HOW DO YOU RENOVATE A CRACKED LEATHER SOFA?
Apart from incidents caused by a cat's claws, the stains we might cause, the scratches and cigarette burns it can endure, cracks can also appear on your sofa. Cracking is a fairly common issue with poorly maintained leather sofas. In reality, they result from various distinct factors.
At Sofolk, we don't just limit ourselves to simply repairing leather cracks; we address the causes with nourishing oil to extend the lifespan of your leather sofa.
Cracked Leather: Why Does This Happen?
Just like any skin we neglect, leather dries out, develops wrinkles, and consequently cracks. In other words, leather is a material that wears out over time. Unprotected and without maintenance, leather tends to crack and split. As natural as it is for your leather sofa to undergo color and appearance flaws over time, cracks appear due to lack of maintenance.
Moreover, there are many causes that can affect it. The first reason is significant temperature variations. When it's hot, leather dehydrates. Conversely, when it's cold, leather fibers contract, making your sofa look dull. From hot to cold and vice versa, your leather sofa undergoes these temperature variations.
The second reason is prolonged exposure to sunlight. Indeed, as mentioned earlier, leather dries out and fades.
Finally, the last cause of cracks on your leather sofa is water. In fact, water and leather don't go well together. In the long term, water deteriorates leather. It's also important to know that wet leather that dries quickly will become stiff and take on a "cardboard-like" appearance.
In summary, lack of maintenance, water, sunlight, and temperature variations are the leather's worst enemies on your sofa.
The second reason is prolonged exposure to sunlight. Indeed, as mentioned in the previous reason, leather dries out and fades.
And finally, the last reason for cracks on your leather sofa is water. In fact, water and leather don't go well together. In the long term, water deteriorates leather. It's also important to know that wet leather that dries quickly will become "cardboard-like."
To summarize, lack of maintenance, water, sunlight, and temperature variations are the leather's worst enemies on your sofa.
How to Repair Cracks on a Leather Sofa?
The repair of cracked leather is done using a repairing paste. There's nothing better than Sofolk's repairing paste for fixing leather cracks. However, our paste is white (soon available in black), and due to its color, recoloring the entire sofa or car seat is necessary to hide your repairs.
This leather paste acts like putty to fill in hollow spaces. While remaining flexible, it effectively repairs the cracks in your sofa and also repairs leather tears, scratches, and cigarette burns. Available in a tube, this product is spread using a small spatula (or the right angle of a cardboard). However, recoloring the leather is necessary due to the white color of the product.
Additionally, it's important to note that the repairing paste should only be applied to previously degreased and clean leather. Afterward, lightly sand the area to be restored with 240-grit sandpaper before applying the repairing paste in small layers to fill the gaps. Once the paste has dried (approximately 30 minutes), sand it lightly again. Keep in mind that as the repairing paste dries, it shrinks, so you will need to apply at least 2 to 3 layers. The result should be a smooth surface to the touch, even if you need to sand off any excess paste.
However, repairing cracks is not the ultimate goal. At Sofolk, we go beyond simply repairing your cracked leather.
Nourishes and softens the leather of your sofa, including crackled leathers
Restores leather resistance to stretching and tearing
How to Prevent Cracking on a Leather Sofa?
Leather is a lifeless material. Without the presence of a fatty substance within the fiber matrix, the sofa loses its luster, suppleness, and durability. Neglecting maintenance, therefore, promotes cracking.
As an exclusive offer from our brand, we provide a nourishing oil to restore the strength and flexibility of your leather sofa. This oil penetrates, nourishes, and lubricates the leather fibers, allowing them to slide without sticking together. This significantly reduces the formation of cracks.
Two to three applications are necessary each year, using a slightly damp cloth with nourishing oil. This maintenance is essential to preserve the vitality of your leather sofa.
Renovating a Cracked Leather Sofa: Our Tips
The renovation of a cracked leather sofa involves several steps. Attempting to conceal the cracks with a dye is not recommended. To begin with, you should perform a thorough cleaning using suitable products.
Cleaning: An Essential Step for Effective Repair
Is your leather sofa worn out? Do you want to renovate a chair with cracked leather? There are solutions to renovate worn-out leather. Sofolk offers an effective and easy-to-apply product. Before proceeding with the repair of your furniture items, start with a proper cleaning.
For a successful repair, it is essential to remove ingrained dirt. For this, use a leather cleaning product. Avoid applying toilet milk or soap, as they are not suitable. As a specialist manufacturer of leather care solutions, Sofolk offers a very convenient cleaning kit. You can easily degrease your sofa or chair using the cloth and sebum cleaner included in this kit. The wax bottle will be useful for regular maintenance. However, please note that this product is not suitable for suede or nubuck.
Repairing Cracked Leather with Quality Products
After thoroughly cleaning your chair or leather sofa, you can start the renovation process. At Sofolk, your specialist in leather care, you will find an exceptionally effective repair paste. This high-quality product allows you to repair cracks, as well as holes and tears.
Available in white and dark gray, this product can be used on supports of different colors. It will be necessary to proceed with leather coloration afterward. Easy to apply, this liquid cream ensures a lasting result.
For added convenience, you can opt for a repair kit to renovate a cracked leather sofa. This kit includes all the necessary products for cleaning, repairing, and maintaining your furniture items.
Applying Dye for a Polished Finish
As the Sofolk repair paste is primarily a renovation product, you will need to apply a finishing dye.
The repair kit for leather sofas includes a bottle of pigmented recolorant. The advantage is that you will have a wide range of colors to choose from. This allows you to match your sofa's style to your home's decoration!
For a perfect result and optimal resistance, Sofolk recommends applying a varnish. Not only will this give you a satin, glossy, or matte finish, but it will also protect the leather. The coloring will last, and the protective film will minimize dirt accumulation.
Our Tips for Maintaining Your Sofas and Armchairs
Renovating a cracked leather sofa allows you to restore its shine. However, to keep it in good condition for an extended period, regular maintenance is essential.
For this purpose, Sofolk has developed a range of high-quality products specially designed to nourish leather. Applying a protective wax will help limit damage from moisture and friction. The nourishing oil will provide suppleness by penetrating directly into the leather fibers.
