How to Fix Peeling Faux Leather: Jackets, Couches & More

Faux leather is inexpensive and looks great for a few months. But over time, you'll probably notice it starts to peel and crack. Can you fix your faux leather item, or is it destined for the trash? We say, don't throw in the towel just yet! This article will teach you how to fix peeling faux leather using a quick solution like a permanent marker, leather paint for tiny flaws, a leather repair kit for small gaps, and a self-adhesive leather repair patch for larger losses.

How do you fix peeling faux leather?

For a quick fix: Color the peeling area in with a permanent marker that matches the color of the faux leather.
For flaws less than 0.5 in (1.3 cm): Coat it with a layer of leather paint and 3-4 layers of high gloss finish.
For small gaps 1–3 in (2.5–7.6 cm): Patch it with fabric backing and repair compound from a leather repair kit.
For large losses bigger than 3 in (7.6 cm): Attach a self-adhesive leather repair patch over the area.

Section 1 of 5:

Using a Permanent Marker

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1
Sand the flaking faux leather off with 180-grit sandpaper. Before you begin any kind of repair job, you’ll first need to get all of the flaking, peeling faux leather off the faux leather piece. Sand the top and sides of the piece wherever you note flakes with 180-grit sandpaper. Move the sandpaper in tight circles and be sure to apply plenty of pressure.^{[1]
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- Best for: Quick fix for faux leather shoes, belts, bags, and furniture where you notice only a tiny loss.
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Color in any discolored cracks with a marker that matches the faux leather. Use a thick permanent marker and trace the tip over the parts of the piece that appear faded or discolored once the peeling faux leather has been removed. This will improve the appearance of the piece.^{[2]
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- For example, if you’re repairing brown shoes, do your best to find a permanent marker that matches the color of the shoes. You may not be able to find a perfect match, but get as close as you can!

Section 2 of 5:

Using Leather Paint

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1
Remove loose pieces of faux leather and clean the surface. Use your fingers to pluck off any bits of faux leather that are still partially attached to the back or seat of your chair or sofa. Cut off larger pieces or bits that are still stuck on at one end with a razor blade.
- Best for: Faux leather jackets, bags, shoes, and furniture with tiny peeling areas smaller than 0.5 in (1.3 cm).
Dip a 0.5 in (1.3 cm) paintbrush into the jar of leather paint, and spread an even layer of leather paint across the section of faux leather you’ve just peeled. Work in long horizontal strokes to ensure that the entire peeling area is fully covered.
If you try to apply more layers of leather paint over the first before it’s completely dry, the layers will smear together. To see if the paint is dry, tap it lightly with your finger. If your finger comes away clean and the paint doesn’t feel sticky, it’s dry enough to paint over.
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Apply a layer of high-gloss finish leather paint. Finish leather paint is colorless and will seal the painted area of the couch or chair that you’re repairing. Once the layer of leather paint has dried, spread an even layer of high-gloss finish over it. After it's coated, give it 30 minutes to dry.
- When the finish first goes on, it will appear opaque and white, but the color will fade as the finish dries.
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Apply 3-4 additional layers of high-gloss finish leather paint. Multiple layers of finish should hold the fabric together and prevent further peeling in that area of the couch or chair. Apply a thick, generous coat each time, then wait at least 30 minutes or as long as it takes for each layer to dry completely before adding another one.
- When all the coats have dried, the repaired section should look similar to the non-peeling sections of the faux leather—at least from a distance!

Section 3 of 5:

Using a Leather Repair Kit

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1
Wipe down the peeling area with a damp cloth and dry it completely. Leather repair kits typically come with fabric patches, which you're supposed to glue to the area of loss in your faux leather. But the glue won't stick well if you try to apply it to a dirty surface! To clean your faux leather, wet a microfiber cloth, wring out the excess water, then wipe it across the peeling area. Follow it with a dry microfiber cloth to remove any lingering moisture. Ensure it's completely dry before continuing to step 2.^{[3]
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- Best for: Faux leather jackets, boots, belts, bags, and furniture with peeling areas 1–3 in (2.5–7.6 cm) long or wide
- If your leather repair kit came with a cleaner, use that instead, especially if the faux leather is super dirty or greasy. You can also use rubbing alcohol, but use it sparingly, since it will dry the faux leather out and could cause it to crack.^{[4]
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Use a sharp pair of scissors or a razor blade to trim up the edges of the faux leather around the area of loss. Cut it as evenly as possible, so it looks more seamless when you add the patch from the faux leather kit. Try to remove only the pieces that are no longer stuck to the composite layer. Otherwise, you might end up worsening the damage to the piece.^{[5]
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Cut the backing from the kit slightly bigger than the loss in the faux leather. Open up your leather repair kit and take out a piece of fabric backing. Then, use sharp scissors to cut it a little bit bigger than the loss in the faux leather. Use your fingers or tweezers to slide the patch you just made into the gap, underneath the edges of the surrounding faux leather.^{[6]
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- Many leather repair kits come with backings in different textures. Select the one that matches the texture of your faux leather piece the closest.
Push a thin bead of the adhesive from your leather repair kit onto the edges of the patch, underneath the faux leather. Then press the edges of the faux leather down onto the patch for a few seconds to ensure a secure bond. As you press, smooth out any wrinkles or air bubbles.^{[7]
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Mix the compounds from the kit to match the faux leather and cover the patch. Leather repair kits typically come with different colored repair compounds or pastes. The goal is to mix up a compound that matches the color of your faux leather piece as closely as possible. Follow the kit's instructions to mix the compound. Then, using the provided spatula, spread it evenly over the patch.
- If you discover the compound is the wrong color after you lay it down, or you get any compound outside the peeled area, wipe it up immediately with a damp microfiber cloth.
Refer to the leather repair kit instructions to find out how long the compound needs to cure. It may take several hours. If it's a small item, set it in a cool, dry place where no one will use it. If it's a large item, like a piece of furniture, keep kids and pets off of it, and instruct adults not to sit on it.

