Ultimate Guide To Painting A Faux Leather Recliner

Helen Skeates
Helen Skeates
18 min read

The Best Way to Refinish Leather Chairs? Your leather furniture can be painted, yes. The challenge, however, lies in employing the “right” technique without damaging it in the process. But what is the best approach, exactly? Can you paint faux leather couches? We researched the various techniques for painting leather and faux furniture, and we’ll share our findings with you here.

You don’t have to go into debt to give your leather furniture a new coat of paint. In order to get a good paint job on leather furniture, though, you’ll need to do a little bit of prep work first. Read on to find out about the different techniques for painting leather and faux leather furniture.

Steps to Painting Leather Furniture

Homeowners frequently paint leather furniture to achieve a variety of effects, such as matching it to a new color scheme, revitalizing worn or faded leather, or fixing significant surface damage. If you want to paint your leather furniture for any reason, you should first check the manufacturer’s care instructions to make sure that the process won’t ruin the leather.
What you’ll need is:

  • Use a hose attachment or a handheld vacuum.
  • Towels made of microfiber or clean rags
  • Oil-Based Paint
  • Paint cup
  • Cleanser for Leather
  • Polish for Leather
  • Tent Cover
  • Olive oil
  • Leather hygrofoam

1. Clean the furniture

The first step in painting leather furniture is to clean it thoroughly, which should be done after you’ve laid down a drop cloth and gathered all of your other supplies. Dust and debris should not be painted into the furniture. To clean your leather furniture, you can use a vacuum to get into the tiny cracks and crevices, and a damp cloth to get rid of any debris that has worked its way in between the back and seating.

Ultimate Guide to Painting a Faux Leather Recliner - Krostrade

2. Pick the right paint

Before you paint your leather furniture, you need to make sure you’re using the right kind of paint. Acrylic paints, for example, are specially formulated to adhere to leather’s smooth surface. These pants will leave your leather looking polished and new. Some chalk paints may also work, though this will depend on the quality of your leather furniture.

3. Prime The Leather Furniture

After a thorough cleaning, priming leather furniture is the next step. Priming the leather prior to painting will ensure that the paint stays put. You can either buy a leather primer from a store that specializes in home decor or you can mix equal parts of water and acrylic paint to create your own.

Use a leather sponge to spread the primer on a small piece of furniture like an office chair or an ottoman. Large pieces of furniture, such as sofas and recliners, require a straight edge or an angled paintbrush. Use long, even strokes when applying the primer. Priming the furniture entails applying a thin layer and waiting for it to dry before applying additional coats.

4. Paint the Leather Furniture

When the primer has completely dried. Put on the first coat of paint, beginning with the edges and back of the piece of furniture. The seating area of any chair, sofa, or recliner should be painted last. To avoid the paint from collecting in the leather’s creases and dents, apply it in thin coats.

Brush any paint spills off the furniture before they dry, paying extra attention to the seams and buttons. Apply a second coat of paint after the first one has dried. To ensure even coverage, flex the leather after applying each coat.

5. Apply a leather finish

Waxing or finishing the leather after the second coat of paint has dried is essential if you want it to last and look good for a long time. Many different leather finishes are available for purchase at any home furnishings retailer or on the internet. Wait 12 to 24 hours after finishing the furniture before using it.

Ultimate Guide To Painting A Faux Leather Recliner

Faux leather furniture can be painted in much the same way as real leather furniture. Keep reading to find out what must be done to complete the task.
What you’ll need is:

  • A leather-like acrylic coating
  • Paint cup
  • Paint for acrylic leather
  • Sponge
  • Throw blanket

1. Lay down a drop cloth

Put a drop cloth on the floor first to protect the hardwood beneath the furniture. You should not skip this procedure, as there will inevitably be paint drips otherwise.

2. Clean the furniture

Get a damp rag and start wiping down the furniture after you’ve gathered all of your painting and cleaning materials. When prepping a chair or sofa for painting, be sure to wipe down the back, sides, and the space behind the seat cushion. Then, use a handheld vacuum to get at the dirt and dust that may be hiding in the crevices of the furniture’s cushions, buttons, and seams. Instead of using your roller vacuum’s hose, use a handheld vacuum if you don’t have one.

3.Apply the paint to the furniture

Get out a cup and fill it halfway with paint. Apply the paint to the furniture with a small paintbrush or sponge, working from the back and sides for chairs and sofas. To avoid paint dripping off the side of the cup, scrape off any excess paint.

