Content

• Steps
• Method 1 of 3: Determining the type of leather and assessing the severity of the scratch
• Method 2 of 3: Repair minor scratches according to the type of leather and available materials
• Method 3 of 3: Repairing deep scratches
• Tips

No matter how carefully you handle leather furniture, scratches often appear on it during normal use. This is especially true in homes where pets and small children live, where leather furniture simply cannot be protected from scratches over time. It may even seem to you that the leather furniture is completely damaged, but, nevertheless, there are ways to restore it. Leather is a versatile material with good repair properties, which makes repairing it an easy task. Even deep scratches in the skin can be repaired or masked so that the furniture looks like new.

Steps

Method 1 of 3: Determining the type of leather and assessing the severity of the scratch

1. 1 Determine what kind of leather your furniture is covered with. This can be found out with a close inspection of the furniture. Since different types of leather require a different approach to renovation, it is very important to determine the type of leather the furniture is covered with as the first step. Three types of leather are commonly used to make furniture: pigmented leather, aniline leather and polyurethane-coated split leather.
   • In the vast majority of cases (about 85%), furniture is covered with pigmented leather. Such leather has a durable and scratch-resistant surface and does not absorb liquids.
   • Aniline leather is a high-quality product, so furniture made from it is rare. This skin does not have an external coating, so its natural texture is clearly visible. Some factories produce semi-aniline leather, which is also a high quality product but has a thin coating.
   • Split leather is a by-product of leather production, however, furniture covered with it is also classified as leather. Split leather is made from a thin, cut inner layer of low-quality leather, which is then coated on the outside with a polyurethane coating.
2. 2 If you notice a scratch on your furniture, call the manufacturer. Many manufacturers have their own recommendations for repairing their leather products. Sometimes you may even be sent a special repair kit for free or at a discount. If you are unable to contact the manufacturer, proceed to the next step.
   • The manufacturer's recommended repair procedure may be specifically tailored to the specific leather from which the furniture is made.
3. 3 Assess the severity of the scratch. Scratches on the surface of leather furniture can be severe to varying degrees. Small scratches are easy to fix, while deep ones are more serious and require completely different procedures. A quick visual inspection can be used to determine the severity of a scratch.
   • If the scratch is small, then only the surface of the skin will be damaged, and its very base will remain intact.
   • Deeper scratches are those that damage the inner layer of the skin. In this case, you can see the fringes of individual leather fibers along the edges of the scratch.
   • If the leather is cut through, you will see the interior padding. In this case, you will not be able to completely restore the skin surface on your own, and you will need to turn to professionals for furniture repair.

Method 2 of 3: Repair minor scratches according to the type of leather and available materials

1. 1 Rub olive oil, baby oil, or leather-based oil on the scratch. To do this, use a cotton swab. After applying the oil directly to the scratch, rub it into the surrounding skin in a circular motion. Then let the oil dry for one hour, then wipe it off with a clean cloth.
   • If the scratch does not heal on its own after using the oil for the first time, try using more oil and letting it sit for a few hours.
   • As always, pre-test the effect of the oil on the skin in an inconspicuous corner of the furniture, as it can leave dark spots on the surface of the skin when absorbed.
2. 2 Treat the scratch with lanolin. Take a clean cloth, such as a cotton towel, and dip it in the lanolin cream. Use the tissue to rub the scratch in perpendicular strokes to its length. This will smooth out and repair the scratch, but you may need to rework the scratch several times before it disappears completely.
   • Test lanolin cream on an inconspicuous area of ​​furniture, as it can darken your skin color.
3. 3 Use a heat source and a damp cloth to force the skin to release its natural oils. Before using this method, it is critically necessary to determine the type of leather with which the furniture is upholstered. This method is only applicable to aniline leather (and split leather). To heat your skin, bring a working hair dryer very close to the cloth applied to the scratch, or press a damp cloth against the scratch with a warm iron.
   • If you are working with a hairdryer, massage the skin around the scratch with your hands. The heat should release natural oils and dyes from the skin. If this happens, the scratch may disappear on its own.
   • If using a wet wipe and iron, apply it for 10 seconds. Then remove the iron and inspect the scratch. If the scratch disappears, dry the leather and use the furniture as usual. If the scratch persists, repeat this step with the iron again.
   • Be careful not to burn your skin. If the skin is too hot to touch, let it cool before reheating it.
4. 4 Treat the scratch with shoe polish. Find shoe polish to match your furniture. First, simply apply the cream to the scratch with a clean tissue or cotton swab. Then rub the cream into the skin, and then use a clean napkin to quickly polish the damaged area.
   • This step will not completely remove the scratches, but it will help mask them.
   • If the color of the cream is slightly lighter than what you want, try applying it in a double coat. If you notice that the cream applied to the skin does not suit you at all in color, immediately wipe it off with a damp cloth.
   • This method is only effective for highly pigmented leather (as well as coated split leather), as shoe polish is usually not designed for leather furniture.

