HOW TO REFRESH A LEATHER TABLE TOP WITH WOOD STAIN
Upon drop off of this commissioned table, the original plan had been to paint the dull, leather top. After further inspection, the leather was actually in decent condition. Other than being cloudy in appearance, there were minimal scratches and ripples. So I decided to attempt to restore the leather. Here are the steps that I took to refresh this drab leather top on this heirloom table.
PRODUCTS USED:
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HOW TO:
As always, I began this project with a thorough cleaning using a degreaser such as Krud Kutter. This removes any grease and grime that inevitably builds up after years of use.
I then poured Formby’s Furniture Refinisher onto a textured washcloth and scrubbed in a circular motion to remove any finish that may have been on the leather, such as furniture polish or the original sealant. (Formby’s is like nail polish remover for furniture.) I made sure to avoid the wood border.
Once dry, I wiped with a clean, damp rag to make sure all residue was removed.
I taped off the leather, using newspaper and small pieces of frog tape to follow the curve before spray application of paint.
After the paint had cured, I removed the tape and paper and wiped the leather surface once again with denatured alcohol to make sure I had a clean surface to work with.
Next, I applied a generous coat of Minwax Penetrating wood stain in Early American with an old T-shirt. I found rubbing the stain into the leather using circular motions worked best and left hardly any streaking. There should not be any excess left after application is complete.
Let dry. I gave it a few days since I did not want to chance smudging.
Once the top was no longer tacky to the touch I used a clear wax to protect the surface.
Let sit for about 24 hours before buffing with a clean, soft cloth for a nice and subtle shine.
Keep in mind that wax takes about 5- 21 days to fully cure so you will want to go easy on your table top during that time.
This process not only brought the leather back to life but also saved time, and most importantly preserved the history of this family heirloom to be enjoyed for generations to come.