HOW TO REPAIR A CAT'S SCRATCHES ON A LEATHER SOFA?
Cat Scratches Can Cause Two Types of Damage to Leather Sofas.
The first manifests as the appearance of fibers in the corners of the leather sofa. The second is characterized by scratches, a tear, or more rarely, a hole usually found on the cushion, noticeable as one or more continuous faded lines.
Balms or waxes are poor solutions. Their action does not restore the texture of the material; it conceals the problem. These methods have the advantage of being quick and very affordable but do not have any long-term durability. For an optimal result, consult our complete leather dye technique, and you will be able to achieve a uniform and, most importantly, durable final coloration on your own!
But before addressing your cat scratches issue, it is important to distinguish between genuine leather and faux leather such as synthetic leather and vinyl.
4 different kits to choose according to the size of your sofa
To clean, repair, recolour, protect and rehydrate your leather sofa
Available colors: UNLIMITED
Discount kits
a unique and exclusive Sofolk product
Allows to reposition the raised leather parts without blisters (scratches), glues without leaving traces, and disappears into the grain of the leather.
Repairs a notch or an open snag by welding both edges
To make the tear or cut invisible, continue the operation by applying the repair paste and re-colouring.
A 4-Step Guide to Repairing SCRATCHES on a Leather Sofa
Repairing cat scratches is a task that is within everyone's reach. Successful restoration, of course, requires meticulous execution and proper use of products. With 30 years of experience in leather product development, we can offer a solution accessible to everyone. By following this childishly simple guide, you will be able to repair your sofa from scratches.
The first step involves cleaning the sofa. To start, lightly sand the areas to be treated. This operation should be done with fairly fine sandpaper. The purpose of this first step is to remove the initial varnish. Then, it is necessary to clean the sanding residues and degrease the leather. For this, there is no need to purchase an expensive specific cleaner; simply use acetone and let it dry.
The second step is the scratch repair. It involves applying repair paste (or liquid leather) with a flexible plastic spatula. Several passes are necessary to fill in the gaps because the paste contracts as it dries. Lightly sand between each application to ensure that the restored surface is smooth and continuous with the leather.
CAUTION: Repair paste dries in just a few minutes, so apply it in several thin layers to ensure even drying without cracking.
Before the recoloring step, wait for at least 1 hour. Note that repairing cracks is done in the same way.
The third step focuses on recoloring to conceal the repairs. Since the repair liquid leather is either white or anthracite (your choice), a surface recoloring in the same color as your leather is essential! If your leather is black or white, the color choice is obvious. However, if your color is specific, it will be necessary to make a wise choice from our color chart by special order, or by sending us a color sample for reproduction (more info here).
You will also face another important choice: should I only recolor the repaired area? or should I recolor the entire sofa or armchair?
Partial recoloring (also known as color touch-up) can never be perfect. The answer to this question is up to you. It mainly depends on your budget and level of demand.
For paint application, use a small foam roller, a brush for delicate areas, and a sponge for small parts. Apply up to 3 coats of leather paint while waiting 1 hour between each application.
The fourth step involves the protection of your repair and color with varnish or our protective wax. These products protect the color from friction, reduce soiling, and waterproof the sofa. This work is essential and must be carried out 48 hours after the previous step. Another layer should be applied 3 weeks later. Application is done with a clean, slightly damp sponge. It is after this step that your sofa will have its final color.
In summary, cleaning, repairing, recoloring, and protecting are the 4 steps to effectively repair cat scratches.
