Dyes can be used to darken leather (but not synthetics like vinyl). Finishes (paints) are more versatile in that they can be used to darken or lighten the color of leather and vinyl.
Using a paint to change color may require periodic touch-up and result in more maintenance than simply matching and restoring the original color.
Absorbent aniline or semi-aniline leather will wear better than non-absorbent leather and vinyl that repel water and other liquids.
Thorough cleaning and prep are critical to get the best result! For non-absorbent materials, use our pink cleaner and step up to a more aggressive solvent like lacquer thinner or paint thinner.
The following are not great candidates due to the potential maintenance:
- worn, scaly or thinning leather;
- loosely upholstered furniture with lots of wrinkles, folds, deep creases (and therefore stress);
- pieces that receive a lot of contact with chemicals / liquids or critters (particularly dog claws);
- seats in cars or boats (for these we suggest a heavier urethane coating);
- bonded, faux or polyurethane (PU) ‘leather’ which resist all coatings (including their own);
- or changing from dark or bright colors to pale or white shades.
In the latter case, consider a coat of Stone grey as a primer. White is the heaviest pigment and has the poorest coverage. This means you may use 2-3 times the normal quantity and will have a thicker, heavier and less flexible finish that will wear more easily and require more touch-up.
Here’s what wear and discoloration look like:
Touch-up is easy and mitigated by:
- choosing a color that is an analogous to the original color (i.e. nearby on the color wheel);
- choosing a color with a similar value (light, medium or dark);
- dabbing or stippling the color to create a marbled or distressed appearance so future wear will look natural and intended.
Our products are water-based acrylic finishes (paints). Acrylics can be less durable than urethanes and require touch-up. However, acrylics don’t feel plasticky like urethanes. Acrylics also don’t crack or flake, so stripping and sanding are not needed prior to touching up. Still, if you’re wanting to change the color of a boat or auto interior, you might consider a heavier urethane or aerosol.
Click here for more information about the different types of materials and the differences between dyes and finishes.
| Change Color | Match Color |
|---|---|
| More product needed | Less product needed |
| More labor required | Less labor involved |
| Touch-up likely and varies | Little to no touch-up |
| Available now | Wait until sample received; our turnover is swift |
| May be as expensive as matching, depending on scope of project | Matching fee; 8 oz. order minimum for Advanced Custom Color |
| Discouraged for auto, RV, boat interiors | Recommended for auto, RV, boat upholstery, primary or secondary colors |
The video below demonstrates a change from a dark green to a solid, lighter tan color in five coats using Rub ‘n Restore®.
Video contents:
- 0:08 – Cleaning and prep
- 0:48 – First coat of color
- 1:36 – Second coat
- 2:10 – Third coat
- 2:36 – Fourth coat
- 2:54 – Fifth coat
- 3:12 – Final result
Will your product work to dye the dash on my 2004 Silverado from gray to black
Let me guess, the original paint is peeling, revealing a black plastic beneath? This was a problem in that generation of GM dashes. Firstly, you’ve got to even out any disparity between the peeling coating and the original whether by sanding or stripping with a solvent like paint thinner. This might turn it into a real nightmare. Then I’d use a plastic primer followed by our black finish. It’s going to be much easier if you pull the windshield to color change the dash.
hi I want to change my couch colour from green to black
Can you change a recliner from cream to black? Would it require a lot of maintenance if you did so?
As per the article, touch-up varies with the quality and condition of the material and the type of use. Some folks go years with only minor touch-up on one cushion. Some notice they have to touch-up within the first month. Best you can do is test the color on a small high-traffic or worn area, let it dry, do a few coats, pinch and twist and stress the area, and see how it performs. Strip it off with alcohol immediately if it doesn’t perform well and return it.
Is going from off white to black or gray a problem?
No, it’s easier to go darker, but you may have to touch-up as discussed.
Can I go from brown to grey?
Yes!
