Synthetic leather is made of a low-quality base fabric and a polyurethane coating. Over time, the synthetic leather will start to peel off. Peeling synthetic leather is quite difficult to repair. Most experts even advise against repairing damaged synthetic leather. However, if you want to try and ignore the possibility of the synthetic leather getting worse, there are several ways you can try to repair or replace the peeling synthetic leather.
Step
Method 1 of 3: Replacing Synthetic Leather on Shoes
Step 1. Sand the peeling synthetic leather with 180 sandpaper
Before repairing your shoes, you will need to remove all of the synthetic leather that is peeling off your shoes. Sand the top and sides of the peeling shoe. Sand the shoe by turning and pressing slightly.
You can buy sandpaper at the nearest hardware store. Buy at least 4 sandpaper
Step 2. Color the cracks in the shoes using a marker of the same color
Use a permanent marker that is thick enough. Once the flaking synthetic leather has been removed, paint any visible faded or discolored areas of the shoe with a marker. By doing this, the shoes will look better.
- When repairing brown shoes, use a brown permanent marker. Look for markers that are the same color as your shoes. However, you may not be able to find a marker that is exactly the same color as your shoes, except for black shoes.
- You can buy permanent marker at your nearest stationery or department store.
Step 3. Use a clean cloth to apply the polish to the surface of the shoe
Dip the rag in the can of shoe polish. After that, rub the polish on the surface of the shoe that has been sanded. Apply the polish in long, even strokes to the top and sides of the shoe. Make sure you apply the polish evenly so that the surface color of the shoes remains the same.
- The color of the polish should match the color of the shoe. Generally, black or brown polish is a good choice.
- You can buy shoe polish at your nearest convenience store or shoe store.
Step 4. Apply Shoe Goo to the surface of the shoe using a 1.5 cm brush
Apply a small amount of Shoe Goo to the surface of the shoe, then use a brush to apply it. Make sure the entire shoe surface is coated with Shoe Goo. Make sure the sole of the shoe is also covered in Shoe Goo. This will protect the shoe and the fabric layer that underlies the shoe's synthetic leather.
You can buy Shoe Goo at your nearest shoe store or convenience store
Step 5. Let the Shoe Goo dry for 24 hours
To check whether the Shoe Goo coating is dry or not, touch it with your finger. If your fingers don't get dirty and wet, the Shoe Goo coating is probably dry. If the Shoe Goo is still on your finger, let it dry for 12 hours.
Once dry, you can put your shoes back on immediately
Method 2 of 3: Repairing Synthetic Leather with Leather Paint
Step 1. Pull off the dangling layer of synthetic leather to clean the surface
Use your fingers to remove the faux leather that is flaking and dangling on your chair or sofa. Do not pull out too many parts of the synthetic leather so that damage to the furniture does not get worse.
Throw the pieces of synthetic leather that have been pulled into the trash so they don't fall apart
Step 2. Apply a coat of leather paint that is the same color as your furniture
You can buy leather paint at your nearest leather clothing or art supply store. Dip a 1.5 cm brush into the leather paint can. After that, apply a layer of leather paint on the skin that you have peeled off. Apply leather paint in long horizontal strokes so that the paint coats all of the peeling synthetic leather.
- You can buy leather paint at the nearest leather supply store. You may also be able to purchase them at your nearest art supply store.
- If you can't find a leather paint color that matches the color of your sofa or chair, skip this step. Move on to the stage of applying a high-gloss protective paint.
Step 3. Allow the leather paint to dry for 30 minutes
If you apply another coat of leather paint but the first coat is not completely dry, the two coats of leather will mix together. To check whether the paint is dry or not, touch it with your finger. If your fingers are clean and the paint doesn't feel sticky, the paint is dry.
Step 4. Apply a high-gloss protective paint
Once the leather paint is completely dry, you can apply a high-gloss protective paint. Dip a 1.5 cm brush in a can of high-gloss protective paint. After that, apply a coat of high-gloss protective paint to the peeling synthetic leather. Allow a coat of high-gloss protective paint to dry for 30 minutes.
The leather protective paint is clear and can protect the peeling skin of a sofa or chair
Step 5. Apply 3-4 coats of high-gloss protective paint
A layered protective paint will help keep the synthetic leather tight and prevent it from peeling back. Apply each layer of protective paint thickly. When the protective paint has just been applied, it will appear opaque and slightly white. However, the color will fade once the protective paint dries.
- Allow each coat of protective paint to dry for 30 minutes before applying the next coat.
- After the entire coat of protective paint dries, the repaired synthetic leather will look like non-peeling synthetic leather.
Method 3 of 3: Repairing Exfoliated Synthetic Leather Using Soft Putty
Step 1. Cut the peeling synthetic leather with a razor blade
Before repairing synthetic leather, you must remove the peeling skin. Use your fingers and a razor blade to peel, scrape, and cut off the flaky synthetic leather on the sofa or chair. Don't cut the peeling skin off too much. Simply remove dangling and peeling synthetic leather.
- You can buy razors at your nearest home supply store.
- Be careful when using a razor. Do not point the razor at your body.
Step 2. Apply a soft leather putty to the peeling skin using a cotton swab
Apply 2.5 cm of leather putty on the knife. After that, use a knife to apply leather putty over the entire surface of the peeling synthetic leather. Smooth out the leather putty so that its thickness matches the surface of the peeling skin. Keep leather putty away from synthetic leather that doesn't peel.
Leather putty will bond to the synthetic leather base layer and create a vinyl-like surface. You can buy leather putty at your local leather supply or craft store
Step 3. Scrape off the layer of leather putty on the furniture seams and smooth the surface
If you are applying leather putty to the seams of furniture, use a piece of stiff paper to remove it. Use the tip of a business card to remove the leather putty from the seams of the furniture. After that, run the tip of the business card over the peeling surface of the synthetic leather to even out the layer of leather putty.
Cleaning the seams and smoothing out the leather putty will make your repairs look more professional
Step 4. Let the leather putty harden for 20 minutes
The leather putty will harden fairly quickly. Do not touch the skin putty that is hardening. If there are small children or pets in the house, keep them away from the skin caulk that is hardening.
When repairing a small chair, you can place the chair outdoors and leave it in the sun. This will speed up the hardening time of the skin putty
Step 5. Apply a second layer of skin putty on the peeling skin
Once the leather putty has dried, use a knife to apply a second coat of leather putty. Do not apply leather putty on non-peeling synthetic leather surfaces.
Step 6. Press the repaired skin with plastic to add texture
Prepare a plastic measuring 30 cm and then use it to wrap your hands. After that, press your hands on the second layer of skin putty that is still drying. When you lift your hand, the leather putty will appear more textured. Repeat this process until all of the synthetic leather covered with leather putty looks more textured. Texture can help blend the repaired area of skin with its surroundings.
If the synthetic leather surface is not textured, you do not need to add texture to the leather putty. Therefore, you can skip this stage
Step 7. Apply leather paint on the repaired skin using a sponge
Apply a generous amount of leather paint to a damp sponge. The diameter of the leather paint should be about 5 cm. After that, use a sponge to apply leather paint to the repaired synthetic leather. Apply the leather paint in long, even strokes. Apply a thin, even coat of leather paint to the repaired synthetic leather area. Apply leather paint to the non-peeling synthetic leather about 1 cm so that the repaired part of the leather blends well with the surroundings.
- You can buy leather paint at your nearest leather supply or craft store. Look for a leather paint color that is similar to the furniture to be repaired.
- If you can't find a leather paint color that matches your chair or sofa, try mixing a lighter color than the furniture color with a darker one.
