Cracked leather can make even the most luxurious items look worn-out and neglected. Whether it is your favorite leather jacket, couch or a car seat, restoring the cracked leather is important. However, when it comes to taking care of the leather crack people often ask how do I repair cracked leather, well it is easier than you think. Therefore, in this blog post I cover why does leather crack? what you’ll need to repair cracked leather and best tips on how to fix leather from cracking.
Why Does Leather Crack?
Without any doubt, leather is a natural material which is made from animal skin, and like all other natural things, it does get worse. Just like human skin, leather also needs to be moisturized, and if you do not take care of the leather products especially leather Jackets you start noticing some cracks. Leather has tiny pores, so it easily absorbs liquids like water and oils from our skin and hair. Over time, these oils build up, wear down the surface, and cause cracks.
Types of Leather Cracks
Before we move towards how to fix cracked leather let’s first understand types of leather cracks.
The light leather cracks are quite easy to hide and they can usually be hidden with a strong conditioner. Deep leather cracks on the other hand are more difficult to hide or repair with a simple leather conditioner. leather filler, leather dye, and sandpaper often used to hide or repair deep leather cracks.
How to Repair a Light Leather Crack
Repairing a light leather crack is simple and doesn’t take much time. With the right steps, you can smooth out the surface and improve how it looks.
For Light Crack you will need
- Dry cloth
- Soft bristle brush
- Mild soap
- Sponge
- Strong leather conditioner
Clean Leather Surface
Start with cleaning the surface of the leather with a dry cloth to remove all the dust and dirt from the surface. You can also use a soft brush and mild soap/leather cleaner to clean the cracks.
Test Leather Conditioner
When you are done with the cleaning process next, pick a small spot of leather and test the conditioner. But, remember that conditioner can slightly change the color of the leather.
Apply Conditioner On Cracks
Now pick a soft sponge and gently spread the conditioner smoothly all over the surface and into the cracks. Use enough to fill the crack and wipe away any excess conditioner.
Let the Leather Air Dry
Leave the leather dry naturally, and avoid using high heat sources like a hairdryer or direct sunlight, as they cause more damage. If your leather is dry but the cracks are still visible, you can repeat the process once but not more than that.
How to Repair a Deep Leather Crack
Deep leather crack repair requires more than just leather conditioner. You'll need the following tools and products such as:
- Dry cloth
- Mild soap/leather cleaner
- Leather sealer
- A 600-grit superfine sandpaper
- Leather filler
- Leather dye
- Palette knife
Clean the Leather
Before fixing the cracks, make sure the leather surface is clean and dust-free. If you find some then wipe it down with a clean cloth and use a mild soap or leather cleaner to ensure the cracks are clean and dust free.
Dry & Sand the Cracks
Always make sure that leather is completely dry, as moisture may decrease the effectiveness of the filler. Use very fine sandpaper (600-grit) to smooth out the leather cracks. A very rough sandpaper will leave deep scratches on the leather.
Apply Leather Filler
Wipe the excess dust with a dry cloth and use a palette knife to spread cracked leather restorer over the cracks and make sure it completely fills the cracks. Wait until they dry out completely and then use your superfine sandpaper to smooth out the surface of the leather.
Dye the Repaired Area
Next, use the cloth to wipe the dust. Check that the leather dye is a close match to the actual color of your leather. Then, apply a thin coat of dye over the filled crack. Carefully fit the dye into the leather area around the crack.
Dry Carefully
This is the right time to use a hairdryer to dry leather. Pick your hairdryer and set on the lowest part and dry the leather by moving the dryer left and right over the dyed area.
Repeat for Full Coverage
Repeat steps 4 and 5 until the cracks are completely hidden or repaired. Remember to mix the dye into the surrounding leather for each coat, as you want the colour to match as closely as possible.
Seal & Protect
Lastly, use a sponge to apply a coat of leather over the crack to protect and condition the dye and the leather. Use the hairdryer again, on the lowest setting, to cure the leather sealer.
Tips for Preventing Leather from Cracking
Now let’s talk about how to keep your leather from cracking over time. With the right care, you can protect it and make it last much longer.
- Invest in a Good Quality Leather Conditioner
- Avoid Exposing your Leather to Direct Heat or Sunlight
- Keep It Clean and Dry
- Be Careful with Sharp Objects
- Avoid Contact with Water
- Don't use Harsh Chemicals
- Time to Time Care and Maintenance
When to Call a Professional
If your leather is badly damaged, with large cracks, peeling areas, or tears, it might need more than a simple fix at home. In these cases, it’s better to get help from a professional. Experts have the right skills and tools to handle serious leather problems and restore your item properly.
FAQs
How do you repair cracked leather
There are two ways to fill a crack in the leather. The Light cracks may be filled with a leather conditioner, while deep ones need to be filled with leather filler and leather dye.
Can Cracked Leather Be Restored?
Cracked leather can't be fully repaired, but you can greatly improve its appearance and make cracks less noticeable.
What Causes Leather To Crack?
Leather is permeable, absorbing oils from our hands, arms, legs, and faces. The oils become abrasive, causing the leather to become brittle and stiff, eventually cracking.
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