Q&A for How to Dye a Leather Couch

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Question

What is the best dye to use on leather?

Mallika Sharma
Certified Leather Care Technician
Mallika Sharma is a Certified Leather Care Technician and the Founder of The Leather Laundry, a niche spa service for luxury leather gear in India. Mallika specializes in leather cleaning, coloring, repairing, and restoring for shoes, handbags, jackets, wallets, belts, and sofas. She holds a Master’s degree in Finance and Investment from the University of Edinburgh Business School. Mallika is a certified Professional Leather Care Technician and trained with the globally reputed leather care company, LTT in the United Kingdom.

Mallika Sharma

Certified Leather Care Technician

Expert Answer

Use pigments to dye Nappa leather. If your leather is one-touch or drum-dyed leather, use water dye instead.

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Question

If I have two couches that are different colors (one gold and the other mint green), will they both dye the same color black?

Community Answer

If you want it to be the same color, you should sand it first. After sanded, you should be able to dye it to the same color. Otherwise, you will almost certainly end up with two different shades of black.

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Question

Is it possible to dye dark green leather to a lighter color?

Community Answer

Yes. You'll need to take additional steps such as buffing/ sanding the piece first, though. Also, make sure you have an opaque dye rather than a translucent stain.

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Question

My dog loves to lick the arms on an $800 recliner. The dye came off. How can I prevent this after dyeing the chair?

Community Answer

Get bitter spray that is a taste deterrent for dogs. Color test it on a non-visible area to make sure it doesn't hurt the fabric.

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Question

How many bottles would I need for a sofa and love seat? And how many ounces per bottle?

Community Answer

Two to three 4 oz bottles of leather dye should suffice.

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Question

My dye hasn't dyed completely after ten days. Any advice?

Community Answer

Buff it with a clean cloth and water until nothing rubs off on the cloth, and re-apply the top coat. If it still doesn't dry completely, you may have used the wrong kind of dye. You will need to clean the couch with a leather deglazer and try a different type of dye.

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Question

Where can I purchase penetrating dye for a leather couch? I do not want spray-on paint.

Community Answer

Leathertouchupdye.com Watch their videos on YouTube for application tips.

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Question

Where can I buy leather dye?

Kristina Soto

Community Answer

Home Depot or Lowe's, or any home improvement store in your area.

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Question

I have a light tan sofa, and the area where I rest my legs has gotten very dark. How can I clean this?

phil francisco

Community Answer

I used Simple Green and a scrub brush and it took the dirt out of the leather. Finish it up with a nice leather conditioner.

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Question

Would my chocolate brown leather couch dye black?

Community Answer

It should work, as long the dye is darker than the current color.

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Question

Where can I buy just acetone when dying leather?

Community Answer

Acetone is also used as nail polish remover. You can check out cosmetic shops or sections in supermarkets.

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Question

Can leather dye be used on car seat leather?

Brant Dilar

Community Answer

Absolutely; however, avoid oil-based shoe polishes bottled as "leather dyes" - they come off on your clothes. I recommend a specialized leather dye that dries and cures and has an added sealer topcoat to protect the finish.

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Question

Can I dye a red leather couch pink?

Brant Dilar

Community Answer

It is possible; however, 3 - 5 coats of dye would be necessary to fully and completely cover the red dye with a lighter-colored leather dye. You would have to use the highest-quality leather dyes or leather dyes formulated for color changes. Sealer topcoat will protect the finish and keep the leather looking and lasting longer than without one.

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