Leather furniture is designed to last for decades, but, over the years, the color can fade due to misadventure and mishap such as sweat stains and cigarette burns. Rather than shelling out a thousand dollars or more for a new leather couch, we recommend trying Furniture Clinic Leather Recoloring Balm to restore the color to faded leather. Not all leather is the same, so be sure to choose a repair kit made to work on the type of leather that you want to repair. Otherwise, choose a repair kit designed to repair a range of materials, from pure leather to faux leather and vinyl.Note that some conditioners function well only on leather that can still absorb moisture. Older leather may have lost this property, so test first by applying a small drop of water to the targeted surface and see whether the moisture is absorbed. Leather patches are an excellent (and easy) alternative to traditional leather repair kits, and MastaPlasta is the originator of this now widely used line of products, patenting the idea in 2009.

Burn repair kits are intended for removing excess burned material, filling in the gap caused by the burn, and covering the damage with a patch made to blend with the original material. Aside from the money you save by fixing furniture yourself, having a leather repair kit on hand enables you to regularly maintain your furniture so that it can be yours for years without looking shabby and worn. And by customizing the leather dye in your kit to your exact preference, you’ll know the color outcome before the job is done, instead of having to wait for the big reveal from a professional. We note that the manufacturer recommends testing your targeted leather piece to see whether it can absorb liquid since older leather can harden slightly over time. To test, simply apply a little drop of water and see whether it soaks in, or beads up and runs. Use this kit with leather, vinyl, automotive upholstery, furniture, footwear, accessories, and even a tough leather couch seat. You can even use the included cleaner and leather conditioner regularly to keep leather looking great and prevent future damage.

ADVANCED PVC MATERIALS AND SUPER WATERPROOF

Leather repair kits usually come with a number of accessories—either several pieces of the same material for large repairs, or a variety of items for a broad spectrum of repairs. In general, a leather repair kit will include between 10 to 25 pieces. Bob Vila has been America’s Handyman since 1979. As the host of beloved and groundbreaking TV series including “This Old House” and “Bob Vila’s Home Again,” he popularized and became synonymous with “do-it-yourself” home improvement.

First and foremost, you need to verify that the leather repair kit you choose can match the color of the original material, or at least be within a range of acceptable difference. Leather repair kits come in several different color styles:They manufacture patches made of leather-like vinyl in dozens of sizes and colors, but we selected this 11 x 8-inch patch because it’s large enough to cover many different areas. Besides leather, you can use these patches to cover stains, scratches, worn spots, or tears on materials including vinyl, faux leather, metal, wood, and plastic. It’s available in classic leather colors such as tan and dark brown, as well as more distinctive colors, including green, ivory, and navy. We researched the most sought-after leather repair kits in their respective categories and discovered that the best models are determined by their colorways, application type and versatility, compatibility with multiple surfaces, accessories included, and other special features included by select brands. A leather repair kit’s versatility is determined by the variety of materials it can be used to repair and the number of uses it has. Specialized repair kits may be good for only one type of material, like leather shoes, leather seats, or car seats, but versatile kits can help you repair furniture, car upholstery, clothing, accessories, footwear, and more. When it comes to pets, owners want them to enjoy everything that we enjoy, but the results can leave furniture looking tattered. The MastaPlasta self-adhesive patch is a cost-effective leather furniture repair kit for pet problems by using a simple patch that takes seconds to apply. Leather is commonly categorized into varying grades that are used to signify levels of quality. These categories are confusing for consumers and many experts insist that they should be taken with a grain of salt given how widely standards and production methods vary. Nevertheless, the four most common leather grades you will probably encounter are full-grain, top-grain, genuine, and bonded. Full-grain leather is considered the highest quality, made from pure animal hide, known for its durability and marked by desirable natural imperfections in the grain. Top-grain leather is made from full-grain leather that is split and stamped with a faux grain pattern and is used in many “fine” leather goods such as handbags and wallets. Genuine leather is considered a low-quality leather product that is heavily processed, less durable, and cheaper than full- or top-grain leather. Bonded leather is a leather product made from leather scraps, glue, plastic, and other materials that are bonded together and sealed. It's also considered the least durable, lowest quality form of leather.

Abrasions and scratch kits also contain patches and dye, but these are designed to be used over a hole, instead of from within, as you would repair a cut.

We note that one 8-ounce bottle may be enough to recondition a small loveseat or sofa without needing to repair any rips or tears, but two bottles (available separately) are recommended for larger pieces. When furniture gets worn, scratched, or torn, it can make a home look a bit shabby or neglected, but throwing out an entire leather sofa because of a few scratches is a waste of an investment. If the damage is bad enough, it might be best to call in a professional upholsterer. However, for light to moderate repairs, a leather repair kit could be just what you need to do the repairs yourself. Single dominant color leather repair kits contain a dominant color that you match to your existing furniture, as well as additional colors and shades for custom color mixing.