Leather peeling: a complete repair guide

Leather is a durable material and can easily last for decades. However, although it doesn’t usually happen with real leather, sometimes the leather used in leather goods starts to peel off, which looks very unpleasant. There can be multiple causes of leather peeling, but using low-quality leather is the major one. In this article, we will discuss everything about leather peeling and try to answer common questions such as: How do you fix leather that is peeling? What causes leather peeling? How can you prevent leather peeling? After reading this article, you will have important information that might save your prized leather goods like handbags, jackets, and many more.

How to fix leather that is peeling

There are several DIY methods you can use to repair your peeling leather. We have listed a few of them below:

1.| Leather repair kit with filler

Leather repair kits are very useful and can be used for small repairs. They include all the important items needed for easy repair

Step 1: Leather Cleaning

Use the leather cleaner provided in the kit to clean the affected area and remove oil and dirt

Step 2: Apply Leather Filler

Mix the leather filler included in the kit with glue, then apply it to fill the damaged portion. Let it dry for a few hours

Step 3: Sand the Area

Use sandpaper to sand the area, making the surface even, and removing any excess filler

Step 4: Apply Colorant

After the filler has dried, paint the surface with the colorant included in the kit, applying it in thin layers

Step 5: Seal the Finish

Finally, apply the finishing top coat included in the repair kit to create a protected film on the repaired area. Let it dry completely.

2.| Apply leather Paint

Leather paint is a special type of paint made specifically for leather. You can use it to cover the peeling surface

Step 1

Clean the affected area with leather cleaner or with damp cloth

step 2

Take some leather paint in a cup with a spoon or something

Step 3

Apply the paint coat on the leather and wait until it dries. If necessary repeat the coating process

Step 4

Apply a protective clear coating and let it dry in the air before start using it

3.| Liquid leather repair

Liquid leather is finely shredded leather mixed with adhesive, and it is the only option if your leather piece is seriously peeling and no other method can be used. Liquid leather can be really effective in fixing peeling leather

Step 1

Clean the affected area with leather cleaner properly

Step 2

Apply liquid leather with the help of a soft cloth and let it dry naturally in the air

Step 3

After the liquid leather is dried apply a protective clear coating

4.| Adhesive leather patch

If the area is badly damaged and has lost its strength, you can use adhesive patches. They come in both real leather and faux leather, or you can make one at home by taking a piece of leather or similar-looking material and applying leather adhesive to it

Step 1

Clean the area with a soft cloth and make sure there is no dirt or any loose fiber left that can prevent the patch from sticking

Step 2

Place the patch carefully on the affected area and press it down for a few minutes. Don’t lift the patch, as it will make it worse

Step 3

Place it under a heavy object so that the patch sets properly in place before using it normally

5.| Professional help

If none of the above steps work, or if you prefer not to do it yourself, you can always seek professional help. A leather repair professional can achieve much better results. It is the most expensive method on the list, but leather products are not cheap, and it’s worth the investment. Just make sure to do your research first before handing over your prized possession.

Quick fixes for leather peeling

If there’s an emergency or you’re in a hurry and can’t do a repair, then you can try some quick fixes for minor peeling

1.| Nail paint

You can cover the peeled area with nail paint

2.| Permanent marker

Use a permanent marker of the same color to cover the spot

3.| shoe polish

You can use shoe polish, it is usually effective if you are dealing with black or brown colored leather

4.| Leather tape

You can apply some leather tape specially designed for leather or you can use some other tape with a similar texture, You can find it in a stationary store

5.| Moisturizer

You can cover it with moisturizer, it will darken the color of the spot and it will look similar to the leather

Causes of leather peeling

There can be multiple causes for the peeling of leather. It usually happens in the case of faux leather but can also occur in real leather if proper care is not taken

1.| Using bonded leather

Bonded leather is type of leather created by mixing shredded leather fibers with bonding material and make thin sheets out of it. It resembles real leather but it is nowhere near when it comes to durability

2.| Using faux leather

Faux leather is a synthetic leather type and it is not derived from animals. This kind of intimate leather is way less durable than real leather and it cannot bear the abrasion as the real animal hide can

3.| Using harsh cleaning supplies

Using harsh chemicals for cleaning leather products can cause peeling by damaging the surface coating. Only products specifically designed for leather should be used, and always refer to the manufacturer’s instructions

4.|UV radiation

UV or sunlight exposure can damage leather, as it can cause the leather to dry and become weak. The surface finish starts to fade, and the leather starts cracking

5.| Aging

Though real leather becomes better with usage and time as it tends to develop a nice-looking surface patina and also becomes soft with long-term usage, synthetic leather or any other faux leather can start showing signs of wear and tear

Prevention of lather peeling

Leather is an amazing material, and you can prevent peeling in real leather by taking proper care. Here are some precautions you can take to prevent leather from peeling

1.| Proper cleaning and conditioning

2.| Avoid harsh conditions like sunlight and excessive heat

3.| Store properly at a dry, ventilated and shaded place

4.| Use leather protestants

Conclusion

I hope our article helped you in fixing leather peeling. If you have any doubts, feel free to ask in the comment section

For more information on leather products, you can check our other articles or you can contact us. LeatherBlues is known as one of the best stores for real leather products. Explore our amazing collection of leather garments and services.

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