Real leather is a very versatile and durable material. It is used to make a number of different products, including chairs and sofas. It is also used in the construction of clothing, such as shoes, gloves, and jackets. The reason for this is that it is strong, flexible, and comfortable. Not to mention, it can look super great.
Though leather is a sturdy material, it can crack quite easily when exposed to sunlight. This can cause the leather to become dry, resulting in the emergence of cracks. It can also just become cracked over time.
This damage can be quite serious to the leather and will likely be permanent. However, there are ways of fixing this. If you are looking to fix your cracked leather and do not want to spend loads of money to hire a professional, look no further!
If your leather has become cracked, there are two nifty methods for you to remedy the situation.
Method 1 – Condition The Leather
Equipment
- A cracked leather surface – obviously, you will need a piece of leather that has become cracked. This could be several items, such as an armchair, a jacket, or a sofa.
- Leather cleaner or soap – to wash the leather, you should use a leather cleaner. You can buy a leather cleaner online for affordable prices. For example, this item is great for cleaning this material. If you do not want to purchase this specialized product, you can use soap instead.
- A cloth – this will be used to apply both the cleaning substance and the leather conditioner.
- Leather conditioner – this item will nourish your leather, adding moisture to it. These items can be found online and in home improvement stores. If you are looking for a suggestion, this is an amazing product. You can also buy a 2-in-1 leather cleaner and conditioner, like this.
- A sponge (optional) – this handy cleaning product can be utilized to apply the conditioner.
Instructions
1. Clean the dried-up leather. This should be done with a cloth and the use of a cleaner, either soap or a specific cleaner for leather. You should test any cleaning product on a small and inconspicuous patch of leather first before cleaning the entire surface.
If the cleaner has not irritated the leather, you should proceed to clean the entire area with the cloth and the cleaning substance. This will get rid of any dirt and will add some much-needed moisture to the leather, resulting in it becoming more flexible.
2. Next, you will need to leave the leather to dry before you can further work on it. It will take approximately 10 minutes for the leather to dry, though this time will vary.
3. Apply a leather conditioner to the surface of the material. Again, you may want to test the product before using it on the full area. This application can be done with either a cloth or a sponge. Be sure to use plenty of conditioner and to apply it to every area of the leather, including the crack. Once you have done this, you should be able to observe a change in the color of the material.
4. Leave the leather to dry completely. It may take a few hours for the leather to soak up the conditioner. Check the instructions on the packaging of the conditioner to see how long it normally takes to dry. Ideally, you should do this overnight.
5. If you need to, repeat this process. If the cracks are still visible, you may want to apply more conditioner.
Method 2 – Utilise a leather filler
Equipment
- Leather – as with the previous technique, you will need a leather surface to fix.
- Cleaning products – check the equipment for the last method for what products you will need to wash the material.
- Sandpaper – this tool can be found in most DIY stores. In this method, sandpaper will be excellent for making the leather more smooth.
- Leather filler – this substance will be excellent for fixing the flaws in your leather. This product comes in different colors, allowing you to find the shade that best matches your leather.
- Palette knife – to spread the leather filler onto the surface, it is advised that you use a palette knife. This is a long and thin blade primarily used in painting. These tools can be found in art stores, DIY shops, or online. For instance, this set will be more than sufficient for this method.
Instructions
1. Clean the leather using the advice contained within the previous method.
2. Use sandpaper to even out the cracks. Be gentle when you are smoothing the surface out, as you do not want to damage the leather. Having a smooth surface to work on will make filling the leather much more straightforward.
3. Put the leather filler onto the cracked area. A palette knife will be the most optimal tool for this application method.
Apply this filler evenly in any cracks that have emerged. Get rid of any leftover leather filler with the palette knife.
4. Wait for the leather filler to set entirely. This usually takes around 6 hours, though it will vary. Consult the instructions on the leather filler to determine how long it traditionally takes to dry. While it is drying, keep the leather away from sunlight.
5. If necessary, apply more leather filler.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why Does Leather Crack?
Though it is a material that is renowned for its durability, leather can actually become damaged with relative ease. The usual cause of cracks in leather is dryness. Other causes include a build-up of dirt and exposure to direct sunlight.
How Can You Prevent The Leather From Cracking?
To stop leather from cracking, you should clean and condition it a few times each year. This will ensure that it does not become too dry. You should also try to avoid putting the leather in contact with sunlight.
Is Olive Oil Good For Leather?
When it comes to treating leather, there are quite a few common home remedies. One of these is olive oil. Does this technique actually work?
In short, no. In fact, olive oil can actually be harmful to the leather. It will seep deeply into the leather and will not make any visible improvements to the material. In addition, it is really hard to remove and can speed up the decay of the leather.
Closing Remarks
Cracked leather can occur quite easily, though it can really detract from the look of your jacket, sofa, or other leather items. Though this damage is long-lasting, there are ways you can fix the leather. If you are in this situation, either of the two techniques above will help you.
