Video review and demonstration using a leather repair kit from Refinish Coatings. Refinish Coatings is a company which makes restoration kits for both leather and vinyl applications. These kits can be applied to a variety of products such as automotive applications, furniture, marine, etc. They are available in a variety of colors and pigments which will match OEM or factory specifications, along with providing a high quality durable finish. For this product here I will be working with a damaged piece of leather which will have a couple scratches repaired, along with applying a dye. Overall I am very impressed with this kit and would recommend it for anyone wanting to repair or customize items themselves.

Tools/Supplies Needed:

Refinish Coatings leather repair kit
bucket of water
2 lint free cloths
soft brush
hair dryer or heat gun
rubber gloves
2 disposable containers

Step 1: Clean

Ensure the surface you are working with is thoroughly cleaned, use an all purpose cleaner, they recommend using Simple Green or a dish soap along with water. Scrub the seat down using a sponge, cloth, or soft brush, then wipe the again clean free of any soap. Finish up with clean water to ensure all soap reside is removed and allow it to dry. For drying, we can use a hair dryer or heat gun, if you are using a heat gun, be sure it’s on a low heat setting as we do not want to damage the material. I would recommend wearing rubber gloves to the products do not get on your skin, along with oil from your skin contaminating the surface. Use a clean lint free cloth and the Surface Prep product, apply it to the cloth and work it into the surface by applying harder pressure. The surface will feel tacky once cleaned, allow it to dry for 24 hours or to speed up time use the help of a hair dryer or heat gun.

Step 2: Filling Cracks

If you have any damaged areas, use 600 grit sandpaper to remove any loose fibres and smoothen the area. Once finished, clean off any sanding debris, and give the area another wipe down with the surface prep product. Use a small disposable container, pour a sufficient about of base coat into a cup. Add cross linker to the base coat, for every two ounces of base coat, add one cc or ml of cross linker. Mix thoroughly using one of the stir sticks. Apply the base coat mix using the supplied sponge, use only light pressure with fast movements and do not leave streaking. Allow it to dry but only by air drying, do not use a hair dryer or heat gun. The top coat must be applied within four hours. To repair the damaged areas, use the stir stick to ensure the leather crack filler is mixed and apply it to the damaged areas. Once dry, use the 600 sandpaper to smoothen the filled areas. I did apply some base coat over the filler just to promote adhesion for the top coat as well.

Step 3: Applying Dye

Shake the Top Coat in the container to ensure it’s mixed and pour a sufficient amount into a disposable container. Using the pipette add the cross linker, for every two ounces of top coat, add two cc or ml of cross linker, and mix thoroughly using the stir stick. The top coat mix can be applied with an airbrush/small paint gun or using a foam applicator. Using a sponge, you will need to work the top coat into the surface so it's able to color the cracks and textured areas. Do not apply an excessive amount of product, using fast movements I find work best, and do not leave any streaking. Allow about five minutes in between coats, a hair dryer or heat gun can be used to speed up dry time. Apply the next coat when needed, also different directions help blend the repair. Depending on the repair will depend on how many coats are required. It normally takes about 3-4hrs to cure, this will depend on the thickness of coats, along with your climate.