I notice that in your video that you say water or other liquids may activate the dye. Is this case immediately following application, or is this for the life of the furniture? Do I have to worry that every time someone drips water or liquid onto the sofa that the dye is going to come off on them? Thank you!
This is before the color has cured.
Got dark brown leather sofa , can it be to bright white?
What do I need to order
We generally don’t recommend it. Whites get the poorest coverage (requiring double or triple the coats) and are also the heaviest pigment, which will add more weight to the surface. A good quality leather will take it well but will still require touch-up, and that varies with condition, stressors, etc. Lesser quality materials will be more challenging.
I would like to take my leather sectional from red to tan… your “Cognac” seems to be the color I’m looking for. Would you recommend putting Cognac over red?
Yes, Cognac will cover red well and complement it nicely if you do the popular distressing technique!
I bought the most amazing beige curved, leather sofa, covered in mostly superficial cat scratches. I spent hours deglazing, then buffing out the cat scratches. I then dyed the sofa with your brilliant white, three coats and finished off with two coats of your clear prep +finish. It is the wow factor in my great room. People think I paid thousands for the couch, little do they know. Now trying to find a leather recliner chair for my husband , that I can refinish, to match the couch. A very happy customer.
I have a gold (saddle color) sofa. It has been in a room rarely used and always has the seat area covered. Can I change to Stone Gray and start living on this comfortably without loosing gray color?
It’s going to require touch-up eventually. With so many variables, hard to know how long that’ll be. It’s always less maintenance to restore to original or something complementary.
I have a red leather recliner loveseat that is extremely comfortable and I hate to part with it. The problem is that I’m not in love with the RED anymore and would love to change the color. Can you advise as to what colors I could use to kill the red? Any advice and input will be most welcome.
Thanks.
A less dramatic change to a similar value or darker color (like any brown or black) will do better than going to the opposite of the color wheel (green) or a pale color like beige or off-white.
Thanks for getting back to me. 🙂
Hi. I have a black vinyl butterfly chair that is black which I’d like to charge to tan…will it work.
Yes, but as long it’s PVC (vinyl) and not PU (polyurethane).
I just purchased a new “white” leather couch. The white is definietly not white- has more cream in it. I would like to turn it to bright white. It is a large sectional and will be used daily by 2 kids. Will the white be able to withstand 2 kids and daily use?
Make sure it’s real leather and not polyurethane. If you change to a brighter white, definitely use a mottling technique to create a marbled look to mitigate the need for touch-up.
HaveA white couch that I would like to turn into a dark brown leather or black is this hard to do?
Some folks say it takes them days to do a color change. Others bang it out in an afternoon. There are a lot of variables at play. The greater question is if your piece is a good candidate (see the points above) and if you’re okay with occasional touch-up, as color changes can be more maintenance than restoring to original.
Hi, I have an olive green Italian leather sofa and love seat and brown chair that I want to change to bright white. It’s in good condition, the pillows are attached and it’s very smooth. Can this be done? What products and how much will I have to buy? suggestions?
Bright white is the hardest change. You’re better off with a lighter medium shade. Submit an evaluation if you want our professional opinion and tailored solution.
I have a dark brown leather couch in a beach house. I would love to lighten it and distress it. Do you have a product that would work for this? It looks so out of place being so dark but it is a great quality leather couch in great condition
Consider distressing with Stone, Taupe, or Camel diluted with 1/4 or 1/2 the volume of Clear Prep+Finish. This is called a glaze and makes distressing easier.
I have a red leather ottoman that I want to change to a teal color. Is this feasible? If so can you give me some advice please?
Yes, but try to determine that it’s not polyurethane or bonded leather first, and then submit the evaluation.
I am hoping to restore a natural hide lounge. I have ordered the product. The lounges are very old. Will go directly onto the Hide?
I am trying to change it to your grey.
Thank you
Our products are not recommended for nubuck or suede with a nappy texture. Smoother, absorbent leathers should do just fine, but you’re better off working with a glaze (color diluted with Clear Prep+Finish). More about types of leather is here.