Leather Repair >> Leather
Repair Articles
Advanced Leather Repair
There
are numerous problems with damaged or aging leather. Let's start
with how to repair cracked leather.
Cracks in Leather
The only way to un-crack leather is to replace it. One approach that leather repair specialists use is to clean the leather and then re-color it. The result is that the leather will have a uniform appearance. The cracks will still be there but will be less apparent.
You can also have a leather repair professional replace the cracked
areas and match the new leather to the original color. This works
best when you are working with a panel of leather, for example
on a car seat or the surface of a furniture cushion.
Dog and Cat Scratches
If you own a dog or cat, do not allow them on your leather furniture
– PERIOD!
For dogs, most damage occurs while climbing on and jumping off.
If you are a cat owner, leather fillers or tanner’s resin will
cure the symptoms but not the problem.
You might consider buying your cat a scratching post and put
it near the area where the cat is scratching before using the
filler.
Spray water on the scratch and cover it with a small square of
1000 grit wet sand paper from the hardware store. Sand very lightly
until the surface is smooth and you cannot feel the tear from
the scratch anymore. You may end up needing to re-color the furniture
if the scratch damage is extensive. That would be a job for a
pro.
Leather Repair Kits
If your leather has a tiny tear and it's not highly visible, (and if the color is black) any leather repair kit should be sufficient if you follow directions.
However, there are a couple of things to be aware of in case
you run into problems. The repair material may not bond well with
the leather. This happens if the leather is old or if the heating
element supplied with the kit (if it's included) is not hot enough.
Usually, a leather repair kit will contain grain papers that
you rub over the repaired area to imprint a grain-like finish.
The idea is that the grain will resemble that of the original
undamaged leather as much as possible.
Some grain papers are also pigmented. It's difficult to match
color but it's even more difficult if the leather is old. Experts
say that unless the leather color is black, the repair will show.
You may need to place a small piece of cloth and padding under
the tear to help hold the edges together. You can place a piece
of material under the tear and glue it with the edges to be repaired
as close together as possible. Hold the edges together while the
adhesive dries, or use a hair dryer (very carefully) to speed
up the process.
Using a leather repair kit will usually hide the tear and hopefully
prevent further damage. The problem with using a leather repair
kit is the damaged area will always be weaker. The other thing
you can do of course is have someone replace the damaged section
of leather and match the color professionally.
Stuck Leather
If you have a leather item with sides, such as a purse that appear
to be stuck together, look inside to see if you can tell exactly
where the sides are sticking. You should be able to see if it
is sticking in a couple of places or if the leather is completely
stuck shut.
Hold the item over a pot of boiling water – not too closely and
do not allow the purse to get soaked. The heat and humidity will
expand the pores in the leather and might allow you to work the
sides free, just do not force them if they will not budge.
You could also try to work some leather cleaner in between the
sides. If there is dirt or other grime that's holding the sides
together, this may loosen it. Finally, if getting the sides separated
doesn't look easy, take it to a cobbler for repair.
Specialized Leather Repair
Check out this company... ADV
Leather
These guys offer a specialized leather repair service and professional
training. They'll bend over backwards to help you clean or repair
a leather item yourself.
They also offer private tutoring to teach you the finer points
of premium leather repair. If you are looking for a career change,
you could build a respectable leather repair business by taking
the course they offer.
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