Repairing Leather Fire Bellows

Clean the leather well by first taking a dry cloth or soft bristled dry brush, such as that used for shoe shining, and brush away any debris on the leather.

Wipe the bellows down with a cloth or sponge dipped in warm water and a small amount of mild soap. Clean the bellows well to ensure nothing will deter from the attachment of the patch.

Apply denatured alcohol to the leather to help clear any soap residue or other finish residues away from the leather.

Fill the crack or hole in the bellows with the leather filling compound in your leather repair kit. Use the sponge that comes with the kit to apply a light coating of the filler. Allow the filler to dry and then sand it with fine sandpaper of at least 1,000 grit.

Cut a patch out of leather patch material to fit the hole or crack and place it over the damaged area. Leather patches have adhesive which help them stay on the leather piece. Heat up the patch so it sticks to the leather with a hair dryer. An iron could be used as long as you place a towel over the patch to protect the leather from the direct heat.

Sand the patched area with 600 grit sandpaper and wipe the surface clean of sanding debris.

Use a butter or putty knife to apply the leather repair compound that comes in your kit. It important to fill in the crack or hole well and smooth it out as you work. Allow this compound to dry and then sand it down with a very fine grit sandpaper to complete the finish. Add colorant to the compound, if you like.