Repair & Recondition Leather Furniture

Restore leather furniture with our professional products, and love your leather again.

Look what others have done:

Before-after collage of tufted leather wingback chair repaired with filler putty and restored using Rub n Restore Forest green leather paint

Wingback Chair Fixed with Leather Filler & Forest Color

Collage showing worn, faded, scratched leather couch cushions before and after refinishing with Mahogany brown Rub n Restore leather dye

Worn Leather Couch Refinished with Mahogany

Before-after photo showing cat scratches on leather arm repaired with leather filler and Mahogany Rub n Restore leather dye

Cat Scratches Repaired with Filler Putty & Mahogany

Collage depicting worn, discolored leather couch cushion before and after refinishing with camel Rub n Restore leather paint

Worn Leather Refinished with Camel Color

Collage depicting large tears and cracks in leather loveseat before and after repair with Rub n Restore leather filler putty and Mahogany leather paint

Holes in Couch Fixed with Subpatch, Filler & Mahogany

Collage showing semi-aniline leather couch before-after refinishing with Rust RubnRestore leather dye

Leather Sofa Restored with Rust Color

Easy steps to assess your project:

Will Rub 'n Restore® work on my furniture?

Leather or vinyl = Yes!

Our products work with top grain, full grain, corrected grain, aniline, and semi-aniline leather as well as vinyl (PVC).

Because our colors are a water-based finish (paint), they may slightly cool the feel of some warm, velvety aniline leathers.

Our products are not recommended for nubuck (unfinished, brushed leather), suede or faux leathers with a polyurethane (PU) finish.

Learn more about types of real and synthetic leathers here. If you need more help, consult a pro.

Faux leather = Maybe, Maybe Not

Cleaning

Absorbent upholstery

Non-absorbent upholstery

Repairs

It is faded or discolored, but otherwise undamaged.

My fingers feel damage.

Damage that can be felt should be repaired before color is applied.

Picture of leather furniture used as a cat scratching post

Picture of burn in leather upholstery — The burn in this leather just needs to be trimmed, subpatched, and repaired with filler.

Learn how to repair:

Color Selection

Stock colors

If you don't need a specific color, begin your project immediately by choosing one of our standard colors. Remember that screens are misleading and may not match the actual color. Please read about color matching if you want a more accurate match.

Rub 'n Restore® colors can be mixed together, so you can create your own color or unique appearance.

To marble, print or burnish a color, dilute it with Clear Prep+Finish. This will make the color more translucent and gradually increase luster. Clear Prep+Finish can be used alone for a glossy finish and will seal the color.

Most colors dry dull and do not need an additional sealer. Clear Prep+Finish or special order Satin Sealer is recommended on Butterscotch, Red Chili, Cherrywood, Wine, Plum, Midnight Blue, Storm Blue and Lagoon.

Match a color

Change the color

If you want to change the color of your furniture, there are some important considerations:

Absorbent leather will accept the color and wear better than non-absorbent leather or vinyl.
Choosing a color that complements the original will age better.
Furniture with deep creases, wrinkles, folds, damage to the material or heavy use may need periodic touch up.
Changing from dark or bright colors to pale shades is difficult and discouraged.

Learn more about changing color.

Example of leather chair in Rub n Restore's pure Bright White color with triangular swatch in upper left corner as reference

Bright White Vinyl & Leather Finish

Example of leather chair in Rub n Restore's Marine off-white color with triangular swatch in upper left corner as reference

Marine White Leather & Vinyl Protectant

Example of leather chair in Rub n Restore's pale Ivory color with triangular swatch in upper left corner as reference

Ivory Vinyl & Leather Finish

Example of leather chair in Rub n Restore's light Beige color with triangular swatch in upper left corner as reference

Beige Vinyl & Leather Finish

Digital illustration of a chair in the light Sand color leather restorer by Rub n Restore, showcasing a triangle sample of the color and its leather grain in the top left

Sand Vinyl & Leather Finish

Picture of leather chair showing Rub n Restore light Camel tan color and triangular swatch in upper left corner for reference

Camel Vinyl & Leather Finish

Image of chair in Rub n Restore Buckskin color with triangle example of color on leather in left corner

Buckskin Vinyl & Leather Finish

Graphic showing chair in Butterscotch Rub n Restore tan color with triangular sample of color on leather in upper left

