How to Restore the Color on a Leather Couch

Purchase a leather re-coloring kit that matches the color of your leather couch. Many leather re-coloring kits include various color selections, as well as most of the supplies you will need to achieve the desired shade for the leather couch.

Spread plastic drop cloths under and around the surrounding areas of the leather couch to avoid other furniture or the flooring being damaged by the chemicals in the leather re-coloring kit.

Wear rubber gloves and a face filter mask to protect your skin and respiratory system from the leather re-coloring's chemicals and fumes.

Wipe down the entire leather couch with the kit's included sponge and leather prep solution. If your kit does not contain a leather prep solution, dampen a clean sponge with rubbing alcohol to clean the leather surface of the couch. Prepping the leather couch with the leather prep or alcohol will remove any grease or dirt, resulting in better adhesion of the new color.

Moisten a clean cloth with water and scrub the entire couch to open the leather's pores. Allow the couch to fully dry before continuing on to the next step. Turn on and face two to three oscillating fans toward the couch to help dry the leather faster.

Sand the leather couch with the piece of fine-grain sandpaper included in the kit. Gently rub the couch to avoid creating rough patches. Avoid sanding the stitched seams of the couch to reduce the risk of stitch fray.

Remove the sanding dust from the leather couch with a clean cloth. Dampen the clean cloth after removing as much of the sanding dust as possible and rub the leather again to remove any smaller sanding particles stuck into the cushions or crevices of the leather couch.

Add a thin coating of color onto the leather couch. Use the included application sponge to spread the color evenly onto the leather couch. Allow the first coat to dry. Accelerate the drying time by blowing a hair dryer set to low heat over the couch.

Assemble the color-coat spray unit as directed in the leather re-coloring kit's included instructions. Hold the spray unit 6 to 8 inches from the surface of the leather couch and apply the color coat in smooth, even strokes. Allow the color coat to dry before proceeding.

Add an even layer of the included finishing spray to the leather couch and allow the leather to dry for 48 hours before moving or using the couch.

Rub a thin coating of leather conditioner onto the couch with a clean cloth according to the package directions. Some leather kits may or may not include this conditioner product.