Asked on Feb 13, 2017
I love my office chair but the leather on the arms are cracking!!!
by Lori Lambert
+13
I have had my chair for several years and while it is still in good shape and comfortable, I want to keep it for an even longer time. Does anyone have suggestions on how to restore them/repair/upgrade the arms to where they are comfortable again? My chair is black and have the padded arms. Thank you!!!
Suggested Project Book
1st off, it's not likely leather, but bonded leather. what a joke the stuff is. 1st the armrest cracks and then starts to peel off then the head rest starts to go then where the back of your legs start working on peeling the bottom cushion about 25 % of my "leather" is gone .
Save your money to buy another every 5 years. That's when mine started to go belly up!
On a more positive note maybe you can find a solution here. https://www.pinterest.com/explore/leather-repair/
https://www.pinterest.com/explore/leather-repair/
If the armrests are removable, you can reupholster them.
Try rubbing some olive oil in the section that's cracked
I agree with William. Olive oil is temporary. Re-upholstery will last longer, just don't use bonded leather, there are "faux leathers" that will last longer.
Thank you all for your input! I have not decided what I will do yet, but you have given some very helpful information for me to look into!
Use mink oil for leather everything. You have to rub it in.
Real leather is worth saving, so I hope you do try rubbing with mink oil, lanolin, etc., or go to a furniture store or shoe store for a leather conditioner. Bonded leather doesn't crack, it peels off. No mistaking it for the real thing. And it is NOT good for the environment, with the glues and additives used to make it. Comparison: Leather compared to bonded leather is like Steak vs. hot dogs
We have some bonded leather pieces in our Michigan home that have lasted for many years. However, we have bonded leather chairs that we brought down when new to our winter home in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. They stared to peel after a few years. I think the humidity causes the thin leather film on the fabric backing to de-laminate. We had the chairs re-upholstered in Mexico with beautiful faux leather....looks just like the real thing. Easy care now!
We bought a leather repair kit at an auto parts store. It works great on leather and vinyl. You can't even tell you repaired the leather. Follow the instructions. There are several colors in the kit, so you can mix colors to match the tear in your leather/vinyl.