Section 4 of 5:

Using a Self-Adhesive Leather Repair Patch

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1
Clean the peeling area with rubbing alcohol and trim the excess material. Pour a few drops of rubbing alcohol onto a microfiber cloth, then rub it all over the faux leather surrounding the peeling area.^{[8]
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Research source} Avoid drenching the faux leather with it, since too much rubbing alcohol will dry out the material and make it crack and peel even more. Then, use scissors or a razor blade to trim the excess faux leather surrounding the peeling area, so it looks neater and more even.^{[9]
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- Best for: Faux leather couches, chairs, ottomans, and other pieces of furniture with peeling areas larger than 3 in (7.6 cm)
2
Measure the peeling area, then cut a slightly larger piece out of the patch. Use a tape measure or a ruler to measure the height and width of the peeling area of your faux leather piece. Next, using scissors or a utility knife, cut a piece out of the self-adhesive leather repair patch that's at least 1 in (2.5 cm) bigger on all sides than your measurements.^{[10]
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- Tip: Choose a patch that closely matches the color of your faux leather piece.
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Peel 1 in (2.5 cm) of the backing off the patch and attach it to the edge of the area of loss. Peel back only a small section of the backing to start. Press the sticky section of the patch firmly against the edge of the peeling area. Then, use your fingers and palms to smooth it into place.^{[11]
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- Tip: Cover the hand you're using to press the patch on in an old sock. The sock will prevent sweat or oil on your hands from getting on the patch and interfering with the sticking process.
Slowly apply the patch to the peeling area by removing the backing little by little. Continue pressing the patch into place with your hands, smoothing out any wrinkles and pushing the patch into any seams you come across as you go.
Warming up the adhesive will help it form a stronger bond to the faux leather piece. Set your hair dryer to the low heat setting and wave it back and forth all over the patch. As you go, use your socked hand to smooth out any remaining air bubbles.^{[12]
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Section 5 of 5:

Should you try to fix faux leather?

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Yes, if it's a small flaw, but for large losses, cover it or toss it. Most DIYers don't recommend trying to repair faux leather. Even if you successfully repair one area, it's just going to peel somewhere else, especially as it ages and you keep using it. If only a few small pieces are missing, or if it's peeling in a discreet area (like the armpit of a jacket or the back of a couch), you can try repairing it to make it look more presentable. For large losses, try to cover it with a patch or reupholster it if it's furniture. Ultimately, though, you may just want to buy an all-new piece (and maybe invest in real leather, which will last much longer and look a lot better!).
- To help prevent faux leather peeling and cracking, certified leather care technician Mallika Sharma suggests avoiding folding the item and using it gently.^{[13]
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Question

How long does faux leather last?

Mallika Sharma
Certified Leather Care Technician
Mallika Sharma is a Certified Leather Care Technician and the Founder of The Leather Laundry, a niche spa service for luxury leather gear in India. Mallika specializes in leather cleaning, coloring, repairing, and restoring for shoes, handbags, jackets, wallets, belts, and sofas. She holds a Master’s degree in Finance and Investment from the University of Edinburgh Business School. Mallika is a certified Professional Leather Care Technician and trained with the globally reputed leather care company, LTT in the United Kingdom.

Mallika Sharma

Certified Leather Care Technician

Expert Answer

Faux leather doesn't hold out for very long. Even the best quality only lasts up to a year or so.

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Question

What if the couch has less remaining faux suede than the parts that are exposed? Can I sand off the remainder without ruining the soft under-material?

T. Chinsen

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Faux fabrics are usually layers of material bonded together. The wear pattern on furniture is not even across its surface. There is no easy way to determine how much to sand off and reach a safe layer that will not crack or tear. There is also no compression of areas that are not used making it more difficult to remove.

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What if the shoe is textured?

T. Chinsen

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If the shoe is of a suede-like texture and it is worn down, there is little to no matching material that can be added back on to restore the surface texture.

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