While extensive lacerations can take time, effort and considerable skill to repair, small nicks and tears can be fixed with little effort and the right supplies. And these products can restore discolored or faded leather nearly to its original appearance. We researched leather repair kits based on their effectiveness, contents, ease of use, and price. Our top choice is the FORTIVO Leather and Vinyl Repair Kit. It contains patches that apply easily, without needing heat, and can come very close to matching the area needing repairs. For more extensive repairs, we recommend professional assistance. But having said that, here are our five top choices for the best leather repair kit. This repair kit is one of the best all-around products, thanks to its affordable results and easy five-step application process, which requires no heat. The manufacturer claims this product helps repair scratches, cuts, holes, tears, rips, cracks, marks, and pet damage on furniture, shoes, and car seats. Fortivo’s kit offers 10 intermixable colors—two brown capsules, two white, two black, one red, one blue, one green, and one yellow—as well as a mixing bottle and a practice leather patch. A color mixing guide helps you determine how much fluid and in what proportions match the color of your targeted item. We note that the color capsules only provide a small amount of liquid, and the mixing process takes some trial-and-error. But for the most part, the results are satisfactory. And if you’re not happy with the product, Fortivo offers a 30-day money-back guarantee and a 1-year free replacement warranty. Price at time of publish: $20 The balm deeply absorbs into leather, giving it a richer color and a sheen that’s good as new. Furniture Clinic guarantees results for up to 3 years, or you can get a complete money-back guarantee. Unlike kits with intermixable colors, the Leather Re-Coloring Balm gives you a sizable product (8.5 fluid ounces) in a single color. If you’re worried you won’t be able to perfectly match the color of the repair kit to your couch, note that Furniture Clinic offers this balm in 16 different colors, all of which can create lighter or darker shades depending on the amount used. We note that the manufacturer recommends testing your targeted leather piece to see whether it can absorb liquid since older leather can harden slightly over time. To test, simply apply a little drop of water and see whether it soaks in, or beads up and runs. Price at time of publish: $30 The manufacturer claims this product effectively removes dirt, grease, body oils, and more from all types of leather, including vegan and synthetic leather. You apply the liquids onto a microfiber applicator (not included), then rub it into the leather. This lets you use the product on perforated leather surfaces without worrying about buildup in the dimples. If you’re looking for a more dynamic repair kit, you can also try some of the Chemical Guys’ other products, including their 9-piece kit, which comes equipped with towels, brushes, and a leather detailer. Price at time of publish: $27 They manufacture patches made of leather-like vinyl in dozens of sizes and colors, but we selected this 11 x 8-inch patch because it’s large enough to cover many different areas. Besides leather, you can use these patches to cover stains, scratches, worn spots, or tears on materials including vinyl, faux leather, metal, wood, and plastic. It’s available in classic leather colors such as tan and dark brown, as well as more distinctive colors, including green, ivory, and navy. Simply peel off the backing paper, stick MastaPlasta to your leather furniture and you’re done. The patches can be cut so that they perfectly fit the stain, scratch, or worn spot you’re trying to repair. We also note that they have strong adhesive backing that can fit curved surfaces. Keep in mind, however, that the patches are not suitable for machine washing. One final note: MastaPlasta patches covers rips, tears, scratches and other marred surfaces. But they hardly appear seamless. We recommend these only as a quick-fix solution. Consumers wishing for a more seamless repair job should look for professional results. Price at time of publish: $15 The main contents include one bottle of restoration and refinishing serum, one bottle of nourishing leather conditioner, and one bottle of reliable top-coat sealant. You also get backing materials, a filler compound, and two small bottles of the black-and-white color changer, which allows you to lighten or darken the surface of your furniture. Furniture Leather Max ensures that this product is waterproof and shouldn’t rub off on your clothing. We note that one 8-ounce bottle may be enough to recondition a small loveseat or sofa without needing to repair any rips or tears, but two bottles (available separately) are recommended for larger pieces. We have noted that on certain well-used surfaces, such as office chairs, the serum may peel off over time. But generally, we recommend this product for repairing small nicks, tears, and scratches without needing professional help. Price at time of publish: $37 The 4-ounce container of healing balm contains what the manufacturer describes as “natural oils and waxes,” specifically designed for touch-ups and detail work. After you work the balm into your furniture with a soft towel or sponge, it fills in damaged areas and restores a rich, glossy shine to the leather. While we’ve noted similarities to coconut oil—including the scent that lasts until the product is absorbed—we still like Chamberlain’s results. We note that sitting areas take about 3 hours to dry before you can sit on them again. We were mystified by the package alert not to use the product on genuine leather. The manufacturer notes, however, that this refers only to when leather has been conditioned to be softer and more delicate by sanding down its upper layers. It frequently refers to suede, which this product is not recommended for. Price at time of publish: $17
Type of Leather
Not all leather is the same, so be sure to choose a repair kit made to work on the type of leather that you want to repair. Otherwise, choose a repair kit designed to repair a range of materials, from pure leather to faux leather and vinyl. Note that some conditioners function well only on leather that can still absorb moisture. Older leather may have lost this property, so test first by applying a small drop of water to the targeted surface and see whether the moisture is absorbed.
Color
It’s important to choose the correct color of leather repair kit so your fix is a convincing match for the leather good you are patching up. You can choose leather repair kits in a single dominant color such as brown, which may or may not hit the mark when applied to your leather sofa or wallet. Or you can opt for a kit that contains multiple colors that can be mixed a la carte for the perfect match.
Why Trust The Spruce?
This article was researched and written by Derek Rose, a writer and teacher living in Brooklyn, New York. He has been writing for The Spruce since 2019. For this article, Derek researched numerous products online.
