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 paint a leather sofa
Over the years of use, cracks and abrasions appear on the surface of a leather sofa, the color fades, and the product becomes faded and unpresentable. If you paint a leather sofa correctly, it will be no different from new and will last for decades.
First you need to prepare the skin for dyeing. You should wipe it with alcohol and saturate it with primer . The solution will hide the cracks and provide better adhesion. In addition, the paint will lie smoothly, uniformly and beautifully.
For work you can use the following types of dyes:
Acrylic water-based. The composition is environmentally friendly and harmless to health. In case of fire, it does not burn and does not emit toxic substances. Penetrates well into the skin, filling the depressions remaining after preparation. All colors are available in the range.
Silicone water-based. It is distinguished by elasticity and abrasion resistance. Does not allow water to pass through, which contributes to the long service life of the filler and steel springs. The downside is the rather high cost.
Alkyd enamels. Reasonable price and wide range of shades. They are prone to cracks and the unpleasant odor lasts for a long time.
Application technology differs in the types of tools used and material consumption. Since leather does not allow moisture to pass through, solutions can be applied directly to the sofa, without first removing the covering.
There are the following methods for restoring leather upholstery:
Foam rubber. It is carried out by applying smears with a fragment soaked in a solution. The process is long, but it allows you to achieve excellent results, sometimes after the first pass. The sponge needs to be changed periodically, as it wears out and crumbles.
Paint brush . The long and elastic pile allows you to reach the most inaccessible places. The composition must be applied in two stages - first vertically and then horizontally, thereby evenly rubbing the drips.
Roller. It is better to take a tool with natural bristles. It holds the solution well and ensures its even distribution. The roller can only be used for processing smooth surfaces, since it is not suitable for recesses.
Aerosol can . The containers contain ready-to-use formulations. The jet covers a large area, but you cannot stay in one place for a long time. The process is simple to perform, but the cans are not cheap.
Spray gun. The devices produce a wide torch; due to pressure, the liquid enters all holes.
A prerequisite is to dry the skin at room temperature . The use of an iron, hair dryer and uneven sunlight is not allowed. at least a day to dry completely . After this, the surface should be wiped with a soft cloth soaked in vinegar and then wiped dry.
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.
What is leatherette?
Leatherette is a material that is used instead of genuine leather for the production of shoes, clothing, bags and other products.
Leatherette items are very relevant and in demand, they have become a part of our lives. Taking into account the fact that over time things lose their attractive appearance, the paint on clothes or shoes may fade, it is important to have proper care. However, this is not a reason to move away from your usual and favorite things; by resorting to painting in time, you can extend their service life. Next, we will look at several ways in which you can easily and simply paint artificial leather at home.
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.
Expert recommendations
- It is better to apply paint using several tools. Use brushes to treat recesses and corners, and rollers for large, flat areas.
- If there are rusty steel fasteners, they can be easily cleaned with a remover and a hair dryer.
- Working with a sponge gives high-quality results, but its use requires care and a lot of time.
- The cordless spray gun allows you to paint quickly and beautifully. The device is expensive, but it will come in handy many times during repairs, washing windows and flowers.
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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