Red Chili Vinyl & Leather Finish
Red Chili is a hot red pepper color. Clear Prep+Finish™ or special order Satin Sealer is recommended.
$16 – $78
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. Each bottle comes with gloves and stir stick.
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.
Changing color is best suited to absorbent leather.
Thorough cleaning and testing for adhesion are critical!
The following are not good candidates and will require touch-up:
- non-absorbent materials that repel water;
- cracking, scaly, thinning upholstery;
- furniture with lots of wrinkles, folds, deep creases (and therefore stress);
- upholstery that is exposed to harsh chemicals, rough kids and dogs;
- changing from medium, dark, or bold colors to very pale colors;
- and bonded, faux or polyurethane (PU) ‘leather’ which resist all coatings.
Here's what wear looks like on non-absorbent leather or vinyl:
Touch-up is easy and minimized by:
- choosing a color that complements the original;
- choosing a color similar in value (light vs. dark);
- mottling the new color to let a little of the original color influence in some areas and create a marbled or distressed appearance, so future wear looks natural and intended.
Whites and off-whites get poorer coverage. If you are changing from dark or red to pale, you may need 2x-3x the volume of color. Consider a coat of Ash or Stone grey as a primer to minimize this.
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.
You can order handmade swatches of leather or vinyl refinished with our colors to see how they compare.
Or send us a sample and pay a fee for an exact match (recommended for auto, RV, boat interiors, primary or secondary colors):
- $50 Color Analysis - we test combinations of our standard colors directly on your sample and recommend a ratio, so you can mix your own with as little as 2 oz. sizes. If our standard colors are unsatisfactory, you can upgrade to the Advanced Matching & Custom Color (below) and pay only the $60 difference. Colors and Clear Prep+Finish™ are a separate cost.
- $120 Custom Color fee - We formulate a unique color and keep it on file. This is recommended for bright primary or secondary colors, car, RV, boat, or airplane upholstery. 8 oz. is the order minimum and a separate cost. There's a re-mix fee if you ever need more.
Matching fees are non-refundable. We do not accept returns on Custom Colors.
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
Colors and Clear Prep+Finish™ cover the same area.
These estimates can vary based upon quality and condition of material.
- 2 oz. covers ~ 15 – 20 square feet
- 4 oz. covers ~ 30 – 40 square feet
- 8 oz. covers ~ 60 – 80 square feet
- 16 oz. covers ~ 120 – 160 square feet
Choose an option below to get a quantity recommendation:
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.
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 6 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.
Return & Exchange Policy
We accept returns or exchanges of the following products within 60 days of purchase:
- any 8 oz. or 16 oz. color or clear finish (a restocking fee may apply to leaking or used bottles)
- unopened 2 oz. and 4 oz. colors and clear finishes*
- unopened adhesives, kits or tools*
- unopened filler*
- unopened cleaner*
Sorry, we do not accept returns of:
- opened cleaner, filler, 2 oz. or 4 oz. colors or clear finishes, or adhesives,
- colors that have been modified,
- Custom Colors.
*PLEASE NOTE: The shipping cost to return / exchange a single unopened 2 oz. color, 2 oz. clear, 4 oz. clear, 1 oz. filler, or cleaner may cost more than the product itself and result in little or no refund or exchange credit.
Our cost to ship each order is more than what you paid, and we will recoup the difference on any return or exchange. For example:
- If you paid $12 for UPS 2nd Day Air, our cost was actually $20, and we'll recoup the $8 difference.
- If you paid $7.95 Flat Rate Priority Mail, our cost was actually $9-$15.
If you request a return label, the cost will be deducted from any return or exchange. Read our complete return policy here.
Then I was at a thrift store and bought a leather foot stool for $6.98. Since I still had some chili red left, I decided to try to make it match the couch. I used a small paintbrush with clear prep and finish in the scratches and worn places before I layered on the chili red color and mottled with a mix of red chili, cherrywood, and clear prep and finish. I love how this old footstool looks new again!
I'm 65 - and these projects are way easier to do than I expected! Not beyond the ability of a senior citizen. And they are fun.
I've decided to completely restore the Jaguar by using all or as many of the cars original parts where possible. I took delivery of the Jaguar approx a month back and immediately removed the car's interior which has acres of walnut veneer and a herd of leather hide.
Everyone said and I quote "you'll never get that leather looking good again in a million years" and "omg that is going to cost you a small fortune it needs a new interior".
Well I knew different with my previous experience working with leather I realised the interior although a total dried up crunchy mess, was salvageable.
After getting quotes to have the interior redone from £9,000 to £17,000, just for the leather work I thought I'd check out products available for a DIM (do it myself)! job.
After looking at 100's of products it was yours at Rub n Restore I went for.
I am delighted I chose you guys just look at the before and after results on the attached photo's, all done by hand, mainly prepped in the garden in the lovely weather were having in England at the moment and finished in the garage.
Took me about 67 hours in total, prep is very important and your fillers are a joy to work with.
Your products are the best I've ever come across so easy to apply being user friendly with no B.S. the products do exactly what they're supposed to and I'd highly recommend them to any one that figures their upholstery is way past it use by date! Amazing results which has saved me a fortune.
Let me add I may have had some experience as a vehicle upholstery trimmer at Jaguar Cars but I was a boy and it was limited only to almost 2 years, but believe me when I say these products are second to none for ease of use, that any body with half a brain like me can use them!!
Highly recommended in fact I can't say enough about your products I can't wait to get back out and finish the front seats and door cards.
I'll be proud to recommend you to all fellow Classic Jaguar and car enthusiasts some of which already can't believe those are the same seats!!!
Brilliant and thank you!