Dyeing the leather of your sofa

A leather sofa is a high-end purchase that accompanies you for years, dressing your living room with unparalleled aesthetics. Its long lifespan may involve several situations where you might want to give your leather sofa a new dye: 

A desire for change: Over the years, you may want to modify your decor and thus wish to change the dye of your leather sofa to better match your new preferences while retaining the same comfort. You may also want to dye a leather sofa you have just acquired but do not find to your taste. In any case, a recoloration will give you the impression of a brand-new leather sofa that will delight you.

Renovation: If your leather sofa is damaged, torn, stained, or cracked, it may be necessary to recolor it to hide your repair work and perfect your renovation. You will then have the option to choose a shade identical to the original one to make your leather sofa look like new and restore its full luster.

With our Pigment Recolorant and our Leather Paint with integrated varnish, you can recolor all types of leather without worrying about their nature or finish: full grain, full hide, corrected grain, aniline leather, lambskin, or cowhide, etc. Whether you want to restore the original color or change it, our Sofolk products ensure an incredible result and easy use.

Regardless of your choice of product, you will need to follow several preliminary steps. These essential steps, which you will find below, guarantee an impeccable result and also provide long-lasting protection against repeated friction and household pollution. An effective way to prevent your coloring from becoming quickly dull. 

Furthermore, these products are perfectly suited to smooth leathers but not to velvety materials. If you want to recolor a nubuck sofa, for example, we invite you to look at our specific solutions for your project to order an appropriate product and achieve the desired result.

Leather Preparation

1. Initial Cleaning: Use a specific leather cleaner to remove all traces of dirt, oil, and residue. This is essential to ensure good adhesion of the dye.
2. Light Abrasion: Lightly sand the leather surface with fine sandpaper. This step opens the pores of the leather, facilitating the adhesion of the dye.

Repairing Imperfections

1. Small Cracks: Apply CicaCuir to fill in minor cracks and splits. Let the product dry completely before moving on to the next step.
2. Damaged Areas: For tears or more damaged parts, use RépaCuir. Apply in thin layers, allowing each layer to dry before applying the next.

Dye Application

1. Preliminary Test: Test the dye on an inconspicuous area of the sofa to check the compatibility and color effect.
2. Dyeing: Apply the dye in thin layers using a foam roller or a brush. Ensure that each layer is completely dry before applying the next. For a uniform color, it is recommended to dye the entire sofa.

Protection

1. Varnish Application: After the dye has dried completely, apply a special leather varnish to protect the new color. You can choose a glossy or matte finish according to your preference. Let the varnish dry thoroughly.

Hydration

1. Final Hydration: Use Sofolk Nourishing Oil to hydrate the leather surface and maintain its suppleness. Apply a small amount of oil and gently rub it in with a clean cloth.

Ongoing Maintenance

To prolong the beauty of your recolored sofa, regularly clean and hydrate the leather using suitable products.

First, we recommend protecting the floor and nearby furniture to avoid any splashes or airborne particles of recolorant if you stay indoors. Generally, dyeing your leather sofa should be done between 15°C and 25°C, avoiding direct sunlight for a flawless, streak-free result.

For Sofolk Leather Sofa Pigment Recolorant, apply the product with a foam roller, ensuring enough product is applied to avoid streaks. You can also use a brush for creases and harder-to-reach areas. After drying, apply a protective varnish to preserve your new color.

For Sofolk Leather Paint with integrated varnish, it is advised to start by quickly degreasing with acetone for better adhesion of the color on the leather. Then, you can use its constant flow spray to apply the paint over the entire sofa surface.

For both products, be sure to have enough product to avoid a two-step dyeing process, which could create a demarcation. 

If you have any questions about which recolorant to order or its use, our teams are available by phone and on our forum to answer your questions and help you dye your leather sofa. You will also find an FAQ for our recolorant in the useful links at the bottom of this page.