Will the color rub off on my clothes?

Absolutely not. Our DIY system is engineered to the same rigorous chemical performance standards as the products we use in our professional restoration services and are the exact products used in our leather restoration workshop. Once cured (72 hours for full cure), the new finish will perform as good, or better, than the original.

Will the color match?

We are experts at color-matching; this is one area that sets us apart. With over 20 years of hands on leather restoration experience, servicing a very demanding clientele, we get the color right, every time. Give us a sample of your color and we can match it.

Will it last?

Our DIY leather restoration System is engineered to meet or exceed typical tannery-grade leather finish performance standards. It’s a simple two step process that ensures success.

1. Prime the leather to accept the color.
2. Apply the color.

This procedure adds many years of renewed life to your leather.

Does it still feel like leather when I’m done?

We’ll let one of our clients answer this one:

“…The result has been a beautiful finish on my couch, chair and ottoman that looks like leather and feels like leather and, after all, that’s why you buy leather to begin with…”

Monty U., MI

Can I change the color?

Yes you can. And, at a fraction of the cost for re-upholstery in the leather color of your choice. Call our office @ (800) 541-5982, and we can explain the pros and cons.

Is it safe?

Our materials are all water-based. They are non-toxic and perfectly safe. We do recommend precautions be taken consistent with any finish application - good ventilation, and spill prevention measures, as the colors can stain fabrics, carpeting, or other absorbent surfaces. Clean-up tends to be easier, and with much less odor than simple latex house-paint.

How long does it take?

There are many variables that determine this - the number of pieces, the extent of restoration required, the architecture of the pieces, etc. Most projects can be completed in a few days. A chair should only take a few hours.

Is it easy?

We have done all of the technically difficult work for you. All you need to do is follow the instructions, and with some of your time you can transform your furniture. We have had clients well into their retirement use our system. You can too.

Is it expensive?

Our DIY leather restoration system is custom tailored for each project. To put our pricing structure in prospective, the typical system costs between 20% and 25% of our professional restoration services, and is often less than 10% of re-upholstery or replacement with new furniture.

My sofa faded in a couple of years. Will it just do the same thing again?

No, our system is UV stable. If the original color faded quickly it was most likely originally unfinished leather, where the color comes solely from a dye. Dyes are much less UV stable than the pigments we use in our system, so you can expect the color to last considerably longer.

My leather has faded unevenly, with areas of light and dark. How can your color cover evenly if the leather is now blotchy?

The coloring system is opaque. Therefore it has covering power. With multiple light coats, the new color will appear even and consistent across all leather surfaces.

My furniture has many spots and stains on it from food and drinks. Will this process protect it?

Many dyed leathers are porous. This allows food and beverages to soak into the top layer of the leather, staining easily. Once you have completed your restoration process, these stains will be covered. And, the leather will have a durable, cleanable surface that allows food and beverage spills to be wiped up.

My furniture has dark stains on the headrest and armrest. How does your process resolve these?

If you see dark areas in the head rest or armrest, this implies body oil accumulation in the leather. We include oil extraction materials in the system that remove the accumulated body oils from the leather. Once that step is completed, the leather is now ready to be primed and colored, covering the affected areas.

My cat has clawed several areas on my chair. Is that repairable also?

This is a common problem. We have written instructions supported by a DVD that specifically address cat claw damage. To assist you, we will evaluate the extent of the damage from photographs you e-mail to us. We will then determine a repair strategy for you. Light scratches tend to disappear with the application of the DIY leather restoration system. Deeper scratches may require repair compound. In the event your cat has completely shredded a leather panel, the restoration system will enable you to have an upholsterer replace the affected panel, and you can then color it to match the rest of the piece.

My dog has chewed an area on my furniture. What can I do?

The leather appears loose where we sit. Can that be resolved?

You most likely are experiencing a compaction of the foam and padding materials. We can guide you through steps to help reverse some of this, and also to add more padding materials. We can help you with foam core replacement, if it is determined that this is necessary.

My child got ink all over the sofa. Can it be colored over?

We will direct you how to strip off the ink prior to the new color application, as ink can “bleed” up through color coatings (even as the ink migrated into the original color coat to create the current stain, it can also migrate upward through the new color application unless it is removed.)

I have a tear in my leather. Can I fix that too?

Yes, we can supply you with all the necessary materials and guidance to successfully disguise the tear and make the leather structurally sound through the process of sub-patching (applying a strong material to the underside of the leather to support the area around the tear), and subsequent filling of the remaining void. When the area is re-colored with the restoration kit, the damaged area will be structurally sound and concealed.

I have a cigarette burn in my leather. Can I still restore the piece?

Yes, you will still be able to utilize our restoration system. The only difference is that you will be supplied with additional components that will allow you to resolve the burn prior to the restoration process. We have a complete photo sequence showing you the step-by-step repair of a large burn. The burn repair kit can be supplied as an add-on to your restoration kit.

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