How can I repair a peeling leather couch?

Cheryl
by Cheryl

How to repair a tear in a leather couch and an area of it that is peeling?


  22 answers
  • Kelli L. Milligan Kelli L. Milligan on Sep 03, 2019

    It's not real leather if peeling. Try gluing it back down and look on Amazon, I think they sell kits to repair faux leather. Good luck.

  • Johnavallance82 Johnavallance82 on Sep 03, 2019

    Hello Cheryl,

    Try Plasticote Paint (sorry spelling may not be quite right). Otherwise not sure what you could do accept reupholster or stretch covers. good luck!

  • 17335038 17335038 on Sep 03, 2019

    Kelli is right that if it is peeling, it is not genuine leather. It is most likely bonded leather. Bonded leather cannot be repaired the same way as real leather can.

  • Homeroad Homeroad on Sep 08, 2019

    Many people have had luck with painting leather and leatherette products using a chalky based paint.

  • Kelly-n-Tony Kelly-n-Tony on Aug 19, 2018

    So if it's real leather you'll have better luck then if it's faux leather. Some thing you can try are gently sandpapering the minor marks like cat nails might do. Or larger peelings super glue back down. There is a leather paint I've heard about but never tried it. Another option if it's really bad is to cover it with a sofa cover, blanket, quilt, etc. Or look around on selling groups because some give away furniture if you ask.

  • Barbara Barbara on Aug 19, 2018

    I have had some success using a product called Coconix. It is for fixing leather. It comes with several different containers of paint, pretty much assuring that you will get a nearly perfect color match.

    The company is family owned, and is all about customer care.

    I got the product from Amazon for $18.95.

  • 17335038 17335038 on Oct 25, 2018

    If it is peeling, then most likely is not genuine leather, but bonded leather. Bonded 'leather' is an inexpensive material made from vinyl and bits of leather bonded with heat on to a vinyl backing.

    Unfortunately it cannot be repaired in the same way as genuine leather as it does not have the same fibre content.



    The best way to extend the life of the couch is to cover it with slip covers or throws.

  • Janet Pizaro Janet Pizaro on Nov 22, 2015
    Leather is repairable. Usually auto part stores sell repair kits for this. If you cannot find it there check amazon they also sell them
  • Tracy Shudo Tracy Shudo on Nov 23, 2015
    I have the same issue, and it is bonded leather, I used the leather paint from JoAnn's it is called Leather Studio from Plaid. The colour I needed was not there so I bought a dark green and red and mixed them at home to match. It works. Dose not look like it did before but much better than before. Good Luck
  • Kerriann Simon Kerriann Simon on Oct 18, 2016
    I think i have the same couch,everywhere is now peeling ,so i am going to sand and strip the fake leather , exposing the suede beneath. Then give it some chalk paint. And then seal it in with a clear coat paint. And see how that turn out. All i need is time.
    • See 6 previous
    • Sue in wy Sue in wy on Jun 06, 2021

      Just wondering how your couch experiment went? Hopefully it turned out great if you ever found the time! Photos??

  • Mermaid Mermaid on Nov 26, 2016

    Hello, I check all the comments and think two items were not mentioned.

    1. There is available a vinyl repair kit that can be purchased. I do not know who makes or carries them, but, it would be found in with the automotive sections. The kit I have comes with little pots of colored material (creamy consistency) and pieces of material with various patterns that would match the surface of the item to be repaired. The colored material can be mixed to match your item color. You will need to use a craft heat iron or your normal iron, the heat setting is specific to curing. While working with the iron, be sure not to touch areas that do not need the repair, as the heat will continue to make more of the surface peel.

    2. As far as leather items that are produced, there is a process now being used, I have seen this mostly with handbags, where a leather hide is split horizontally and then a polyurethane coating is applied to give the split leather a finished look. It is this polyurethane coating that peels from the hide and makes the item unsightly. This product is call "PU" leather. [by choice, I avoid buying PU leather items].

  • Fran Fran on Mar 25, 2019

    You can't bring peeled leather back. All you can do is remove the dried "flakes" and dye what's left then after the dye is completely dry (at least 24hours) treat with a good leather conditioner. At least 2 coats. Good luck

  • Cynthia Ponce Bowles Cynthia Ponce Bowles on Mar 25, 2019

    I have used matted mod podge, a thin layer to help it last a little longer. If it is too think it will fall off in sheets or crack, rather then pieces that are hard to pick up.

  • Karin Karin on Mar 25, 2019

    For scratches or faded areas that are not peeling I've used shoe polish in a similar color. Just like when you use it on shoes, apply the polish lightly to the desired areas, let it sit for a minute or two then use a clean, dry cloth to buff the area. Note: I only had a few scratches and small faded areas (about the size of my hand) not large areas like you show in your picture.


    It's probably a good idea to condition the material first (either leather or vinyl) and give the conditioner some time to soak into the material (a few days to a week) before using the polish. I had used a conditioner several months prior to having the idea of using brown shoe polish so I didn't bother with a conditioner right before using the polish.

  • JoAnn JoAnn on Dec 02, 2018

    To be honest, I don't know if that is fixable. You might want to try a leather treatment oil. I had a leather couch and once a week I put a leather treatment on it. I would check at a leather shop to get suggestions. Good Luck!

  • Rebecca Balent Rebecca Balent on Dec 02, 2018

    Or use chalk paint and tinted wax.

  • Maureen Moe Driver Maureen Moe Driver on Dec 02, 2018

    There is a product in the auto parts section at walmart which is used to repair leather car seats. I believe this would work beautifully for you as it is basically a flat surface.

  • Johnavallance82 Johnavallance82 on Feb 24, 2022

    If it is real leather use Saddle Soap if Faux leather look for a Vinyl repair kit.

  • Johnavallance82 Johnavallance82 on Jan 02, 2023

    Maybe a Stabilizer painted on?

  • Deb K Deb K on May 22, 2023

    Hello, hope this helps you out.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_k9j8OQELsw

  • Johnavallance82 Johnavallance82 on Jul 31, 2023

    Maybe use something like Mod Podge to stabelize it!