Leather is a durable and versatile material that has been used by humans for thousands of years, and even our modern leather is made using processes that I ancestors used.
But just like any other material, leather isn’t impervious to physical damage and to ageing, meaning that over time it’s likely to show some signs of wear and tear.
Fortunately, leather is also easy to restore with a little patience and the right equipment. Find out how to put new life into old pieces of worn leather.
1. Clean The Leather
Restoration of leather begins with cleaning the surface of the material as much as possible. This involves removing surface stains, debris and dirt with a leather-cleaning product. Apply the product to the surface of the leather in circular motions, making even strokes and ensuring that it’s spread across the entirety of the leather.
Wipe off with a lint-free cloth once completed. The end product should now be clean enough to have any further damage removed or reduced.
2. The Reduction of Scratches
Leather used for furniture will often fall victim to the claws of animals and other sharp objects. Products like leather honey are the perfect way to recondition an area that has been damaged from scratching, which also camouflages the scratches and applies moisture to the leather.
It’s a good idea to test the product on a more discreet part of the leather in order to make sure that there is no noticeable discolouration, as it can, in some cases, make the leather much darker.
3. Conditioning
Leather requires constant conditioning to keep the material flexible and moist, which helps the leather stay resistant to damage. Getting hold and applying a leather conditioner is the best way to keep the leather in good shape, and it’s best to apply the conditioner in thin, even coats using a cloth.
The conditioner needs around 2 hours to settle in, although it’s recommended that the leather instead sits for 24 hours to gain the full effects of the conditioner, time that can be spent on other hobbies, such as online bingo NZ games.
4. Patching and Filling
Patches and fillers are used to mend small holes that appear in the surface of the leather. The filler is takes time to apply, and just requires a palette knife, where the filler is added continuously in layers until the hole is level with the surrounding leather.
This can take some practice, especially for those that have never done it before, and if the area is damaged enough, it might be worth taking it to a professional instead.
5. Water Damage Repair
Water damaged leather can be difficult to fully repair, but it’s manageable given enough time. The leather needs to first be dried out as much as possible, but make sure not to heat up wet leather as this can damage it further.
Leaving the leather to dry for a few months and conditioning it regularly can restore much of the material.
