3 Ways to Fix Peeled Fake Leather

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3 Ways to Fix Peeled Fake Leather
3 Ways to Fix Peeled Fake Leather

Video: 3 Ways to Fix Peeled Fake Leather

Video: 3 Ways to Fix Peeled Fake Leather
Video: How to Repair Peeling Bonded or Faux Leather, Why It Ain't Worth It & An Affordable Solution 2024, March
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Faux leather is a synthetic material made from an inexpensive base fabric and a polyurethane cover. With time and use, it eventually begins to peel and crumble. Fake leather is difficult to repair, and many experts don't recommend trying. However, if you want to take a risk and don't mind possibly making the material worse, there are a few ways to try to repair or replace the peeling leather.

Steps

Method 1 of 3: Replacing Fake Leather in Shoes

Fix Faux Leather Peeling Step 1
Fix Faux Leather Peeling Step 1

Step 1. Sand the peeled leather with 180 grit sandpaper

Before starting any repairs, you should remove all peelings from your shoes. Sand the top and sides of the pieces, where there are crumbs. Make small circular motions and add enough pressure to the shoe.

You can buy sandpaper paper at any hardware store. Take at least four for this project

Fix Faux Leather Peeling Step 2
Fix Faux Leather Peeling Step 2

Step 2. Paint the discolored cracks with a shoe-colored pen

Use a thick permanent pen to paint areas of the shoe that are faded or discolored after removing the peeling parts. This will improve their appearance.

  • If you are repairing brown shoes, use a brown permanent pen. Try to find a pen that is the same color as the shoes; you may not find the exact same color unless the shoes are black.
  • You can buy permanent pens at any stationery store and some supermarkets.
Fix Faux Leather Peeling Step 3
Fix Faux Leather Peeling Step 3

Step 3. Use a clean cloth to apply shoe grease to the surface of the shoes

Place a cloth inside the product can and spread it on the surface of the sanded shoe. Make long, even strokes on the top and sides of the pieces. Apply the grease evenly so that the shoes have an even color across the entire surface.

  • Like the pen, the shoe grease must be the same color as the piece. In most cases, a generic black or brown product will do.
  • You can buy shoe polish at some supermarkets and large department stores.
Fix Faux Leather Peeling Step 4
Fix Faux Leather Peeling Step 4

Step 4. Apply sealant to the shoe with a 1.5 cm wide brush

Put some of the product on top of the shoes and use the brush to spread the thick goo over them. Cover the entire surface of the shoe, down to the seam where the shoe meets the sole. This will seal the pieces and help protect the base fabric from the faux leather.

You can buy a sealant, or shoe goo, at any shoe store, some large department stores, or online

Fix Faux Leather Peeling Step 5
Fix Faux Leather Peeling Step 5

Step 5. Allow the sealant to dry for 24 hours

To see if the product has dried, tap it with a finger. If it stays clean and the goo doesn't look wet, it's probably dry. If your finger has some of the product, let it dry for another 12 hours.

After the sealant dries, you can wear your shoes

Method 2 of 3: Repairing Faux Leather Furniture with Leather Paint

Fix Faux Leather Peeling Step 6
Fix Faux Leather Peeling Step 6

Step 1. Pull loose pieces of faux leather to clean surface before repair

Use your fingers to remove the pieces of leather that are still partially attached to the back or seat of your chair or sofa. Avoid taking more than necessary as it can worsen the damage to the furniture.

Throw these pieces of leather in the trash, or they could make a mess of your house

Fix Faux Leather Peeling Step 7
Fix Faux Leather Peeling Step 7

Step 2. Paint a coat of leather paint the color of the furniture

You can find this product at major art supply or leather goods stores. Dip a 1.5 cm wide brush into the paint container and apply an even layer to the part of the faux leather you just peeled off. Make long horizontal strokes to ensure the entire area is covered.

  • You can buy leather paint at any leather or craft store. It can also be found at some major art supply stores.
  • If you can't find a color that matches your sofa or chair, skip this step and go straight to applying the high-gloss leather paint finish.
Fix Faux Leather Peeling Step 8
Fix Faux Leather Peeling Step 8

Step 3. Allow the ink to dry for at least 30 minutes

When trying to apply another coat of paint on top of the first one, before it dries completely, you'll just rub them together and spoil. To see if the ink is dry, lightly tap it with one finger. If your finger is clean and the ink doesn't feel sticky, it's dry.

