Frequently Asked Questions
Our products are water-based finishes (paints) designed for leather and vinyl. They look, feel, and age naturally, even on absorbent aniline leather. Our products also work on materials that repel water and hide repairs where balms and dyes don't.
Learn more about the differences between balms, dyes and finishes, and decide what's best for your project.
Most faux leathers are polyester or synthetic fabric with a polyurethane (PU) coating. These are different than and not as durable as vinyl (PVC).
Faux leather that is peeling, flaking or delaminating from its own backing is rarely worth repairing. Learn how you'd repair it and why we don't recommend it here.
Faux leather that has worn more naturally, exposing a microfiber or fake suede without any peeling, can be stained with our paints and coated with a clear wax to restore the leather-like appearance. Learn how here.
Rub 'n Restore® colors and clear finishes are water-based acrylics and do not alter the feel of leather or vinyl. However, there are a few exceptions:
- Absorbent aniline leather with a warm velvety texture may slightly cool in feel after being refinished. The leather will continue to breathe and may remain absorbent, but it will be more fade and stain resistant.
- Worn areas or materials with a subtle nap like suede, nubuck or microfiber may stiffen as a result of being refinished, and we discourage using our products on these materials.
Rub 'n Restore® finishes, once dry, will not stain clothing.
Color transference to a paper towel or white clothing is sometimes observed with bright colors containing a lot of primary (red, blue, yellow) pigments. Buff the surface with a dry rag to remove any unstable pigment, and consider an additional clear sealer.
If color has transferred to clothing, pre-treat the garment with detergent (washing soda or borax are even better, if you have them) and a gentle scrub brush. Then launder as usual. The color should wash out.
Filler repair putty is cured when mostly clear and no longer tacky. A heat lamp, incandescent bulb, or sunny window are typically needed to elevate the surface temperature to 120º – 145º F (49º – 63º C). Humid climates can slow cure time.
Rub ‘n Restore® finishes dry in minutes. When it feels dry, it is dry and ready for another coat or use.
Cure time (when the color is unaffected by water) varies depending on temperature and humidity. For example, leather car seats in the Arizona summer will cure in a day. A boat in a humid climate may take weeks to cure but can still be used.
Prevent water from pooling on any surface for extended periods of time. The worst that may occur is slight discoloration of the finish, and this often ‘dries down’. If it doesn’t, simply touch-up the color, and allow more time to cure before exposure to water.
A noticeable change of color may require periodic touch-up, where a matching color does not. Dog claws, rowdy kids, and chemical cleaners will eventually take their toll on any finish.
Fortunately, touch-up is easy. Ensure the surface is clean and free of body oil or conditioner, and reapply as needed.
All Rub ‘n Restore® products are guaranteed for one year from purchase.
Soft Filler lasts six months to two years. Once opened, it will gradually thicken. Refrigerate after opening and purchase only what you need.
Moisturizing Cream and finishes (including colors, Clear Prep+Finish and Satin Sealer) are shelf-stable for years.
Earth tones can last up to 10 years, while brighter colors typically last 3-5 years.
Pigment separation is normal. Stir thoroughly to restore a smooth, creamy consistency. If needed, strain out any remaining lumps. Store all products in a cool, dark place away from children. Rubber band your stir stick to the bottle.
We're a small company of women, and we've been using Rub 'n Restore since 1987. If you follow our instructions, test for compatibility, and work with us to troubleshoot any issues, we guarantee your satisfaction or your money back.
Dramatic color lightening (especially on water-repellent materials) and bonded leather aren't guaranteed, since those often fail regardless of product used. We're not responsible for labor costs, item value loss, or accidental spills during use.
Repair and restore your late father's beloved chair. Change the color of that cool thrifted piece so it fits your aesthetic. Our stuff is exceptional for furniture. See here.
Our products are exceptional for restoring marine vinyl and boat upholstery. Pinking, mold, sun damage, tears and holes can all be corrected. Our finishes, especially any colors containing white pigment, double as a sunscreen and protect the vinyl.
Get started with our free repair guide here.
Rub 'n Restore® was born in the late 1980s on the used car lots of Southern California. But you don't need a professional to restore your collectible car or daily driver. See what others have done and learn more here.
Whether leather or vinyl, Rub ‘n Restore® can be used on your motorcycle's seat and saddlebags.
Seats are high-stress components, so it's best to stick with the original color. Saddlebags and other components, however, do not endure the same abuse as seats and thus are better candidates for a change of color. Click here for more info.
We've used Rub ‘n Restore® to freshen leather shoes, boots, handbags, purses, jackets, and even pants. Do not use our products on stretchy kidskin leather, patent leather, nubuck, suede, microfiber or faux leather.
Because garments and apparel are heavily used, changing color is discouraged, particularly non-absorbent materials. You'll find the color needs touch-up on areas that experience a lot of stress. For shoes, consider Angelus leather paints (as an Amazon Associate, we receive a small commission for referring a competitor's product).
