Instructions

Read through the instructions completely before beginning so you are familiar with the entire process.

If you purchased the Leather Repair Kit, you will find the instructions for repairing cracking, creases, holes, rips, and cuts further down on this page.

1) The items from your order. This will include the liquid or aerosol color, application brush (for brush-on kits), and Triclean prep cleaner.

Masking tape, newspaper, drop cloth or cardboard to cover everything that is not to be repaired or re-colored.

Hair dryer (a must to speed up drying time on the color and the repair products).

5) Place work materials in close proximity to work area and be sure to work in a well-ventilated location.

1) If the proper color has been ordered, the match with the original leather should be extremely close. However, we still recommend that you ALWAYS check the color match before starting.

2) Apply a few coats to an inconspicuous area and allow to dry completely. The color will look lighter when it is wet than it will once it is dry.

4) If there is a slight difference in color, you can minimize the visual difference during application by applying it to a wider area. (More details on this technique in the Applying Color step below)

5) Once you have checked the color, clean it from the surface immediately (if desired) with the Triclean cleaner. The longer the color coating is left on after drying, the more difficult it becomes to remove.

-A complete, thorough prep cleaning of the area is the key to successful results in the repair and re-coloring process.

-Proper preparation of the surface will ensure maximum adhesion and durability of all products.

-Nearly all original surfaces are protected by coats of anti-adherent products that must be removed before proceeding with the coloring process.

1) Pour the Triclean prep cleaner provided in your kit liberally to a rag, paper towel, etc and wipe vigorously on the surface to be re-colored. Some of the original color may be removed during this process. This is normal, so don't be alarmed. (Tip: A ScotchBrite pad can be used to help clean in creases and cracks)

2) With the surface still wet, use a clean rag or paper towel to remove the dirt, silicone, body oils, conditioners and other contaminants that were loosened with the Triclean and dry the area.

3) It's best to clean a complete panel (seam to seam) to allow for proper blending of the color.

4) Repeat the Triclean prep cleaning over the entire area again to remove any remaining residue. The long-term durability of your repair is very dependent on the surface being free of contaminants.

- Cover the surrounding area with drop cloths, newspaper, tape, or cardboard to prevent overspray or spills onto unintended areas.

The least amount of color used produces a much better finish and will last longer. This is a situation where less is best.

1) Follow directions on the back of the aerosol color can. Practice spraying the color on a sheet of paper or cardboard before attempting to spray on your intended target.

Spraying light color coats will yield better results than heavier color coats. The less amount of color applied, the better. Always dry between coats.

2) Apply a thin color coat to all worn or repaired areas first. Apply the color with smooth, overlapping coats. Do not attempt to achieve good color coverage on the first coat.

3) Allow the color coat to completely dry to touch (about 15-20 minutes) before applying a second coat, it should feel smooth to the touch and not tacky when dry. Use a hair dryer to speed dry time. Don't be alarmed if the color is streaked, additional color coats will even out the color.

4) Apply additional color coats in the same manner as the first extending the spray pattern as necessary to blend in the surrounding area; thus making the repair less noticeable.

1) Carefully remove the cap from the bottle and pour a small amount of color into a plastic cup. Replace the cap on the bottle of color to avoid drying out of the remaining product.

2) Dip the foam brush into the color, wetting only about the first 1/2 inch. Wipe off excess. Less color on foam brush will provide better results.

3) Apply a thin color coat to all repaired areas first, do not attempt to achieve good color coverage on the first coat. Apply the color with smooth, even strokes. If bubbles or runs appear in applied color, use the foam brush to even out the color before drying.

4) Allow the color coat to completely dry to touch (about 15-20 minutes) before applying a second coat, it should feel smooth to the touch and not tacky when dry. Use a hair dryer to speed dry time. Don't be alarmed if the color is streaked, additional color coats will even out the color.

5) Apply additional color coats in the same manner as the first extending the color as necessary to blend in the surrounding area; thus making the repair less noticeable.

- Do not let foam brush dry out with the color on it. Continuously clean brush with water and dry with towel to insure softness and flexibility.

- When applying color in cold conditions, always warm the leather or vinyl before applying first color coat. Use a hair dryer to dry the color between coats.

- When applying color in hot conditions, always cool the leather or vinyl before applying first color coat. Otherwise the color may dry too fast and streak when applied. Cool the leather to a moderate temperature using the automobile air conditioning system and/or a clean, damp cloth.

- Color completely cures in 24 hours, though it will be dry enough to sit on within 2 hours. Just be extremely careful with it during the first 24 hours.

