Black Vinyl & Leather Finish

4.69 out of 5

Picture of leather chair demonstrating Rub n Restore Black color and triangular swatch in upper left corner for reference

Black is the most versatile color. Use this water-based finish / paint on leather, vinyl, auto interiors, rubber, plastic, even shoes, jackets, or handbags.

$19 – $79

Size

Clear

Get a Swatch of Black

Product Details

Use our water-based finishes to restore and condition:

absorbent aniline and semi-aniline leather,
non-absorbent full-grain or top-grain leather,
and vinyl upholstery.

Our finishes won’t sunfade or backstain like leather dyes. They don't feel plasticky, flake or peel like spray paints.

Do not use on fabric, suede, nubuck, bonded or faux leather.

Store in a temperate, dark place away from children.

Click here for SDS (Safety Data Sheets) and ingredient information.

See here before changing color!

Changing color is best suited to absorbent leather.

Thorough cleaning and testing color adhesion are critical! If the material repels water and will be heavily used, consider adding special order Satin Sealer to the color.

The following are not good candidates and will require touch-up:

changing from red / dark to white / pale;
worn, cracking, scaly or thinning leather;
furniture with lots of wrinkles, folds, deep creases (and therefore stress);
pieces that are heavily used or harshly cleaned (kids, dogs, chemicals);
car or boat upholstery (for these we suggest a heavier urethane coating);
bonded, faux or polyurethane (PU) ‘leather’ which repel all finishes (including their own).

Here's what wear looks like on non-absorbent leather or vinyl:

Our finishes wear naturally, resulting in a distressed look.

Deeper lines or creases receive more stress.

Picture of beige leather changed to Cognac and then scratched by dog claws — Dog claws can quickly scuff the color.

Easy rub-off indicates inadequate cleaning.

The color may flake if applied too thickly and allowed to pool in the grain.

This is easily corrected by thinning the color with alcohol and reapplying.

Learn more about changing color here.

Our products are water-based acrylic finishes (paints) that look and feel natural. Consider a heavier urethane or aerosol for color changing boat or auto upholstery.

How do I match a color?

You can order handmade swatches of leather or vinyl refinished with our colors to see how they compare.

Or send us a sample. For a $120 fee, we will formulate a unique color and keep it on file. 8 oz. is the order minimum and a separate cost. There's a re-mix fee if you ever need more.

Samples should be at least 2" x 3" in size and can be:

Original leather or vinyl (found underneath cushions or pull some staples and trim from the frame);
Cushion case (please indicate which area you want matched with a piece of painters tape);
Headrest, fuse panel cover, or component from a vehicle;
Paint chip from a hardware store (beware, the paint chip may not actually match the material).

Please print out and include the Color Request Form and mail to:

Rub 'n Restore, Inc.
PO Box 1149 (US mail only)
39585 Lund Rd (UPS / FedEx / DHL only)
Paonia, CO 81428 USA

How do I clean?

Do I need Clear Prep & Finish™?

Buy it if you:

have absorbent leather or dry, sun-rotted vinyl;
want to dilute color to create a marbled, distressed, or burnished appearance;
or want a shiny finish.

Answer these three questions to determine what clear finish, if any, is needed.

Do unworn areas absorb water?

Yes

Are you applying a primary or secondary color (red, orange, yellow, green, blue, purple)?

Yes

What kind of luster do you want?

Matte

Satin

Semi-Gloss

Shiny

Mix 1 to 2 parts Clear Prep+Finish™ + 1 part color for the first coat. Use one coat of Satin Sealer for a final topcoat.
Learn more about Satin Sealer here.

Use equal parts color and Clear Prep+Finish™ from start to finish. If it dries too shiny, reduce the amount of clear in the mix for your final coat. Conversely, if more shine is desired, add more clear to the mix or use alone as a topcoat.

Use equal parts color and Clear Prep+Finish™ from start to finish. If more shine is desired, add more clear to the mix or use alone as a topcoat.

Mix 1 to 2 parts Clear Prep+Finish™ + 1 part color for the first coat. Increase the ratio of color to clear for subsequent coats (approximately 4 to 1) for a satin finish.

