Leather restoration can be a lucrative revenue stream for repairers

Jan. 1, 2020
Most leather vehicle interiors, even the most worn examples, can be restored.
Ignore for a moment the repaired rip. The discolored leather has been successfully re-colored, giving it a like-new appearance. (IMAGE / EXOTIC REPAIR.)

Many leather interiors, because of neglect and wear, need more intensive care to restore their luster. Fortunately, the market has a number of effective restoration products that can breathe new life into leather by working out the cracks and faded areas many vehicle owners accept as a natural part of leather. The following steps will help restore leather upholstery. (Note: These steps provide general instructions for restoring leather upholstery. Be sure to follow specific instructions included with restoration products.)

Step 1: Survey the situation

Normal wear? No. This is leather in a two-year-old car already showing premature wear beyond what leather conditioner can repair. Restoration work can produce very good results here.(IMAGE / EXOTIC REPAIR.)

Leather upholstery has two main selling points. It looks great and is durable. Most leather interiors are fitted with high-quality leather, making them easier to restore. Fortunately, most leather interiors – even the most worn examples – can be restored. Restoration involves two tasks: repairing damage and coloring the leather.

Before beginning work, make sure restoration is possible. Check the integrity of the leather. Rips, tears and other damage that penetrates the leather will need to be repaired before restoration begins. (The time needed for that work needs to be worked into the estimate or cost.) If this kind of damage is excessive, the leather will need replaced. Also, look for other signs of wear, especially any flaking or peeling. If present, the leather is too worn or the quality is too poor to merit restoration.

As part of an examination, collect information, namely the dye color of the leather that needs matched. This should be handled immediately. If necessary, contact the vehicle manufacturer or check with the manufacturer of the leather dye to determine if the appropriate dye is available.

Step 2: Prep work

The leather here is just a few years old but is already cracking. The cracks can be filled with compound and then dyed.(IMAGE / EXOTIC REPAIR.)

Seats need to be cleaned thoroughly (refer to cleanup instructions in the article "The Leather Option" in the September 2011 issue). Begin by vacuuming the entire interior. Sweep up any residual dust or contaminants if the vehicle was in an accident.

This is new leather. When properly taken care of or properly restored, it can retain this like-new appearance.

Also, determine if you need or can remove the seats. This depends on the model and complexity of the restoration. If the seats can be removed rather easily, do so. You'll want to remove them if the leather is cracked and worn. Having the seats outside the vehicle opens up your work space, making the job easier. If you don't remove the seats, cover the areas around them to protect them from overspray.

If the leather is dirty or grimy, use a soft bristle brush to remove the dirt. Seats must be thoroughly cleaned, which includes removing leather cleaning residue. Remove it with a mild solvent such as isopropyl alcohol and allow the leather to dry thoroughly.

Step 3: Fill in the cracks

Restoring leather is like restoring a paint finish. In both cases, the surface area of the material, whether leather or sheet metal, needs to be made smooth and consistent so the color applied to it adheres properly. When restoring leather, you'll probably have to perform some repairs to create a smooth surface, namely filling in cracked areas and sanding the damaged ones.

Smooth over damaged areas by wet sanding the damage with 240 grit sandpaper. You may need to use a special prep solution.

Fill in any cracks with a leather repair compound. There are numerous compounds of various densities on the market from which to choose. Because the severity of the cracking will determine which compound to use, you'll need to perform preliminary research. Talk to vendors and discuss which compounds work best for each job, depending on the depth and size of the cracks. Some experts suggest low-heat compounds for the most severe cracks.

Regardless of which compound you choose, use the minimal amount of compound necessary. Apply the compound in thin layers. If you need to apply several coats of compound, sand between each coat (400 and 800 grit sandpaper is recommended).

The key to repairing cracks with compound properly is taking your time. If you hurry and fail to produce a smooth surface, no amount of coloring will hide your poor work. Instead, newly dyed leather highlights any mistakes. The final step often involves applying a primer to the repair areas to help adhere the color.

Step 4. Apply the dye

The challenge with coloring leather is the same one painters face when they attempt to blend a panel. Color match is vital but sometimes difficult.

Many restoration products offer dyes in various colors that are mixed to match the specific leather color on a specific vehicle model. Some products just don't provide an exact match. Also, aging can impact the leather color on some vehicles. Therefore, you still may need to do some mixing to produce a dye with the proper match. Also, some products come with a toner that can alter the color for a better match.

Before coloring the leather, first test the dye on an inconspicuous area of the leather to check the color match. Apply several coats and allow them to dry. Conduct the color match test in direct sunlight, not in artificial shop lighting because that's the condition in which most customers will view your work.

When the color match is correct, apply the color per the manufacturer's recommendations. With these recommendations, consider suggestions from expert restorers. Color the seats from the top down. Also, apply the color in thin coats, being careful not to overcoat the leather. Wipe off any excess.

For best possible results – if you're restoring parts of a seat instead of the entire seat – blend the dye into the surrounding areas (at least 12 inches around the repairs). This helps create the impression of a single, consistent color. To accelerate drying, consider using a heater. Keep the heat source at least 18 inches away from the repair areas to prevent the leather surface from cracking.

Step 5: Clean up

When the dye dries, wipe down the seats and apply leather conditioner. Examine your work. If you did the job correctly, the leather upholstery should look like new. Any repairs you performed should last for years. Complete the work by reinstalling the seats if necessary and removing any covers you placed in the vehicle to protect against overspray. Wipe off any overspray.

In case you're not sold on the idea of restoring leather upholstery, try it a few times and gauge the response of your customers. You've probably noticed the awe-inspired look that comes across many of their faces when they receive a vehicle with an all-new exterior. Imagine pairing that fresh-looking exterior with a new-looking interior or simply offering a restored interior on its own. You might be looking at a lucrative new revenue stream your competitors have never considered.

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