Faux leather furniture offers you the luxurious look and feel of regular leather, but it becomes less attractive after some time when it starts to appear old and worn out. However, you can renew its look if you know how to paint faux leather furniture at home without professional help.
Using some faux leather paint technique and acrylic paint for faux leather, you can paint your furniture to renew its faded appearance, repair a damaged part, or even change its color to complement a new home decoration.
Materials you’ll need to do a good job include:
- Acrylic leather paint
- Acrylic leather finish
- Drop cloth
- Sponge or paintbrush
- Paint cup
Steps to painting a faux leather furniture
You can accomplish the task in just five simple steps and each step is an integral part of the cleaning process. Here you find them in the required order.
Step One
Lay the drop cloth: the first step is to lay the drop cloth under the furniture and ensure it covers all the hardwood around the floor area. Covering with a drop cloth will help to protect against paint drips.
Step Two
Ensure the furniture is clean: it is essential to clean faux leather furniture before painting. The reason is that you need the surface to be free of dirt and dust to help the paint stay on the faux leather. Here are simple tips to help you clean leather furniture right.
You can begin by using a damp cloth to clean the furniture properly especially, the gaps between the furniture seat and its back. Then, suck out debris and dirt particles with the help of a handheld vacuum making sure you concentrate on the seams, button, and under the seating cushions.
Step Three
Apply the paint: the next step after cleaning is to apply the paint on your faux leather furniture. Ensure you go for the best acrylic paint for faux leather to get the best results after painting.
Some people prefer to use spray paint for faux leather for easy application, while some others like painting faux leather with chalk paint to achieve a distressed and a bit of shabby stylish look on their furniture or accessory.
Pour some paint into the paint cup and begin painting the furniture using a sponge or a paintbrush. It is best to start from the sides and back when painting a sofa or chair.
Ensure you apply thin layers of the paint per time and achieve an even finish by using long strokes. Also, quickly catch drips of paint that roll down the furniture as you paint because acrylic paints dry out fast and, the drips will add an unwanted layer to your painting.
Paint every part of the furniture including the seams, threads, and other areas when you are painting chairs or sofas. The paint will look more even when it dries. So, don’t worry if it appears a little blotchy initially.
Step Four
Add extra paint layers to improve the color: you can improve the color of the paint on the furniture by applying more layers of paint. Make sure that the first coat you applied has dried thoroughly then, apply another paint layer to saturate the color and make it brighter.
Step Five
Use a finish: you can apply a finish to your faux leather to make it shiny. When the paint has dried completely, apply the finish on the furniture, and leave it for about 24 hours before you use it. Oils such as olive oil or coconut oil also do well as a good finish.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: What kind of paint do you use on faux leather?
You use acrylic paint on faux leather, just like regular leather. However, the acrylic paint will bond better to the surface with a higher grade of faux leather. And, the better bonding will give a better and more even result.
Q: What kind of paint do you use on leather furniture?
You can use acrylic paint as it’s the best paint made for leather materials no matter the type of leather. There are standard acrylic paints in the market and, they are good. However, it is best to go for acrylic paints made especially for leather.
The acrylic paints will bond well with the surface of your leather furniture to give it an excellent even look. It is the best leather paint for a couch and also serves well as leather spray paint for the sofa without cracking or peeling.
Q: How can I change the color of faux leather?
You can change the color of faux leather by painting it with another coat of color to get the color you desire. The simple steps involved include:
- Cleaning the faux leather: cleaning is an essential step in leather painting. It helps to remove dirt, dust, and food particles. Use a vacuum to do a thorough suck-up of debris hiding in all corners of the faux leather material. Then, clean the surface to make it free from grease or oil.
- Let it dry, and then you can begin painting. Use a small paintbrush or a sponge to collect the paint and apply it to the faux leather. Use long strokes while painting to ensure you get an even finish.
- Allow the paint to dry completely before using the faux leather material. You may also choose to apply the finish after the paint has dried to get a more shiny appearance if you like. Ensure you let the faux leather dry for up to 24 hours after applying the finish before use.
Q: Can Angelus paint be used on faux leather?
Yes, Angelus paint is excellent for painting several leather materials, including faux leather. It comes in various vibrant colors with color base blends and not a white base. Proper preparation and application of Angelus paint on faux leather will avoid cracks and peel.
Q: How do you seal faux leather paint?
Sealing leather after dyeing or painting is essential because it makes the paint look more attractive and last longer. You can seal faux leather paint on leather by using the correct primer and sealer after paint application, as this step will stop the paint from cracking and fading.
Allow the paint to dry completely after painting and, ensure the faux leather is free of dust or dirt before you seal.
You can use a spray sealant or a liquid paint finisher. For the liquid paint finisher, ensure you combine it with water to make it thin but, if it’s the spray sealant, you’ll only have to spray directly on the leather.
After cleaning the leather of dust and dirt, apply or spray thin coats of the sealant. Let each coat sit for some minutes before you apply more layers to the leather. Keep applying more coats until you seal every part. You can also employ a waterproofing spray to increase durability.
Q: How do you refinish faux leather?
You can refinish faux leather without much effort. Begin by cleaning the leather with rubbing alcohol then, make it damp with water. Stir the Rub and Restore color well, and apply it in small sections with the help of a brush. Ensure you blend it well and allow the leather to dry.
Q: Can I use coconut oil on faux leather?
Yes, you can use coconut oil to moisturize the surface of faux leather. Use a clean cloth to clean the leather, and then apply coconut oil to its surface. However, note that faux leather cannot soak oil, so don’t apply the oil in excess.
Wrap Up
Knowing how to paint faux leather furniture is an excellent way to renew such furniture when they begin to wear out. It is a creative art that lets you do what you love with your faux leather furniture and get amazing results.
The process is straightforward and easily enjoyable when you use the right paint and follow the basic steps outlined here.
