Artificial leather is widely used for upholstering furniture, sewing clothes and making accessories. Usually it is made from plastic polymers in such a way that it looks and resembles real leather in its qualities. Dyeing artificial leather is a very interesting and inexpensive way to "revive" an old worn thing. Just pick the right paint that will adhere to the faux leather and enjoy the process of painting an old chair or applying your own design to your faux leather purse or skirt!

Steps

Part 1 of 3: Choosing the Right Paint

1. 1 Try acrylic paint. Acrylics come in a wide variety of colors, including metallic and pearlescent shades. These paints can be found at handicraft stores. They can be applied to a wide variety of surfaces and adhere well to artificial leather. Acrylic paints do not fade as quickly as other types of paints. They are also quite ductile, so they should not start cracking over time.
2. 2 Use leather paint. Acrylic-based leather paints are also available at a craft store. They are available in a wide variety of colors and are specially formulated to provide good paint retention on both natural and artificial leather. Specialty paints for leather are somewhat more expensive than conventional acrylic paints. Their price can vary from 100 to 500 rubles for a small jar. Despite the higher price tag, specialty paints are less prone to peeling and fading over time.
3. 3 Take chalk paint. Chalk paints can give an accessory or piece of furniture a stylish, worn, aged look. They adhere well to a variety of surfaces and fabrics, making them a good choice for dyeing artificial leather. Many manufacturers of chalk paints produce them in various forms for sale through craft stores and through hardware stores.

Part 2 of 3: Dyeing the PU Leather Item

1. 1 Clean the artificial leather. Use a small amount of isopropyl alcohol to wipe off dust, dirt and wax from the artificial leather. Dampen a cotton ball with alcohol and wipe the entire surface of the thing with it. The paint will adhere better if you apply it to artificial leather that is free from dust and dirt.
2. 2 Prepare your palette. Prepare a palette of paints so that it is easy for you to use the desired paint colors while working. You can purchase a custom palette made of wood or plastic from an art supply store, or simply use a sheet of aluminum foil, a newspaper, or a magazine instead.
3. 3 Add some acetone to the acrylic paint. If you are working with acrylic paints, squeeze the desired paint colors onto the palette and add a few drops of acetone to them. The acetone will make the paints thinner, making them easier to work with. Gently mix the acetone and paint with a small brush. Add just a few drops of acetone to the paint to keep it from getting too runny.
   • Acrylic paints dry quickly, so don't squeeze too much of it onto the palette.
   • If the paint is still too thick, gradually add a few more drops of acetone to dissolve.
4. 4 To paint a large area, apply a base coat of paint. If you are painting a large area of ​​faux leather in one color, then first you need to apply an even base coat of paint to it. Take the paint prepared for work and paint the thing with it. This method is ideal for working with furniture or clothing.
5. 5 Apply paint with a sponge. Press the sponge lightly against the paint on your palette. Then apply the paint with a sponge to the surface of the artificial leather with long vertical strokes. Acrylic paint dries quickly, so you need to be quick when working with it.
   • When painting a large area, concentrate on long strokes to avoid sagging. If you are working with upholstery, paint the furniture in parts (alternately on different sides).
6. 6 Let the paint dry. Before painting a thing with subsequent layers of paint, it is necessary to allow the previous layer to dry completely. Place the item in a safe place where it will not be touched, damaged or moved. For the paint coat to dry completely, you need to wait 15-20 minutes.
7. 7 Improve the brightness of the paint by applying additional coats of paint. After the first coat of paint is completely dry, paint the item again to improve the brightness and saturation of the color. As you apply new coats of paint, be sure to let the previous coat dry.

Part 3 of 3: Drawing on Artificial Leather

1. 1 Draw the outline of the design onto the faux leather surface. Take a pencil and trace the contours of the desired pattern on the artificial leather with it. Do not press too hard on the pencil, as this can leave irreparable dents on the skin.Also, acrylic paint is translucent, so any bold lines underneath can show through.
2. 2 Color in the drawing. Use the brush to paint the drawing in the desired colors. Try not to apply thick paint. A thick layer of paint is much more likely to crack over time. If your design consists of multiple colors, allow each color you use to dry before moving on to the next to avoid unwanted color mixing.
   • Be sure to wash your brush off the previous paint before starting with a new color. Keep a small cup of water handy on your workbench. Rinse your brush in it before switching to another color.
3. 3 Correct the mistakes with acetone. If you made a mistake when working with paint, apply a little acetone on a cotton ball or cotton swab and carefully wipe off the blot. After you remove the paint and the touched up area is dry, you can continue to work.
4. 4 Let the paint dry. When you're done drawing, set the item aside and let it dry. The item should be removed to a place where it will not be disturbed or spoiled. The paint should dry in 15-20 minutes.

Tips

• Opt for PU faux leather over PVC. The PU artificial leather is washable, softer and better breathable than PVC artificial leather. PVC-based faux leather clothing and accessories can get rough over time.

Warnings

• Be aware that heavy use of leatherette items and accessories can cause paint to wear off.

What do you need

• Faux leather thing
• Acrylic paint, leather paint or chalk paint
• Brushes
• Sponges
• A cup of water
• Palette
• Acetone
• Isopropyl alcohol
• Cotton buds or cotton balls

Additional articles

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