How to Repair Cracked Leather

Buying a good leather product is without a question a great thing because of its benefits like durability, long-lasting life, comfortable, and softness. But with these benefits there can be a disadvantage as well if not properly maintained, and that is, the leather may crack or fade. So how can you repair or fix cracked leather? It’s a very common question, and the answer depends upon the type of damage but whatever the damage is usually restoration always works. Before jumping into the detail of methods, we must answer some important questions so that we can repair it easily and also to prepare ourselves for the future that such a situation does not come where we have to repair it.

Why & How Does Leather Crack and Fade?

Leather cracks and fades due to low or high humidity, direct sunlight, dirt and body oil, and poor quality. These are some of the reasons because of which leather usually cracks and fades. So now we know why leather cracks the question is of how now.  For that, we just need to understand some of the science behind it. As leather is a natural material and manufactured from animal’s skin, and that material is made up of countless small interwoven fibers packed tightly together. These are densely connected fibers that at the surface make small pores. These pores absorb and release moisture vapor. When the relative humidity or moisture vapor is low of the surrounding this natural material starts releasing its moisture to the surrounding and eventually, it becomes drier and leather starts cracking and fading due to low humidity level. Also, sometimes dirt and oil stick into leather and overtime leather start fading, these are some of the key reasons why & how leather cracks and fade, to maintain the leather properly make sure you clean it 3-4 times per year, maintain humidity level around 40-50%, and keep it away from direct sunlight or artificial light.

Repair Cracked Leather

Not properly maintained leather starts cracking. As leather’s structure is made of fibers so the cracks are usually of permanent nature. However, these cracks can be easily hidden and can be fixed quickly. We will be treating the cracks, depending upon their damage type.

• Lighter Cracks
• Deeper Cracks

By a quick inspection, you will get an idea that they’re lighter or deeper cracks. If the cracks are light surface ones, which can be easily treated, or deep cracks, deep cracks are harder to be treated but they can be restored using leather crack filler, coloring, and nourishing techniques easily.

Light Cracks – Repair Cracked Leather

Step 1: Clean your leather

• Take brush or microfiber white cloth (so that does not leave its color to leather).
• Clean the cracks with either brush or cloth.
• After that take mild soap or cleaner to clean cracks before treating.
• Test the mild soap or cleaner on a small patch.

Step 2: Smooth it out

• After testing soap, cleaner, or conditioner on a small patch, place it over the cracks.
• Continue smoothing in the treatment by finger, sponge, or back of the spoon until the crack is visibly less.
• After that wipe off the excess soap, cleaner, or conditioner.
• Now, let the leather dry naturally.
• The leather will absorb the conditioner and rehydrate so let it dry, preferably overnight.

Step 3: Repeat the process

• If the cracks are still present or leather still appears overly dry, repeat the process.
• This time use less-cleaner or conditioner other leather might get damaged.
• Re-apply the conditioner to your leather every month or at least 3 to 4 times a year. This will stop further drying and cracking.

Here’s a list of items you’ll need:

• Soap, Conditioner, or Cleaner
• Brush or cloth
• Spoon

Deep Cracks – Repair Cracked Leather

If your leather has deeper cracks and is brittle then its cracks need to be restored. A conditioner would simply absorb into the leather without doing anything. So, here are two methods for treating more deeper damages.

Method 1: Using leather crack filler to repair cracked leather

Step 1: Clean

• Clean the cracks with a brush or cloth.
• Use soap or leather cleaner with water, to remove any dirt from cracks.
• Try this on a small portion then go on all affected areas.
• Smooth it with a cloth or sponge.
• Let the leather dry.

Step 2: Let the leather dry

• Wait our night for the leather to dry properly.
• Wipe off any moisture with a dry cloth if present.
• Wiping off moisture is necessary so that filler can settle into cracks.

Step 3: Smooth it out

• After that take a super-fine sandpaper piece.
• Smooth the cracks with it, by applying gentle pressure.
• When you get a smooth-looking finish to touch, stop it.
• If any dust is there, remove it with the cloth.

Tip: Avoid using harsher or coarse sandpaper as this might leave scratches on leather.

Step 4: Apply leather filler

• Take a filler, brush, and knife.
• Place the filler over the cracks with a knife.
• After that brush in the paste to fill the cracks.
• Fill the cracks properly if need add more until it appears, filled.

Step 5: Remove excess paste

• Remove the excess paste with a knife.
• Use knife sideways to scrape off excess paste.

Step 6: Let the leather dry

• Let the leather dry for 6 hours.
• This time is to ensure that filler sets and solidifies properly.
• To leather, the dry quickly open-air, or ventilated room is preferred.
• Avoid direct sunlight and direct heat as these can cause further cracking.
• After drying filler may shrink, so apply a further layer of filler.
• And then let it dry again.

You’ll need the following:

• Soap or leather cleaner
• Cloth or sponge
• Super-fine sandpaper
• Leather filler
• Knife

Method 2: Blending cracks with leather dye to repair cracked leather

You can use dye on super facial damage to patch up but for deeper cracks, the best thing to repair cracked leather is to use a combination of both leather filler and dye.

Tip: If the inside of a crack is lighter in color then using a dye is the best option.

Step 1: Prepare the surface with filler

• Use method 1 to fill the leather cracks and let them dry.

Step 2: Sand and smooth

• Use super-fine sandpaper to rub the leather’s grain to smooth it.
• Clean the surface properly and wipe off any dirt present that can affect the absorption of the coloring.

Step 3: Apply the dye

• Select a leather dye that matches your product’s color.
• Paste a thin coat of dye over cracks.
• Use a color-fast sponge or applicator pad.
• Evenly distribute the dye to ensure even distribution of the dye.

Step 4: Let it dry

• Let the dye dry for two minutes.
• Use a hairdryer to dry the dye, make sure that leather doesn’t start drying for that set hairdryer to low, and make sure to move leather back and forth.

Step 5: Blend the cracks

• Depending upon the severity of the crack you might need to do more coats of dye.
• Do up to 5 treatments if required.
• After each treatment, dye the cracks properly, then rub the surrounding area to blend them.
• After placing the dye each time dry it with a hairdryer.

Step 6: Seal the deal

• After applying the dye properly and letting it dry, use the leather sealer to treat the crack, it will protect and condition the dye.
• Spray the sealer onto a sponge directly.
• Rub it into the affected area.
• Apply a second coat if needed.
• It will prevent stains and further damage.
• To cure sealant, use a hairdryer for two minutes.
• Make sure to move the hairdryer back and forth over the crack.

You’ll need the following:

• Soap or leather cleaner
• Cloth or sponge
• Super-fine sandpaper
• Leather filler
• knife
• Leather dye
• Hairdryer
• Color-fast sponge or applicator pad
• Leather sealer

Prevent leather from cracking

Use can use any of the above methods to repair your leather but the best of all treatments is prevention and maintain the leather properly. Keep the leather away from direct heat, direct sunlight, artificial light and avoid overly dry places to store leather. The best thing you can do is, doesn’t let the leather dry out and crack. However, if the cracks come up you can always follow the effective steps to repair cracked leather.

Tip: If your leather is cracked treat the leather regularly with patience and care.