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Making over old furniture with a fresh coat of paint can give it new life. If you're looking to update your leather items, there are two main types of paint to choose from:
So, what's the difference between leather dye and paint? We'll have your questions on dye and leather paint answered.
Leather dyes penetrate and stain the leather, creating a chemical bond in the leather.
Deciding to dye leather is different from painting leather, which coats the leather and adds a thin layer, creating a physical bond instead of a chemical bond.
It is best to dye leather on many occasions because of how it impacts the chemical bond. However, there is a need for leather paints, and it might be leather paint is ideal for the task you have.
Commonly, leather dyes are oil-based or spirit-based. With leather paints, including spray paint, they are mainly acrylic, a lot of oil paint damages leather.
In determining what is better between leather dye and leather paint, you need to think about what you are doing and what outcome you need.
If you are working in great detail or need a precise finish, leather paint is a better option. You can use fine-point markers and small brushes to create intricate finishes.
However, even the best leather paint is prone to cracking and flaking. For the best finish and consistency of items in regular use, leather dye is the best option.
You will find the majority of leathers are dyed and finished. Only a pigmented finish gives you confidence over lasting longer
Leathers with pigmented finishes are likely to remain in better condition. This leather resists stains, and retain its color better.
Even leather with a pigmented finish will eventually lose its color.
When you use leather paint, you can choose any colour you wish. As the paint sits on top of the leather, you can cover it in any shade. However, leather dyes aren’t as vibrant or as compelling.
With leather dyes permeating into the leather, the background color of the leather remains and will always be present.
You cannot dye leather items a dyed lighter color, so you should consider leather paint if that is your goal.
By opting for a lighter shade, even a dark roasted coffee colour, gives you more flexibility when dying or painting leather. Of course, if you have darker stains, a light colour is of no benefit.
You can correct darker stains with leather spray paint or durable leather paint.
There are leathers with no finish, classed as aniline, and there are leathers with a light clear finish, and these are semi-aniline leathers. Aniline leathers will take on the color of the aniline dye very well, as there is no protective barrier.
Semi-aniline leathers have a light, clear finish, which offers little protection against spills and stains. These leathers accept color exceptionally well too.
Dyed leathers need to be recolored every few years, as the color will eventually fade. Painted leathers will also fade over time, but not as quickly as dyed leathers.
Dyed leather is also susceptible to dye transference, which might impact other items or belongings, which is also the case with blue jeans.
To apply leather dye, you will need to use a brush, sponge, or damp cloth. Apply the dye to the leather in even strokes until the entire surface is covered. Leather paint is applied with a brush or sprayed on, with a wide base coat brush good for larger surface areas.
Always ensure the surface is completely dry, perhaps even using a hair dryer, to speed up the process.
Leather spray paints are applied in the same way as regular leather paint. Simply spray the paint onto the leather in even strokes until the entire surface is covered.
If you have faux leather, you'll be glad to know you can use leather paints on this material as you would real leather. When you paint or spray paint leather products, real or faux, you create something new and stylish.
You wouldn’t take the same approach with leather shoes as you would with a leather jacket or leather furniture. With leather shoes, you should use a textile dye with a paint brush.
To stain furniture, such as a leather sofa or leather couch, you'd use something more substantial, such as a cloth. You can even dye auto interiors with acrylic paint or spray paint.
Acrylic paints are typically made with pigments and acrylic polymer emulsion. When wet, they become water-resistant which makes them perfect for surfaces that need protection.
Yes, you can use acrylic paints on leather. You'll find acrylic paint is a far better option for painting leather than fabric paint. To seal acrylic paint, use an acrylic finisher, which protects leather from scrapes.
Fabric paint from a craft store doesn't work on synthetic fibers such as leather, it works best on materials like silk. Even standard acrylic paints are suitable, but not as good as specific leather paints.
The overall effect of using fabric paint is very different from using acrylic paint, and you should consider acrylic based paints when painting leather.
You can also use vinyl paint or chalk paint for leather coloring, with chalk paint a durable option.
Both leather paint and dye are excellent options, with acrylic painting transforming many leather items. The best paint or dye depends on your needs.
