3 Ways To Fix Scuffed Leather - WikiHow

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Terms of Use wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. Learn why people trust wikiHow How to Fix Scuffed Leather PDF download Download Article Co-authored by Mallika Sharma

Last Updated: March 10, 2025 References

PDF download Download Article
  • Trying Quick Fixes
    • |
  • Using Leather Glue on Minor Scuffs
    • |
  • Repairing Deep Scuffs and Scratches
    • |
  • Expert Q&A
    • |
  • Things You'll Need
|Show more |Show less X

This article was co-authored by Mallika Sharma. 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. There are 8 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. This article has been viewed 161,433 times.

There are plenty of steps you can take to fix a leather scuff, whether you need to repair shoes, a handbag, or furniture. For light surface scuffs, try quick fixes like using a hair dryer, white vinegar, or petroleum jelly. For more serious surface scuffs, try using leather glue and a recoloring marker that matches your leather. Fix deeper scuffs and scratches by purchasing a leather repair kit and applying binder, filler, and sealer to the damaged area.

Steps

Method 1 Method 1 of 3:

Trying Quick Fixes

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  1. Watermark wikiHow to Fix Scuffed Leather 1 Use petroleum jelly. Use a clean cloth to apply petroleum jelly to the scuffed area. Rub in circular motions, let it sit for about 10 minutes, then wipe off any excess with another clean cloth.[1]
    • Be sure to use a product without color or fragrance to avoid damaging the leather.
  2. Step 2 Use a hair dryer to warm and massage a surface scuff. 2 Use a hair dryer to warm and massage a surface scuff. Set the hair dryer to warm and use it to heat the scuffed surface. Using your hands, gently massage the warmed leather to reduce the appearance of the scuff.[2]
    • Avoid letting the hair dryer get too hot. If you holding your hand in its air stream is uncomfortable, it’s too hot for the leather.
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  3. Watermark wikiHow to Fix Scuffed Leather 3 Dab the scuff with white vinegar. Dip a cotton swab or ball into distilled white vinegar. Dab the scuffed area to gently swell the leather. Let the area dry, then buff it with a colorless shoe polish.
    • Try using vinegar on scuffed shoes or a handbag.
  4. Watermark wikiHow to Fix Scuffed Leather 4 Apply recoloring balm to restore surface scuffs. Purchase a recoloring balm online or from your nearby home improvement or fabric store. If the balm’s container doesn’t have an application sponge, apply it to a clean cloth and rub in a circular motion. Let it set according to instructions, then use another clean cloth to buff the area and remove excess balm.
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Method 2 Method 2 of 3:

Using Leather Glue on Minor Scuffs

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  1. Watermark wikiHow to Fix Scuffed Leather 1 Clean the area with a leather cleaner. Apply a leather cleaner to the scuffed area, using the cleaner according to its label’s instructions. Cleaning the area will remove dirt or oils, which will prevent discoloration and ensure the glue will set properly. It will also open the leather’s pores, making it more receptive to the products you’ll use to repair and recolor it.[3]
  2. Step 2 Use a sharp-edged tool to lift scuffed fibers. 2 Use a sharp-edged tool to lift scuffed fibers. Gently run a spatula or the back of a knife against the grain of the scuff. Your goal is to carefully lift the scuffed fibers away from the surface. That way, you’ll be able to access the area underneath the fibers with leather glue.[4]
  3. Step 3 Apply a small amount of leather glue using a spatula or knife. 3 Apply a small amount of leather glue using a spatula or knife. Apply a few drops of leather glue onto the edge of your spatula or the back of your knife. Pull the tool against the grain of the scuff to apply the glue to the underside of the scuffed fibers. Use short, even strokes to thoroughly and carefully apply the glue.[5]
  4. Watermark wikiHow to Fix Scuffed Leather 4 Rub the repaired surface to remove air bubbles and excess glue. After applying glue against the grain, rub the tool with the grain of the scuff to flatten the area and remove air bubbles. Rubbing with the grain will lower the scuffed fibers back into place, so they’re even with the leather surface. Use your finger to gently massage the area and remove excess glue.[6]
  5. Watermark wikiHow to Fix Scuffed Leather 5 Use a leather marker to recolor the damaged area. If you can match a recoloring marker to your leather, apply it in thin coats. Feather the outer edges of the recolored area to blend it with the surrounding leather. Light scuffs might not need any recoloring at all, so use your judgment after applying the leather glue.[7]
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Method 3 Method 3 of 3:

