How-to & FAQ Topics:
How-to Resources & FAQ is library of articles and videos complied to help our customers complete their DIY leather and vinyl restoration projects.
Can I dye or restore a leather purse or bag?
Rub ‘n Restore® is a leather finish, not a dye, but can be used to restore genuine leather purses and bags.
Handbags are heavily used, so changing the color of non-absorbent leather may require touch-up along edges, high spots and areas of stress or friction. Touch-up is easy, depending how complicated your initial technique was. Minimize touch-up by choosing a color that complements the original. Dabbing or stippling the color to create a mottled appearance will allow future wear to look more natural and intended. Learn more about color changing here.
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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The Knowledge Hub is a library of articles and videos complied to help our customers complete their DIY leather and vinyl restoration projects.
Pam says
I have a Kate Spade. The purse is between red and orange. Would red work to cover the entire purse?
lesandre says
Yes, but see here about changing color first. You’d also want the special order Satin Sealer over the red.
Patricia says
I have a lime green leather purse that has a scratch. Is the color lime green available to purchase?
lesandre says
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.
Susan says
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.
lesandre says
See here about changing color. I’d only do it if the bag is made of a genuine and absorbent leather.
Pauline says
I have a red leather purse and the edges are fading as well as other areas. What is the best colour to use
lesandre says
Red Chili, Wine or Cherrywood are our only standardized reds / burgundies. Rust is a brick color. You can order swatches, but your red might need customization, which is cost prohibitive for a purse. See here about matching color.
Neuza says
I have a light purse in leather. Which color can I use?
lesandre says
It’s less maintenance to restore to original or something similar, as color changes can require touch-up. Here’s how to match color.
Claire says
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
lesandre says
Tobacco, maybe modified with Rust. You can order swatches of these colors.
Liz Halls says
Do you have safe product for faded black leather handbag?
lesandre says
Yes, our Black should be an excellent match. It will dry matte. Buy a little Clear Prep+Finish if you need shine. Here is info about the ingredients and safety of our finishes.
Janet Henderson says
Orange leather bag faded what and where can I use and obtain please
lesandre says
Persimmon is our only bright orange, and I’d use it with either Clear Prep+Finish or special order Satin Sealer. Getting an exact match will require customization, which may be cost prohibitive for such a small item. You can order a swatch of Persimmon and learn more about our color matching services here.