Butterscotch Vinyl & Leather Finish

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

Cognac Vinyl & Leather Finish

Picture of leather chair demonstrating Rub n Restore rich Tobacco brown color and triangular swatch in upper left corner for reference

Tobacco Vinyl & Leather Finish

Image showing chair with Rub n Restore Cinnamon brown color plus triangular example of texture in left corner

Cinnamon Vinyl & Leather Finish

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

Rust Vinyl & Leather Finish

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

Cherrywood Vinyl & Leather Finish

Picture of leather chair demonstrating Rub n Restore Walnut brown color and triangular swatch in upper left corner for reference

Walnut Vinyl & Leather Finish

Graphic of chair in dark brown Chocolate Rub n Restore with triangular swatch of color of leather in upper left corner

Chocolate Vinyl & Leather Finish

Picture of leather chair demonstrating Rub n Restore dark brown Mahogany color and triangular swatch in upper left corner for reference

Mahogany Vinyl & Leather Finish

Picture of leather chair demonstrating Rub n Restore coffee brown Espresso color and triangular swatch in upper left corner for reference

Espresso Vinyl & Leather Finish

Artistic depiction of a chair in the dark taupe Pebble leather paint by Rub n Restore, complemented by a triangular patch showing leather texture in the upper left corner

Pebble Vinyl & Leather Finish

Example of leather chair in Rub n Restore's neutral mushroom Taupe color with triangular swatch in upper left corner as reference

Taupe Vinyl & Leather Finish

Graphic of armchair in light taupe Clay color by Rub n Restore with triangle example of leather color in left corner

Clay Vinyl & Leather Finish

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

Ash Vinyl & Leather Finish

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

Stone Vinyl & Leather Finish

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

Slate Vinyl & Leather Finish

Graphic rendering of a chair refinished in dark grey Smoke color leather paint by Rub n Restore, with a triangle highlighting the color's depth and leather grain in the top left

Smoke Vinyl & Leather Finish

Picture of leather chair demonstrating Rub n Restore charcoal grey Peppercorn color and triangular swatch in upper left corner for reference

Peppercorn Vinyl & Leather Finish

Picture of leather chair demonstrating Rub n Restore Black color and triangular swatch in upper left corner for reference

Black Vinyl & Leather Finish

Picture of leather chair showing Rub n Restore dark Midnight Blue color and triangular swatch in upper left corner for reference

Midnight Blue Vinyl & Leather Finish

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

Storm Blue Vinyl & Leather Finish

Image of armchair in turquoise teal Lagoon blue color by Rub n Restore along with triangular example of leather color in upper left

Lagoon Vinyl & Leather Finish

Graphic of leather chair in Rub n Restore Sea Foam (light aqua blue color) with triangular swatch of color in upper left

Sea Foam Vinyl & Leather Finish

Image of leather club chair in Rub n Restore Pine green with triangular example of color in upper left corner

Pine Vinyl & Leather Finish

Graphic of leather club chair in Rub n Restore Mustard yellow with triangle example of color in upper left corner

Mustard Vinyl & Leather Finish

Infographic showing leather chair in Rub n Restore Brick red color with triangular swatch of color and texture in upper left corner

Brick Vinyl & Leather Finish

Picture of leather chair showing Rub n Restore hot Red Chili color and triangular swatch in upper left corner for reference

Red Chili Vinyl & Leather Finish

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

Wine Vinyl & Leather Finish

Graphic rendering of chair in Rub n Restore's rich purple Plum hue with a triangular close-up of the color and leather texture in the upper left

Plum Vinyl & Leather Finish

Refinishing & Recoloring

You can use a sponge, brush or spray gun. Click here for complete instructions.

Learn how to refinish tufted buttons here and metal nails here.

Leather furniture often has a natural marbling, distressed, printed finish, or burnished appearance that has different shades or colors. Use a mottling or or distressing technique to emulate this.

Clear Finish & Sealing

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.

Future Cleaning & Conditioning

How do I clean furniture after using Rub 'n Restore®?

Will the repairs or finish need touch-up?

Repairs are long-lasting but cannot perform better than the original material. Repairs to oil-stained leather may require occasional touch-up.

Dogs, harsh chemicals, type of use, and the quality and condition of the upholstery are all factors that affect the longevity of repairs and a new finish. Changing the color of non-absorbent leather or vinyl have a greater propensity for touch-up.

Nevertheless, touch-up is fast and easy.

How do I condition the furniture?