Leather filler is a substance used in the repair of those items constructed of leather material. In most cases, rips, tear, and cracks can be repaired, and the items are brought back to life.
Leather filler is a compound that consists of PVA glue combined with leather paint and finish. The compound is used to repair such leather items as shoes, boots, furniture, and auto upholstery. It is often available in a variety of colors.
It is available for a wide variety of uses. Whether you find yourself needing to repair a piece of furniture, a pair of boots, or a seat in your car, there is a filler that will get it done.
What is Leather Filler?
Leather filler is a flexible compound that is used in the repair of both leather and vinyl upholstery. When using to repair leather or vinyl, leather filler works best when used:
On scaly, cracked, or thinning areas where the leather is worn and the backing or suede is exposed. On those items that have been used by a cat as a scratching post.
Coconix Leather Filler Set Parts
On holes that measure larger than ½”Most often, the leather filler is a water-based compound that can be applied easily. Although formulatedto air dry, the time needed to cure can be significantly accelerated with the use of an incandescent bulb or sunshine.
Popular Uses for Leather Filler
Vinyl Compound Repair
This type of compound is used in the repair of scaly, cracked, or torn vinyl. The product is a flexible filler that is water-based.
Here is a great video on how to repair Leather and Vinyl:
Fixing Leather Cat Scratches
When attempting to repair cat scratches on leather, there are two routes you may take depending on theextent of the damage.If the scratches are very light in nature and haven’t damaged the leather material itself, you may be ableto use a leather recoloring balm.
However, if the area of damage is larger than the size of a tennis ball, you will need to use a leather fillerkit. Most leather filler kits contain:
- Leather Binder – which will work to strengthen the area
- Leather Repair Kit – which will fix the scratches
- Leather Colorant Kit – which will work to restore the leathers original color
Leather Filler Color Tube Set
Leather Filler for Boots
If you find that your leather boots are beginning to crack and look worn, you can bring them back to life byusing leather filler.You will need to check the boots for mold and mildew, and then make sure to clean them thoroughly withsaddle soap.
Next, moisturize the boots with mink oil, followed by applying your leather filler.The filler will work to fill in the cracks in the boots, strengthening the leather and improving the appearance.
Leather Filler Shoes
For shoes, it depends on whether you are filling light cracks or deep cracks as to how you will proceed. For light cracks, you will make sure you remove any dirt or grime that may be present. Then, as withboots, you will moisturize the shoes and allow them to dry overnight.
With deep cracks, fill the cracks in with leather filler. You will then use sandpaper, sanding the entire areauntil it is smooth. You then have the option of applying a dye to deepen the color.
Below is a helpful tutorial on how to repair your leather shoes
Perforated Leather Seat Repair
When repairing perforated leather, the process is a little bit trickier than those other processes listedabove.You will need to first sub patch any tears or holes that may be present
Apply the leather filler to any tears or holes that may are still visible. This process is achieved through theswiping of the filler, following the direction of the tear, until you achieve a level surface area.
While the leather filler is still wet, re-punch the repair areas perforations to minimize a patched, solid appearance. Allow the leather filler adequate time to cure. If necessary, repeat the process.
Types of Leather Filler
Leather Filler Tubes Colors
Vinyl Crack Filler
Vinyl can be repaired with a leather filler, similar in fashion to the repairing of leather. However, for abetter, lasting result, you can go the route of using a heat gun coupled with graining papers.
Leather Piping Repair Filler
Typically, the repair of the cord trim, or piping, on leather upholstery can be nothing less than a trickyendeavor. This difficulty is due significantly in part because of the curves of the trim. it is imperative toavoid getting any filler into the seams.
Nuleather
Nuleather is a faux leather product that is both soft and pliable and presents a high-end finish without theprice of real leather. Nuleather is highly preferred for its resistance to cold cracking and mildew.
Magic Mender Repair Compound
Magic mender repair compound is the perfect all-around choice for repairing those issues with leathersuch as cuts, pet scratches, holes, tears, cracks, or creases. It is also great for use on vinyl.
Leather Sub Patch
A sub patch is a flexible section of cloth, used in conjunction with leather filler, placed on the back topatch and repairs tears and holes in leather.
Dap Dynaflex 230 Leather
This type of leather filler is commonly used in the automotive industry to repair vinyl seat upholstery.
Leather Upholstery Fix
Most leather upholstery fix products will work to repair or patch tears, cuts, or burns received byautomotive upholstery and work towards improving any damage done to the leather.
Here is an informative video on how to correctly repair cracks in leather car seats.
Lavida Leather Repair
Lavida is a leather conditioning product specifically designed to be absorbed by the leather material sothat it will remain nourished, flexible, and will prevent the appearance of any cracking.
