Leather restoration products fall into three main categories: balms, dyes, and paints. Balms condition and restore color. Dyes are used to restore or transform color. Paints are the most versatile and are needed to conceal repairs. Although many professionals use the term ‘dye’, most are actually applying paints in their restoration work.
Leather, like wood, is a fiber that can be stained or painted. Leather dyes bond chemically by soaking into the fibers, while leather paints create a physical coating on the surface. Most upholstery leathers are both dyed and finished during production. Leathers with minimal finishes are more absorbent and prone to stains and fading, while pigmented finishes resist wear but still discolor over time.
Leather Balms
Brands: Furniture Clinic, Fortivo, Clydes, Coconix
Consistency: Thick, creamy paste
Contain: Oils and waxes; some also contain dyes to conceal fading or stains
Great For: Absorbent leather that is dry and faded
Avoid: Vinyl, areas that repel liquids
Pros:
- Moisturize dry, absorbent leather.
- Pigmented balms are semi-transparent, allowing natural marbling and variation to show through.
Cons:
- Cannot conceal repairs made with filler putty.
- Must use a similar color for blending.
- May dry streaky and require multiple coats to achieve an even appearance, which results in a more solid appearance.
- Do not adhere to water-repellent surfaces unless stripped or deglazed first.
Leather Dyes
Brands: Fiebing’s, Angelus
Consistency: Like water
Contain: Usually alcohol-based
Great For: Absorbent leather or leather that has been deglazed
Avoid: Vinyl, areas that repel liquids
Pros:
- Enhance the leather’s natural texture and variations.
Cons:
- Cannot conceal repairs and may in fact damage the repair putty.
- The original color (and some stains) may influence the final shade.
- Cannot lighten color.
- May fade in sunlight and transfer color onto other materials, requiring a clear sealer for protection. This finishes the leather similarly to a paint.
Leather Paints
Brands: Rub ‘n Restore, SEM, Furniture Clinic, Angelus
Consistency: Liquid ranging from buttermilk to water
Contain: Usually water-based acylic or elastomeric, though occasionally solvent-based urethane
Great For: Vinyl and most leathers
Avoid: Suede or nubuck
Pros:
- Conceal repairs and provide excellent stain coverage.
- Can change leather color completely, even to lighter shades.
- Can be diluted for a more transparent look.
Cons:
- Creates a more uniform, solid appearance unless applied creatively for a marbled effect.
- Urethanes can feel plasticky. Acrylics and elastomerics have a natural feel but may still cool the warm, velvety texture of aniline, semi-aniline or nubuck.
- Urethanes require more aggressive prep and may crack or peel with time. Acrylics aren’t as durable as urethanes, but wear more naturally.
Why Choose Rub ‘n Restore®?
Rub ‘n Restore® colors are water-based acrylic finishes that preserve the material’s breathability while providing protection against stains and sun fading. Our finishes are durable, never peel, and maintain a soft, natural feel.
We compared Rub ‘n Restore® to two popular leather balms and were surprised how much better our paint looked, felt and performed on the dry, cracked edge of a cushion.
Balm #1 accentuated lines and creases and dried dull, even after two coats. Its protective cream added little shine and left a slightly oily, waxy feel.
Balm #2 was thicker, harder to spread, and significantly more expensive per ounce. However, it conditioned the dry, cracked areas better and didn’t transfer color to a rag. It dried with more shine and didn’t needing an extra protective coating.
Rub ‘n Restore® leather paint gave smooth, even coverage on both the absorbent leather and repellent vinyl, even in just one coat. It dried with a natural satin sheen. The texture felt natural like Balm #2, but the cost was similar or even lower in terms of cost per ounce and coverage.
We restored the face of this couch and its matching loveseat with just an 8 oz. bottle!
I have water damage on a beautiful tan leather jacket. I tried to remove the stained edge and managed to remove color in a small spot. Now I’m thinking that I need to repair the entire panel where the damage is so that it will blend with the rest of the coat. I believe the leather to be aniline or at least partially so because it readily absorbs water. I want to restore the color in the spot where I removed it and make the rest of the panel fit with the color of the coat (a gorgeous golden/reddish tan). Can you give me some advice? Thank you.
Please email us a photo of the damage, and we can be of further assistance.
I hired one of those mobile vinyl repair guys to paint the top of some mildew damaged pontoon benches.
It looks like he used a color at least two tones different from the original. The original was a creamy off-white, what he used looks very yellow tinged and he didn’t completely coat the panels leaving a contrast that amplifies the difference!
I am sending a sample panel for a detailed color match. Do I need to do anything to prepare the vinyl surface, specifically since I am painting over his original paint as well as the original material? I am going to cover all of it and not try and ‘blend’ original & new since there might be some fading overall from age from the sample I am sending you guys.
Thanks in advance for any help!
Douglas Schwan
Please email photos to info@rubnrestore.com or you can submit them directly through our contact page here, and we’ll be able to advise you better. From the sounds of it, this is how you’ll want to prep the surface.
I bought a used Thomasville leather sofa. Several years ago we called to find out why it appeared to be cracking and asked what we could do about it. They told us there was nothing that could be done because of a coating on the couch. Apparently they had been recalled at one point. Now I’m moving and would love to use this couch in my new place. Do you know if there’s any leathers that your product won’t produce the types of results I’m seeing.
