LEATHER DYE: DYEING LEATHER WITH OUR SOLUTIONS

Preserving and transforming leather sometimes calls for specific solutions. Two main options are then available: leather dye and pigment leather dye. These products offer distinct methods to revive or change the colour of leather, meeting a variety of renovation and customisation needs.

The best dyes for your leather

Dyeing leather with two types of products

1- Dye for leather, nubuck or suede

Genuine leather dye is applied either in a bath after tanning, as tanners do, or by spraying with a spray gun or an aerosol. Dye is generally applied as the first colour on new sheepskin and gives the marbled effect usually found on shoes, club armchairs and some sofas from major brands.

Once applied, the colour of the dye is influenced by the colour of the surface, because it does not stay on top but penetrates deep into the fibres. The result is a so-called "shaded" patina typical of vintage leathers.

At Sofolk, we offer leather dye in aerosol form (or in a bottle on request), in the following colours: black, honey, cognac, havana, brown, chocolate and burgundy. There is no white dye. Our dye does not require a fixative, but we recommend applying our Protective Wax afterwards.

2- Pigment leather dye

Pigment leather dye is a colourless acrylic resin to which pigments (or colourants) are added to give it its final colour. It is applied like a conventional paint, but on leather (or artificial leather).

Application is simple and is generally carried out with a foam roller, a brush or by spraying (spray gun or airbrush). Make sure you first follow all the surface preparation steps carefully for optimum adhesion to the material. Once applied in several coats on the leather, the colour will look uniform and the material will keep all its original suppleness.

We offer a range of affordable products to paint the leather of your sofa, your car seats or your club armchair. Our pigment leather dye is particularly easy to apply. We can make any colour from a colour chart or any sample.

Repairing leather before recolouring it

Leather repairs are carried out before any recolouring work. Different products and different techniques must be used depending on the condition of your leather. For example, repairing simple cat scratches is not done in the same way as repairing a tear. We invite you to consult the leather repair techniques here

DISCOVER OUR RANGE OF
PRODUCTS FOR DYEING LEATHER

What is leather colouring?

Colouring leather means tinting it with a colourant diluted in water or solvent.

Aniline-finish leather, known as natural leather, is a dyed leather coloured right through by immersion in a dye bath. The traditional club armchair is also a coloured leather, also called dyed leather, but the dye is applied to the surface (grain side of the sheepskin) and penetrates the leather, creating shades due to differences in the density of the skin.

The colour of a coloured leather is warmer and its feel more pleasant than that of a pigmented leather. Coloured leathers are found on some leather suites known as "semi-aniline", where the colourant is applied as a finish on the pigmented leather.

Why use a leather dye?

There are many reasons to use a leather dye. It may be to give your old sofa a second life or to restore your favourite pair of shoes to their original appearance. But you can also apply a colour to your leather items and accessories simply because you fancy a change. Sofolk offers a wide range of colours to dye any type of surface.

Want to bring a modern touch to your interior with a sapphire-coloured sofa?
Red is your favourite colour, so you are thinking of colouring your pair of gloves in this shade?
Leather colouring products are the ideal solution to bring all your ideas to life! What's more, renovating your sofa, your seats or your various fashion accessories will make them easier to look after.

Leather dye: solutions to renovate your furniture and accessories

The main advantage of leather dye is that it can be used on different types of surfaces. At Sofolk, we offer quality products, specially designed for each surface to be treated. You will therefore find different dyes to renovate your sofa and armchairs, your car seats, your shoes and leather goods accessories.

To guarantee a flawless result, it is advisable to choose a product specially suited to your needs. For example, if you want to restore the brightness of the colour of your shoes, choose tinted wax. It is applied on an already coloured surface to revive the original colour. Practical, it also protects the leather and makes it easier to care for.
If, on the other hand, you are planning to completely change the colour of your sofa, choose our aerosol leather dye. It comes in different colours and is suitable for all smooth leathers.

The colour you want is not available? We can make your colouring product to measure.

How do you colour leather?

Applying a leather dye requires a few precautions. Although our products are generally easy to use, it is still necessary to prepare the surface to be treated properly. Likewise, you must make sure you choose the right solution for your needs.

Choose a quality product suited to the surface to be treated

To guarantee a perfect result, use a quality product specially designed for the type of item to be renovated. We offer different dyes depending on your needs.

Renovate your sofa with leather dye

Is the leather on your sofa worn? Rather than replacing it, you can restore its shine with a leather dye. We offer different types of products depending on your needs. If you simply want to apply a colour in the same shade as the original, choose our pigment leather dye.

As well as coming in several colours, it is particularly easy to apply. It can also be used for a change of colour. The aerosol leather dye is the ideal solution if you are planning to dye your sofa in another colour. It has strong adhesion and also acts as a varnish. It therefore guarantees a quality result while making leather care easier.

Which products should you choose to dye leather shoes and accessories?

As with your sofa or car seats, you will not choose the same products if you simply want to revive the original colour or obtain a completely different shade. If you want to give your leather shoes a new look, tinted shoe polish will be the best option.

Made from a mixture of wax, colourant and water, this quality product is easy to apply thanks to its aerosol format. For a change of colour, we recommend shoe paint instead. We offer a wide palette of colours to suit all your wishes (black, white, grey, red or even orange).

Applying a leather dye: our advice for a perfect finish

Dyeing an armchair or leather accessories is easy to do at home. However, you need to follow the instructions for use of each product to obtain a perfect result. Before applying a leather dye, it is essential to prepare the area concerned. If you notice scratches or cracks, take care to repair them beforehand with a specific product. Next, you will need to lightly sand the leather to remove any remaining varnish. This will allow the dye to adhere perfectly to the surface.

Also remember to clean your armchair, shoes or gloves properly before dyeing them. Finally, depending on the type of leather dye you use, you will need to apply a varnish as a finish. The aim is to ensure your colour lasts longer, but also to protect your leather. To make things simpler, we offer a kit containing several products to renovate your leather armchairs or equipment.