Painting leather chair

Jeanine Cruse
by Jeanine Cruse
I have a really expensive leather Cabot Wrenn executive chair that is the wrong color for the room it will be placed in. I do NOT want to ruin it and have heard painted leather chips after a 6mths. Has anyone painted real leather before with success? HELP
This is my chair. It is in perfect condition.
I want to paint my chair to look like this chair, but I do not want to ruin it.
  12 answers
  • Nancy Gramm Nancy Gramm on Sep 29, 2014
    Good question! I'll be watching for answers myself. I have a chair similar to yours, though mine's not real leather. It has an area in the back that's worn through and I tried painting it with the vinyl repair treatment. I really messed it up! Painting, if possible, might save it. Good luck to you.
    • See 1 previous
    • Suzanne Lawson Suzanne Lawson on Oct 01, 2014
      @Jeanine Cruse I'm not a pro refinisher either,but I have worked in design for 30 years and with DIY-ers ( I'm a DIY-er myself) and I know what products are out there. I've dyed lots of leather shoes, purses etc. and it's much easier than you think. I suggested dye because I believe that you will get far better results using a product intended for use on leather.. You are concerned with ruining the chair and I firmly believe that if you try to paint tightly tufted leather upholstery with commonly available paint products, you will bitterly regret it. The only paint product I can suggest to you with any confidence is SEM Classic Coat http://www.semproducts.com/automotive-flexible-coatings/classic-coattm Good luck with your project. .:-)
  • Jeanine Cruse Jeanine Cruse on Oct 07, 2014
    Thank you Suzanne...I will look into the dying it, because I just dont see how the paint will work.
  • Jeanine Cruse Jeanine Cruse on Oct 08, 2014
    I spoke with a pro about the dyeing process and she said that to strip the leather around the tufts would almost be impossible...I may just have to settle for a wine colored chair.
  • Lisadoll Lisadoll on Feb 20, 2015
    Maybe you could buy a cheap leather something ( ottoman?) at a thrift store and use it as a sample board to try a few different techniques..... Or maybe a couple leather somethings ?
  • Jewel Simpson Jewel Simpson on May 17, 2017

    I read that somebody said to strip with acetone, for the tufting I would try it on cotton swabs. It will be time consuming but if it works ...so worth it! I would try it on something to test first look for something small that you can tuft like a leather bag? (fold some areas that would be like tufts)?

  • I used liquid shoe polish, kiei, my chair eaz very faed and looked more punk, i eanted a softer look abd got 2 KIWI CORDIVAN...its z brownish burgundy..did it yrars ago, stillooks great!

  • Kathy Bitzan Kathy Bitzan on Aug 13, 2017

    I'd keep it the color it is and maybe put a beautiful pillow to detract from the color. But I love the color and would keep it no matter what. If I had to change the color I would follow the directions from above about dyeing leather. I've found that painting objects does not always work. I love my daughters kitchen which we added molding to the door and drawers. Painted and waxed for that nice Italian feel and now 5 years later she is wishing she didn't do it. The paint is chipping around her sink area where I think the possible culprit is her husbands belt buckle rubbing up against it since he has started doing dishes. So paint is a quit solution but not for the long run in my opinion.

  • Mogie Mogie on Oct 21, 2020

    If it is an expensive chair have a pro do this.

  • Sharon Sharon on Jul 11, 2021

    I would use analine dye on the leather, then there will be no peeling or chipping. You will have to go darker or at least the same level of color. I've used this product on several clients couches and chairs, and got great results.... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P6AopwTuYAo&t=3s

  • Sewingisfun44 Sewingisfun44 on Jul 12, 2021

    Check with Heirloom Traditions All in one paint. They show you how to do it online and have people give suggestions.

  • Johnavallance82 Johnavallance82 on Jul 16, 2021

    Hello, Ask a Leather worker, or Saddlery if they could dye it for you or an Upholster. Don't ruin it with paint.