Bonded, faux, or polyurethane ‘leather’ (not vinyl) resist all coatings, and we discourage repairing those materials because of their inferiority. You don’t want to refinish nubuck, suede or fabric. Our products will work well on everything else. Thomasville is a decent brand with real leather, in our experience. If you submit the project evaluation we can be of better assistance.
I just bought a new demo car that has med brown car seats. The driver seat has a stain that is about the size of a nickel that is darker in color, and the stain will not come out with leather cleaner. My concern is that a stain would not work since the stain spot is darker than the base leather. Curious if you have a recommend as best solution?
Our products are finishes (paints) and will conceal darker stains where a dye will just darken everything and will still be prone to backstaining and fading. For an auto interior, you may need a Custom Color to get an exact match.
I have a black faux leather day bed that I’d like to paint(?) Would RubnRestore work on it? I’m thinking to use a tan color. What should I do?
If it’s vinyl (PVC), you can do it, but polyurethane (PU) resists most coatings. Learn more here about color changes.
Hi my mum has tried to remove a stain using acetone free varnish and it’s removed the white finish from our leather couch. Can you please advise how we might be able to fix it?
You always want to clean with alcohol. This may also damage the finish but ensures a good result. A new color will correct the discoloration. Here are color matching options.
I need to stain or paint a vintage leather footstool from the ’50s. As it’s a footstool and will endure som wear,. Is paint a good option or do I need to go with a stain?
Here are the differences between dyes and finishes. The latter will serve it well, but read about color changes before undertaking one.
I have a pair of leather skates. Some of the paint has scraped off (small patches) and some areas have ‘wrinkles’. They’re in the creases where the skate bends with use.
Will your guide for fixing cat scratches fix the wrinkling? I plan to use white. If I decide to change the color later, can I use another color finish over the white?
If the original leather is degrading along those stress points, a repair can’t be expected to perform better. And you’d want to use flexible filler. Color changing ice skates is discouraged. They’ll require constant touch-up depending on the quality and condition of the leather.
I have a new black leather bag with contrasting tan handles. Would like those handles to be black or grey. Is there any product that won’t rub off on clothing ever?
See here about color changing. Handles are high-wear, but a black finish and special order Satin Sealer are your best option.
I have a black sofa. I am not sure if it is real leather or some type of leather looking fabric. There are no tears or cracks. Someone sat on it and must have had something on her hair as when she got up I saw the black color had disintagrated where her head was. It is like a large tannish spot. What can I use to repair this?
Thank you
If the grain is unaltered (see here), only discolored, then it sounds like good quality leather or vinyl, and a new finish will correct it. Submit the evaluation if you want our professional assessment and tailored instructions.
Hi. We have a chestnut brown 3 seat sofa and chair. It’s approx 2 years old and in great condition. We have just re decorated our living room and the colour of the sofa and chair does not work with our new flooring. Can we change the colour to a light grey and if so, what would you recommend? Many thanks, Julie.
Please see this article about changing color.
Our new leather recliner has a noxious chemical odor and a mildew smell. In all my years I have never had a new leather piece smell this badl. It’s only been 5 days and the odor is now running through the a/c vents and when you come into our home, the smell hits you like a brick wall. When I complained to the furniture store they were very disagreeable and questioned my ability to judge. Should it smell this noxious and as strong?
Hard to know what it was tanned and finished with. If the recliner has matching vinyl backs and side, perhaps that’s what you’re smelling. Either way, put it outside and let UV and fresh air do the work.
I want a motorcycle tank bib that is gray but black is about all I can buy. Thinking to buy a new black bib and simply paint it gray. Would leather paint handle occasional slight drips of gasoline (immediately wiped of course)?
Our finishes are water-based acrylics, which are not as thick and durable as urethanes. Acrylics wear / discolor without cracking, peeling or flaking like urethanes, however, and they touch-up easily. Gasoline is an aggressive solvent, so it may discolor the acrylic finish, but it’s worth a try. Just be sure the bib is real top-grain of full-grain leather or good quality PVC / vinyl, not polyurethane faux leather. Clean it thoroughly with a toothbrush, a water-based degreaser, followed by denatured alcohol or paint thinner, and the tape test. More info about changing color and what discoloration / wear can look like is here. Perhaps the greater issue is matching the grey. If ours don’t conform, we can customize but this is cost prohibitive for a small bib.
I have black motorcycle seats and would like to paint then brown. Will the brown paint hold up against the hard wear and tear of denim jeans and direct sunlight?
Our finishes serve as a UV protectant, but changing color can pose more maintenance. I’d only consider if if the seat is an absorbent aniline or semi-aniline leather. It’s likely a non-absorbent finished leather or vinyl. See here about changing color.
We have had some dining chair seats recovered and the leather is far lighter and more of a tan colour than the original ones. They cost a fortune and I hate them!😟Can you suggest anything I can do to improve the appearance of these monstrosities?
Recolor them to conform to the old. See here about matching color.
Please recommend a product to restore the color of my 1980’s Porsche leather steering wheel cover. Thank you.
If your steering wheel is black, then our black finish should be perfect. Otherwise, it will need a matching color.