Repairing Deep Scuffs and Scratches

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  1. Step 1 Clean the area and trim away loose fibers. 1 Clean the area and trim away loose fibers. Use a leather cleaner to remove dirt and oil before you begin your repair. Use a small pair of scissors to trim any long fibers hanging from the surface. Leave loose fibers that are shorter, or that you can’t access with the scissors, as they won’t interfere with your repair.
    • You can purchase leather cleaner, binder, filler, and sealer separately or together in a professional repair kit. You can find the products you’ll need online or at your local home improvement store.
  2. Watermark wikiHow to Fix Scuffed Leather 2 Use a sponge to apply 8 to 10 coats of leather binder. Apply a small amount of leather binder to a clean, dry sponge, then coat the entire affected area. Check the product’s label for instructions about drying time, and allow it to dry completely before applying the next coat. For best results, apply 8 to 10 coats of binder to the scratched surface.
  3. Step 3 Sand the area using a fine grain sandpaper. 3 Sand the area using a fine grain sandpaper. Use a 1200 grit sandpaper to lightly sand the area where you’ve applied the binder. Use gentle, circular motions. Sand until you’ve created a smooth, even surface across the area undergoing repair.
    • Blow away any residue or wipe the surface using a microfiber towel after sanding.
  4. Step 4 Apply heavy filler to deep scratches. 4 Apply heavy filler to deep scratches. Use a palette or putty knife to spread a thin layer of filler over deep scratches or gouges in the surface. Wait 20 to 25 minutes for the filler to dry. Apply as many coats as you need until the scratches or gouges are level with the surrounding surface.[8]
  5. Watermark wikiHow to Fix Scuffed Leather 5 Sand and wipe with an alcohol-based cleaner. After applying filler and letting it dry, sand the surface once more with a 1200 grit sandpaper. Use an alcohol-based leather cleaner to wipe down the repaired area, then give it several minutes to dry.
    • The cleaner will remove any residue and prepare the leather for recoloring.
  6. Step 6 Recolor and seal the repaired surface. 6 Recolor and seal the repaired surface. If its container doesn’t come with an applicator, use a clean, dry sponge to apply a thin layer of leather colorant.[9] Let it dry according to its instructions before applying additional layers. When you’ve colored and blended the repaired area, apply three to four thin layers of a leather sealer for a robust, flexible finish.
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Expert Q&A

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  • Question Is it possible to repair scuffed leather? Mallika Sharma 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 Mallika Sharma Certified Leather Care Technician Expert Answer Scuffed leather can usually be treated by using a filler cream to even out or buff the scuffed surface. Then, touch up the area with a matching dye, pigment, or polish. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful. Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 1 Helpful 0
  • Question How do I clean a scuffed black leather coat myself? T. Chinsen T. Chinsen Top Answerer Use a lanolin-based compound to clean off the dirt. This can be found in any shoe section in department and shoe stores. Water can leave a stain from minerals in the water. Apply matching shoe polish color to cover any scratches. The bulk of the article gives you many options for cleaning and repairing different levels of scuffed leather. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful. Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 0 Helpful 3
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Things You’ll Need

  • Hair dryer
  • Cotton swab or ball
  • Distilled white vinegar
  • Leather recoloring balm
  • Leather cleaner
  • Flat-edged spatula or knife
  • Leather glue
  • Leather coloring marker
  • Leather binder
  • Fine grain sandpaper
  • Heavy filler for leather

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References

  1. ↑ http://www.glamour.com/story/how-remove-stains-marks-from-leather-boots-jackets
  2. ↑ http://www.fibrenew.com/blog/diy-tips-how-to-fix-scratches-in-leather/
  3. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fg0wZNA85xs&feature=youtu.be&t=7
  4. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fg0wZNA85xs&feature=youtu.be&t=19
  5. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fg0wZNA85xs&feature=youtu.be&t=51
  6. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fg0wZNA85xs&feature=youtu.be&t=86
  7. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fg0wZNA85xs&feature=youtu.be&t=123
  8. ↑ Mallika Sharma. Certified Leather Care Technician. Expert Interview
  9. ↑ Mallika Sharma. Certified Leather Care Technician. Expert Interview

About This Article

Mallika Sharma Co-authored by: Mallika Sharma Certified Leather Care Technician This article was co-authored by Mallika Sharma. 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. This article has been viewed 161,433 times. 2 votes - 100% Co-authors: 5 Updated: March 10, 2025 Views: 161,433 Categories: Leatherworking Article SummaryX

To fix scuffed leather, start by dabbing the scuff with a cotton ball soaked in white vinegar. Then, let the area dry and buff it with a colorless shoe polish. Alternatively, use a clean cloth to apply petroleum jelly to the scuffed area. Next, rub the jelly into the leather using circular motions and let it sit for 10 minutes. Finish by wiping off the excess jelly with another clean cloth. You can also try warming the leather with a blow dryer, then massaging the warmed area to reduce the appearance of the scuff. To learn how to fix deep scuffs and scratches with sandpaper and leather binder, read on! Did this summary help you?YesNo

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  • John Santo

    John Santo

    Dec 30, 2019

    "Wife badly scuffed a very expensive shoes on a concrete curb. The article's advice allowed me to repair shoes..." more
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Yes No Advertisement Cookies make wikiHow better. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our cookie policy. Mallika Sharma Co-authored by: Mallika Sharma Certified Leather Care Technician Co-authors: 5 Updated: March 10, 2025 Views: 161,433 100% of readers found this article helpful. 2 votes - 100% Click a star to add your vote John Santo

John Santo

Dec 30, 2019

"Wife badly scuffed a very expensive shoes on a concrete curb. The article's advice allowed me to repair shoes..." more Share yours!

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