Slate Vinyl & Leather Finish

4.96 out of 5

(69 customer reviews & photos)

Example of leather chair in Rub n Restore's medium Slate grey color with triangular swatch in upper left corner as reference

Slate is a medium grey. It’s darker than Stone but lighter than Peppercorn.

$19 – $79

Size

Clear

Get a Swatch of Slate

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 Slate

Stone

Smoke

Pebble

Taupe

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

69 reviews for Slate Vinyl & Leather Finish

Graham – Queensland Australia

5 out of 5

September 17, 2016

after having bough 2 bottles when I was last in the USA over a year ago, eventually I decided to dye my tired old cream sofa that we stained and dog scratched I spent the morning cleaning it with flyte which really made the sofa look good without re-dying . In the afternoon I applied 2 coats of slate and bravo my sofa looks like new (ish) I f I had known it was so easy I wouldn't have waited so long to do it. One tip if you have a plush sofa with deep folds between the cushions. Open them as wide as you can and apply the dye, then dry quickly with a hairdryer and then fold some greaseproof paper into the space and let the sofa relax, this sto...More
after having bough 2 bottles when I was last in the USA over a year ago, eventually I decided to dye my tired old cream sofa that we stained and dog scratched I spent the morning cleaning it with flyte which really made the sofa look good without re-dying . In the afternoon I applied 2 coats of slate and bravo my sofa looks like new (ish) I f I had known it was so easy I wouldn't have waited so long to do it. One tip if you have a plush sofa with deep folds between the cushions. Open them as wide as you can and apply the dye, then dry quickly with a hairdryer and then fold some greaseproof paper into the space and let the sofa relax, this stops it sticking together and makes those deep crease look professional. (maybe they should make a skin color and I could use on myself )

Gary

5 out of 5

August 28, 2016

Hi Lesandre and CC:

Got the 'slate' and 'stone' dyes (along with the patching compound) yesterday.

2 words: 'WOW' and 'THANKS'. Both the sofa and chair (approx. 15 years old) literally look brand new. Unfortunately, I didn't take 'before' pictures, but the transformations are truly incredible. You're selling a phenomenal product (but you already knew that)!!!

Lanisa, Dolton, IL

5 out of 5

August 3, 2016

I absolutely love my results from using the slate gray! Thanks! Will be reordering other colors.

Wayne, Old Noarlunga, Australia

5 out of 5

May 15, 2016

We are very happy with the results of your product on our tired but comfy old leather lounge and have had nothing but expressions of wonder as to the results from visitors.

Hilary

5 out of 5

January 26, 2016

The results are top notch. Couldn’t have wished for a better finish!

The match was incredible and just what I wanted to achieve!! I am looking forward to showing off my “new” over 20 years old suite.

A big thank you to your wonderful Company.

Trina, Mesa, AZ

5 out of 5

July 17, 2015

Before and after!

Kathleen, Waterford, NY

5 out of 5

July 12, 2015

Bye bye maroon hello slate! Love it! Now on to chair #2!

Anonymous

5 out of 5

December 27, 2014

I bought the slate dye to dye a brown leather chair my husband refused to part with . We got new furniture and the brown completely did not match . I found the Rub n Restore product . It really is easy , it took several coats to cover . The chair turned out amazing . The dye was easy to apply and easy to cleanup . Highly recommend the product to anyone .

Sue

5 out of 5

August 24, 2014

My friend was betting that your product would be some kind of rip-off and I would be crying with a ruined sofa, but holy cow! I can't wait for her to see it. I am in the process of re-doing the house and wanted a new leather sofa. We went to yard sales last Saturday, and this one (really nice) house was having a moving sale. The lady said that she had a sofa that they were selling for $150, and as soon as I saw it, I knew it was coming home. It was the exact style that I wanted. It is vinyl, rather than leather, but it must have been an expensive sofa because it is not some cheap vinyl thing. It was taupe, which really isn't my color, but ...More
My friend was betting that your product would be some kind of rip-off and I would be crying with a ruined sofa, but holy cow! I can't wait for her to see it. I am in the process of re-doing the house and wanted a new leather sofa. We went to yard sales last Saturday, and this one (really nice) house was having a moving sale.

The lady said that she had a sofa that they were selling for $150, and as soon as I saw it, I knew it was coming home. It was the exact style that I wanted. It is vinyl, rather than leather, but it must have been an expensive sofa because it is not some cheap vinyl thing. It was taupe, which really isn't my color, but I knew it was meant to be mine.

I immediately started wondering if I could somehow dye the sofa either gray or black. I came upon your product and watched the video where you turned the dark green chair tan. Well, the charcoal colored dye came today and I got to work immediately. Right away, I knew I had a winner. The sofa looks great! Thank goodness I had taken a "before" picture because no one would believe the difference. Seriously, I am just stunned by how great it looks.

Thank you so much. I had budgeted $1,000 for the new sofa and got off for $150 plus the $60 for your product. The sofa is only a year and a half old and I love it - especially in gray. I have to put one more coat on because I missed a few places, but I am delighted with your product.

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