It’s important to avoid drips when painting with acrylic because of how quickly the paint dries. To achieve a uniform appearance, apply the paint in thin layers using long strokes. Depending on the quality of the letter you have, the paint job may appear a little splotchy at first. It will look more uniform after it dries. Upholstery threads and seams, such as those found near buttons and seat cushions, must be completely painted over for the paint to adhere properly.

4. Apply a finish

Faux leather can also have a finish applied to it to make it more glossy. Never attempt to apply a finish to leather before it has fully dried, as doing so will result in unsightly blotches. Coconut oil and olive oil are just two examples of the oils you can use as a final coating. Don’t worry if there are bubbles in the leather upholstery. You can either paint over them or give them a couple of seconds to dissolve. Wait 12 to 24 hours after applying the finish before using the furniture.

What kind of paint can be used on leather?

Acrylic paint made specifically for leather and faux leather is the best choice for painting leather furniture. Because they are formulated to stay put on leather, these paints look great for a long time without flaking, peeling, or cracking. Standard acrylic paints can be used instead. Care instructions should be consulted to determine if any particular paints or brands are recommended for use on leather furniture.

What kind of paint do you use on faux leather?

Acrylic paint can also be used on faux leather. How well acrylic paint adheres to your faux leather surface depends on the quality of your faux leather.

Can faux leather be dyed?

It is possible to dye some types of synthetic leather without harming the leather itself. These are typically high-end synthetic leathers that hold up well to aniline treatment.

Modway Supine Leather Recliner Chair - EEI-4593 - Tan – Modish Store

How do you seal acrylic paint on leather?

Protect your leather furniture from cracking and stains by sealing the acrylic paint you used to paint it. Here are some tips for sealing leather furniture if you’re having trouble getting paint to adhere to it.

Step 1

You should clean and dust your furniture thoroughly before you seal it. To accomplish this, you can either use a damp cloth or a vacuum. A warm rag drenched in soapy water can be used to remove surface dirt and dust from even the dirtiest furniture. To remove any remaining soap residue, use a clean, damp rag to wipe down the furniture. After that, dry it off with a third dry cloth.

Step 2

A small amount of sealant should be tested on a hidden area of the furniture. If you want to use the finish on the entire piece of furniture, you should give it an hour or so to dry completely. Stop using the application cloth if paint is coming off onto it.

Step 3

Apply the leather sealant to the furniture with a clean cloth. Many sealants emit toxic fumes, so make sure to work in a well-ventilated area. To prevent drips and oversaturation when using a spray-on ceiling, hold the spray nozzle at least 8 to 10 inches from the surface of the furniture.

Wait for the first coat of finish to dry, and then add a second. Use a sheepskin or microfiber cloth to work through the ceiling and into the surface of the leather if you are using a liquid or cream sealant. Buff the leather with a clean, soft towel to complete the process.

Is there spray paint for leather?

Yes. The TRG Color Spray is widely regarded as the best spray paint for leather. This spray can be used on plastic, vinyl, and leather to make them look smooth and natural. If you want to change the color or improve the look of your leather furniture, you should take a look at this because it is guaranteed not to rub off or peel.

Best Paint for Leather

1. Angelus Leather Paint

Pros

  • Fantastic opportunity for personalization
  • Scars and scuffs on the seal
  • Affordable
  • Simple to use
  • Water-solvent
  • Varieties of colors available

Cons

  • Very thin

When it comes to leather paint kits, Angelus Leather Paint is among the best. It is available in 12-count packs of assorted colors. Lilac, purple, green, orange, yellow, blue, red, turquoise, black, purple, and white are among the most frequently seen hues.

Using the variety of hues, you can pattern your leather in any way you like. It is possible to repaint using these paints.

Angelus has been making paint for over a century, so you know it will be of the highest quality and that you’ll be satisfied with your purchase. Leather furniture, bags, jackets, and shoes can all be personalized with this paint.

Scratches and scuffs can be covered up with the Angelus leather paint.

2. Jacquard Lumiere, Exciter Pack of 9

Pros

  • Adds shine and defense
  • Useable on most leather products
  • Uses a wide variety of paintbrushes
  • Able to create novel colors
  • Consistency of the highest order
  • Having a lot of color

Cons

  • Potentially too thick
  • Its use of alcohol-based ink is inefficient.

Create your own custom shades of metallic leather with the new Jacquard Lumiere paint set. Halo blue, halo violet, sunset, and halo pink are just some of the one-of-a-kind hues it comes in.

Pearlescent green, turquoise, pewter, and rust are among the additional hues that come with the set. The possibilities for embellishing leather goods are endless with these.

Lumiere leather paint is an acrylic polyurethane coating for your leather goods. This not only makes them look nice, but also helps keep them safe.

