Top 5 Myths about Leather Repair

You have tried your best keep your leather furniture safe, but accidents have damaged it. Well, it is normal for leather furniture to get destroyed as occasional scuffs, small tears and spills are bound to happen. However, there is no need to worry as leather can be repaired and restored to its original beauty easily.

There are many myths about leather repair, so when you are looking to fix your leather furniture, it is important to keep the myths at bay.

Myth 1:

Leather cuts cannot be repaired: The biggest myth that leather cuts cannot be repaired is absolutely FALSE. Although this is the hardest to repair, it certainly can be fixed. There are numerous leather repair kits available at most leather stores which come equipped with adhesives made especially for leather. If the cuts are big, then you might need to put some padding under the patch to completely mend it, but regardless of the size of the cut, it can be fixed!

Myth 2:

Super Glue can fix the minor tears in leather: Another myth which will ruin your leather furniture rather than repair it. NEVER ever use super glue to fix tears on your leather upholstery. Super glue is not flexible and therefore is not a good solution to fix torn leather. It hardens and causes more damage to it rather than repair it.

Myth 3:

Markers can be used for discoloration: Many old wives tales state that you can use markers to repair discolored leather. However, that is NOT true. Markers cannot match the exact appearance of the leather as it is not made for this purpose, so never use a marker to quickly remove the discoloration. You will only end up creating an irregular look.

Myth 4:

Hair Spray can remove small stains: Many people will tell you that hair spray can remove small stains from leather, but this is a big myth. Hair spray actually can cause major discoloration to your leather. This is because hair spray has high levels of alcohol in them which damages leather and its sticky deposit will collect more dust and the area which it is applied to will become worse for the wear!

Myth 5:

Olive Oil can make your scuffed leather look new: This is not TRUE. Olive oil and all other oils actually speed up the deterioration process for leather. As leather is porous it will absorb the oil and over time the absorbed oil will lead to discoloration.

Source: Fibrenew

Infographics: Sofa Stories

If your sofa could only talk what secrets would it reveal? To know more about furniture care and repair visit us at http://www.fibrenew-franchising.com/.

 

Sofa Stories Infographic – If your sofa could only talk what secrets would it reveal? By Habitat

 

What Goes With Leather Furniture?

If that hide-covered sofa is making you seek decorating solutions, we’ve got just the pairings for you.

Leather chairs, sofas and ottomans tend to be big, comfy and classic — no wonder they’re a popular choice for living room furniture. But too much bulky leather upholstery can make a space look dark, heavy or just … boring. Wondering what to put with all of that brown or black leather? These ideas should help.

Photo by Taylor Jacobson Interior Design – Look for transitional family room design inspiration

1. Rich painted walls and a Moroccan rug. Peacock blue is a bold (but highly livable) choice for walls, especially in a smaller room — the intense hue enhances and uplifts dark leather pieces. Pair it with a goes-with-anything Moroccan rug, an organic wood table and a gallery wall.

Photo by Cory Connor Designs – Browse transitional living room ideas

If you have wood bookcases or cabinetry in the room, consider painting these pieces to match the walls. Or, for a subtler effect, paint only the backs of the bookcases or the interiors of the cabinets.

Wild card: peacock blue and orange. Take rich peacock-blue walls up a notch by adding contrasting Hermès-orange accents. Try a pair of footstools or X-benches, or furnish a window seat with bold orange cushions, as shown here.

Photo by Morrison Homes – Look for contemporary living room pictures

2. Black, gray and texture. To keep things interesting in a neutral space, it helps to really play up texture and shine. Try smoky mirrored or reflective furniture (or a mirror on the wall); a soft, low-pile rug; and a plush faux-fur throw. Shades of gray, black and white make easy partners for a brown leather sofa. . . continue reading!

Reblog: Woman’s ‘leather’ couch a fake despite sales pitch; ‘bonded’ leather shavings peel after 3 years

If you are on a mission to purchase new leather furniture this article is a must read! If only this lady would of done her research first! We at Fibrenew see these problems every week. There is no repair method for peeling bonded leather. Help us spread the word, post this to you Facebook page, tell your friends and family the facts about bonded leather because many furniture distributors are not! If the mfg tag does not say GENUINE LEATHER then it could very well be bonded or dura blend or fake leather. Fibrenew specializes in the repair, restoration and renewal of leather, plastics, vinyl, and fabric upholstery. Visit www.fibrenew.com then choose your city to contact a franchise near you we are world-wide. We are here to help! Watch the video here!

Do not use shoe polish on leather upholstery

It is a common mistake to use shoe polish on leather upholstery.  People try to use it on furniture and on their leather car seats, but it doesn’t work.

The leather used in upholstery is tanned differently from the leather in shoes.  It does not soak up shoe polish like shoes do, so the polish will just sit on the surface of your leather and make a sticky mess.

Depending on the type of damage, you may have a number of other alternatives.  Professional leather repair experts can usually fix scuffed, faded, torn or otherwise damaged leather for a fraction of the cost of replacing or reupholstering furniture and auto seats.

There are a number of other home remedies and wives’ tales about using home products on leather.  We do not advise using the following:

Olive oil
Beeswax
Hair spray
Markers
Window cleaner
Finger nail polish remover
Disposable cleaning supplies and wipes

Questions or experiences with shoe polish?  Post them in the comments or visit www.fibrenew-franchising.com!

Source: Fibrenew

Re-Blog: There’s A Leather Seat Crisis In The World’s Auto Industry

Want leather seats in your new luxury car? Join the crowd.

Even non-luxury buyers have come to expect this amenity, according to Bloomberg.

