There is nothing more appealing than leather furniture in your living room. It enhances the overall ambiance and lends a sophisticated feeling to the room. The looks can be diminished if the furniture becomes old and ultimately starts losing its shine. The best thing about leather furniture is its durability, strength and comfort. It can be made to look like new if you use some simple techniques like dying it. You can refresh the looks or even change the color entirely to make the furniture look as good as new. If you want to learn the procedure of how to do this task, here is a guide for you.
Complexity Level: Moderate
Time Required: 8-10 hours
Resources Required:
- Leather deglazer
- Leather dye
- Clean cotton cloth
- Sponges
- Spray bottle with water
- Leather finish spray
Instructions:
1. Keep the furniture in an accessible place
If the furniture is a kept in such a position that you cannot access all its sides then move it to an accessible place so that you can reach all the sides properly.
2. Apply the deglazer
Use a clean cloth and apply the deglazer to all the areas you want. Include cushions also, if required. The degalzer is used for removing the shine and making it ready for accepting the new dye. It removes all the spots and stains. Sometimes, the color may lighten or change a bit.
3. Mix the dye well and apply
Mix the dye properly before applying. Use the water spray lightly on the furniture so that the dye spreads evenly. Use the sponge and apply the dye evenly on it using small strokes. Continue the procedure till the dye is applied on all areas.
4. Leave the dye to dry
After applying the dye, let it dry for two hours. If you want to have a stronger finish, reapply the dye after the first coat dries. Do this till you get the desired result.
5. Apply the finishing spray
After drying apply the finishing spray when you get the correct color to protect your furniture. The finished product will look as if it is new.
Frequently Asked Questions:
1. How to determine the type of dye to use?
Place of drop of water on the leather furniture. Wait for some time and see how it reacts to the water. If the water is soaked up, you should use aniline dye. If it does not soak up, it means that pigmented leather has been used, so you can buy the dye accordingly.
2. What are the different types of leather?
Leather is made from the skin of animals like goat, cattle, pig and sheep. There are different types of leather. But, most of them fall under three categories namely aniline, semi-aniline and pigmented. Of all types, aniline looks most natural. It has a natural looking surface that is less soil-resistant. Semi-aniline usually has a light coating on the surface. The most durable variety is the pigmented type because it has a polymer coating. It looks less natural too.
Quick Tips:
- You can touch up small spots on your leather furniture by using wax-less leather polish for shoes.
- Before applying the dye, do a test on a small and hidden area. If you do not like the finish, you can stop the procedure or use another dye.
Things To Watch Out For:
- Take care of your leather furniture properly. If something spills on it, wipe it away with a soft cloth immediately.
- Do not keep sharp objects near leather furniture. It can cause scratches that cannot be repaired.
- If you have pets, try to keep them away from the furniture because their nails can cause damage to the leather.
