The old leather couch doesn’t quite work in the new living room, but it’s just not an option to get a new couch. What are the options? In this article, I will discuss leather paint for furniture with some popular options and uses to help that old leather couch fit right in.
Leather paint for furniture is a type of paint designed specifically for use on leather surfaces. It allows you to change the color of your leather furniture or restore its appearance. Leather paint adheres well to leather, providing a durable, flexible finish that can withstand regular use.
Have you redone a room in your home, and now the leather chair doesn’t fit in? Do you have an old leather couch in good shape that just needs a facelift, and you’re unsure of the options available?
What Is Leather Paint for Furniture?
Leather paint for furniture is a type of paint that is specifically designed to be used on furniture. It can be used on various surfaces, including wood, metal, and leather. It is water and weather resistant and comes in oil-based, latex, and acrylic for durability.
What We’ll Explore
- Clearing up Myths & Misconceptions
- History of Leather Paint for Furniture
- Leather Paint for Furniture Overview Table
- Can You Paint Leather Furniture?
- Reasons for Painting Leather Furniture
- Types of Leather Paint for Furniture
- How To Use Leather Paint for Furniture
- Characteristics of Leather Paint for Furniture
- Does Leather Paint for Furniture Crack or Peel?
- Pros of Leather Paint for Furniture
- Cons of Leather Paint for Furniture
- Tips for Using Leather Paint for Furniture
- Alternatives for Leather Paint for Furniture
- My Personal Research Into Leather Paint for Furniture
- Helpful Leather Paint for Furniture Insights
- Key Takeaways
Clearing Up Myths & Misconceptions
One of the most common myths about leather is that you cannot paint leather furniture. However, one can paint leather furniture with the right type of paint. It has also been said that leather paint is only effective if it is expensive. To clarify, leather paint is very affordable, even with the preparation materials, and much more so than buying a new leather couch.
History of Leather Paint for Furniture
Leather paint has been around for centuries, with artifacts found in Asia from the 14th century. It has been used in artwork and recoloring leather for hundreds of years.
Leather paint was used in the automotive industry as early as the 1970s to repair and restore leather car seats, but specific products were not developed until sometime in the late 20th century. Leather paint for furniture gained popularity at that time and remains in use today.
Leather Paint for Furniture Overview Table
| Characteristic | Details |
| Oil-based | Gives a natural look with a glossy or matte finish. |
| Latex-based | Resistant to water and damage from climate |
| Acrylic-based | Best for leather furniture. |
| Enamel | Versatile and prevents brush marks. |
Can You Paint Leather Furniture?
Leather furniture can be painted for repair, update, or a facelift. The best type of paint to use on leather furniture is acrylic paint, designed specifically for leather and faux leather materials. Other options include oil, latex, and enamel.
These paints work great on leather as they are made to adhere to leather surfaces without peeling, chipping, or cracking. They can even be used on other surfaces, including vinyl and wood.
Proper preparation is key in the uniform and effective painting of leather furniture.
Reasons for Painting Leather Furniture
There are many reasons why one might want to paint leather furniture. One reason is that it can help to restore the look of faded and worn furniture. Another reason is that it can be a cost-effective way to update furniture without having to buy new pieces. Painting leather furniture is very affordable and can transform the look of leather furniture.
Types of Leather Paint for Furniture
Several types of paint are available for leather furniture, including oil, latex, acrylic, and enamel. The most popular type is acrylic paint, designed specifically for leather and faux leather materials. One can also use standard acrylic paints to paint leather furniture.
Characteristics of Leather Paint for Furniture
Leather paint has several characteristics that make it ideal for use on furniture:
- Durable and long-lasting
- Creates a variety of different finishes
- Flexible and resistant to cracks and peeling
- Resists color transfer
- Provides additional water resistance
- Protects from spills
How To Use Leather Paint for Furniture
With any type of leather paint, it’s typically always best to follow the manufacturer’s instructions. However, in general, to use leather paint on furniture, follow a few simple steps:
- Clean the surface of the leather furniture thoroughly.
- Sand the surface lightly with a fine-grit sandpaper.
- Apply a coat of primer designed specifically for use on leather surfaces.
- Apply the first coat of paint using a brush or spray gun.
- Allow the first coat to dry completely before applying additional coats.
- Apply additional coats until the desired finish is achieved.
- Coat with a protective finisher and allow to dry.
- Enjoy!
Does Leather Paint for Furniture Crack or Peel?
If one uses the right type of paint and follows the proper steps when painting leather furniture, leather paint should not crack or peel for quite some time. In fact, recently published research by Sutyasmi, Kasmudjiastuti, and Murti determined that the percentage of oil in the tanning process greatly affects the rub and crack resistance of paint on leather batik.
