DIY: Leather Repair and Kit Review

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5GlL9CRmIcc

Video on a review and demonstration using a leather repair kit from Refinish Coatings. Refinish Coatings is a company which makes restoration kits for both leather and vinyl applications. These kits can be applied to a variety of products such as automotive applications, furniture, marine, etc. They are available in a variety of colors and pigments which will match OEM or factory specifications, along with providing a high quality durable finish. For this product here I will be working with a damaged piece of leather which will have a couple scratches repaired, along with applying a dye. Overall I am very impressed with this kit and would recommend it for anyone wanting to repair or customize items themselves.

Tools/Supplies Needed:
-Refinish Coatings leather repair kit
-bucket of water
-2 lint free cloths
-soft brush
-hair dryer or heat gun
-rubber gloves
-2 disposable containers

Procedure:
-ensure the surface you are working with is thoroughly cleaned, use an all purpose cleaner, they recommend using Simple Green or a dish soap along with water
-scrub the seat down using a sponge, cloth, or soft brush, then wipe the again clean free of any soap
-finish up with clean water to ensure all soap reside is removed and allow it to dry
-for drying, we can use a hair dryer or heat gun, if you are using a heat gun, be sure it’s on a low heat setting as we do not want to damage the material
-I would recommend wearing rubber gloves to the products do not get on your skin, along with oil from your skin contaminating the surface
-use a clean lint free cloth and the Surface Prep product, apply it to the cloth and work it into the surface by applying harder pressure
-the surface will feel tacky once cleaned
-allow it to dry for 24 hours or to speed up time use the help of a hair dryer or heat gun
-if you have any damaged areas, use 600 grit sandpaper to remove any loose fibres and smoothen the area
-once finished, clean off any sanding debris, and give the area another wipe down with the surface prep product
-use a small disposable container, pour a sufficient about of base coat into a cup
-add cross linker to the base coat, for every two ounces of base coat, add one cc or ml of cross linker
-mix thoroughly using one of the stir sticks
-apply the base coat mix using the supplied sponge, use only light pressure with fast movements and do not leave streaking
-allow it to dry but only by air drying, do not use a hair dryer or heat gun
-the top coat must be applied within four hours
-to repair the damaged areas, use the stir stick to ensure the leather crack filler is mixed and apply it to the damaged areas
-once dry, use the 600 sandpaper to smoothen the filled areas
-I did apply some base coat over the filler just to promote adhesion for the top coat as well
-shake the Top Coat in the container to ensure it’s mixed and pour a sufficient amount into a disposable container
-using the pipette add the cross linker, for every two ounces of top coat, add two cc or ml of cross linker, and mix thoroughly using the stir stick
-the top coat mix can be applied with an airbrush/small paint gun or using a foam applicator
-using a sponge, you will need to work the top coat into the surface so it's able to color the cracks and textured areas
-do not apply an excessive amount of product, using fast movements I find work best, and do not leave any streaking
-allow about five minutes in between coats, a hair dryer or heat gun can be used to speed up dry time
-apply the next coat when needed, also different directions help blend the repair
-depending on the repair will depend on how many coats are required
-it normally takes about 3-4hrs to cure, this will depend on the thickness of coats, along with your climate
-do not allow the repaired area to get wet for 48 hours