Cognac Vinyl & Leather Finish

4.85 out of 5

(131 customer reviews & photos)

Picture of leather chair showing Rub n Restore butterscotch Cognac color and triangular swatch in upper left corner for reference

Cognac is a rich tan saddle color. It is darker than Butterscotch and more golden than Cinnamon or Rust.

Get a Swatch of Cognac

Price range: $22 through $89

Size

Clear

Get a Swatch of Cognac

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 more work and potentially more maintenance than restoring the original.

Add 1/2 teaspoon cross-linker per every 2 oz color to improve adhesion and durability. Adding 1 part Satin Sealer to 4 parts color is also recommended to seal bright colors.

Thorough cleaning and stress testing the color are critical!

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;
bonded, faux or polyurethane (PU) ‘leather’ which repel all finishes (including their own).

Learn more about changing color here.

How do I match a color?

How do I clean?

Do I need a sealer?

Answer these three questions to determine what clear finish, if any, is needed for leather:

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 processed same-day.

Domestic orders are shipped via UPS or USPS ground unless otherwise requested and typically arrive in 2-5 business days.

All Canadian and international orders are shipped via UPS and typically arrive in 3-5 business days. Use coupon code internationalCLUB (case and space sensitive) to discount 8 oz. or 16 oz. bottles of color. We are not responsible for duties, tariffs or other expenses incurred.

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.

All orders are insured with Damage & Delivery Protection. Learn more here.

Returns & Exchanges

Colors Similar to Cognac

Butterscotch

Rust

Cinnamon

Tobacco

Many repair projects also need these items:

Handmade Color Swatches

$1 ea

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

Choose Colors

Clear Prep+Finish for Leather

Price range: $9 through $36

Size

Clear

Tool Options

Sandpaper Option

Clear

Leave a Review

131 reviews for Cognac Vinyl & Leather Finish

Rene Munoz

5 out of 5

May 28, 2026

Worthwhile product

Easy to apply, great coverage and durable 2 weeks in. it eliminated the rough edge as well.

Norman Fivel

5 out of 5

December 18, 2025

Leather chair repair

As with previous Rub'n Restore products I have used, this leather finish worked extremely well. It was easy to apply and matched perfectly.

After
+1

Robin Muller

5 out of 5

October 20, 2025

Taupe to brown

I loved using this product. can't speak more highly of it. it saved a terrible Facebook marketplace purchase!

Reply from Lesandre Barley:

Thanks, Robin! It wasn't a terrible purchase! On the contrary, a quality semi-aniline leather (and probably for cheap)! Thank you, and hope you love it a long time.

Me

1 out of 5

January 23, 2024

Much lighter in color than description. More mustard than cognac. Could not use.

Reply from Lesandre Barley:

Look at how many different versions of cognac leather there are here. This is why we encourage folks to order swatches to ensure ours is a good match to yours. If our Cognac is too light and yellow, you can modify it with Rust, Cinnamon or Tobacco using these instructions. We can be of more help if you email us a picture of the Cognac applied to your leather taken from a short distance away.

James

3 out of 5

January 16, 2024

Be extra sure of the color before ordering

I ordered the cognac color as it matched the closest to our leather chair. But the color is 1 shade too light so my wife and I chose not to use it because we had to pay for a $10-11 dollar shipping fee. That being said, just be super sure before ordering so you don't waste more money for the extra shipping fee charges.

Reply from Lesandre:

Thank you. We encourage folks to order swatches before purchasing. We offer a few for free for those who reach out to us directly with good photos.

+1

Kelly

5 out of 5

December 26, 2023

Lovely purchase

This was perfect for our stained leather couch from Article (brand). I used 3/4 of a big bottle for the couch and it took one hour. Very easy to apply and dried quickly. I highly recommend! Very pleased!

After
+3

Sharon Amatetti

5 out of 5

October 23, 2023

Great product

So easy to use. I love the results I achieved.

Gina

3 out of 5

October 3, 2023

Color

Product seemed good but not a color match for me. Too expensive to return or purchase another.

