Leather is a very durable, classy and elegant material used for making seats and other furniture. However, accidents as well as wear and tear can significantly affect its durability. One of the most common problems that leather seats face is tearing, which can lead to further damage especially when left unfixed. In case you have damaged leather, it can help a lot to know how to repair a torn leather seat.
Materials Needed
Once you have a torn leather seat, you need not spend a lot to buy new furniture. Instead, you can purchase the following materials to get you started. For this moderate task, you need leather repair kit, sandpaper and leather swatch. Gather these materials and you are good to go with this particular task.
Steps
Before you fix the damage, be sure to clean it first as well as the surrounding areas. Oil as well as traces of dirt must be cleaned. Good leather cleaners are available in almost any department store or retail outlet. These kinds of products can also be found in auto repair stores. For hard-to-reach areas, you can use a vacuum. After this, wipe it with a dust cloth or towel until there is no more trace of dirt and dust on the damaged surface.
Get 1,000-grit sandpaper and then use it to smooth out the edges of the damage. Be sure to do this prior using the repair kit. This can actually help make the repair look more natural. Never forget this step in case you want to achieve a more desirable result. When the leather is rough, it is more likely to attain damage. Be sure to buy a repair kit with the same color as the leather you are about to repair. This can help you achieve a nicer and more pleasant result.
Put some of the liquid leather compound onto the seat. You can use a hairdryer on the compound as a heat source, which can help it dry more quickly. Place the grain sheet over the compound. This can make the restored leather look more natural. For larger tears, it is more appropriate to use a swatch of leather fabric. Measure the tear and then cut a portion of it that is enough to cover each tear completely. Seal all of them by adding liquid leather compound on the edges of every tear.
Additional Tips and Other Helpful Information
Never let anyone sit on the seat right after repairing the tears. Instead, allow the damages to dry up completely. To ensure this, let it stand untouched for at least 24 hours before using.
