How do you dye car leather? Recolour your seats, steering wheel and trim with our car leather paints!

Is the leather in your car faded? If so, it can look aged and reduce its value.
Sofolk has been offering a professional pigment colourant for all automotive leathers (seats, steering wheel, dashboard, etc.) for 30 years.

Our dyes can be applied directly to all types of leather, offering an infinite choice of colours for the interior of your vehicle. Its ingredients are similar to those used by tanners.

Our car leather recolouring products

Dyeing automotive leather: what is the difference with leather paint?

It is important to understand the distinction : conventional dye penetrates the leather throughout (unpigmented aniline leathers).

Leather paint or pigment recolouring covers the surface of pigmented leather. Automotive leathers are mostly pigmented, so use a pigment colourant, not a conventional textile dye. 

The Sofolk pigment colourant is specially formulated for pigmented car leathers and avoids the skai effect by preserving the original grain.

Which leather dye should you choose for your car?

To recolour automotive leather, you need to choose a professional pigment colourant. Before any recolouring, the leather must be deep-cleaned with a specific degreasing cleaner.

Textile dyes and generic spray paints are not suitable. Quick touch-up of small depigmented areas

The quick touch-up kit rapidly recolours small faded areas in 21 standard colours. Ideal for worn seat edges or localised areas of wear.

Complete seat recolouring

The pigment leather colourant is Sofolk's flagship product. Easy to use, it is applied with a sponge or brush.

Unlimited colours: see our online colour chart. After application, protect the recolouring with a finishing coat.

Even application with an aerosol.

Aerosol leather paint dries quickly and gives an even finish. It is suitable for leathers, leatherettes and PVC. Available in 22 colours.

Greasy or tacky leathers: the adhesion primer

With some leathers, the colourant can struggle to adhere. Use the adhesion primer to help the pigment penetrate. For very greasy leathers, add the sebum stop that neutralises sebum.

The Sofolk tip : send us a sample of your leather for an exact match with the original shade of your vehicle.

Dyeing leather black: car leather recolouring

Black leather is the most requested shade for automotive leathers. The Sofolk pigment colourant covers a tarnished black leather, a beige interior or faded areas in one or two coats.

For radical changes (light leather to dark leather), apply two to three coats, respecting the drying times between each pass. Always finish with the silky lacquer for a matt or satin finish.

Protect your recolouring against UV and friction with our finishing lacquers!

In two to three hours, your seats regain a uniform colour and a natural feel. The result is indistinguishable from new leather and lasts over time thanks to the protective lacquer.

A renovated interior for a tenth of the price of an upholsterer.

Recolouring a leather car steering wheel

The steering wheel is the most used part of your car. It fades quickly because of oil and perspiration. The pigment colourant is applied with a brush for precise application. Sofolk offers a steering wheel renovation kit for a complete repair.

Discover our all-in-one renovation kits for a guaranteed professional result!

Changing the colour of car leather: every colour is possible

Yes. The Sofolk pigment colourant lets you recolour all leathers and go from one colour to another. It is made from the same raw materials that tanners use, which guarantees good resistance to everyday friction and a natural feel.

To change colour, apply two to three coats, respecting the drying time. Finish with a coat of lacquer for a lasting colour.

After recolouring, regularly nourish and care for the leathers in your vehicle to prevent new cracking. Discover our solutions for renovating automotive leather.

Is your leather cracked or torn? Repair it before recolouring with our repair products !

Regularly care for and nourish your leather after recolouring for a lasting result !

Why choose Sofolk for recolouring your car leather?

A French manufacturer since 1989, Sofolk creates and makes its own formulas in Bordeaux. Our raw materials for the colourant are the same as those used by tanners, ensuring a natural feel and long-lasting hold.

We offer a personalised colour-matching service: send us a sample of your leather and we will create a colourant in the exact shade of your vehicle.

Technical support by telephone and on the forum.

Frequently asked questions: car leather dyeing and painting

What is the difference between dye and paint for car leather?

Dye penetrates the leather throughout (aniline leathers). Paint or pigment recolouring covers the surface (pigmented leathers). Automotive leathers are mostly pigmented: so a pigment colourant is what you need to use. The Sofolk pigment colourant is specially designed for pigmented car leathers.

How do you dye the leather of your car seats in five steps?

1. Clean the leather with the Sofolk cleaner.
2. Fill cracks and holes with the filler.
3. Recolour by applying one to three coats.
4. Protect with the silky lacquer.
5. Apply the nourishing oil 30 days later to restore suppleness and comfort.

How much does it cost to dye a leather car?

A professional upholsterer charges between €200 and €800 per seat. With the Sofolk colourant (€25 to €75), a seat can be given a new look with a lacquered finish.

Does the leather keep its natural feel after recolouring?

Yes. The Sofolk pigment colourant does not harden the leather and preserves its original grain. Unlike cheap paints that give a skai effect, our formula partially penetrates the leather and adheres to the surface. The result: a soft, natural feel, with no cracking over time.

Which products should you use to dye car seats?

The main product is the Sofolk pigment colourant, available in unlimited colours. For greasy leathers, add the adhesion primer. For spray application, choose the aerosol leather paint (22 colours). Finish with the silky lacquer to protect your recolouring.

Can you dye the leatherette in a car?

Yes, the Sofolk pigment colourant adheres to all leatherettes (PU polyurethane), skai and vinyl. Only aniline leathers (unpigmented leathers, very rare in cars) require specific treatment; contact us for personalised advice.