Rust Vinyl & Leather Finish

4.87 out of 5

(85 customer reviews & photos)

Picture of leather chair showing Rub n Restore brick red Rust color and triangular swatch in upper left corner for reference

Rust is a chic reddish brown. It is more brown than Brick but more red than Cinnamon.

Get a Swatch of Rust

Price range: $22 through $89

Size

Clear

Get a Swatch of Rust

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.

If the material repels water, add cross-linker to the color to boost adhesion. Adding 1 Satin Sealer to 4 parts color also serves this purpose and is needed 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 (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.

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 Rust

Cognac

Tobacco

Cinnamon

Brick

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

85 reviews for Rust Vinyl & Leather Finish

before
+1

Lawri

5 out of 5

March 31, 2021

My daughter, who gave me the couch and recliner purchased them about 18 years ago and by the time I got them they had a weathered (worn out look). Only took 2 people 2 hours. Now they look brand spanking new. Of course, they only had light use in her home for about 15 years. I finally had to hire someone to do it....I cannot remember if I sent you photos before.

Karlee

3 out of 5

March 9, 2021

Great color but not the best coverage.

I was super excited to try this product, but I'm slightly disappointed. I followed all the directions but some spots didn't cover as well or looked slightly streaky, even with multiple coats. Also my chair is sitting against a wall and rubs off onto the wall. Chair look decent but had higher hopes. Color looks great.

After. Such a great update!

Michelle

5 out of 5

February 24, 2021

Change is GOOD!

This was a FUN pandemic project! I am SO happy with the results! These pieces are over 30 years old and now they have a whole new look. Excellent customer service, too. Thank you!

after
+1

B Rasmussen

5 out of 5

February 9, 2021

Great results

I just finished redoing an old sofa with Cognac and Rust combination. It turned out great! Thank you

Before
+1

Rodrigo Vargas

5 out of 5

January 27, 2021

Can't believe it works so good

I'm amazed of how easy and fast it is and how good it looks, I wish I knew about this paint sooner I let do many pieces go because didn't like the color now I'll be looking for more leather pieces.

after
+1

HC

5 out of 5

January 27, 2021

Another satisfied customer!Thanks for all your help and advice.
The results were beyond my expectations!

+1

christine kavanaugh

5 out of 5

January 25, 2021

Fantastic!

Perfection! This loveseat was a cheap looking flat black. NOW it's a rich looking caramel. Thanks!

after mix of rust and cognac
+1

Sue C

5 out of 5

January 19, 2021

Thank you so much for the awesome service and product! I’m raving about your products to all my friends. I may do one more coat but we love the transformation. I'm going to order more for our hot tub cover.

AMY ZHENG

5 out of 5

January 18, 2021

Excellent product!

I used the Rust color dye and it transformed my parents' 30 year old couch! So easy to apply. It leaves the leather feeling soft.. Excellent product. Highly recommend.

Janice

5 out of 5

September 14, 2020

I wanted to express my "over the top" results with how my leather sofa and love seat coloring.
Excellent match with color and the coloring of the pieces did not take very long.
Thank you again.

Tony w

5 out of 5

July 6, 2020

Wonderful product

It looks like a brand new couch!
+3

Diana Alvarado

5 out of 5

June 25, 2020

I ordered this color on sunday and received it by wed . Super fast shipping! I began painting my couch that same night. It has excellent coverage. And I had more than enough for two coats. I told the whole world about this paint! I cant wait to do more projects with it

after
+1

Drusilla

5 out of 5

June 9, 2020

Fantastic! Thank you!

Before
+1

Lois

5 out of 5

May 28, 2020

Worked great!

Used 3 thin applications of the 'rust' color on my couches. I purchased the clear Prep and Finish but did not use it, as I liked the result as it was. It was very easy! Applied with a damp sponge only -- the product dries literally in minutes so the project goes fast and there is minimal mess. I am not usually a good 'do-it-yourselfer' but I was really, really pleased!

Before
+1

Pablo Berrios

5 out of 5

May 7, 2020

Great Products

This is a great product. It’s a perfect match to the original color. Very easy to apply and no chemical odor. This is the best product on the market and the customer service is outstanding! Highly recommended, I would not use anything else.

Kim Hall

5 out of 5

April 20, 2020

The Rust worked! 2 oz. restored most of the ottoman. I'm ordering more for the rest of the furniture.

Before & after color restoration
+6

Jayne L

5 out of 5

March 13, 2020

We are very happy with how our project went!! Everything was just as your information and videos said it would be!!
We will definitely recommend your product to others!! A 16 oz. Rust and 16 oz. Clear did all this!

The Original Couch
+1

Lee Ann

5 out of 5

January 28, 2020

What a wonderful product! We are thrilled with the results. We used rust, and it only took an hour. (We loved that you were a mother daughter company too -how sweet!)

+3

Joseph Knight

5 out of 5

January 27, 2020

The reviews do not exaggerate on the finished product! The pictures do not lie. I ordered more than I needed, because I underestimated how well the product covers.

+1

Dixie Ussery

5 out of 5

January 10, 2020

I wanted to share the finished product. It’s beautiful.