The frequency of use and environment will affect the durability of leather paint on furniture, with higher use more likely to lead to cracks and peels over time. However, some leather paint brands guarantee no cracking or peeling if properly applied.
Pros of Leather Paint for Furniture
Leather paint comes in many colors and is very affordable, ranging from $15 for 12 ounces to $40 for 22 ounces. It is resistant to water and fading and works well on real and faux leather. Leather paint is an affordable and straightforward facelift for leather furniture.
Cons of Leather Paint for Furniture
Using leather paint on furniture takes time, preparation, and the right products. It can take several coats of paint to get a smooth, uniform look on leather, which hides the natural grain. Leather paint is a surface product that prevents the natural patina from showing and decreases breathability.
Tips for Using Leather Paint for Furniture
Painting leather furniture is not difficult; however, several steps should be taken for an effective and long-lasting coating. For the best painted leather, follow these tips:
- Clean the leather well first, and do not apply leather conditioner.
- Use a leather preparer product or deglazer before painting.
- Work in a well-ventilated area.
- Allow each coat to dry thoroughly.
- For a textured effect, use a cloth to dab paint while wet.
Watch this helpful video from Nika Hanson as she demonstrates how to paint leather furniture:
Alternatives for Leather Paint for Furniture
Leather paint is easy to use with a few paintbrushes, but sometimes another method is preferred. There are options for leather spray paint, markers, and creams in many different sizes and colors.
Even chalk paint can paint leather furniture with the right finisher. These are all very effective at recoloring leather furniture on the surface. Leather dye is an option if a more permanent color change is wanted. This penetrates the leather surface and goes deeper into the fibers, giving a more durable and long-lasting color.
My Personal Research Into Leather Paint for Furniture
What are the best leather paints? I compiled a list of the top three leather paint brands, costs, and uses.
| Brand | Cost | Uses |
| Angelus | $3 for a 1-ounce jar to $34 for a starter kit | Recoloring, repairing, and decorating leather, canvas, and wood |
| Jacquard Lumiere | $6 for a 1-ounce bottle to $35 for a 6-jar set | Recoloring, repairing, and decorating leather, fabric, wood, plastic, and more |
| Kaps Super Color | $8 for a 2-ounce jar | Recoloring, repairing, and decorating leather |
Helpful Leather Paint for Furniture Insights
What kind of paint do you use on leather furniture?
Acrylic leather paint is the best to use on leather furniture. It also works on faux leather and is highly durable and long-lasting. Acrylic paint resists chipping, cracking, and peeling on furniture.
Does leather paint work on furniture?
Leather paint that is acrylic-based works very well to adhere and lasts a long time. It is specially designed to adhere to the surface of leather and not crack, chip, or peel for many years. Leather paint is a great option for recoloring or restoring a leather couch.
Is there a paint for a leather couch?
There are acrylic, latex, and oil-based paints that are made for painting a leather couch. Acrylic is the best type of paint for leather as it bonds to the surface and resists cracking, chipping, and peeling. Leather paint is a great way to get a “new” couch for little money.
What kind of paint is good for faux leather furniture?
Acrylic leather paint can be used for painting faux leather furniture. In fact, it is a better choice than leather dye because of the surface coating on faux leather. Leather paint is a great solution to faux leather furniture that needs an update.
Can I paint my fake leather couch?
Yes, a fake leather couch can be painted with leather paint for a color change or a facelift. Faux leather has PU or PVC coatings which work well with leather paint for a long-lasting, durable finish. Acrylic leather paint is the best choice for painting a leather couch.
Will paint stay on faux leather?
Paint will stay on faux leather as long as it is the right type of paint and applied correctly. A specially designed leather paint that is based in acrylic is the best for painting faux leather. Clean the faux leather thoroughly first and apply several coats, allowing each to dry, and finish with a protectant.
Key Takeaways
- Leather paint for furniture is available in acrylic, oil, latex, and enamel.
- Proper preparation is key in the uniform and effective painting of leather furniture.
- Painting leather furniture takes several coats for even coloring and durability.
In Closing
Leather paint for furniture is a great way to give an older couch or loveseat an updated look. With a little preparation and patience, that old leather couch can look almost new again. Whether for an updated room or a facelift for a chair, leather paint is affordable and durable.
Other Resources:
- Leather Paint Types – The Right Choice For Your Project
- The Many Leather Paint Uses for Home, Auto, and Fashion
- Leather Spray Paint – Types, Tips, and How to Use Them
- Angelus Leather Paint Guide – Types, Options, and Finishes
- Acrylic Leather Paint – Why It Helps Your Leather Project
- Leather Edge Paint – Options to Stylize and Protect Edges
- Sneaker Paint – Learn Options for Incredible Results