Is it Possible to Change the Color of My Leather?

Step 4: Apply new color finish

The new color finish is now ready to be applied.  But before we get in to that, lets discuss leather finishes: There are a whole lot of choices out there, which one should you choose? First off; when working with leather, ALWAYS choose a water based colorant. Never use a solvent or oil based colorant, they will surely cause a great deal of damage to your leather and will crack and peel in a very short period of time. Water based is the only way to go. But, which type of water based product?

You will find three different types of water based colorants: Latex, acrylic and polyurethane. Let’s break these down;

Latex: The cheapest of all of them. Yes, the same material that is used to paint your walls in your home. But, they have been slightly modified to provide a bit more flexibility and adhesion properties than does wall paint. Still, they do not wear well and the adhesion leaves a lot to be desired. Cracking and peeling are big problems with this material.

Acrylics: More expensive that Latex. You probably know acrylics from craft projects you have done or seen done. They work well in these situations. But not for leather. Acrylic leather colorants do have similar modifications as Latex for flexibility and adhesion, and they do work much better than Latex, but they still lack the long term quality and durability that we are looking for in leather finishes.

Polyurethane: (These are what are produced by Leather Magic!) The most expensive, but the best! Polyurethane is an extremely versatile product.  It can be formulated for a great many different applications. Polyurethanes are not just a single product modified for certain applications, rather, they are formulated for specific applications. As a matter of fact, almost all of today’s’ “finished” leather is made with a polyurethane finish! Why not put the same material on as a finish that the leather was originally finished with?

Each of these products works slightly different from the others, so, to proceed, let’s assume that you will be working with Polyurethane. You will require a specific color which you will choose. Most likely, you will purchase a color already made or you may decide to purchase individual base color and mix your own, that’s a topic for another discussion. In any event, you must now apply that color to your leather.

Keep in mind this can be a somewhat messy project, so clear the area so as to avoid any accidents. each project is different and may require additional items not mentioned.

Begin by masking off any areas that you will not wish the colorant to come into contact. Use plastic , newspaper or drop cloths on the surrounding areas to protect flooring etc. If your project has buttons, tacks or different colored stitching, these areas will require masking tape. Placing the item up on a small stand (if possible) is a good idea to protect your back. Once the area is secure, begin application of the colorant material. WIPE THE FIRST COAT ON. Using the applicator sponge, apply a light, thin coat to the surface and gently wipe over the entire area.  DO NOT USE A BRUSH OR ROLLER as this will apply the colorant too heavily. It is best to work one full panel at a time (a panel is “seam-to-seam). Wiping of the colorant material is important as the slight pressure from the sponge will actually encourage deep absorption into the leather. The entire project may be completed simply by wiping the colorant on with the applicator sponge.  However, the occurrence of stroke marks and uneven application is greatly increased. Once a panel has been completed, it may be a good idea to speed dry the  area with the hair dryer so as to avoid any unintentional damage. Continue doing this until each panel has been completed.  At this point, the colorant should be very thin and transparent, you should still be able to see the subdued look of the original color. Using the hair dryer, make certain that all areas are completely dry to the touch.

Spray the colorant onto the surface. There is an array of spray equipment that can be used: PreVal, small air brush, small HVLP touch-up gun etc. the latter require an air compressor. Do not use electric spray guns as they put out way too much material which will cost you money by wasting material and could cause cracking and peeling problems later. Spray a very light coat evenly over a controlled area then move to another section. Be cautious to not apply the material too heavily so as to prevent runs and uneven coverage. If a run does occur, simply wipe it out with the applicator sponge. The original color should still be showing through at this time. Keep in mind that several light coats are required in order to obtain a perfect finish. Once the area has been given the first spray coat, dry it completely using the hair dryer.

All subsequent coats will be applied in the exact same manner.  You should expect to apply at least 2-3 coats.  More coats may be required in order to obtain the desired results. Drastic color changes will obviously require more light coats but you will find that drying time is minimal, especially when using a hair dryer.

Once the project is complete, the unit may be placed back into service once completely dry. Please keep in mind though, Polyurethane requires 48 hours of cure time in order  to reach it’s maximum strength capabilities, so, care must be taken to not put undo stress on the area for this time period. After 24 hours, it is a good idea to apply leather conditioner to the newly finished piece.  Leather conditioner will help to cure the new finish as well as  make the leather soft again. One of the great properties of Polyurethane is that it remains porous once cured so that conditioners may penetrate through the new finish and get into the leather where it does the most good.