Method 3 of 3: Repairing deep scratches

1. 1 Clean the damaged area with rubbing alcohol. Deep scratches on leather furniture can be worn and dirty and must be cleaned first before repairing. Take a clean cloth and dampen it with rubbing alcohol, then lightly rub the scratched area.
   • Rubbing alcohol dries quickly enough. Leave the furniture alone for 10 minutes and it should dry.
   • This method is most effective when dealing with pigmented skin. If you have a deep scratch on your aniline leather furniture, it may not be repairable.
2. 2 Rub with sandpaper or trim off loose fibers sticking out around the edges of the scratch. Unlike shallow scratches, deep scratches can make the surface of the skin uneven, frayed, or frayed around the edges of the lesion. Therefore, you need to take scissors and cut off any loose skin fibers so that the area around the scratch becomes even.
   • Alternatively, you can take a piece of fine sandpaper (about 1200 grit) and rub around the scratch to make it smooth.
3. 3 Treat the scratch with Leather Crack Filler. A substance called filler has the consistency of a putty and is used to fill cracks and cuts in leather furniture. Using your finger or a small spatula, coat a deep scratch with crack filler so that the damaged area is level with the rest of the skin. Then it is necessary to wait about 30 minutes for the crack filler to harden.
   • After applying the crack filler, take another piece of fine 1200 grit sandpaper and rub off the surface of the dried aggregate.
   • You can find crack filler for leather at your hardware store or leather goods store. In addition, a manufacturer of leather furniture can provide this tool for a fee or even free of charge at your request.
4. 4 Use the right shade of skin dye. Now that the damaged area has been repaired with crack filler, you will need to stain that area of ​​the skin to match the rest of the skin.Apply the dye to the sponge and evenly spray the area of ​​the skin covered with crack filler with it.
   • Apply as many coats of dye as necessary to even out the color of the furniture. Remember that each previous layer must have time to dry before applying a new layer of dye.
   • To purchase leather dye, you have to go to a store that sells leather goods or a furniture store that sells leather furniture.
5. 5 Cover the stained area with a special varnish. This will protect the painted crack filler from new scratches. Apply a dab of leather lacquer to a sponge or clean cloth, then lightly rub it over the stained area of ​​the furniture.
   • To make the lacquer lasting, apply it in three to four coats.
   • As with leather dye, lacquer can be purchased from a store that sells leather goods or furniture. It is also possible to buy crack filler, dye and varnish for leather in one special leather repair kit.

Tips

• Deep scratches on leather furniture may require professional repair. Serious scratches left without attention can turn into tears, which then cannot be repaired in any way.
• If you have the opportunity, try to find the dyes recommended by the furniture manufacturer, as they are less likely to spoil the original color of the furniture.
• Before applying any foreign substance to the skin, be sure to test it on an inconspicuous area of ​​the product.