If not too far gone, our products will double or triple the life of hot tub covers. Our colors, especially those containing any white pigment, double as a sunscreen and protect the vinyl.
Learn more and assess your needs with our free repair guide.
Many restaurants and hotels have used Rub ‘n Restore® on their upholstery and seating. Learn more here.
Our water-based leather finishes are exceptional for general aviation and fall within the realm of 'preventative maintenance'. Rub 'n Restore® is an inexpensive way to extend the life of the aircraft interiors and will not alter flammability characteristics. Learn more here.
Many vintage amps, cases or trunks were made of Tolex, Rexine or vinyl cloth. Our finishes work beautifully on these materials. Learn how to repair minor gouges here.
Yes, Rub ‘n Restore® can be used on plastic too, but you'll want to first apply a plastic primer like Bulldog® or SEM® Plastic Adhesion Promoter (as an Amazon Associate, we receive a small commission for referring these products).
Auto interiors are usually leather and matching vinyl.
Hot tub covers and boat upholstery are almost always vinyl.
A wide array of materials are used on home furniture. A tag may state what the outer upholstery fabric is. Removable cushions are a sign of good quality leather. So is price. As of 2018, average quality top grain leather cost US$100 / yard. A typical three-seat sofa requires 15-20 yards of material and costs $1500 - $2000 in leather alone. If you bought a new couch for under US$2000, it's likely faux leather.
Learn more about the many types of real and artificial leathers here. If you're still unsure, consult a pro here.
Yes, but you need a matching color, and you may still have to do some blending.
Conditioner only works if the material can absorb it.
Our Moisturizer Cream is recommended only for worn, absorbent leather (usually aniline or semi-aniline) that feels dry. One application is permanent.
2 oz. — covers 10–15 sq. ft. — $14
4 oz. — covers 15–30 sq. ft. — $24
8 oz. — covers 30–60 sq. ft. — $38
16 oz. — covers 60–120 sq. ft. — $68
One sponge can be used for both color and clear finishes, but use a different sponge for Moisturizer Cream.
Do not use other conditioning products, as they may repel our filler putty and finishes.
If you're a novice or repairing real leather, opt for the Air Dry Leather Filler. It works on vinyl too and requires no special equipment. It is sold individually or in a kit with application tools.
If you're repairing vinyl or synthetics and have a heat gun and grain pads, opt for the Heat Cure Vinyl Filler, as it enables faster turnover.
Not sure if yours is real or synthetic leather? Learn how to tell the difference here.
Whether air-dry or heat-cure, it usually takes 3-4 coats of putty to level the surface plus a final thin texturizing coat. Tears and holes usually require more filler than worn, scaly, or chafed surfaces.
1 oz. tub ≈ one coat on 4 sq ft (or four coats on 1 sq ft) of scaly leather OR holes totaling 12 sq inches (1 in x 1 ft) = $18
2 oz. tub ≈ one coat on 8 sq ft (or four coats on 2 sq ft) of scaly leather OR holes totaling 24 sq inches (two 1 in x 1 ft) = $28
Add Cross-linker to Rub 'n Restore® color to improve adhesion and durability when:
- changing color,
- dogs will be using the upholstery, or
- applying to seats on motorcycles, jet skis, etc.
Mix only what you will use immediately prior to application. Cross-linker potency diminishes rapidly and is effective for only 10-12 hours after mixing and needs to be 're-charged' the next time color is applied.
A 1 oz. bottle cross-links up to 24 oz. of color and comes with 1 tsp scoop. For
- 2 oz. color add 1/2 tsp. crosslinker
- 4 oz. color add 1 tsp. crosslinker
- 8 oz. color add 2 tsp. crosslinker
- 16 oz. color add 4 tsp. crosslinker
Colors, Clear Prep+Finish, and Satin Sealer all cover the same area per bottle. A little goes a long way!
Color usually needs 2-3 coats to get coverage (so a bigger bottle is needed). Clear finish or sealer needs just one coat (two if using as a primer and sealer), so buy a quarter or half as much.
In general:
2 oz. bottle ≈ one coat on 15 – 20 square feet (or three coats on 5 – 6 square feet) = $22 color / $9 clear
4 oz. bottle ≈ one coat on 30 – 40 square feet (or three coats on 10 - 13 square feet) = $34 color / $15 clear
8 oz. bottle ≈ one coat on 60 – 80 square feet (or three coats on 20 - 26 square feet) = $56 color / $24 clear
16 oz. bottle ≈ one coat on 120 – 160 square feet (or three coats on 40 - 53 square feet) = $89 color / $36 clear
The quality and condition of the material, the type of use it receives, and whether you're matching or changing color affect the quantity of color and clear finish needed. Click here for more info.