But there’s a problem. Leather comes from cows — and the size of the U.S. herd is dropping to levels not seen since right after World War II.

Bloomberg’s Lydia Mulvany cited Bloomberg Intelligence analyst Kevin Tynan on the trend.

“You’re seeing luxury content moving down further into lower priced vehicles,” he said. “The buyer is getting more for their money right now, and it’s enabling buyers to stretch a little further and say, I can do a leather interior or a luxury car.” . . . Continue Reading!

There are many reasons why repairing cracked vinyl and plastic or damaged leather in your car, boat, airplane, home or office is good for the environment. leather and vinyl repair servicesFibrenew technicians have the equipment and expertise to make cracks, stains, scratches, holes, rips and fades in leather, plastic, vinyl, fabric and upholstery look new again. Restoration is an environmentally-friendly and cost-effective alternative to replacement. For more info about leather repair visit us at http://www.fibrenew-franchising.com.

3 Main Reasons Why Leather Furniture Should be Maintained

Cleaning your leather products can seem unnecessary when you already have a busy schedule. Who wants to spend time wiping down their sofa when they could be doing something fun?

While it’s pretty normal to want to avoid cleaning, there are some important benefits that come from regular leather cleaning. We’ve broken down the top three for you in hopes that it will inspire you to keep cleaning!

Lasting pigmentation: The color and overall look of your leather is bound to be better when it’s been subjected to regular cleanings. It doesn’t need to be anything intense; just wiping down your leather products with a damp cloth on a weekly basis can make a world of difference!

Durability: Caring properly for your leather goods will lead to stronger leather, which will last longer over time. Having to replace a leather sofa or chair can be tedious; regular cleaning and upkeep will keep your fabric strong for many years. And don’t forget, Fibrenew can fix any tough fabric issues you may encounter!

Comfort: Sitting on cracked, aged leather is simply not as comfortable as lounging on a pristine fabric. Basic maintenance, such as wiping down your leather, keeping it out of the sun and using a good leather protector, will help keep your leather in excellent shape. You’ll never be worried about company disliking your sofa!

Keeping your leather in great shape isn’t very hard; a little time and effort is all that is necessary! Fibrenew Franchising the expert in leather restoration is here to offer tips as well as assistance with difficult maintenance.

Reasons: Cracked Motorcycle and Car Leather Seats

Most car interior leather and motorcycle seats are fully finished, and there are a couple of reasons why it cracks. Cracking usually occurs when the protective coating on fully finished leather is worn down or when there has been a manufacturer problem.

1. Body oil and dirt can cause leather to crack –

It is very easy for dirt and oils to collect on the surface of leather.  Together, these act like a fine sand paper, breaking down the protective layer on fully finished leather over time, eventually leading to visible cracks at the surface.  Once the protective layer is broken down, the leather underneath, which is incredibly porous, soaks up the dirt and oil sitting on its surface causing further abrasion and damage.

2. A manufacturer problem can cause leather to crack –

Tanneries put a layer of dye and a protective top coating on cow hide (almost like paint on drywall) to make fully finished leather.  Leather has a lot of give and will stretch and move as people sit and slide around on it, so the manufacturer needs to stretch it properly before they put on the dye and protective top coating.  If they don’t stretch it well, the leather will quickly stretch more than the dye can handle, and the coating will crack.

Once leather is cracked, a leather repair professional can typically fix it, however, it is much cheaper and easier to clean and take care of your leather seats from the start than to deal with cracking after it happens.

We’d be happy to answer any additional questions you have.  Please post questions in the comments below, or visit us at www.fibrenew-franchising.com.

The different variations of leather

Leather is a material we see all the time; on furniture, in clothing stores and even on accessories. When it comes to accessorizing with leather, there are a ton of great options for everyone out there. Here are some great ways we have seen leather used recently.

The leather jacket: Since the days of James Dean and beyond, the leather jacket has become a fashion staple. Whether it is in traditional black or assorted bright colors, the leather jacket is a fashionable way to keep warm and make a statement.

Phone/iPad Cases: Leather for phones is a blossoming trend; on Pinterest, tutorials for how to make your own can be found. Since the growth of the smart phone, cases have become more of a fashion statement than a necessity. A quality leather case provides protection for the phone as well as a classic statement of good taste for the owner.

Briefcases: Staying organized at work is something many people struggle with and a briefcase can be an excellent option for keeping things in order to and from the office. Many of the more stylish briefcases are made with genuine leather upholstery, giving them a professional and high class feel. . . read more!

Leather Luxury and Affordability for Your Cars

There’s nothing like getting behind the wheel of a car, shifting into gear and heading for the open road cradled in the warm embrace of leather seats with the breeze blowing through your hair.

Though cheaper knockoffs had their day, leather is making a huge comeback in the world of car interiors. It fell out of fashion for a while with the advent of leatherette, a cheaper, more durable imitation. But recently, car makers and customers alike have found that nothing says luxury like genuine top grain leather.

Leather interior upholstery is an easy way to make an automobile feel like a luxury vehicle, especially for families on a budget, and Volkswagen is leading the charge. For the past few years, Volkswagen has been working to upgrade the interiors of its vehicle lines, offering consumers luxury and affordability; an effort that has seen success. The car maker’s most recent release, the T5 Multivan, has an interior covered entirely with Alcantara, a hybrid material, and leather. Even the cup holders are lined with leather; and all of this is offered for as little as $19,000. Many other automakers are following VW’s lead, with everyone from Porsche to Honda beginning to provide more lavish interior design options with a relatively inexpensive price tag… Read More!