Dyeing your car's leatherette: professional paint in every colour

The leatherette (faux leather) on your car seats fades under the effect of UV rays, friction and everyday wear.

This visual deterioration can be permanently corrected with a professional dye or recolouring, whether to restore the original colour or to completely transform the atmosphere of your cabin.

Sofolk offers car leatherette recolouring solutions that have been tested in the workshop for more than 35 years, compatible with all vehicles on the road in France.

Our products for dyeing your car's leatherette

Which product should you choose to recolour your car leatherette?

Car seat paint for skai, faux leather, vinyl and polyurethane

Sofolk leatherette car seat paint is a water-based paint that bonds directly to flame-retardant automotive skai without a prior primer.

Available in 250 ml, 500 ml or 1 litre containers, it covers approximately 3 m² per quarter-litre in a single coat.

Its major advantage: an unlimited choice of colours thanks to the Sofolk palette of 97 colours, the car manufacturers' colour charts (Mercedes, BMW, Audi, etc.) and bespoke colour matching from a 1 cm² sample.

Apply with a foam roller or a spray gun for an even colour.

Faux leather aerosol paint with integrated lacquer

The faux leather aerosol paint combines paint and satin lacquer in a single product. The 400 ml aerosol covers approximately 1.5 m² and simplifies the recolouring of small areas.

Available in 22 standard colours, its spray format makes it easy to reach the seams and complex contours of car seats.

Apply at least 4 thin, crossed coats from a distance of 30 cm, leaving 15-30 minutes of drying time between each coat.

For skai, first apply the Silky Lacquer as a bonding primer.

The Sofolk tip

Whichever paint you choose, you must protect your recolouring with a lacquer. Apply the equivalent of 30 to 50 % of the volume of paint used to guarantee resistance to everyday friction.

Recoloured skai without lacquer will lose its colour within a few weeks.

Discover our protective lacquers for car skai!

Understanding the fading of car skai

Car skai, like any faux leather, loses its dye through the combined action of UV rays, repeated friction and gradual build-up of dirt.

Unlike genuine leather, which develops a patina, skai shows uneven patches of fading, often more pronounced on the driver's side and on the headrests.

This visual wear can be reversed by recolouring, even on older vehicles.

Local touch-up or complete recolouring?

If the fading is limited to a few areas (seat edge, headrest), a local touch-up with the aerosol paint is enough.

If the whole seat is dull or if you are changing colour, opt for the skai car seat paint in a container for even coverage over the whole surface.

How do you find the exact colour?

Check the manufacturer's label in the driver's door or the service book. Sofolk has the colour charts for Mercedes, BMW, Audi, Peugeot, Renault and Citroën.

If the colour code cannot be found, our bespoke colour matching reproduces any shade from a 1 cm² sample that you send us (seats, steering wheel, skai elements in the cabin).

Tutorial: recolouring the skai on your car seats

1. Clean the surfaces thoroughly with the Sofolk cleaner / stain remover to remove grime and residue. Our products for carefully caring for your skai before any recolouring!

2. Degrease carefully by diluting the degreasing stripper with 10-20 % water (essential before any dyeing on faux leather)

3. If necessary, repair snags and cracks with the snag repair product before recolouring. All our solutions for repairing your faux leather seats are here!

4. Protect the surroundings with plastic film and newspaper to avoid overspray

5. Apply the first coat of skai car seat paint with a high-density foam roller or a low-pressure spray gun

6. Allow each coat to dry according to the ambient temperature (minimum 15 °C)

7. Apply 2-3 thin coats rather than a single thick coat to avoid runs

8. Check the coverage after at least 3 coats before judging the final result

9. Protect with the clear skai lacquer, observing the dosage of 30-50 % of the volume of paint used

Why choose Sofolk for car skai recolouring?

More than 35 years of innovation. Since 1989, Sofolk has developed paints specifically formulated for automotive materials. Our water-based formulas comply with fire-safety standards for vehicle interiors while guaranteeing lasting adhesion on polyurethane.

French laboratory in Bordeaux. Our R&D team continually adapts our formulations to developments in automotive skai. This technical responsiveness allows us to offer solutions compatible with the latest generations of materials.

Personalised support. Our free photo service analyses your needs and confirms the feasibility of your project. We guide you towards the suitable products and calculate the quantities needed according to the surface to be treated.

Discover the whole Sofolk car skai renovation range!

Frequently asked questions: car leatherette recolouring

Can I change the colour of my skai seats?

Absolutely, it is even one of the advantages of skai recolouring. You can go from light beige to deep black, or from dull grey to bright red.

The only constraint: going from a dark colour to a light one requires more coats to hide the base.

What is the difference between paint in a container and aerosol?

Skai car seat paint in a container offers an unlimited choice of colours and better value for money for large surfaces.

The aerosol is suited to quick touch-ups and hard-to-reach areas, with 22 standard colours and a built-in lacquer.

How many coats should I apply?

A minimum of 2 coats, generally 3 for an optimal result. On porous or heavily faded skai, a 4th coat may be necessary. The key is to apply thin coats and to let each one dry properly between applications.

Is lacquer compulsory after skai paint?

Yes, absolutely. Car skai is subject to constant friction (getting in and out, sliding). Without lacquer protection, the paint wears prematurely on the contact areas.

The clear skai lacquer triples the lifespan of your recolouring.

Discover our complete kits including paint and lacquer!

Does skai paint withstand everyday friction?

With the appropriate lacquer protection, yes. Durability depends on following the application protocol and on maintenance with suitable products (no harsh solvents).

Can you recolour perforated skai (sports seats)?

Yes, but the technique differs slightly. Use the aerosol for fine perforations, and the paint with a fine brush for large holes. Avoid the roller, which could block the perforations and impair the breathability of the seat.