How to Paint Leather

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Are you bored by the color of your old leather jacket? Got a beat-up leather belt that could use some love? Leather paint is exceptionally easy to work with, and leather is an extremely forgiving material to work with. Just make sure that you finish the leather after the paint dries to keep it from rubbing off over time! In this article, we’ll show you everything you need to do to get the job done.

Method 1
Method 1 of 3:

Cleaning and Prepping the Leather

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  1. Prepare your painting area by putting tarps or drop cloths under the leather so that paint doesn't get everywhere. Make sure to paint the leather in a well-ventilated room so that you don't inhale paint fumes. [1]
  2. If you plan on painting leather furniture, it's a good idea to disassemble the furniture before you start painting, so that paint doesn't drip onto other parts of the furniture. [2] If you are painting leather shoes, remember to take the shoelaces out before you start painting them.
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  3. Watermark wikiHow to Paint Leather
    Dampen a rag with isopropyl alcohol and wipe down the surface of the leather. The alcohol will remove any preliminary coatings, waxes, or oils that are on the surface of the leather, which will help the paint adhere to the leather. [3] [4]
  4. Watermark wikiHow to Paint Leather
    If your leather is still shiny, sanding off the shiny areas with a 100 - 200 grit sandpaper will remove portions of the glossy finish. Put the sandpaper in the palm of your hand and work it back and forth over the shiny areas. Continue to sand until all of the shine is off of the leather.
  5. Before you start painting the leather, make sure that the surface is clean. Take a damp rag or a microfiber cloth and wipe over the surface of the leather. Continue wiping the leather until all of the dirt is lifted off. [6]
    • Any dirt or dust left on the surface of the leather will be embedded into your paint job.
  6. Watermark wikiHow to Paint Leather
    You can purchase a bottle of leather preparer and deglazer at craft stores or online. Saturate a rag with the preparer and deglazer and work it generously onto the surface of the leather. [7]
    • The preparer and deglazer will dry fast because it's alcohol based.
    • Leather preparer and deglazer formulas are made specifically to help paint adhere to leather.
    • The preparer and deglazer may fade the old color of your leather.
    EXPERT TIP

    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

    Prep leather before painting it. Properly preparing the surface of leather before painting it helps the color fully absorb for a smooth, even finish. First clean the leather thoroughly with a solvent like thinner, rubbing alcohol or ammonia to open up and clear out the pores. Then, airbrush on leather paint, followed by applying a fixing agent or sealant on top to properly set and seal in the painted color.

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Method 2
Method 2 of 3:

Applying the Paint

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  1. Go to a crafts store or look online for acrylic paint made specifically for leather. Acrylic paint will absorb into the leather without affecting its flexibility. [8]
  2. Adding water to the paint will make it thinner. This also helps the leather absorb the paint. Squirt the acrylic paint into a bowl and add an equal amount of water to it, before mixing it together with your paintbrush.
  3. Watermark wikiHow to Paint Leather
    Dip a flat paintbrush into the paint and work in long even strokes over the surface of the leather. The paint will look faint at first and the old color will come through the new paint, but this is normal. Try to get even coverage until the entire leather piece is painted.
  4. Let each of the thin layers of paint dry for two to three hours before touching it. Touch the surface of the leather with your hand to see if it's dry. If it feels wet or the color transfers to your hand, the leather isn't dry enough to apply another coat. [9]
  5. Watermark wikiHow to Paint Leather
    If you are painting a leather handbag or leather clothing, flex the leather back and forth in between each coat to prevent your paint from cracking later.
  6. Watermark wikiHow to Paint Leather
    Continue coating the leather in paint and letting it dry until the hue is the shade that you want. It may take up to seven coats for a dark, solid color.
  7. Don't touch or handle the leather for a full day. Come back to the painted leather and touch the surface to make sure that it's not sticky or wet. If it is, let it dry out for a longer period. [10]
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Method 3
Method 3 of 3:

Finishing the Leather

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  1. Applying a finish to the leather will help seal in the paint and will give the leather a nicer looking finish. High gloss will be reflective and will look shiny, while a matte finish will give the paint a softer, less shiny, look. Once you decide on which finish you want, purchase a leather finisher online or at an arts and crafts store. [11]
    • Matte and satin finishes will look shiny when they are first applied but then dry to their respective finishes.
  2. Watermark wikiHow to Paint Leather
    Saturate a sponge brush with the leather finisher and apply it in thin coats over the painted leather. Continue going over the surface of the leather, making sure to fill in any seams. [12]
  3. Put the leather in a dust-free area until it dries. The finisher will dry after a full 24-hours. Your leather should now look professionally painted. [13]
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Community Q&A

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  • Question
    Is there a simpler way to do this?
    Art Aguilar
    Community Answer
    Yes, there is a paint by SEM called classic coat flexible coating. It changes or renews color on leather. Just spray it on, let it dry and done. If you have very soft leather it will not chip, crack, get hard and it comes in different shades in case you want to change the color of the leather.
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  • Question
    Once the leather has been painted, can I wash it in a washing machine? I want to paint a leather jacket and still be able to wash it.
    Gurpreet Insan
    Community Answer
    Allow the fabric paint to dry for a day or two before touching, and at least 72 hours before washing. Always wash your painted garments inside out on a gentle cycle. Using warm water may help the paint not to crack.
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  • Question
    Can I repaint after applying the finishing coat, since it turned yellowish?
    Community Answer
    Yes, but you may need to sand it down again beforehand to make sure the paint can still properly grip onto the leather.
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      Things You'll Need

      • Drop cloths or tarps
      • Isopropyl alcohol
      • Rag or microfiber cloth
      • Painter's tape (optional)
      • Leather preparer and deglazer
      • Acrylic leather paint
      • Acrylic leather finisher
      • Water
      • Paintbrush

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      References

      1. ↑ https://www.familyhandyman.com/project/how-to-paint-leather-furnitures/
      2. ↑ https://www.familyhandyman.com/project/how-to-paint-leather-furnitures/
      3. ↑ http://www.justpaint.org/painting-on-leather-with-acrylics/
      4. ↑ Mallika Sharma. Certified Leather Care Technician. Expert Interview. 26 April 2021.
      5. ↑ Mallika Sharma. Certified Leather Care Technician. Expert Interview. 26 April 2021.
      6. ↑ https://www.familyhandyman.com/project/how-to-paint-leather-furnitures/
      7. ↑ https://www.familyhandyman.com/project/how-to-paint-leather-furnitures/
      8. ↑ http://www.justpaint.org/painting-on-leather-with-acrylics/
      9. ↑ https://www.familyhandyman.com/project/how-to-paint-leather-furnitures/
      1. ↑ http://www.american-duchess.com/how-to-paint-leather-shoes
      2. ↑ https://www.hangerproject.com/shoe-care-guide/high-gloss-vs-matte-patina/
      3. ↑ https://www.familyhandyman.com/project/how-to-paint-leather-furnitures/
      4. ↑ https://www.familyhandyman.com/project/how-to-paint-leather-furnitures/

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      Before you paint leather, make sure to wipe it down with isopropyl alcohol and sand any shiny areas with fine grit sandpaper. Then, wipe the surface of the leather with a damp cloth to make sure all of the dirt has been removed. Once the leather is ready, mix an acrylic paint with water in a 1 to 1 ratio and apply the paint to the leather with a flat paint brush. Work in long, even strokes as you apply thin layers of paint. You'll also want to flex the leather between each coat to prevent the paint from cracking. Allow each layer to dry for 2 to 3 hours before applying the next coat. To learn how to apply a finish to the leather to help seal in the paint, keep reading!

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