How To Paint Leather Seats?

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Leather seats are considered to last longer and are easy to clean but they can also be customized and in this article, we will share some steps on how to paint leather seats and you can customize your leather seats.

Many choose to customize their leather seats as they may look dull over time caused by normal wear and tear which might cause the color to fade out or look unattractive. By painting your leather seats, you’ll be able to restore some shine to your seats, change the look by changing the color, and fix the discoloration all at once. Leather seats are considered to be durable and easy to clean plus, the products needed to renovate your seats are considered to be inexpensive, all you’ll need to do is follow some simple techniques to achieve a professional look while saving money.

How to paint leather seats in 4 stepes?

Things you’ll need

  • Safety goggles, masks, and gloves
  • Leather filler
  • Primer and paint
  • Newspaper or drop cloth
  • 600 grit sandpaper
  • Leather cleaner
  • Microfiber cloth / tack cloth

Step 1 : Cleaning Your Seats

This is a very important step to do before painting your leather seats as the surface of the seats needs to be cleaned and degassed so the new paint can adhere better. In this case, a leather cleaner can be used to clean the seats but they are also homemade products that can be used to do so and are considered to be cheaper. Clean the seats to remove dirt and grime and to prep the surface for the new paint. Use a brush if necessary, to scrub the area to remove the dirt, then use paper towels or a microfiber cloth to remove dirt and wipe off the entire surface of the seats

Once the seats are clean, it is recommended to use a leather solvent cleaner, which is a chemical solution to remove old finishes from the seats and create a bond for new finishes to be applied, it will also get rid of any stains that may be available on your seats. As with any chemical product, make sure you follow product safety instructions such as using products in well-ventilated areas. Apply the product to a microfiber cloth then wipe the area thoroughly.

Step 2 : Sanding The Surface

Sanding your seats will aid in prepping the surface for the new paint also. Sanding is important as it will sand down any scuffs and scratches from the surface of your seats, especially in brittle areas, it will even it out to ensure a smooth finish, which is the ultimate goal. To sand the surface of your leather seats, use a leather sanding pad and start by sanding the area in circular motion focusing on cracks your leather seat may have, this will allow the new paint to seep better into the leather. 600-grit sandpaper can be used as well to smoothen out the area and prevent additional scratches. You can use a sanding block for easier and faster application.

Once your finish sanding the area, use a tack cloth to clean off all dust and any other leather particles. Tack cloths are recommended since they tend to remove all dust and clean the surface. A microfiber cloth can be used as well to wipe away the sanding dust. Use some alcohol cleaner on either cloth to wipe down the area.

Step 3 : Adding Filler To Your Leather Seats

Sometimes the sanding won’t be enough to remove the scratches on your leather seats, in this case, a leather filler may be required. If your leather seat has small or big cracks or scratches which are visible, then a leather filler compound can be used in this case to fill out those cracks before you paint it. Filler will help your leather seat look brand new. After you’re finished sanding and cleaning your seat, check

the surface to find out if a leather filler may be required. Different fillers can be chosen based on the size of the cracks if any. Leather filters are specifically designed for scratches and holes, they provide great strength and flexibility and are easy to apply.

They are many ways to apply a filler, the easiest method is to apply thin coats of the filler to the damaged area using a palette knife, apply until the surface is leveled using the palette knife to really fill in the paste into the cracks, and let dry in a ventilated room, this may take several hours unless a hairdryer is used to speed up the process. Once the filler is dry, sand the area once again to smoothen out the surface then use the microfiber cloth to clean the area from the sanding

Step 4 : Painting The Leather Seats

In this case, spray paints are recommended for their easy application method. Before adding your paint, a primer is required.

Primers are used as basecoats for the paint. A primer will help the new paint adhere better to the surface of the leather seat and make the color last longer, without it, your paint may peel off. Chose a primer that is specifically designed for leather and before you start painting, make sure the area is covered to avoid paint splattering over other surfaces. To do so, you can use newspapers or drop cloths. Shake primer well for about 20 seconds and apply 1-2 coats of the primer to your leather seats allowing 10-20 minutes in between coats for the paint to dry then allow 1-2 hours for the paint to fully dry.

Next, is to apply to chosen paint. This process is also known as the dying process especially if you’re planning to use an airbrush, you’ll need to combine the colors until your desired color is achieved. Also, there’s the option of using spray cans which also provide great results. 2-3 coats of spray paint are recommended but more coats can be added if necessary, allowing 10-15 minutes in between coats for the paint to dry then allow 24 hours for the paint to fully dry.

Once the paint is dry, add a sealer to protect the paint, following the primer’s procedure, this will allow the paint to last longer and also add some shine to your newly painted leather seats. We hope you found these tips helpful.

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