Car leatherette renovation: bring your faux leather seats back to life

Car manufacturers use skai, also known as leatherette, faux leather, vinyl or polyurethane, as a surface covering on front seats, dashboards, armrests and door panels.

Unlike genuine leather or nubuck, skai is a thin plastic coating applied to a fabric backing.

This synthetic material calls for specific renovation products and techniques, different from the care of conventional car leather.

Since 1989, Sofolk has been developing a complete range in Bordeaux for the cleaning and maintenance, repair, recolouring, protection and care of skai car seats.

All Sofolk products are compatible with every type of car leather and leatherette, from a Peugeot city car to a Porsche saloon.

Select the renovation step that suits the condition of your skai seats

The 4 steps to renovating the leather and skai of a car seat

Renovating car faux leather follows a step-by-step protocol. Every step is essential for a professional, long-lasting result.

The order matters: poorly cleaned skai will not hold the dye, and an unprotected recolouring will wear out within a few weeks.

This protocol applies equally to the driver's seat and the passenger seats, as well as the seat bolsters, the areas most exposed to wear and cracks.

Cleaning and degreasing: remove all dirt, sun cream residue, sweat and ingrained dust so that the renovation products adhere perfectly to the surface of the skai
Repairing damage: fill cracks, scratches and tears with products formulated for polyurethane coatings
Recolouring: dye the skai to restore the original colour or change the shade completely, using special flexible paints for faux leather
Protection: apply a protective lacquer or wax to double the life of the renovation and withstand daily friction

Cleaning and caring for car leather: the essential first step

Deep cleaning is the prerequisite for any faux leather renovation. Skai car seats accumulate perspiration, cream residue, dust and greasy deposits that form an invisible layer, preventing the renovation products from adhering.

The Sofolk cleaner / stain remover is formulated to degrease without discolouring the plastic coating, unlike household detergents, which weaken polyurethane.

Discover our car skai cleaning solutions and the full protocol

Car leather repair: treating cracks and tears in skai

Scratches, wear cracks, splits, and tears from keys or seat belt buckles: car skai suffers daily abuse. Repairing synthetic leather restores the surface before the recolouring step.

Sofolk offers repair pastes, repair kits and grain reproduction resins specially designed for the polyurethane coating of car seats.

See our "skai repair" product range with our step-by-step tutorial

Recolouring faux leather: tint or change the colour of your seats

Over time, UV rays and friction fade the skai of your car seats. Cracked or faded faux leather makes the whole interior look old.

Recolouring lets you restore the original colour or change the shade completely.

Sofolk flexible paints and colourant are available in more than 150 colours, with custom-matched shades possible, and suit every finish: matt, satin or gloss.

Once dry, the dye stays flexible so it moves with the seat without cracking. Sand and recolour for an invisible result.

Discover our skai recolouring products

Protecting skai: clear lacquer and wax to protect your seats

An unprotected renovation wears out within a few weeks through friction, sweat and exposure to the sun. The Sofolk clear protective lacquer and waterproofing wax create a transparent barrier that doubles the durability of the recolouring while keeping the material flexible.

The lacquer comes in a matt or satin finish depending on the look you want on the car leather. Application every 3 months is recommended for optimum longevity on leather seats as well as faux leather.

Protect your renovated skai seats for the long term with our lacquers and waxes

Leather and skai renovation kit: choosing the right products

For a complete renovation of your skai seats, Sofolk offers renovation kits that bring together all the products you need: cleaner, repair kit, paint in your colour and finishing lacquer.

The complete kit simplifies ordering and guarantees compatibility between every product in the car leather renovation chain.

Ideal for private individuals and upholstery professionals alike. Sofolk products are also used for car leather detailing by specialist centres.

Discover our complete car skai renovation kits

Skai, faux leather, vinyl: all types of synthetic leather

These terms describe similar but not identical synthetic materials.

Skai (a registered trademark that has become a common noun) is a flexible PVC coating on a textile backing, used in cars and furniture.

Faux leather covers all leather imitations, whether PVC or polyurethane (PU).

Vinyl is a synonym for flexible PVC. Polyurethane (PU) is the premium version, more flexible and more breathable than standard PVC.

Unlike genuine leather (animal hide) or nubuck, synthetic leathers contain no natural fibres and do not react in the same way to conventional leather care products.

Sofolk products are formulated to be compatible with all these types of covering, including the liquid leather used on some recent models.

Why choose Sofolk products to renovate the leather of your seats?

Made in France since 1989: formulations developed in our Bordeaux laboratory and tested in the workshop on all types of vehicle
Complete range: from cleaner to finishing lacquer, every product is designed to work in synergy with the others
More than 150 colours available: a colour chart suited to every car manufacturer, from Renault to BMW, including Peugeot and Mercedes
Free photo service: send us a photo of your seats by e-mail and our experts will assess feasibility and guide you to the right products
Professional network: our products are used by car upholsterers, body shops and detailing centres throughout France

Frequently asked questions: car leatherette renovation

What is the difference between renovating skai and genuine leather?

Genuine leather is a uniform, fibrous animal hide that absorbs products deep into the material. Skai is a plastic coating on a fabric backing, which needs products formulated to adhere to the surface without penetrating the textile layer.

Using conventional leather care products on skai can cause the coating to peel or deteriorate.

How much does a complete renovation of skai car seats cost?

A complete Sofolk renovation kit (cleaner + repairer + paint + lacquer) costs between €60 and €120 depending on the extent of the damage and the number of seats.

That is 5 to 10 times cheaper than complete re-upholstering.

Can I renovate the skai on the dashboard and armrests?

Yes, Sofolk products suit all skai and faux leather surfaces in the interior: seats, dashboard, armrests, door panels and centre console.

The protocol stays the same: cleaning, repair if necessary, recolouring and protection.

How long does a well-done skai renovation last?

With regular maintenance every 3 months (gentle cleaning + protective lacquer), a complete renovation lasts 3 to 5 years on average.

Durability depends on exposure to the sun, how often the car is used and the care taken with routine maintenance.

Is the result visible to the naked eye?

No, a complete renovation done properly (repair + recolouring + grain reproduction + lacquer) gives an invisible result.

The key is to follow every step in order and to use products that are compatible with each other.

Can I also renovate a leather steering wheel and the centre console?

Yes, Sofolk products let you renovate a leather steering wheel, gear knob, centre console and any car leather or skai element in the interior.

The protocol is identical: deep cleaning, leather repair if necessary, recolouring in the original colour and protection with a professional-quality lacquer.

When should I choose a complete kit rather than separate products?

If the leather of a seat or the skai is cracked, faded and worn all at once, the complete renovation kit is more economical and guarantees compatibility between products.

For simply choosing a colour or an occasional leather care job, individual products are enough.