Mix 1 to 2 parts Clear Prep+Finish™ + 1 part color for the first coat. Use color alone for subsequent coats. It will dry matte and does not need an additional sealer.

Mix 1 to 2 parts Clear Prep+Finish™ + 1 part color for the first coat. Reduce the ratio to equal parts for subsequent coats to get better coverage. If more shine is needed, use clear alone for a final topcoat.

Mix 1 to 2 parts Clear Prep+Finish™ + 1 part color for the first coat. Reduce the ratio to equal parts for subsequent coats for a semi-gloss finish.

Use Satin Sealer for a final topcoat.
Learn more about Satin Sealer here.

Apply a thin coat of Clear Prep+Finish™ and disperse quickly so it does not dry too shiny. You can also try equal parts color and clear.

Apply Clear Prep+Finish™ as a final topcoat.

The color will dry matte and does not need an additional sealer.

Mix 4 parts color with 1 part Clear Prep+Finish™ and use from start to finish (or alone as a final topcoat).

Mix equal parts color with 1 part Clear Prep+Finish™ and use as a final topcoat.

Use Clear Prep+Finish™ as a final topcoat.

Shipping Info

Orders received before 10 am MST on weekdays (excluding US holidays) are usually shipped same-day.

Most domestic orders are shipped via Priority Mail unless otherwise requested and typically arrive in 2-4 business days. Packages over 5 lbs. as well as all Canadian and international orders are shipped via UPS.

We are not responsible for delays and cannot refund shipping costs except for UPS Next Day Air.

You will receive an automated email with tracking number. Please secure your package in a timely fashion to avoid freezing during winter months.

Canadian and international Customers, use coupon code internationalCLUB (case and space sensitive) to discount the freight and duties on 8 or 16 oz. bottles of color. Rub 'n Restore, Inc. is not responsible for duties, tariffs or other expenses incurred.

Click here for more shipping information.

Returns & Exchanges

Colors Similar to Black

Peppercorn

Mahogany

Espresso

Plum

Many repair projects also need these items:

Handmade Color Swatches

$0.50 ea

Picture of Rub n Restore leather paint swatches arranged in circular wreath

Choose Colors

Clear Prep+Finish™ Conditioning Sealer

$9 – $36

Size

Clear

Tool Options

Sandpaper Option

Clear

Leave a Review

127 reviews for Black Vinyl & Leather Finish

L & M

5 out of 5

August 28, 2014

We are beyond satisfied with Rub 'n Restore products. We changed our brown 12 foot couch to black and it looks fantastic.

Frank

5 out of 5

August 27, 2014

Great product that restored our heavily sun damaged leather cushions to a nice, even black color.
Easy to use. We put 2 thin (thinned with water) coats on the most damaged areas and had a even color in the end. Use the sealer to add a sheen.

Ken N. Bella Vista, Arkansas

5 out of 5

August 4, 2014

I recently refurbished a 2007 MX-5 Miata with scuffed and scratched seats. I looked a several products but went with Rub'nRestore because it was Water based and the application video demonstrated the ease of application. I did necessary prep with simple green and alcohol and the process was very easy. I treated the worst panels and seams let dry. I two coated the entire seats, drying between coats. I let the dye cure as directed, and put on the clear coat. Results were Awesome !!
Several club member will be getting their black back in my garage !!

Chris

4 out of 5

July 25, 2014

Used this on my ancient green leather couch and it now looks like a new black couch! Although it does require quite a bit of time to apply (full size couch with many wrinkles) it is great for those who want an affordable product.

susan

5 out of 5

June 24, 2014

Great product ,

G.W.

5 out of 5

June 15, 2014

Covered my Beige colored leather perfectly in one coat. My problem is that I didn't order enough, I'm gonna order 16 more ounces this coming payday. I highly recommend this.

Anonymous

5 out of 5

June 2, 2014

We used it to transform a chair from bright red to black. Part of the chair is leather and the other part is vinyl, and the product worked equally well for both and the color is consistent. Easy to apply and dries quickly. After doing the chair we went out of town for two days and by the time we got back it was fully cured. We have been sitting on it daily every since, and it has not rubbed off or smudged. I would recommend this product to anyone.

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