Useful tips on how to quickly and efficiently remove scratches from the skin
Suede and leather items are practical, pleasant to the touch and have a very attractive appearance. Scratches can be a problem.
To eliminate them, you can use simple home methods and special means.
We'll tell you more about how to remove scratches on the leather of a sofa, jacket, and shoes in this article.
Content
We use improvised means
For quick repairs, various preparations that are already in the household are suitable. When choosing a specific technique, it is necessary to take into account the degree of skin damage.
Wax
Repairing leather with wax or paraffin is a simple and inexpensive way to solve the problem. At the same time, the restoration efficiency will be quite high even with deep scratches.
How to use:
- Warm the wax (paraffin) to a warm temperature.
- Apply the product to the affected area using a small spatula or other object with a flat tip.
- Allow time for the wax to harden - about 10 minutes.
- Polish the surface with a soft cloth.
- Apply camouflage cream of a suitable shade.
Without a final application of camouflage cream, the scratch mark will remain visible.
Nail polish
For processing, it is better to use colorless nail polish.In order for the application to be precise and accurate, you should use a toothpick rather than a brush.
Procedure:
- dip the tip of a toothpick into the varnish and apply to the scratch;
- reduce the edges of the scratch;
- press the repaired area and leave under pressure for several minutes, placing a piece of cloth;
- If the area with the scratch is noticeable, paint over it with paint to match the skin tone.
Glue
Rubber glue is a product with water-repellent properties that can also be used to restore leather products. You can give preference to glue only if the scratches are small.
Since the glue has no color, it after it dries, the surface of the skin must be treated with a masking cream.
Olive oil
You can make scratches less noticeable using olive oil. It is applied to a sponge or napkin and rubbed into the damaged skin with soft circular movements.
After this, you need to leave the product for an hour so that the oil is absorbed. For best effect, it is advisable to preheat the oil..
The use of vegetable oil provides a gentle effect that can be repeated if necessary.
Marker
You can quickly make a scratch invisible using a matching marker. This will make it possible to fix the defect in just a couple of seconds. The disadvantage of this method is the fragility of the repair. The use of a marker can be used as a last resort when no other means are possible.
Shoe polish
Shoe polish of a suitable color allows you to hide the defect, making it invisible. At the same time, the scratch itself becomes less noticeable, but does not disappear anywhere. The cream should be applied very carefully, using a cotton swab, not in a thick layer. The more carefully the color of the cream is selected, the better the result will be.
Application of water-soluble polymers
Special products can be used to repair leather items and remove scratches. One of the most effective is “liquid skin”. You can purchase this drug in departments of household chemicals, auto chemicals and in stores that sell leather goods.
At its core, “liquid skin” is a polymeric water-soluble product, which, when used, fills a scratch on the surface and literally seals it. After the polymer has dried, the repaired area becomes invisible and gains strength.
Using polymer repair products is not difficult, but it requires care. After processing is completed, the item must dry completely so that the composition hardens and gains strength. To do this, the product should not be used for 24 hours.
Application procedure:
- Clean the surface to be treated.
- Apply a thin layer of product to the scratch using a plastic scraper. If the damage is deep enough, it may be necessary to pre-strengthen the material from the inside.
- Distribute and smooth the product with a dry sponge.
- Allow time for the composition to dry completely.
- Polish the surface with a soft cloth.
- If necessary, apply additional layers, allowing for intermediate drying.
- Wipe the area with a sponge soaked in milk or emollient.
The reaction of artificial leather to the use of the product is not predictable, therefore, before applying the drug, it should first be tested on an inconspicuous area or a separate piece of material.
An example of using a mixture of liquid skin shades can be seen in the video:
Features of removing damage from various leather items
Depending on what item the scratch appeared on, the method for eliminating the defect differs. Liquid leather is suitable for almost all leather items.
Shoes
Shoes are often subject to scuffs and scratches due to the specific use. For a quick solution to the problem, a marker can be chosen; for serious damage, liquid skin can be used. Almost any home options can also be used.
Sofa and other upholstered furniture
Scratches on the sofa require reliable removal of the defect.
Wherein preference should be given to products that dry completely, without leaving behind a colored mark, and do not pose a threat to stain the clothes of people sitting on upholstered furniture.
A good result in this case is provided by liquid leather, glue and other means.
Jacket
If used carelessly, leather jackets can develop not only scratches and abrasions, but also cuts. If the scratches are superficial and do not affect the deep layers of the material, the jacket can be simply repainted. This will not only hide defects, but also revive the color.
Auto
Repair of car covers can be carried out similarly to the restoration of leather upholstered furniture. When choosing a method, you should be guided by the following main points:
- reliability of defect elimination;
- good camouflage;
- absence of a dirty layer.
The best option is the use of water-soluble polymer compositions, which can be found in auto chemical departments.
The nuances of working with eco-leather
Faux leather is a popular material that benefits from its low cost.
The disadvantage of eco-leather is that it has a shorter service life than natural leather.. Cuts and scratches from artificial leather are also more difficult to remove, as they can only make things worse.
For operational camouflage, a permanent marker, varnish can be used, aerosol paints, etc. can be used. Liquid skin also provides a good effect.
Repair of complex deep damage should be as correct as possible, best of all – professional. When scratches appear, especially deep ones, it is advisable to eliminate the defect as quickly as possible before the material breaks.
What to do with marks on suede?
Leather and suede have differences in their structure. This requires a special approach for different cases.
Soda with milk
For processing, it is necessary to prepare a solution from the following ingredients:
- 1 glass of milk;
- 1 tsp. soda
The solution is applied to the damaged area and given time to dry. The treatment is completed by cleaning with a special brush for suede.
Salt
To make the scratch invisible, you can rub salt into the affected area of the suede. Afterwards, treat the area with a brush. For suede you need to use finely ground salt.
Vinegar
For processing suede You need to prepare an aqueous solution of vinegar from the following ingredients:
- 4 tbsp. l. water;
- 1 tbsp. l. vinegar.
The affected area with a scratch is treated with the prepared solution. After this, wipe the suede with a dry cloth.
Next, prepare a vinegar solution of low concentration from the following components:
- 1 l. water;
- 1 tsp. vinegar.
The suede is once again treated with a weak vinegar solution. After drying, comb the pile with a brush.
5 recommendations
Expert advice will help you repair leather items effectively and without unpleasant consequences:
- To apply the product repair product, it is advisable to use an object with a thin tip, such as a toothpick or a match. This will allow the repair to be carried out as accurately as possible.
- When applying any product, do not allow it to smudge, since after drying the product will stick to the base and will be extremely difficult to remove.
- If the scratch is deep, it is better to apply the camouflage mass in several stages, applying 2-3 (and sometimes more) thin layers instead of one thick one.
- If the leather sheet is torn, it may be necessary to reinforce the base with additional materials.
- If you are in doubt about the selected shade of liquid skin, cream or other product, it is recommended to test the product on an inconspicuous area.
If you are interested in how to remove small and deep scratches from various surfaces and objects, take a look at this chapter.
Conclusion
Removing scratches on the skin is a completely solvable task. The sooner you start restoration, the better the result will be.For deep scratches and cuts, solving the problem is more difficult, but still possible.