Things made of artificial leather are becoming reliable companions in our lives. But over time, many of them lose their appearance. Objects that are still strong and durable become unattractive: the paint is worn and faded. This is not a reason to give up your usual things! Painting will give them a second life.
We'll tell you how you can dye faux leather items at home.
How to paint leatherette at home
The result of painting leatherette at home largely depends on the products used for this. The work can be done using different materials.
Bottles with shoe impregnation
If you only need to slightly restore certain places on a bag or jacket, you can use products designed for shoes. Small bottles of shoe impregnation are quite convenient. A sponge attached to the bottle, soaking in its contents, reliably paints problem areas. If there is no such sponge on the bottle, you can use a brush or make a tampon for impregnation yourself.
Important! Painting leatherette with shoe impregnation will be of better quality and durability when applied in 2 layers, with a 30-minute break for absorption.
Special paints for artificial leather
Designed to renew the skin, such paints penetrate deeply into the structure and provide reliable coloring of the material. At the same time, things become protected from moisture and retain the ability to pass air.
They are convenient in aerosol packaging, as well as when using a spray gun, sponge or brush.
Acrylic paints
Acrylic paints provide good results not only for restoring individual abrasions, but also for completely repainting leatherette items. They are interesting not only for their varied colors, but also for their qualities.
Acrylic is a flexible material that can stretch. Thanks to this, paints protect things from cracking. To work you will need a brush or sponge.
Important! When the paint thickens, you can return it to the required consistency using acetone. You need to add 2-3 drops to it and mix thoroughly.
How to choose paint for leather furniture?
When you decide to paint an old leather sofa, you first need to take care of choosing a coloring agent. You can not only buy paint at a leather or shoe store, but also order it online.
It is necessary to choose a less toxic composition with a minimum drying time. The main thing is to accurately determine the color and method of applying the product to the surface of the furniture and not confuse the paint with the impregnation or spray that is used to care for leather products.
Today, leather paint is produced in different types:
- in aerosol;
- in a container with a soft tip made of foam rubber or other porous material;
- in a jar with an airtight lid. WITH
Experts in painting furniture say that the sprayer option is the most convenient. The spray is distributed evenly and does not form smudges. If necessary, you can easily apply another layer of product and carefully paint over problem areas.
The can with a foam nozzle is also easy and convenient to use. It is enough to unscrew the cap and squeeze a small amount of coloring composition onto the foam rubber. Using such a device, it is better to paint small areas of the surface rather than the entire product.
Paint packaged in a tin can is cheaper than an aerosol or a spray can with a nozzle, but it is also much more difficult to use. When getting started, you need to stock up on a brush or foam sponge to apply the product to the leather surface.
Choosing paint for leatherette
Buying a product for coloring artificial leather is easy. This can be done at different retail outlets.
Hardware stores
In hardware stores you can purchase professional paints intended for artificial leather, as well as acrylic dyes.
Handicraft stores
Products in small packages can be found in craft stores. They offer a variety of colors of acrylic paints, small containers with special dyes for natural and artificial leather. Handicraft salons also offer chalk paints. They will be of interest to those who want not only to paint the upholstery of leatherette furniture, but also to make it stylish, specially giving it an aged look.
Shoe stores
In stores or departments that sell shoes, you can choose an impregnation for shoes, which is also suitable for updating other leatherette items.
All these products will ensure high-quality painting of artificial leather.
Where to find products for coloring artificial leather?
Currently, products for coloring artificial leather can be bought in almost any hardware store and even in a supermarket, while in hardware stores there is a large selection of paints that specialize in coloring leatherette. In shoe stores you can find shoe impregnation that will skillfully renew your shoes or boots. This ensures good coloring of leatherette. In addition, such products can be in small containers with dyes for both artificial and natural leather.
Preparing things for painting
The material must be cleaned before painting. If there is a layer (even invisible to the eye) of dust and dirt between the surface of the item and the dye, the layers of paint will move away from the material and cracks will appear.
The procedure for preparing leatherette for painting:
- Cleaning. To clean artificial leather, you need to treat it with a soapy solution and then rinse thoroughly with clean water. Perform the work with a cotton napkin or sponge.
