How to revive a worn leather armchair or Chesterfield
Faded, scuffed or lightly cracked leather furniture can be brought back with cleaning, filling and colour. It's very satisfying and much cheaper than reupholstering.
By the Junkie team
Step by step
Step 1: Clean thoroughly
Clean the whole piece with leather cleaner and a soft brush, paying attention to seams and where heads and hands rest. Old body oils stop colour sticking.
Step 2: Prep worn areas
Wipe worn and cracked areas with a little isopropyl alcohol to take off the old finish so the new colour can bond.
Step 3: Fill cracks
Work leather filler into cracks with a spatula, let it dry and sand smooth. Repeat until the surface is level.
Step 4: Recolour
Sponge on thin coats of leather colour, drying each with a hair dryer. Build it up slowly so it stays soft and natural.
Step 5: Seal
Finish with a leather sealer in a sheen that matches the original. Let it cure for a day before sitting on it.
Step 6: Keep it fed
Condition every few months and keep it out of direct sun and away from heaters.
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