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Sofas are not a small purchase, and so when we decide we want ours to look a little different, or we realise that they're reaching the end of their lives, it can be really difficult. Fortunately, with leather sofas, there are a few different options that allow you to bring life back into your couch.
One of those options is, of course, dyeing leather. But how easy is it? Could you easily dye your own leather sofa? Where can you get leather dye from? Here's everything you need to know about dyeing your cherished leather sofa to help you to decide whether or not it's something you feel up to trying!
Before you start any kind of DIY leather work, you need to make sure you know exactly what kind of leather surface you're dealing with. Leather is a temperamental material, and each kind of leather requires different treatments.
There should be a label on your sofa, or in the manual and papers that came with it that tell you exactly what kind of leather sofa you have. This will likely be followed by how best to care for your leather furniture.
The four main types of leather include full-grain leather, top-grain leather, genuine leather and bonded. There is also a material known as faux leather - if you have a faux leather item and you're hoping to use leather dye, it is unlikely to work. You might also have a suede sofa. This is another type of soft-to-touch leather and is much harder to work with.
Full-grain leather is the highest quality leather and is made from the top layer of the hide. Top-grain is the level below this and is slightly more processed. Bonded leather is much more processed, and prone to flaking and peeling as it ages.
Top-grain, full-grain and suede can all be dyed. Suede, however, needs a specific leather dye or leather paint in order to be dyed effectively.
Learn about: How To Restore A Leather Sofa
There are a few things to bear in mind when you're dyeing leather in order to make sure you keep yourself safe during the actual process.
The first thing is that you must make sure you have rubber gloves and safety goggles to protect you from the paint and dye. This is especially important if you're using solvent-based dye. Whereas normally with leather work, leather conditioner is made with natural ingredients, the dyes are not, and they can be very toxic if inhaled or splashed into your eyes!
Likewise, your space must be properly ventilated to ensure that you are not breathing in any leather dye fumes during the process. This will also help the leather to dry naturally.
When you're working, make sure to keep any little hands and snouts away. No pets or kids in the room, as they might step in or touch the paint and it simply isn't safe.
Dyeing leather is not a one-step process, there's quite a lot to it. So take a look a this step-by-step guide and familiarise yourself with the dyeing techniques!
The first step in dyeing or painting most things is to make sure that they're completely clean, and your leather sofa is no different. You need to make sure that you've removed any dirt, grime, or oil from the surface of the leather.
The first step is to remove any debris with a damp cloth. Microfiber cloths work best for this as they are lint-free. Carefully wipe down the surface with a damp cloth to remove any visible dirt. Make sure the cloth is not wet, if the soft cloth is too wet you might damage the leather.
You can do the in-depth cleaning using a leather cleaner. Leather cleaner is specially designed to clean leather surfaces without damaging them. Follow the instructions carefully and clean your leather sofa from top to bottom. Make sure to take off any cushions etc if you can and clean the undersides. Anywhere you intend to dye, needs to be cleaned!
If you do not have leather cleaner, saddle soap will do just fine in place of a good quality leather cleaner product. It works as a mild leather cleaner and will get your sofa suitably clean before you dye it.
Check out: How To Clean A Leather Sofa
Leather is prone to cracking as it ages, especially if it is left in direct sunlight or is not adequately taken care of. As the natural oils dry out, the material becomes less malleable. These oils keep the leather soft, and once they're gone it can become brittle.
Using a leather repair kit, petroleum jelly or leather filler, repair any cracks. Fill them with the filler provided, let it dry, and then buff it out.
Once it's clean and you've let the leather dry completely, it is time to condition your leather sofa. This helps to restore the natural oils within the leather sofa, making it soft and malleable and preventing it from any further cracks.
You should apply a small amount of leather conditioner onto a soft cloth or your clean hands, and gently rub it into the leather sofa in circular motions. Make sure that the leather conditioner covers the entire sofa. Once rubbed in, leave in to soak for a while and then wipe off any excess. You should then leave the leather to dry completely before you carry on.
This step helps to ensure that the dye will be absorbed evenly.
If your sofa already has dye on it, you'll need to strip this away. Otherwise, you can skip this step!
Sofas with dye already on them need to be stripped to prevent muddling the colours together. By removing the dye before you dye leather you ensure that you have a fully blank canvas to work with, ensuring that your new colour shows up exactly how you want it to.