Sarula Leather
Sarula leather cream is a 100% natural, non-toxic, water repellent product. It is used to clean, condition,and treat such leather-based products as boots, shoes, belts, jackets, etc.
Next Level Leather Kit
This product is targeted at those individuals in the auto detailing arena. It cleans and conditions not onlythose autos with either leather or vinyl upholstery but can also be used on consoles and steering wheels.
Leather Repair Crack And Crease Filler
These types of products offer a thin leather filler with excellent adhesion combined with flexibility thatrepairs those issues such as medium-sized cracks, creases, scuffs, and those areas that have seenrough treatment.
Leather Filler Kit
Leather filler kits are used to repair scuffs, scratches, small tears and to touch up the color of the leather.Commonly included in the leather filler kit is glue, filler, a canvas patch, leather patch, mixing cup,utensils, and easy to follow instructions.
Here is a video of 5 of the best Leather Filler Kits
FC1 Soft Leather Filler Compound
This compound type is a water-based, flexible filler generally used to repair scaly, torn, or cracked leather or vinyl.
White Leather Filler
The white leather filler is a leather repair compound that lends a white color to restored and repairedleather.
Brown Leather Filler
The brown leather filler is a leather repair compound that lends a brown color to restored and repairedleather.
How Do You Use Leather Filler?
- Clean – The surface of the leather will need to be cleaned thoroughly with a proper leather cleaner. You will thenneed to allow the leather adequate time to dry,
- Sub Patch – If the tear goes all the way through the leather, you will need to use a sub patch that is at least 50% bigger than the tear itself. You will need to make sure that the patch is centered under the tear and is lying flat.
- Apply Filler – You will now need to apply the filler to the entire inside of the tear’s perimeter and glue down the edges of the tear to the cloth patch. Let this dry overnight before applying the next coat of filler.
White Leather Filler in Color Cream
- Reapply Filler – Reapply the filler to the entire ripped area, making sure that the surface is level. Allow again to dry overnight.
Filling Leather with Leather Filler
- Additional Application – If needed, apply a small amount of filler, smooth it out and remove the excess, and for those more damaged areas and again allow to dry overnight.
Smoothing and Evening Leather Filler
Leather Scratch Filled with Leather Filler
- Sanding – Once the leather filler has had sufficient time to cure. You will finish up by sanding the area untilsmooth.
What Is The Best Leather Filler?
| Leather Item To Fill | Filler Product | Description |
| Couches | Furniture Clinic Leather Recoloring Balm | This leather balm works to absorb deeply into the leather, helping restore its rich color and sheen. |
| Automobiles | Chemical Guys Leather Cleaner And Conditioner | Their kit provides high-quality materials that work professionally to fix and restore the interior of yourautomobile. |
| Cat Scratches | Chamberlain’s Leather Milk Healing Balm | This milk healing balm proves a little goes a long way, as it works to fill in those areas of damaged causedby your cat using the item as a scratching post. |
Related Questions:
Do leather repair kits really work?
In a nutshell—some do, some don’t—that is just the cut and dry of it. Few leather repair kits on the market are considered ”professional” genuine leather repair and restoration kits.
How do you repair cracked leather?
As the cracking of leather is usually caused by the drying out of the natural material, the best method of repair is that of rehydrating the leather with the use of a conditioner.
How can I fix my leather car seats?
There are several choices for repairing a leather car seat. You may choose a leather repair kit that matches the color of the leather you need to fix. You may go the route of applying a leather cloth patch that is the color of the leather of your seat. Finally, you can use a product known as liquid leather, in conjunction with a leather conditioner.
Can cracked leather shoes be repaired?
When shoes developed cracks in the leather, they are technically not able to be fixed, as the damage isdone and can not be reversed. However, you can use a leather conditioner on the shoes that will aid inhiding the visible cracks.
Where to Buy Leather Filler?
Walmart
The national retail giant offers a variety of brands and compounds that work on automobiles and their upholstery.
Amazon
The nation’s premier online retailer offers various leather repair kits for those items such as furniture,clothing, shoes, and automobiles.
If you find that you are in need of repairing a leather piece of furniture, a pair of boots, or even theupholstery in your car, don’t jump and pay someone else to do it for you. With a little time and thecontents of a leather filler kit, you can get the job done with less cost. For related leather repairs, click here for my guide to leather glues. For large areas and to change colors, click here for my guide to Angelus leather paints.
Related Topics
What causes leather seats to crack?
Most often, the cracking of leather on seats is caused by them getting dried out. In the cause ofautomobiles, this is due to their constant exposure to sunlight.
How long does leather repair last?
Those items that receive high wear should last several years. With that said, in most cases, the repair will out-last the material the item was originally constructed from.