How to choose a repair kit

Choose from 3 different types of leather finishing (colouring) kits. Your leather type and your objectives will determine which kit is right for you. Kits are designed to give you the gear you need at a bundled price. All products are available separately.

3 Types of Repair Kits

1) Repair & Recolour Kit

2) Aniline Restoration Kit

3) Colour Cream Kit

Let's look at the each of the kit types:

Kit 1

Repair & Recolour Kit

Colourant type: Leather Paint

This best selling kit is ideal for small to large repair and/or refinishing projects where full coverage is required. Based around leather paint (you may know it as 'leather dye'), it is the most common finish on furnishings and in cars. This kit lets you:

- Touch-up scuffs or an isolated section with a matching colour

- Repair surface damage with leather filler (delamination, scratches and scuffs) or repair small tears etc then recolour to conceal the repair

- Change the colour

- Recolour in the same, different or similar colour 

Customisable kits

Highly customisable, this kit let's you select the:

- Size and colour of the leather paint 

- Level of shine of the topcoat

- Leather filler and glue if needed 

5 steps

The Repair & Recolour Kit is a 5 step system that replicates the process used on pigmented leathers in the tannery when they were manufactured:

1) Clean and prep

2) Sand to key the surface

3) Prime

4) Colour

5) Topcoat

Perfect for pigmented (painted/coated) leathers, this system can also be used on aniline, semi-aniline and in some instances waxed leathers. It can also be used on synthetic materials (but with reduced durability).

MOST POPULAR SYSTEM

Ideal for pigmented (painted/coated) leathers (car interiors, furniture etc)

Full coverage can be achieved with multiple coats

A finishing process similar to the manufacturer’s

Most durable finish

Enables a complete colour change; lighter or darker

Enables repair work. Surface damage can be repaired with filler then fully covered

Best for small touch-ups, repairs & full recolours.

Won’t rub off on skin or clothing

KIT 2

Aniline Restoration Kits

Colourant type: Leather Dye and Colour Cream (blend of paints, dyes and resins)

This kit was developed by Leather Hero to offer a solution to people with aged, faded and marked aniline leather who want to maintain an aniline look whilst addressing the rigours of time. It is for the restoration of aniline and semi-aniline leathers and is not suitable for use on pimented (painted/coated) leathers.

This system uses Aniline Dye Stains and Colour Restoration Cream to render a semi-aniline look. Colour Restoration Cream is a blend of paints, dyes and self-sealing resins. It renders a semi-opaque finish that gives moderate coverage to imperfections whilst allowing the natural features of the leather to shine. It lets you:

- Correct and balance UV fading and other colour variations

- Partially conceal and blend the appearance of stains 

- Add a protective coating 

- Maintain a semi-aniline look

3 steps

The Aniline Restoration Kit is a 3 step system:

1) Clean and prep

2) Dye stain

3) Colour Cream

Optional: Topcoat

Applying 2 coats of clear Topcoat over the colour cream improves rub-resistence, rendering a more durable result.

A SOLUTION FOR AGED ANILINES

Ideal for aniline & semi-aniline leathers

Sheer coverage maintains the natural leather look

Lightly conceals marks, stains and surface imperfections

Vibrant depth of colour from dyes and layering technique

Not suitable for use over repair work using leather filler because coverage is sheer

Not suitable for use on pigmented (painted/coated) leathers

2 coats of clear Topcoat are recommended for added durability (sold separately)

Kit 3

Colour Cream Kit

Colourant type: Colour Cream (blend of paints, dyes and resins)

This kit is designed for refreshing pigmented leathers with a semi-opaque coating in the same/existing colour. It can also be used on aniline and semi-aniline leathers but is not as effective as the Aniline Restoration Kit. This is a colour refresher system . It is not sutiable for changing colours or for use over repair work using leather filler. It lets you:

- Give your leather a quick and easy same colour make-over

- Apply 1 sheer coat or several coats to build coverage.

- Minimise the appearance of scratches, scuffs, marks and colour wear

2 steps

The Colour Cream Kit is a 2 step system:

1) Clean and prep

2) Colour cream

Optional: Topcoat

Applying 2 coats of clear Topcoat over the colour cream can help to improve rub-resistence and render a more durable result.

Not to be confused with a polish or wax, this product is a professional leather finishing colourant that does not wear off quickly nor does it rub off onto your clothes. It is typically not as durable as the full refinishing system in the Repair & Recolour Kit but offers a lot in terms of ease and speed. 

same colour refresher

Ideal for pigmented (painted/coated) leathers (car interiors, furniture etc)

Sheer to full coverage can be achieved with multiple coats

Refresher system that restores colour quickly and easily

Ideal for all-over same-colour make-overs

Lightly conceals marks, stains and minor surface imperfections

Not suitable for use over repair work using leather filler because coverage is sheer

2 coats of clear Topcoat are recommended for added durability (sold separately)

Which Kit is Best For My Job?

That depends on your leather type and your objectives.

The best seller is the Repair & Recolour Kit. That's because most people have pigmented (painted/coated) leather. It is suitable for small touch-ups to large recolours. It is more popular than the Colour Cream Kit because it offers full coverage of repairs and enables a colour change which takes the pressure off finding a perfect colour match when doing an all-over restoration (a must for the Colour Cream Kit). It's also the most durable* finish. This is the one you want if your leather needs repair for cracks, gouges, scratches or tears, is car leather, is a solid colour or is pigmented (painted/coated).

The next most popular kit is the Aniline Restoration Kit. It offers a viable solution for aged aniline and semi-aniline leathers (the next most common type of leather). This kit can also be effective on waxed and oil-pull-up leathers.

*Note: durability is largely influenced by the type, quality, and condition of your leather as well as the amount and type of use the leather receives.

If you have pigmented leather

Select from:

- Repair & Recolour Kit: by far the most popular choice because a matching colour is not always necessary, coverage is complete and it is the most durable.

- Colour Cream Kit: quick, easy and must be the same colour.

If you have aniline or semi-aniline leather

Choose between the:

- Aniline Restoration Kit: most popular choice because it corrects fading and resembles a semi-aniline look.

- Repair & Recolour Kit: if you want to conceal stains, make repairs using leather filler, recolour or change the colour completely. Changes leather from aniline to pigmented.

- Colour Cream Kit: generally not the first choice as the Aniline Restoration Kit gives a more pleasing aniline finish than colour cream alone.

If you have man-made leather

Choose the:

- Repair & Recolour Kit. Note: Man-made materials are less repairable and give reduced durability.

IF you have waxed or Oil-pull up

Choose the:

- Aniline Restoration Kit: best choice if you want to maintain a dyed look with moderate coverage.

- Repair & Recolour Kit: if you want to conceal stains, make repairs using leather filler, recolour or change the colour completely. If your leather is oily, adhesion may be limited. Older leathers are likely to be suitable for restoration with this kit. Newer leathers may hold too much oil.

More Help

Not sure what type of leather you have? Here's our guide to the 5 main types.

Want to see more examples of jobs done with these kits? Check out the Customer Before & After Gallery. Be sure to read which leather, kit, colour and finish was used for each one.

Confused about colour selection? Our colour guide takes you through your options.

Got a specific question? Try searching our FAQs. Enter a key word or phrase or scroll through the categrories and answers.