Fix Faux Leather Peeling Step 9
Fix Faux Leather Peeling Step 9

Step 4. Apply a coat of high-gloss finish to leather paint

When the previous coat is dry, you can apply the high-gloss finish. As with matte paint, dip the brush into the product and apply a layer on the peeled part of the faux leather. Allow the finish to dry for 30 minutes.

The finish is colorless and will seal the painted area of the sofa or chair you are repairing

Fix Faux Leather Peeling Step 10
Fix Faux Leather Peeling Step 10

Step 5. Spend another three or four additional coats of finish

The many layers of product should hold the fabric together and prevent further peeling in that area of the furniture. Apply a thick layer at a time. When applied, the finish will appear opaque and white, but the color will fade as the product dries.

  • Allow each layer to dry for at least 30 minutes before applying the next one.
  • After all the layers dry, the repaired part will look reasonably similar to the other parts of the faux leather.

Method 3 of 3: Repairing Faux Leather Furniture with a Filler

Fix Faux Leather Peeling Step 11
Fix Faux Leather Peeling Step 11

Step 1. Cut the peeled leather with a razor blade

Before repairing the material, you must remove all peeling pieces. Use your fingers and a razor blade to peel, scrape and cut loose parts of the faux leather on your chair or sofa. However, don't take more than necessary; remove only what is already loose and crumbling.

  • You can buy a set of razor blades at supermarkets or drugstores.
  • Another option is to use a stylus, but be careful when handling it.
Fix Faux Leather Peeling Step 12
Fix Faux Leather Peeling Step 12

Step 2. Apply filler to the peeled area with a spatula

Take a handful of the product with the spatula and use it to spread the filler on the peeled part of the furniture. Smooth the product so that it has a uniform thickness over the entire area, and try not to apply to parts of the leather that are not peeled.

The leather filler will bond to the base fabric of the faux leather and create a new vinyl-like surface. You can purchase this product at a leather goods store and some craft supply stores

Fix Faux Leather Peeling Step 13
Fix Faux Leather Peeling Step 13

Step 3. Push excess filler out of the furniture and smooth the surface

If you have applied the product to the seams of the furniture, you can use a piece of stiff paper to remove. Use the edge of a business card to push the product, and run the long edge of the card over the fabric to smooth the filler layer.

Cleaning the seams and smoothing the edges of the product will give the repair a more professional look

Fix Faux Leather Peeling Step 14
Fix Faux Leather Peeling Step 14

Step 4. Allow filler to cure for 20 minutes

The product sets relatively quickly, and it is important that you do not touch it while it cures. If you have small children or pets at home, keep them away from the furniture.

If you're fixing a small chair, you can take it outside and leave it in the sun, if the weather is nice, to speed up the process

Fix Faux Leather Peeling Step 15
Fix Faux Leather Peeling Step 15

Step 5. Apply a second coat of filler to the area you are repairing

When the first coat has dried, use the spatula to apply a second thick coat to the leather. As before, avoid spreading the product on parts of the furniture that are not damaged.

Fix Faux Leather Peeling Step 16
Fix Faux Leather Peeling Step 16

Step 6. Add texture to the repair by pressing plastic film against it

Take a 12-inch piece of plastic film and wrap it around your hand. Press your plastic-covered palm against the almost dry layer of filler. When you lift your hand, the area will have a slight texture. Repeat this process until you create a smooth texture throughout the part you are repairing. This will help make the repair match the rest of the faux leather.

If the surface of the faux leather is completely smooth, it doesn't need to add texture to it. In that case, you can skip this step

Fix Faux Leather Peeling Step 17
Fix Faux Leather Peeling Step 17

Step 7. Apply leather paint to the repaired area using a damp sponge

Put a generous amount of product on a damp sponge; the handful should be about 5 cm in diameter. Then use the sponge to spread the paint over the entire repair area. Make long, smooth strokes and apply an even thin coat of paint. Overlay about 1.5 cm of undamaged faux leather with paint to blend the areas well.

  • You can find leather paint at any leather or craft store. Look for a color that matches the furniture you are repairing.
  • If you can't find a paint the same color as the chair or sofa, try to create the right shade by mixing paint a little lighter with one a little darker than the furniture.

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