DIY: Painting Leather With Velvet Finishes

by Kellie from Design Asylum Blog

Have any old, ugly leather or pleather furniture you're thinking about dumping?
Well good news!
You don't have to get rid of it - you can paint it with Velvet Finishes!
Painting leather with Velvet Finishes will
transform the old and ugly into the new and fabulous!

diy painting leather with velvet finishes, painted furniture

You won't believe how ugly this was before I started.

I snagged this ottoman at a consignment shop for a steal! It was dirty and the buttons were snarled with dog hair. Ugh. I used a shop vac to remove the hair and the Ready product to clean the leather.

I chose Luxurious in Velvet Finishes, the neutral black seemed like the perfect color to dress this piece up. It took, what I call, one and a half coats, meaning after one good coat, I only needed to touch up some of the thin spots. I pounced the brush down onto the buttons and made sure all of the folds and wrinkles were painted well.

I then painted the the legs Understated and slightly distressed them.

The ottoman had nailhead trim that we were careful to avoid, but The Handler easily wiped off the paint that did land there with a damp cloth.

The last step I took was to use the dark glaze on the legs. Because they had great detail, I applied the glaze fairly heavily so that it would get down into the grooves.

I used a lint free rag to drag the glaze back off, allowing it to sit the grooves.

And voila!

Now check out this cute little number...

This pleather chair was in ok shape except that the arms had big rips in them.

To paint, I cleaned the piece with Ready before I began, then dealt with the rips. I literally glued it back together with E6000 glue applied with a popsicle stick. I smeared over then entire split and let it dry, then painted right over it. One coat almost covered it but you really have to look for it now that the chair is completed.

To get the color even, it took me four coats of Glamorous, which is more than wood usually requires.

It was worth it, I love the chair!

I painted it's dainty little ball and claw feet with Bold and gave it's toes a a little brightening up with the Glamorous.

And see that awesome abstract pillow? I painted it with VF too!

This chair sits in my Velvet Finishes filming studio, where I film the VF youtube videos. Check them out, there is a ton of good info there!

I have people ask me how the leather/pleather feels after painting. Honestly, the feel even shocks me. It is as pliable as it was before it was painted. There is no cracking or any issues. Pretty cool!

So, do you have leather furniture that could use a makeover?

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Frequently asked questions

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3 of 7 questions

Olga on Nov 13, 2018

I live in Puerto Rico. Please give a suggestion on where to get these products locally or online ( Ready andVelvet finishes).

Many, many thanks

0
Car40928421 on Mar 23, 2019

How do I paint a sofa that is vinyl and peeling away from the foam ?

1
KC on Jun 08, 2020

Where can I buy this paint from. I live in new Zealand.
Also I have several pleather and pu jackets I want to get black. What can I use

0

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3 of 137 comments

Jean Proctor on Jun 25, 2018

I had a deep green leather recliner, The chair was so comfortable that I didn't want to give it up when we moved. I took a chance, I found a paint called Finish All, a 3 in 1, that works for many different finishes. Yes, it seems expensive but my once green recliner is now a gorgeous charcoal gray. that goes well in my living room. I covered every inch of leather on the chair, I still have 1/2 of a container and I'm looking for something else to paint. I've told several people what I have done and I have to prove it. The chair loos fabulous. Check it out it is on Amazon

3 Reply
- Kellie from Design Asylum Blog on Jul 05, 2018
  
  That's wonderful, Jean! Thank you for sharing!
  
  1
Daisy@TX on Apr 28, 2023

I have two leather couches about 20 years old almost perfect condition. On both couches on back of cushion there's cracking peeling. Not a whole lot do I think I will definitely try this product. Love the ottoman m

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