How To Fix A Peeling Faux Leather Couch?

A peeling faux leather couch can look unsightly. Leaving this issue for later can derail the room’s entire aesthetic. So how can you repair your faux leather couch? We researched the solution and here’s what we found.

Different techniques exist to help fix the peeling off of a faux leather couch. These methods include:

Method #1: Use Leather Paint

  1. Remove the peeling with a table knife.
  2. Apply leather wipe on the bare areas of the couch.
  3. Mix leather paint to get the desired color. Apply it onto the couch afterward.
  4. Let the paint dry and apply extra layers if necessary.
  5. Apply acrylic finisher to seal the paint.

Method #2: Use Leather Filler

  1. Scrape the peeling with a table knife.
  2. Vacuum the loose dirt and leftover debris.
  3. Use a palette knife to apply the leather filler to the bare areas of the couch.
  4. Allow the filler to dry and cure.
  5. Wipe the product and the surrounding areas with rubbing alcohol.
  6. Apply an extra layer of leather filler.
  7. Dab plastic wrap at the filled regions to create texture.
  8. Apply spray-on Flex Seal and wait for 24 to 48 hours for it to dry and cure.
  9. Cover the repaired areas with leather paint.

Another option is to replace the faux leather couch with a model made of real leather. But keep in mind that this purchase might be quite expensive. Continue reading as we talk about these repair solutions in greater detail.

Sunflowers on wooden table next to leather sofa in living room interior with posters - How To Fix A Peeling Faux Leather Couch

How To Repair Faux Leather Couch?

Peeled leather sofa. Close-up. Background.

Fake leather couch owners can take advantage of different solutions to help restore these pieces of furniture. It’s still important to note that some techniques may not work, particularly if the peeling on the faux leather couch is quite severe.

Some of the repair methods you can try that may restore your couch’s looks are:

Method #1: Use Leather Paint

Leather paint can help mask the imperfections caused by the peeling on your faux leather couch. But take note that the results might differ for each individual. Some of the factors that can affect the outcome are the quality of the paint used and your skills in painting the material.

Once you’re ready, follow this guide to help you fix the peeling on the faux leather furniture:

What You’ll Need

  • Leather wipes
  • Leather paint
  • Clean cloth or rag
  • Acrylic finisher
  • Paintbrushes
  • Heat gun or hairdryer
  • Disposable cup
  • Table knife

Step-by-Step Guide

  1. Scrape off the peeling with the table knife. Remember, don’t overdo this step or you might remove parts from your couch that are still relatively intact.
  2. Apply a reasonable amount of the leather wipe onto your clean cloth or rag. Then, wipe in and around the peeled area on your couch with that product.
  3. Mix the different leather paints in the disposable cup. Don’t miss this step so you can get the correct tone, hue, and saturation of your couch’s faux leather color.
  4. Use the paintbrush to apply the mixed leather paint onto the bare areas of the couch.
  5. Let the paint dry and apply multiple layers if necessary. Use the heat gun or hairdryer to help speed up the drying process.
  6. Apply a layer of the acrylic finisher to the leather material with the help of a clean paintbrush.
  7. Let the topcoat dry overnight before reusing the couch.

Check out this leather paint set on Amazon.

If done properly, the paint job should help mask the peeled area. But keep in mind that it’s not going to look perfect and the repaired area will most likely still appear visible under certain conditions.

You can also watch the video below to see a visual representation of this procedure.

Another option is to mask the repaired leather couch with an appropriate theme for the room. Read our post on the best living room color schemes with brown leather furniture to learn about this alternate solution.

Method #2: Use Leather Filler

Keep in mind that this process is temporary at best. The materials used in this procedure may still wear off over time. If you use the couch frequently, you might expect the repair job to start diminishing in about a month after you applied this fix.