If you're dyeing your leather sofa the same colour, you don't necessarily need to strip the old dye away.
To strip dye from leather, you will need to apply a leather preparer or deglazer to a soft cloth and rub it into the leather. You should keep going, gently rubbing the solution into the leather until the old dye is gone. Wipe off any residue with a clean cloth, and then, yet again, let the leather dry completely before you move on to the next step.
Discover: How To Remove Pen Marks From Leather Sofa
It's now time to dye your leather sofa!
You need to remember from the get-go when you're using leather dye or leather paint that it's going to take a few coats to reach the colour you desire. Leather dye builds up, so the more coats that you put on your leather surface, the darker and richer the colour will get. Keep this in mind when you apply leather dye.
The first thing you need is a sponge. You should dip it lightly into the dye and spread it evenly across the leather, massaging it into the material as best you can with the sponge. Make sure you do your best to apply an even coat across the leather seats of your sofa.
Once the first coat is dry, you can assess the colour and go in for your second coat. You should find that the more coats you get, the more solid the colour is. Always let the leather dry before starting the next coat!
Once all the dyeing is done, you need to seal your leather sofa. This stage makes sure that the leather dye stays put, and is just as important as the leather prep!
Using a clean, soft cloth, you should gently wipe and apply your chosen sealant across your leather possessions. Make sure to use a circular motion to keep the application even and then leave it to soak into the leather.
Let the sofa dry fully before use.
Sealing leather is like adding a shield, it protects the colour and the material from wear and tear. Between a good sealant and plenty of leather conditioner, you should find that your old leather sofa has a completely new lease of life!
The sealant forms a protective layer and keeps the dye vibrant, protecting it from direct sunlight, daily use and scratches.
When you're choosing a leather dye to use, you will need to think about your end goal. What vibe are you after? What colours do you love? Be aware that you should always test a bit of the leather dye on your sofa somewhere before you use it to check that you've got the right one.
You will also have the choice between types of dye. Will you get a water-based dye or a solvent-based dye? Water-based dyes are more eco-friendly, they're easier to clean up, but solvent-based dyes last longer and are often more vibrant.
The biggest brands when it comes to leather dye are Fiebings, Engelus and Tandy Leather.
Take a look: How To Dye A Leather Sofa
To get the perfect leather sealant you will need to consider each option:
This sealant offers waterproofing abilities and a glossy finish but can darken the colour of your leather.
Waxes and oils create a more natural finish and provide your versatile material with a subtle shine.
It will depend on what your end goal is, really. In the same way as the dye, it's deeply down to personal style!
When it comes to preparing your leather before you dye it, which leather repair kit or tool you use will depend on how much leather repair is needed. Leather restoration products vary; some leather repair kits will have plenty of filler and are suitable for small to medium tears. Others are only suitable for small scuffs and nicks.
For tiny marks, petroleum jelly or even leather conditioner will do the job just fine. For large tears or rips, you will need leather filler and sandpaper. Always follow the instructions on the product in order to properly repair the wear and tear issues with leather filler.
The best way to choose a leather conditioner is to ensure you're looking at non-toxic, all-natural oils-based products. These are going to be best for your leather, and will prevent you from needing to worry about damaged leather ever again! With enough of the right leather conditioner and an occasional clean, your leather will last forever!
As with any DIY job, there are a number of things that might go wrong when you tackle them yourself. But being aware of them usually helps you to avoid them, so here are the two biggest mistakes people make when they dye leather!
Whether it's a leather bag, chair, or even a leather jacket, people are simply too impatient. Rather than waiting for the leather dye to dry completely before they start the next coat, people load the leather item up with coat after coat of dye and end up with an uneven finish that they aren't happy with.
To avoid this, let the leather dry out entirely before every single coat of paint, sealant and anything else!
Another patience pitfall. If you're in a rush to dye the leather item, you're likely to make mistakes. You need to have a slow hand and a careful eye when it comes to dyeing leather. This will help you to apply the dye evenly, rather than in a patchy and uneven rush.
If you have the patience, you can absolutely dye your leather sofa with the right tools. You'll need to make sure you have the right tools and be prepared to sit and wait, but touching up your sofa with some dye can make a huge difference to the room and is absolutely worth the time!
However, for those who maybe don't have the patience, it may be worth looking into hiring a professional to take care of the leather, rather than risking a rush job!
