Does Leather Conditioner Fix Scratches? Must Know DIY Trick!

Does Leather Conditioner Fix Scratches?

Both faux and natural leather are beautiful materials. It can be used to create furniture, car seats, and so much more. Over time, however, leather can become scratched. This can make the material look old and worn out.

While a lot of people appreciate the worn-out look of natural leather, known as patina, others may not appreciate this. One of the most common questions I get about fixing scratches on leather is if a leather conditioner can help fix it.

So, in this article, I will explore the answer to that question!

Although leather conditioner is not necessary for faux leather, the leather conditioner is a product that is used to help keep real leather looking new.

It does this by replenishing the natural oils that are lost over time. These oils help keep the leather from drying out and cracking.

Leather conditioner can also help to make the leather more flexible, which can prevent it from becoming damaged as easily.

In some cases, a good quality leather conditioner can also help to repair minor scratches that have already formed on real leather. Leather conditioner can fix scratches on leather by replenishing the leather fibers and then filling in the scratch.

Unfortunately, leather conditioners cannot fix any type of scratches on faux leather, suede, or nubuck. What you will need is a vinyl repair kit or suede eraser, or crepe brush.

Stick around as I delve into the reasons why the leather conditioner is able to fix scratches on leather and how it does it. We will also look at better alternatives for fixing scratches on different types of leather.

Reasons Leather Conditioner Can Fix Scratches

Leather conditioners can fix scratches on leather for a few reasons.

1. Leather Conditioner Restores The Leather Fiber

The first reason is that it replenishes the natural oils in the leather.

As I said before, these natural oils help to keep the leather from drying out and cracking. When you use a leather conditioner, you are essentially replenishing these oils.

This helps to keep the leather fibers healthy, which can prevent them from becoming damaged as easily or scratched.

If you already have minor scratches, especially on your real leather goods, you will be able to fix them by using a leather conditioner.

2. The Leather Conditioner Can Fill In The Scratch

Another reason why leather conditioners can fix scratches is that the leather conditioner leaves behind a grease or wax residue that can help to fill in the scratch.

This is because most leather conditioners contain wax and/or oil. When you apply this to the scratched area, it will help to fill in the gap and make the scratch less visible.

They do a perfect job, especially on dark-colored leather items.

Of course, this is not a permanent fix, and the scratch will still be there. But it can help to make the scratch less visible and prevent it from getting worse.

3. The Leather Conditioner Can Prevent Further Damage

Lastly, using a leather conditioner can help to prevent further damage from happening.

Remember how I said that leather conditioners can help to make the leather more flexible?

Well, this flexibility can make it less likely for the leather to become damaged or scratched in the future.

So, if you have a piece of leather furniture or clothing that is starting to show signs of wear, using a leather conditioner can help to prevent further damage from happening.

It can also help to extend the life of your leather goods!

How To Fix Scratches With Leather Conditioner

Now that we know why leather conditioners can fix scratches, let’s look at how actually to do it.

Fixing scratches with a leather conditioner is relatively simple and only requires a few steps.

Step One:

  • First, you will need to clean the area around the scratch. You can do this with a damp cloth or a leather cleaner.

Step Two:

  • Next, apply the leather conditioner to a cloth and rub it into the scratch in a circular motion.

Step Three:

  • Be sure to cover the entire area around the scratch, as well as the actual scratch itself.

Step Four:

  • Once you have applied the leather conditioner, buff it into the leather with a dry cloth.

Step Five:

  • You may need to reapply the leather conditioner several times to get the desired results.

And that’s it! By following these simple steps, you can fix scratches on your leather goods with a leather conditioner.

Alternatives To Fixing Scratches On Leather

There are a few alternatives that you can use to fix scratches on leather.

1. Leather Scratch Repair Kit

One alternative is to use a leather scratch repair kit. This is an awesome solution for all your leather repair needs, including scratches.

This is great for both deep and minor scratches.

Most kits come with everything you need to fix the scratch, including a leather filler, colorant, and top coat.

They are very easy to use and can give you professional-looking results. Best of all, they are usually very affordable!

You can find leather scratch repair kits online or at your local hardware store.

2. Use A Leather Dye

Another alternative is to use a leather dye. This is a great option if you want to change the color of the leather or if the scratch is very deep.

Dyes can be applied with a brush, sponge, or even a spray bottle. You will need to experiment with different application methods to find what works best for you.

Once the dye is applied, it will need to be sealed with a clear top coat. This will protect the dye and prevent it from fading or rubbing off.

Leather dyes can be found online or at your local craft store.

3. Use A Leather Paint

Another solution is using leather paint. This is a great option for covering up large scratches. Leather paints are acrylic based and come in a variety of colors.

They can be applied with a brush or sponge. You will usually start by smoothening out the leather surface with sandpaper and then cleaning it with alcohol.

Once the leather or faux leather surface is prepped, you apply the paint in thin layers, allowing each layer to dry completely before applying the next. Voila!

4. Suede Eraser

This is often useful for fixing scratches on suede leather items. The way these method works is by erasing the top layer of the suede, which will help to remove the scratch and scuff marks.

All you need is a suede eraser, which can be found online or at your local shoe store. You will also need a nice suede brush to help restore the nap or suede finish.

To use this method, start by gently rubbing the eraser over the affected area. You will need to apply a little pressure to remove the deeper or larger scratch marks on the suede.

Once you have removed the scratch, use the brush to restore the nap or suede finish.

And there you have it! These are four methods that you can use to fix scratches on leather.

Final Thoughts

As you can see, there are a few different ways that you can go about fixing scratches on leather.

Using the leather conditioner is definitely one of the easiest methods. However, this only works on minor scratches. For deeper and more severe scratches, you can purchase a leather repair kit or use a leather dye or paint.

If you have a suede item that is scratched, you can try using a suede eraser and brush to remove the scratch.

Thanks for reading this article, and I hope you found it helpful!

FAQs

Q: What is the best way to avoid scratches on leather?

A: The best way to avoid scratches on leather is to be careful with it! Don’t put it in areas where it can get scratched or damaged. Also, avoid using abrasive scrubbers or cleaners on it. Instead, opt for a soft microfiber cloth.

And finally, make sure to condition and protect your leather regularly. This will help to keep it looking its best.

Q: How do you fix a big scratch on leather?

A: The best way to fix a big scratch on leather is to use a leather repair kit, dye, or paint. These methods will help to cover up the scratch and make it less noticeable.

Kwabena

Hi! I’m Kwabena, the owner and founder of Favored Leather. I’m a huge Leathercraft enthusiast and I’ve been that for almost 13 years now. I'm excited to share my experiences and all the new stuff I learn each day about leather craft, leather cleaning & care, and everything in-between!

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