Cognac Vinyl & Leather Finish

4.84 out of 5

(128 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.

$19 – $79

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 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 Cognac

Butterscotch

Rust

Cinnamon

Tobacco

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

128 reviews for Cognac Vinyl & Leather Finish

LaShann

5 out of 5

May 7, 2019

I love your product! Check out my before and after. From red to cognac. Easy and quick!

Jada D

5 out of 5

May 7, 2019

Wow, just wow. Thanks for great, easy to use product.

alissa

5 out of 5

May 7, 2019

I just wanted to send you some pics of the finished project. I love it! Thanks for all your help. I used your repair stuff to repair the cushion and it worked great. And used the cognac making a 50 50 glaze with tha clear and wiping a lot of it off after it was somewhat dry to get a distressed look.

Richard M.

5 out of 5

February 12, 2019

In the process of restoring a 45 year old airplane I was considering recovering the 4 seats, at a cost of more than $1,000. The original vinyl seats were in decent condition, but the color was worn and faded from the sun. I have had good experience with Rub 'n Restore before so I figured it was worth a try. The results were fantastic - three light applications and the seats look almost new again. Using Rub 'n Restore saved me a considerable sum of cash - thanks.

Angela S.

5 out of 5

February 8, 2019

My client was going to get rid of her much loved leather sofa and loveseat...but I told her I could bring the life back to it...they chose cognac which was similar to what it originally was (although now it was super faded and scratched and pen marks & paint covered.) After 3 coats, they were amazed, "looks like a new sofa" they said. very happy. great product.

Lisa A

5 out of 5

January 15, 2019

Perfect match found through variety offered. True to sample.

LA

5 out of 5

January 8, 2019

Worked like magic. Very pleased!

Bobbie

5 out of 5

December 24, 2018

“Love it!”

Martin

5 out of 5

December 10, 2018

Has restored a chair to look like new. Easy to use. Great product

Anonymous

5 out of 5

November 27, 2018

Beyond anything I imagined.

Alice

5 out of 5

October 1, 2018

AMAZING AND MIRACULOUS PRODUCT! I transformed a 2nd-hand burgundy/wine colored vinyl reclining sectional into the MOST BEAUTIFUL Cognac-colored sectional! We are more than satisfied customers!

Robin

5 out of 5

August 13, 2018

Sure I was nervous to purchase, what can go wrong.. You name it. But none of it happened. Product is easy to use. Simple and that how a product should be,

Ed

5 out of 5

July 28, 2018

“I am sure you get a ton of these, but I wanted to let you know that I am very happy with the results. The stock color wasn’t an exact match so I dyed the whole sofa except for the back. Now waiting for it to dry…The project took me about 4 hours. Thanks again.”

Sherri, Albuquerque, NM

5 out of 5

April 6, 2018

“Second time I have used Rub 'n Restore products and it is like magic! How to take old and make it brand new! Easy to use, dries fast, instant success! Yes, Dad is converted! We LOVE the results.”

Anonymous

5 out of 5

April 4, 2018

I was worried this wouldn't work going from a dark color to a light....but it worked perfectly! This product is AWESOME! So glad i found it.

Laura, Corpus Christi, TX

5 out of 5

March 4, 2018

“Thank you for making a great product that is super easy to use!! I will definitely recommend this to everyone!!”

Barb

5 out of 5

February 1, 2018

I used the Cognac Leather and Vinyl Dye on a office chair that was originally a very close color. The chair is a combo of vinyl and leather, with a leather seating surface and vinyl on the arms, back and sides. The color on the vinyl surfaces had either worn off completely as in the case of the arms or turned an odd greenish shade on the sides and back.I used clear prep and finish. Then I put 2 thin coats of cognac on the leather seating surface and sides and back. I put 5 coats on the arms to bring them back to the same color as the rest of the chair. I topped it off with a coat of clear prep and finish. Everybody has commented it looks like...More
I used the Cognac Leather and Vinyl Dye on a office chair that was originally a very close color. The chair is a combo of vinyl and leather, with a leather seating surface and vinyl on the arms, back and sides. The color on the vinyl surfaces had either worn off completely as in the case of the arms or turned an odd greenish shade on the sides and back.I used clear prep and finish. Then I put 2 thin coats of cognac on the leather seating surface and sides and back. I put 5 coats on the arms to bring them back to the same color as the rest of the chair. I topped it off with a coat of clear prep and finish. Everybody has commented it looks like a new chair. It was easy to do and has saved a comfortable favorite chair from the landfill.

Megan

5 out of 5

December 13, 2017

I was dubious about this product but my couch was so bad that I had nothing to lose. The transformation was incredible! From a couch that was destined for the dump to something that looks brand new.

Deb

5 out of 5

December 12, 2017

I love the color. It worked exactly the way you discribed it.
It looks like new.

John, Carbondale, CO

5 out of 5

September 15, 2017

“The furniture looks even better in person! Thank you for a great product and clear instructions!”

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