Bright colors require a sealer: Butterscotch, Mustard, Red Chili, Brick, Wine, Cherrywood, Plum, Midnight Blue, Storm Blue, Lagoon, and Pine. Earth tones do not require a sealer (but it certainly doesn't hurt).
Satin Sealer can be used on vinyl or leather and is for those wanting a low luster finish. When changing color, it can be mixed with Cross-linker into the color to strengthen adhesion and durability.
Clear Prep+Finish™ can be used only on leather (the only exception is as a primer on vinyl hot tub covers). As a topcoat, it dries with a glossy finish. It can also be mixed with any color (what we call a glaze) to create anywhere from a satin to semi-gloss finish. Note that a glaze may result in a more vivid hue than working with the Clear and color separately.
Do not use other conditioners or protectors after using our products. They add nothing and may damage the finish.
Screens are never to be trusted. An approximate match can be achieved by ordering color swatches and comparing them to the leather. Keep in mind that grain and texture affect how a color reads, so the truest measure is to apply the color directly to the surface and check it from a few angles. If you send a sample, we'll test our colors for free. If none match, we can customize a matching color for an additional fee.
Not reliably. There are thousands of OEM colors across furniture, auto, marine, and RV manufacturers, and none are standardized, partly because pieces fade and discolor over time and no longer match their original code. Dye lots and refinishing pigments also vary, so a Pantone code or paint chip isn't a dependable reference. It's best to formulate a matching color case by case using an actual sample of your material. Send a sample and we'll do this for you.
Yes, but there are some caveats. Please learn more about changing color here.
Yes, you can mix our colors together or modify them with water-based universal colorant or acyrlic paint. Click here for tips and instructions.
Yes! You don’t have to strip the previous color. However, less is ultimately more, because our products are a finish (paint), not a dye. The type, quality, and condition of the material as well as the current and desired colors are all factors that can affect the durability of a color change. Stripping the previous Rub ‘n Restore® color is recommended if you are restoring to original or changing to a lighter shade. Use denatured or rubbing alcohol, even paint thinner.
Leather: Clean with denatured alcohol, rubbing alcohol, or lacquer thinner. A solvent is necessary to remove body oil, grime, and residue left by conditioners. It evaporates quickly and won't cause lasting dryness.
Vinyl and synthetics: Clean with Flite™ degreaser, followed by alcohol or lacquer thinner.
All new upholstery or color changes: Use lacquer thinner instead of alcohol. New upholstery may have silicone or an anti-stain coatings that will repel colors.
Some stains need special treatment. Click to learn more about:
If you can feel the damage, it should be repaired.
Click any of the following for detailed instructions to repair:
- peeling leather,
- dog or cat scratches,
- cracks or scaliness,
- holes or tears,
- torn seams,
- piping or welting,
- perforated upholstery.
If you need more help, consult a pro.
Most folks apply our finishes with a damp sponge, but you can use a brush or spray gun. The instructions hub will give you a tailored experience.
Click below for more info and videos about:
- working around metal tacks,
- restoring tufted upholstery,
- marbling or burnishing techniques,
- restoring faux leather fabrics,
- Satin Sealer.
Conditioners are only effective on absorbent leather and should be used before restoration. Once leather (or vinyl) is restored with a protective finish, conditioners and other protectors only stand to make a mess of your efforts and waste money.
A rag dampened with water is best, especially if the color has not had much time to cure. Alcohol and other cleaners may discolor the finish and require touch-up. Stick to the original instructions, and if it ain't broke, don't fix it.
- Clean leather with distilled water up to 70% alcohol.
- For vinyl, dilute our pink Flite™ cleaner with equal parts water.
Always apply the cleaner to a soft cloth, not directly on the surface, and use it only where necessary.
Avoid leather wipes, as many contain chemicals that can discolor the finish and leave 'conditioning' residue.
Rub 'n Restore® products are safe for home use, around pets and children. Click here for safety data sheets and a breakdown of ingredients.
Rub 'n Restore® finishes exhibit a chemical odor in their liquid state. This odor is no worse than anything you’ll find in the laundry detergent aisle at a supermarket and less noxious than painting a room with interior latex. Once dry, the odor readily dissipates. More info about VOC content here.
There have been reports of dogs licking Rub ‘n Restore’d furniture and eating the compostable (corn) packing popcorns. No dogs have been injured as a result, but it's best they avoid these activities.
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Sorry, we're not sold in stores. Our products are available through our secure online store here.
Orders received before 10 am MST on weekdays are typically processed the same day. Most domestic orders are shipped via Priority Mail unless otherwise requested. Packages over 6 lbs. may be shipped via UPS, as are all international orders.
Yes, we use UPS, and you will likely have to pay duties. Rub 'n Restore, Inc. is not responsible for any duties or fees. Use coupon code internationalCLUB (case and space sensitive) to discount the cost of 8 or 16 oz. bottles of color.
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