- Degreasing. Using a swab or sponge soaked in an alcohol solution, wipe the item again, removing any remaining dirt.
Important! After cleaning, work with artificial leather only with gloves, so as not to leave traces of stains on the cleaned surface; they may appear during dyeing.
- Drying. Before painting, make sure that the leatherette is completely dry.
Important! Allow items to dry naturally, without using heating devices or heaters, which may cause deformation of the material.
Paint a bag or suitcase
Have you been wanting to update your bag or suitcase? Don't delay, but start making your desires come true!
Prepare the necessary materials:
- Paint (we recommend using acrylic).
- Acetone for dilution.
- Items for applying dye (brush, sponge).
- Items for working with paint (palette).
- Gloves for work.
Advice! If you don't have a special palette (or a palette from a children's painting kit), you can replace it with regular aluminum baking foil.
Carefully read the instructions for painting leatherette items. Doing the job according to these tips will help you get a good result.
- Prepare the bag for painting by thoroughly cleaning and drying its surface.
- Prepare the paint. Apply some paint to the palette or foil. It shouldn't be thick. To dilute, use acetone.
Important! Please note that acrylic dries quickly. Do not squeeze a large amount of paint onto the palette at once; it is better to add it as needed.
- Mix the squeezed out paint with a brush or sponge.
- Start painting. Try to apply the dye evenly, in long strokes.
- Once completely dyed, leave the bag to dry. This will take 15 to 20 minutes.
- Apply 2nd coat. If you are not completely satisfied with the result, after the 2nd layer has dried, you can paint it again.
- Let the bag dry on its own; do not place it near heating appliances.
Leather dyes
In order for an old sofa covered in leather to acquire a decent appearance, the paint for leather furniture should be selected according to several parameters:
- First of all, you need to choose the appropriate dye color. If the furniture is not a standard shade, you will have to mix paints to get the desired color. It is best to contact sellers who know the rules and mixing proportions.
- When choosing, you should take into account toxic properties and drying time.
- Not every paint may be suitable in a particular case. If the covering is soft, then it is better not to use aerosol dye for leather. It will make the material rougher, so the furniture will not be as comfortable.
Sofa leather paint can be sold in cans or regular containers, which can be applied with a brush or sponge. Therefore, before purchasing, it is better to clarify what materials it is intended for. In addition to regular paint, there are special protective dyes applied over the base layer. They prevent fading and protect the material from light damage.
Leather paint in cans
Tips for painting leatherette items
Pay attention to the specific type of faux leather the items you want to paint are made from. Get acquainted with the features of caring for this type of material.- Carefully read the instructions for use of the selected dye and strictly follow its instructions.
- Do some preliminary testing before painting. Select a small part of the leatherette and test the dye on it. This will ensure that the material does not experience any unwanted reactions when interacting with the dye. Allow the painted area to dry completely to see the final color.
Procedure for painting
Prepare the paint, pay attention to the fact that it should not be very thick; to do this, dilute it with acetone. It is important to take into account that acrylic paints dry quite quickly, so do not squeeze out a lot, the best solution is to add paint as needed, then mix the resulting paint consistency with a sponge. When starting coloring, it is recommended to apply the dye smoothly and evenly. Next, things need to be left to dry, this usually takes about 20 minutes. Then the second layer is applied. Drying of things is done independently, without the use of artificial heat sources.
How to care for dyed items
To ensure that the appearance of a painted item brings pleasure for a long time, you need to follow simple rules for caring for painted leatherette.
Timely cleaning
All contaminants should be removed from the painted material, not leaving even minimal ones unattended. For cleaning, use a damp cloth or sponge. You can use a soap solution, which is then thoroughly washed off with clean water.
Drying
Wet faux leather items need to be dried thoroughly. For this purpose, items of clothing are hung on hangers and given shape. Shoes can be stuffed with old newspapers. The bag is emptied of things, hung and shaped, for which you can also use paper.
Leatherette things will continue to delight you! You have already appreciated their practicality. And with the help of our article, you can paint artificial leather to restore the attractive appearance of your favorite bag, jacket or comfortable shoes!
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