How to Remove a Burn in Leather

How to Remove a Burn in Leather
Written By
Chris Deziel
Chris Deziel
Published: Aug 16, 2011
Updated: Nov 20, 2021
2 minute read

Step 1

Cut a cross through the burn mark with a scalpel or very sharp knife, and then cut the burn out by cutting a circle around the cross. If the burn didn't make a hole, dig the scalpel only about halfway into the leather and remove the damaged layer. If the burn made a hole, cut all the way through the leather to make a larger hole than the one made by the burn.

Step 2

Patch a hole with a piece of canvas cloth large enough to cover it, and leather glue. Insert the cloth through the hole with tweezers and spread it out behind the leather.

Step 3

Dab leather glue -- which comes in the leather repair kit -- onto the back side of the leather around the perimeter of the hole with a scalpel. Push down to press the leather against the cloth; wait for the glue to set. Check the glue container for the proper setting time.

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Step 4

Fill the hole with several light coats of leather filler. Spread a thin layer with a palette knife, and clean the excess from around the hole with a cloth. Then heat the filler with a hair dryer set to medium heat for three minutes. Wait another three minutes, and apply another layer. Repeat until the top of the filler is almost flush with the leather; after that, you need one last coat.

Step 5

Spread the final coat of filler, and before heating it, imprint the grain with a grain embosser. Use one of the grain patterns that come in the repair kit or a small piece of the same type of leather as the one you're repairing.

Step 6

Sand the repair with 600-grit sandpaper after the filler has completely dried to erase the edges and feather them into the surface of the leather.

Step 7

Color the leather with colorant, a thin paint that matches the color of the leather. You may have to pre-order this from a leather repair professional to make sure you have a matching color. Apply two or three thin coats with an artist's paintbrush to make sure the repair is completely covered.

Tips

After the repair has completely dried, refresh the entire surface with leather conditioner. This will help blend the repair in even more.

If the grain is unusual, and you can't find a premade embossing pattern, you can make your own with a silicone grain copier, available from leather repair professionals.

Photo Credits

sharynos/iStock/Getty Images

Chris Deziel

Chris Deziel has a bachelor's degree in physics and a master's degree in humanities. Besides having an abiding interest in popular science, Deziel has been active in the building and home design trades since 1975. As a landscape builder,…

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