To restore leather furniture, deep clean it with Angelus Easy Cleaner, fill cracks, scratches, and pet claw marks with Angelus Paintable Repair Filler, sand smooth, and bring back the color. On most sofas and chairs, which are coated leather, that means Angelus Leather Paint sealed with Angelus Acrylic Finisher. On soft, absorbent aniline leather, use Angelus Leather Dye finished with Leather Balm or Lustre Cream. If the leather is only dull and dry, cleaning and Leather Balm may be all it needs.
Angelus has been family owned since 1907, and our fillers, paints, and conditioners have brought thousands of couches, recliners, and armchairs back from the curb.
Quick answer: what does your furniture need?
- Dull, dry, or dirty: Easy Cleaner, then Leather Balm.
- Cracks, scratches, claw marks: Repair Filler, then color.
- Faded coated leather (most couches): Deglazer, Leather Paint, Acrylic Finisher.
- Faded soft aniline leather: Leather Dye, then Leather Balm or Lustre Cream.
- Large tears or saggy cushions: an upholsterer, then Angelus to color-match.
Shop This Guide
Repair
Paintable Repair Filler
Fills cracks and claw marks, stays flexible. 4.9 stars, 240+ reviews.
ShopRecolor
Leather Paint + Finisher
For coated couches and chairs. Intermixable for exact matches.
Shop colorsAlso needed: Leather Preparer & Deglazer, Wet Sandpaper, Sponge Applicators, Leather Dye and Lustre Cream for aniline leather, and Spot Remover for set-in stains.
Real reviews from Angelus customers
4.9 stars from 240+ reviews of Angelus Paintable Repair Filler
★★★★★
"Repaired the worn arms on my leather reclining chair. One arm had a three inch tear. Never used this product before or repaired damaged leather. This product is excellent... Maintains a strong bond to stand up to day-to-day use."
Verified buyer · Repair Filler
★★★★★
"This worked very well for me on a leather couch that needed a dog nail scratch filled in... A wet paste that can be layered into damaged areas and then left to dry before a light sand and dye match."
Verified buyer · Repair Filler
★★★★★
"I have reimagined a king-sized leather bed, 2 leather couches, a leather bench and occasional chair... many more items that were once headed to the trash."
James A. · Verified buyer · Angelus Leather Paint
How to Restore Leather Furniture, Step by Step
Identify Your Leather
Put a drop of water on a hidden spot, like the back or underside of a cushion:
Suede or nubuck furniture? See the suede guide; the same tools and steps apply.
Deep Clean
Vacuum crevices and seams, then clean every surface with Angelus Easy Cleaner on a microfiber towel, panel by panel. Headrests and armrests carry the most body oil, so give them extra passes; oil left behind is what makes new color peel. Treat set-in stains with Spot Remover after a test. Let everything dry. Heavily soiled pieces can be deep cleaned with Leather & Saddle Soap.
Decide: Condition or Recolor?
If the leather is clean but just looks dry and dull, apply a thin layer of Angelus Leather Balm, let it dry, and buff. You may be done. If you see cracks, scratches, or faded, worn-through color, keep going.
Prep the Surface
Mask off wood, metal, and fabric. Wearing gloves, wipe the areas you'll repair and recolor with Angelus Leather Preparer & Deglazer on a cotton cloth until the factory shine is gone. This is what lets filler, paint, and dye bond.
The #1 reason color peels
"I have painted leather before without using this and the new paint didn't adhere properly to the leather, so after normal use for a short time, it flaked off." (Verified buyer, Leather Preparer & Deglazer)
Fill Cracks, Scratches, and Claw Marks
Spread Angelus Paintable Repair Filler into cracks, scratches, and pet claw marks with a palette knife in thin layers, letting each dry. Sand flush with fine Angelus Wet Sandpaper between layers. It dries flexible, so it moves with the cushion instead of cracking again.
Pro tip: pre-tint the filler by mixing in a little of your Angelus Leather Paint color so repairs disappear faster.
Restore the Color and Finish
Common Furniture Repairs
| Problem | Fix |
|---|---|
| Worn recliner and sofa arms | Clean, deglaze, Repair Filler on rough spots, then Leather Paint and Finisher. |
| Pet scratches | Thin layers of Repair Filler, sand smooth, touch up color. |
| Sun-faded cushions | Recolor whole panels, not spots, for even color. Move the piece out of direct sun. |
| Peeling bonded leather | Remove loose flakes, fill and sand, then paint. Test first; results vary on bonded leather. |
| Ink, oil, stains | Easy Cleaner, then Spot Remover. Stain guide |
| Large tears or sagging cushions | An upholstery shop for structure; Angelus to color-match afterward. |
Keeping Restored Furniture Looking New
- Dust weekly and wipe down monthly with Easy Cleaner on a towel.
- Condition unpainted leather with Leather Balm every 6 to 12 months; refresh dyed pieces with Lustre Cream.
- Protect against spills with Water & Stain Repellent.
- Keep it out of direct sun and away from heat vents.
- Save leftover color for touch-ups on arms and seat edges.
Mistakes to Avoid
- Homemade conditioners. Olive oil and vinegar mixtures darken leather unevenly, attract dirt, and can go rancid. Use Leather Balm.
- Using dye on coated furniture. It can't penetrate the coating. Use Leather Paint.
- Putting finisher on dye. Acrylic Finisher goes over paint only.
- Skipping the Deglazer or the deep clean on arms and headrests.
- Spot-coloring big areas. Recolor whole panels for an even finish.
Related guides: Cleaning and protecting leather furniture · Changing your furniture's color · Ink on a leather couch
Leather Furniture Restoration FAQ
Can you restore old leather furniture?
Yes. Most dry, faded, cracked, or scratched furniture can be restored at home with Easy Cleaner, Repair Filler, and Angelus Leather Paint or Dye. Large tears and sagging frames need an upholsterer first.
How do you fix cracked leather on a couch?
Clean, deglaze, fill the cracks with Paintable Repair Filler in thin layers, sand smooth, recolor with Angelus Leather Paint, and seal the paint with Acrylic Finisher.
How do you fix cat or dog scratches on leather furniture?
Fill the scratches with thin layers of Repair Filler, sand smooth, and touch up with color-matched Angelus Leather Paint.
How do you restore faded leather furniture?
On coated leather, deglaze and recolor with Angelus Leather Paint, then seal the paint with Acrylic Finisher. On aniline leather, use Angelus Leather Dye and finish with Leather Balm or Lustre Cream.
How often should you condition leather furniture?
Every 6 to 12 months with Angelus Leather Balm, more often in dry climates or sunny rooms.
Can I use olive oil to condition leather furniture?
We don't recommend it. It darkens leather unevenly, attracts dirt, and can go rancid. Leather Balm conditions without those problems.