The paint can be applied with a variety of brushes, rollers, sponges, and spray cans.

3. Fiebing’s Acrylic Leather Paint

Pros

  • Quickly dries
  • Prolonged use
  • Creates a silky finish
  • Slimming down is a breeze
  • Extremely cheap

Cons

  • Potentially too thick

One of the best leather paints available now is Fiebing’s Acrylic Leather Paint. There are 11 of them, and they’re all different colors. Colors like dark brown, yellow, orange, turquoise, red, and blue predominate.

This leather paint is great for last-minute painting jobs because it dries rapidly. The surface remains intact and has a smooth finish for a long time.

Because it is impervious to moisture, the paint won’t soak into your leather goods. Paint that is too thick can be diluted with water to achieve the desired consistency.

4. Angelus, Leather Paint White

Pros

  • May serve as a foundation
  • Serve as good starting points
  • Effective on a variety of objects.

Cons

  • Exceptionally slim

Angelus white leather paint is an excellent choice if you want to paint white leather items. It can handle maintenance on a set of white vans as well as products from major manufacturers like Adidas and Nike.

You can use this paint to give your leather shoes or bag a whole new look if they’ve been scratched or stained. This paint is versatile enough to serve as a foundation for a variety of other hues.

5. U.S Art Supply, 12 Color Pearlized Acrylic Paint Set

Pros

  • Easily combined
  • Excellent colorant
  • Convenient for a wide range of substrates
  • Offers a glossy coating

Cons

  • the airbrush plugs
  • Sometimes hefty

There are a total of 12 color options for this leather acrylic paint, including wine, magenta, gold, black, blue, normal green, orange, bright green, white, purple, and red.

The paint set includes an airbrush cleaner, as well as a reducer and extender base for use with an airbrush. If you like to paint with an airbrush, this is ideal for you.

The manufacturer has used high-grade pigments to ensure a smooth finish when you use this paint. The paint will give your walls a fresh, lasting appearance.

What Type of Paint is Best for Leather?

Different types of paint require special consideration when painting on leather. Selecting the right paint is crucial whether you plan on painting leather couches or leather shoes.

1. Acrylic Leather Paints

Water is used as the solvent in the production of acrylic leather paint. Leather jackets, belts, and boots are ideal for being painted with acrylic paints.

2. Pearlescent leather Paints

These paints work wonderfully for touching up leather upholstery in cars. Mica is used to create a highly adaptable paint.

3. Leather Dyes

Leather dyes outlast paints in the long run. They won’t break, chip, collect dust or scratch easily. This is ideal for large-scale painting jobs.

4. Metallic Leather Paints

Metallic paints are a good choice if you want your project to have a shiny, metallic appearance. Vinyl paints like this one are frequently used on leather.

Amazon.com: MCombo Recliner Chair with Ottoman, Fabric Accent Chair with  Vibration Massage, Swivel Chair with Wood Base, for Living Reading Room  Bedroom, 9099 (Brown) : Home & Kitchen

Can You Use Regular Acrylic Paint on Leather?

Regular acrylic paint can be used on leather, but it won’t last as long as paints designed specifically for this purpose. This paint is commonly used to decorate leather goods such as jackets, wallets, purses, and footwear.

The type and history of treatment of the leather are factors in deciding which paint line to use.

It is crucial that you test your acrylic paint on a scrap piece of material to ensure that the color and design are accurate.

Where Can You Buy Leather Paint?

Any reliable web store should sell the leather paint of your choice. You can get your preferred paint delivered to you after reading reviews of various brands on the internet. In general, the best products are those that have both high ratings and a solid return policy.

Your requirements will determine which paint to choose. As a result, the store where you make the purchase of leather paint will be determined by the type of paint you intend to use.

Wrapping Things Up

You can, in fact, paint some leather furniture. If you want to paint your leather furniture without damaging it, you should check the manufacturer’s care guide first to see if it can be painted. A local furniture repair shop may also be contacted to ascertain whether or not this is a service they provide. When in doubt as to whether a paint or finish will be harmful to leather, always perform a small test area first.

Helen Skeates

Helen Skeates

Lorem Ipsum is simply dummy text of the printing and typesetting industry. Lorem Ipsum has been the industry's standard dummy text ever since the 1500s, when an unknown printer took a galley of type and scrambled it to make a type specimen book. It has survived not only five centuries, but also the leap into electronic typesetting, remaining essentially unchanged. It was popularised in the 1960s with the release of Letraset sheets containing Lorem Ipsum passages, and more recently with desktop publishing software like Aldus PageMaker including versions of Lorem Ipsum.