Can I dye or restore a leather purse or bag?

Rub ‘n Restore® water-based finishes are an excellent choice for restoring leather handbags and purses. The only challenge is matching color. Black is universal but many others may need customization, which is cost prohibitive for small items. Learn more about matching color here.

As for changing color, because handbags are heavily used, occasional touch-up of edges, high spots and areas of stress or friction may be needed, particularly with leathers that repel water. Touch-up is easy.

Please note: The warm, velvety feel of unfinished, absorbent leathers like aniline and semi-aniline may slightly cool as a result of finishing them with our products. However, they will still breathe and be more stain resistant.

Do not use our products on suede, nubuck, kid leather, patent leather or peeling synthetics made of bonded (polyurethane) leather. An interior label should indicate from what material your handbag is made. Or learn about types of leather.

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16 comments

  1. Hello . I have a lovely Tods chestnut brown bag but it looks faded in some pacesbafter 8 years of use ! Would you recommend a colour to use? Thank you , Claire

    Reply
  2. I was left a red purse by my late mother and I wish to dye ? It a dark brown or red. Which products should I use to enable a permanent finish.

    Reply
    • Unfortunately it would require customization, as we don’t have a lime green in our line of colors. Angelus might have one, but beware, it’s unlikely to perfectly match which means you’re doing some blending or recoloring.

      Reply

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