Over-spray: If there is over-spray on anything, simply wipe it off before drying. If it has already dried, use the Triclean to remove it. Again, the longer the color coat dries, the harder it becomes to remove.

Clean Up: The color used in this kit is water based and may be cleaned from your skin by means of soap and water. Triclean or rubbing alcohol (not supplied) may also be used for cleaning application equipment.

For the first couple of hours, clean-up will be relatively easy. After 24 hours clean-up may be extremely difficult.

Use these instructions for repairing holes, cuts, and deep cracking in your leather prior to applying the color coat.

1) The repair items from your Leather Repair Kit order. This will include Triclean prep cleaner, leather repair compound, compound applicator tool, leather adhesive, sub-patch material, and sandpaper.

Masking tape, newspaper, drop cloth or cardboard to cover everything that is not to be repaired or re-colored.

Hair dryer (a must to speed up drying time on the color and the repair products).

5) Place work materials in close proximity to work area and be sure to work in a well-ventilated location.

Since most surface cracking is in the original color coat and not the leather itself, sanding (smoothing) the surface with fine grit sand paper is sometimes all that is necessary before re-coloring.

1) Wet the sandpaper provided in your kit with the Triclean prep cleaner and lightly wet sand the cracked or creased area. This will smooth any rough or jagged edges. You will notice some of the original color coat coming off during this step. Continue sanding down to bare leather if needed.

DO NOT SAND THE SEAMS (where the stitching is showing). You will end up with frayed threads if you do.

2) Use the Triclean prep cleaner and a paper towel or rag to clean the entire sanded area to remove excess sanding residue. Allow the surface to dry before proceeding. Drying time may be accelerated with a hair dryer.

If the surface is now smooth with no cracks, you may proceed to the top of the page and follow the directions for

Prepping and Applying the Color Coat. If there are still noticeable cracks or other damage, continue to the next section on Applying Leather Repair Compound.

After sanding, if the leather surface still has slight cracking, nicks or imperfections that go into the surface but do not go all the way through, then the Leather Repair Compound is required to fill the damage and level it with the surrounding surface.

1) Carefully remove any frayed edges with nail clippers, scissors, or a razor blade.

2) When spreading the repair compound with the application tool, keep the blade at a 45-degree angle. Begin the stroke slightly before the area that you wish to repair. With light even pressure, drag the repair compound over the damaged area. Too much pressure on the blade will cause the compound to be pushed out; too little pressure will create distinctive edges where the compound stops.

3) Apply the repair compound first just in the damaged area with the application tool. DO NOT TRY TO FILL THE DAMAGED AREA IN ONE LAYER! Several thin layers make a stronger repair and it takes less time to dry. Use the hair dryer to speed drying between layers. (Air drying will take at least 20 minutes).

4) Apply additional thin layers of repair compound extending just beyond the edges of the previous layer. Use a hair dryer to dry between layers as needed. When the repair area is level with the surrounding surface and is completely dry, you may proceed to the top of the Instruction page and follow the directions for Prepping and Applying the Color Coat.

- The repair compound should only be applied to an area not to exceed approx. 1 inch beyond the damaged area.

- Keep the hair dryer approx. 12 inches from the surface to avoid over-heating and damaging the leather surface or repair compound.

-To blend the repair compound edges, lightly wet your finger with water and smooth the edges before the compound dries. After the repair compound dries, use the Triclean to smooth the repair compound. Light sanding is also an option, but care must be taken not to accidentally catch an edge with the sand paper.

2) Cut a piece of sub-patch material (provided) at least 1/2” diameter larger than the hole.

3) If a small amount of foam under the damaged area is missing, replace with small foam pieces (cotton balls can also be used) to level out the repair area before patching.

4) Using the spatula or a pair of tweezers, push the sub-patch material that you already cut to size under the leather. Be certain that the sub-patch is between the leather and the foam padding underneath. Center the sub-patch material so that it is centered in all directions under the hole.

5) Open the bottle of Leather Adhesive provided, place the nozzle between the sub-patch material and the underside of the leather and squeeze out small amounts of adhesive. Be certain that all areas of the sub-patch material are glued to the underside of the leather. The spatula can be used to spread out the adhesive. Be sure to clean the spatula with the Triclean after using.

6) Dry completely to ensure maximum sub-patch adhesion (15 to 20 minutes) or use hair dryer to accelerate dry time.

TIP: Use light pressure with your hand, a phone book or masking tape; to hold the two pieces together until the edges are dry and bonded. Check adhesion by lightly pulling on the edges.

TIP: Remove any Adhesive from the top of the leather or vinyl with the Triclean.

The repair is now ready for the application of Leather Repair Compound as instructed just above.