Here are the steps to this method if you still want to proceed:

What You’ll Need

  • Leather filler
  • Palette knife
  • Table knife
  • Vacuum cleaner
  • Old plastic card
  • Rubbing alcohol
  • Clean cloth or rag
  • Plastic wrap
  • Flex Seal

Step-by-Step Guide

  1. Scrape the peeling off of the leather couch with the table knife. Stop when you find it difficult to remove the leather-like material.
  2. Vacuum the loose dirt and leftover debris from the couch’s exposed areas.
  3. Apply a layer of leather filler on your couch’s bare areas with the help of the palette knife.
  4. Use the old plastic card to smoothen the filler. Make sure that the direction that you slide the card should be from the seam and into the covered area.
  5. Let the filler dry and cure for about 20 minutes. The drying time can take longer if the furniture is in a shaded area.
  6. Wipe in and around the filled areas with rubbing alcohol. Use a clean cloth or rag for this step.
  7. Apply another layer of filler to the peeled areas.
  8. Dab a piece of plastic wrap on the filled regions to help create texture to the finish.
  9. Apply a layer of spray-on Flex Seal to the bare area. Wait 24 to 48 hours for each layer of this product to dry and cure.
  10. Paint the filled areas with leather paint.

Check out this leather and vinyl filler on Amazon.

Watch the video below to see this process in action. Take note that this clip shows you how to repair a faux leather chair, but the process should be the same or fairly similar to repairing a peeling couch with the identical material.

Method #3: Replace the Faux Leather Couch

If you have the extra money to spend, replace the peeling faux leather couch with one made of real leather. But note that the prices of real leather couches may range from $599 to $7,999. In comparison, faux leather couch manufacturers often price their offerings from $300 to $1,200.

Despite this significant bump in its price tag, a couch made of real leather should last about 20 years before needing significant repairs.

Check out this 100% leather couch on Amazon.

How Do You Stop Faux Leather From Peeling?

Shabby and worn brown faux leather texture background with cracks and damages, repairman background. Peeling faux leather couch

Owners may extend the life of their faux leather couches by using preventive techniques like:

  • Keep it out of direct sunlight. Harsh UV rays can deteriorate faux leather finishes rapidly.
  • Wear smooth clothing. Don’t sit on the couch while wearing fairly abrasive clothing or it can scratch, rip, or peel the faux leather.
  • Don’t use bleach to sanitize the material. Even undiluted bleach can unnaturally speed up the faux leather’s drying process.
  • Only use quality leather conditioners. Use the product at least once per two months to help maintain the faux leather couch’s aesthetic and structural integrity.

Check out this product on Amazon.

Why Is My Faux Leather Couch Peeling?

Certain chemicals can cause faux leather to peel. Harsh cleaners, baby wipes, and oil from food can cause this imperfection.

Other reasons why faux leather peels are:

  • Age
  • Friction
  • Significant heat exposure
  • Contact with water and high humidity
  • Use of silicone or petroleum-based protectants

Don't forget to read our post on why polyurethane leather (PU) peels to learn more about this subject matter. 

How Long Will Faux Leather Couch Last?

dark artificial leather sofa folded and laid out as a bed isolated on a white background

A faux leather couch will typically last about a few years with proper care. The furniture's longevity may shorten if placed in certain situations, such as putting it under direct sunlight. Also, genuine leather gets covered in patina with age and frequent use. This substance creates an organic weathered look that enhances the material’s visual appeal.

Is Faux Leather As Good As Real Leather?

Cushioned Leather Sofa,Restaurant Booth,Furniture, Decoration,Isolated on White with Clipping Path

Perhaps the only advantage of faux leather versus its genuine counterpart is the price difference. Fake leather is often less expensive than real leather. Other than that trait, real leather generally topples faux leather in more ways than one.

Some advantages of real leather over the fake variant are:

  • Genuine leather doesn’t crack or peel.
  • An inconsistent yet natural texture.
  • Real leather often doesn’t contain artificial smells.

Final Words

You can either use leather paint and/or leather filler to fix a peeling faux leather couch. However, these solutions might only be temporary. Replacing the fake leather furniture with a couch that uses genuine leather can be expensive but will last longer than its faux counterpart.

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