This is the color shown as cognac
+6

Ruby

4 out of 5

July 14, 2023

So much better! Fast and easy

I ordered Cognac color based on the color chart. It was much more golden than the color needed. So, I ordered the samples and chose to purchase 1 each of Cinnamon and Chocolate. Followed the directions-cleaned with alcohol first - did the painters tape test. The dye went on very smoothly and dried quickly--It took about an hour to do sectional couch. Very forgiving. The first coat left some swirl marks but they disappeared with the 2nd coat. Glad that there were gloves included as the dye comes out pretty fast! I did not apply the clear as I thought it looked too shiny. I am satisfied with the results. So much better than the faded...More
I ordered Cognac color based on the color chart. It was much more golden than the color needed. So, I ordered the samples and chose to purchase 1 each of Cinnamon and Chocolate. Followed the directions-cleaned with alcohol first - did the painters tape test. The dye went on very smoothly and dried quickly--It took about an hour to do sectional couch. Very forgiving. The first coat left some swirl marks but they disappeared with the 2nd coat. Glad that there were gloves included as the dye comes out pretty fast! I did not apply the clear as I thought it looked too shiny. I am satisfied with the results. So much better than the faded color. The final color is solid so it does not match the original that had more variation- and does not look as natural. Not sure I could achieve the natural mottled look unless I could take it outside and use an air sprayer with all 3 colors including the cherry that I also purchased.

Before
+9

Michele

4 out of 5

April 17, 2023

Easy to apply, beautiful, but does wear

This product was easy to apply, and the result was stunning. My old and very worn burgundy sofa is now cognac colored and looks 10 years newer. It’s receiving so many compliments! On three of the seat cushions, I used many layers of the filler and two patches, and so far those areas are holding up well. After prepping the entire sofa with denatured alcohol and doing the tape test, I put on 3 layers of a 3/1 paint and gloss mixture and finished with a layer of gloss. My only disappointment is that on the areas where someone sits at least once a day, the paint has worn off quite a bit and it’s only been 3 weeks (see photos). Fortunately,...More
This product was easy to apply, and the result was stunning. My old and very worn burgundy sofa is now cognac colored and looks 10 years newer. It’s receiving so many compliments!

On three of the seat cushions, I used many layers of the filler and two patches, and so far those areas are holding up well. After prepping the entire sofa with denatured alcohol and doing the tape test, I put on 3 layers of a 3/1 paint and gloss mixture and finished with a layer of gloss.

My only disappointment is that on the areas where someone sits at least once a day, the paint has worn off quite a bit and it’s only been 3 weeks (see photos). Fortunately, it’s easy to apply touch up paint. Overall, I am pleased.

+1

LISA ALLEN

5 out of 5

February 13, 2023

Great Product

This stuff is fantastic, and the color matched perfectly!

Tom Hill

5 out of 5

January 6, 2023

Cognac leather color

Color was off from my sample but was easily tinted and worked fantastic. Easy application, good coverage and easy clean up.

Before
+2

Jennifer

5 out of 5

July 16, 2022

New life for my couch

My couch is 20 years old but did not want to by a new one yet with small kids who destroy everything. Needed to lighten up the room. 5 coats and 6 hours of hard work later…voila! Could have maybe used one more coat but I couldn’t muster the energy. Looks and feels great.

After
+3

Freida Bratcher

5 out of 5

July 5, 2022

I CANNOT believe this product. I got this disgusting sofa off of marketplace. I figured I’d give Rub n Restore a shot. Holy Moly this is the best product I’ve ever used! It brought this sofa back to life! See for yourself

+3

Nora Cariaga

5 out of 5

June 7, 2022

noracariaga33@hotmail.com

This stuff is amazing attached are the before and after pictures and it was so easy to do. If you follow the instructions on pamphlet’s and the videos they have online it’s smooth sailing. Loved the product and the fact that I can change the color if I don’t like the outcome is the best part.

BEFORE
+3

MELISSA N

5 out of 5

June 3, 2022

Kids their new to them chairs

I bought some kids chairs when grand kids was just babies and wanted to updated look and found rub n restore. This stuff is amazing for giving old furniture new look . My husband thought I bought new chairs for them .
Try this stuff , it is easy to do .

Amy Harvard

5 out of 5

April 26, 2022

It is an amazing product!

This stuff is awesome! I didn’t change the color of my chair-I just wanted to make the color match due to fading. It did exactly what I needed it to. Mind blown! It looks brand new!