Members Rancho5 Posted April 20, 2014 Members Report Posted April 20, 2014 Strange that after becoming a member of your forum, and after falling in love with leatherwork that my first post would be about sofas. This weekend a friend sold us two beautiful leather sofas, brass nail kind, feather cushions. They are faded though. The inside edges of the cushions, however, show the true color, a deep cordovan that is just gorgeous. No rips, tears or stains anywhere. Would there be any way to bring back these beauties back to their former glory? I've just started making belts and dying them but I'm not very good yet, so the idea of dying these sofas scares me a lot. Any feedback or help would be greatly appreciated. No bad ideas here. Quote
Members Rancho5 Posted April 21, 2014 Author Members Report Posted April 21, 2014 Maybe this wasn't the area to post this question in? Quote
Members WinterBear Posted April 21, 2014 Members Report Posted April 21, 2014 It could just be the people with the knowledge haven't had a chance to log on and read the post yet. Quote
Members Hi Im Joe Posted April 21, 2014 Members Report Posted April 21, 2014 Strange that after becoming a member of your forum, and after falling in love with leatherwork that my first post would be about sofas. This weekend a friend sold us two beautiful leather sofas, brass nail kind, feather cushions. They are faded though. The inside edges of the cushions, however, show the true color, a deep cordovan that is just gorgeous. No rips, tears or stains anywhere. Would there be any way to bring back these beauties back to their former glory? I've just started making belts and dying them but I'm not very good yet, so the idea of dying these sofas scares me a lot. Any feedback or help would be greatly appreciated. No bad ideas here. I would not try to dye them. I would first try some serious conditioning. I don't know anything about upholstery leather so I'm not going to recommend a brand or anything like that. I would start by doing some serious research about conditioners and which work best on upholstery leather. Quote
Members stanly Posted April 22, 2014 Members Report Posted April 22, 2014 maybe some pics of the cushions would help us to help u? Quote
Members Rancho5 Posted April 22, 2014 Author Members Report Posted April 22, 2014 Pics are a great idea. My apologies for not thinking of that earlier. I'm leaving town on business until Friday and will post pics soon after. Thanks! Quote
Members Rancho5 Posted April 29, 2014 Author Members Report Posted April 29, 2014 Hopefully this upload will work. Any ideas on how to restore it to its former burgundy glory? Quote
Members Hi Im Joe Posted April 30, 2014 Members Report Posted April 30, 2014 Hopefully this upload will work. Any ideas on how to restore it to its former burgundy glory? OMG YOUR HOUSE IS UPSIDE DOWN! You should probably take care of that before trying to fix the sofa! Quote
Members DavidL Posted April 30, 2014 Members Report Posted April 30, 2014 if your house is upside down that should be your biggest problem. On youtube if you search sofa restore or dyeing leather sofa there are products that do just that. Quote
Members benlilly1 Posted April 30, 2014 Members Report Posted April 30, 2014 Rancho, check out this site. www.preservation-solutions.com they are also on Facebook. I'm sure they would have the answer for you. I was impressed with the video and info. Quote
Members Rancho5 Posted April 30, 2014 Author Members Report Posted April 30, 2014 Thanks for the website. I called them and they suggested their leather cleaner and then leather saver. I'm wondering how much color the process will bring back. My question is about dying leather though. I called a reputable upholstery shop in town and they said "get new sofas or live with it...no one dyes leather sofas anymore." Maybe they aren't so reputable? So is dying a sofa very complicated? Clean...spray with water to moisten but not soak...apply dye to rag and work in a section at a time until you get the desired color...let dry...apply a finisher. Any input would be greatly appreciated. Quote
Members Hi Im Joe Posted April 30, 2014 Members Report Posted April 30, 2014 Personally, and this is just my opinion...I think you are crazy to try and dye that sofa. I think it will be very hard to get even results. Also, part of the cool is the vintage look the wear provides. I think you will be pleasantly surprised at how much color comes back after you condition the leather. Quote
Members benlilly1 Posted April 30, 2014 Members Report Posted April 30, 2014 I WOULDN'T DYE IT! Condition it and live with it. Quote
Members Rancho5 Posted May 1, 2014 Author Members Report Posted May 1, 2014 My wife agrees with not dying it. So we will cleaned and condition and post the results! Quote
Members Hi Im Joe Posted May 1, 2014 Members Report Posted May 1, 2014 My wife agrees with not dying it. So we will cleaned and condition and post the results! LOL....I see who the decision maker is in your house! J/K...the only reason I mess with you is its exactly the same in mine. Quote
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