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Clyde's 4-step leather recoloring process is our simple yet highly effective method of leather repair and recoloring; backed by years of trial and error, customer reviews, and professional feedback.

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How to Use

Clyde's 4-step leather recoloring process is our simple yet highly effective method of leather repair and recoloring; backed by years of trial and error, customer reviews, and professional feedback.

Clean

Deglaze

Repair

Recolor

Condition

Step 1

Clean

Removes dirt and debris that has become burried in the pores of your leather.

How do I clean my leather?
Our cleaner contains ingredients that break up grime and dirt buried in the pores, and brings them to the surface so they can be wiped off. Here's how to clean your leather:

1. Apply Clyde's Leather Cleaning Foam to the section of your leather you plan on recoloring. Using our horse hair brush, massage the foam into the leather in circular motions.

2. Wipe away residue and dry the leather surface with lint-free towel before moving on to the next step.
Why clean my leather?
There are tons of benefits from cleaning your leather with our cleaning foam:

1. Kills any bacteria in the pores of your leather

2. Rids leather pores of dirt and debris burried deep in the pores of your leather

Step 2

Deglaze

Removes any leather finish making your leather absorbent.

How do you take an Absorbency Test?
There are two types of leather: absorbent and non-absorbent. Before using Clyde’s Leather Recoloring Balm, you need to test the absorbency of your leather. Here’s how it works.
Place a few droplets of water on the surface of the leather, preferably somewhere that has no damage. If the water is absorbed into the leather, and the color of the leather surface darkens, this means your leather is absorbent.
If the water sits on top of the surface of the leather, this means your leather is non-absorbent.
For Non-Absorbent leather:
This is normal! It means the manufacturer's finish is still on your leather. To fix this:
1. Use Clyde's Leather Prep and Deglaze to strip the finish. Dab cotton balls in the solution and rub in circular motions until the area becomes absorbent. Wear gloves and avoid skin contact.
2. Repeat the absorbency test. If droplets are absorbed, your leather is ready.
Note: Apply the deglazing solution only where needed. For small touch-ups, treat the damaged area. For a full-color change, deglaze the entire surface until absorbent.
For Absorbent leather:
Lucky you! The manufacturer's original leather finish has worn off or was never applied. You can proceed to step 3.

Step 3

Repair

Fixes imperfections like holes, scratches, scuffs, and cracks, creating a smooth, even surface.

How do you apply the filler?
1. Simply apply thin layers to the area you want to fix. Let each layer dry completely before adding more until the damaged area is filled and level.
2. Lightly sand for a smooth finish.
How does the filler help?
It helps by repairing visible imperfections like holes, scratches, scuffs, and cracks in your leather. It’s used to create a smooth, even surface before recoloring, ensuring a flawless finish and extending the lifespan of your leather goods.

Step 4

Recolor

Recolors and restores any scratches, scrapes, or stains on your leather.

How do I apply the recoloring balm?
Note: This step only works for most leather surfaces, except calf, nubuck and suede leather.
1. Ensure your leather is clean, dry, and absorbent.
2. Use the provided sponge to massage a small amount of balm into the leather in circular motions.
3. Allow each coat to cure for 5 minutes. Then, buff the surface between coats. Repeat until you achieve your desired color.
4. Let the final coat cure for 24-36 hours before use.
How do I test the recoloring balm before full application?
Apply a small amount of balm to a hidden area of your leather to check the color. If the color isn’t right, you can exchange it, mix it with another color, or return it for a refund.
How many coats of recoloring balm should I apply?
Apply as many coats as needed to achieve your desired color. Let each coat cure for 5 minutes and buff the surface between coats to prevent streaking or flaking.
What makes our recoloring balm unique?
Until Clyde's Leather Recoloring Balm, recoloring your leather meant using expensive dyes which contain toxic and harmful ingredients and often leave leather cracked and dry.
We changed that. Our high-tech recoloring balm recolors leather while improving its lifespan tenfold; restoring leather's natural color, filling in old scratches, and usable on any leather surface, including your car seats, sofas, boots, jackets, saddles, bags and more...

Step 5

Condition

Protects your leather from the elements and prevents future damages.

How do I condition my leather?
1. Following balm curation, apply Clyde's Leather Conditioning Cream using a rag or microfiber cloth.
2. Massage the conditioner into leather using circular motions. It doesn’t need to dry, but it may take a couple of hours to fully absorb.
3. After 5-6 hours of conditioner curation, you are ready to use your new leather!
Why should I protect my leather?
Much like when your leather was originally manufactured, using our leather recoloring balm requires you apply a leather finish after application. This will do a few things:
1. Seals balm, and prevents color transfer and staining.
2. Protects leather from the elements and waterproofs surface.
3. Prevents future damage from frequent use, like leather creasing or scratches.
4. Completely seals balm, improving lifespan of recoloring results.
5. Leaves leather soft, shinny, and supple.
6. Restores leather's original scent.

Knowledge Base

All About Leather Care

Clyde's 4-step leather recoloring process is our simple yet highly effective method of leather repair and recoloring; backed by years of trial and error, customer reviews, and professional feedback.

Types of Leather

Lamb Leather

Lambskin leather is a soft, delicate material known for its luxurious feel and lightweight texture.
While it’s relatively easy to recolor, its fragile nature makes it prone to scratches and damage if not handled with care.
Working with lambskin requires patience, attention to detail, and gentle techniques to preserve its quality and avoid ruining the material during the recoloring process.
Faux Leather

Artificial leather is a material that is commonly used for making upholstery, clothing, and accessories.
It is typically made of plastic polymer, and it mimics the look and grain of real leather.
Recoloring faux leather is a fun, inexpensive way to transform an outfit or spruce up an old accessory. After selecting recoloring balm colors, have fun restoring any old faux leather!
King Ranch Leather

This is a high-end coated Aniline Leather used in Ford trucks and other luxury automobile interiors, named and embossed after one of the largest ranches in the world!
All models after 2013 will require regular recoloring balm. This is due to the urethane coating now being applied to the leather.
Please refer to the Aniline Leather section of this resource guide.
Aniline Leather

Aniline leather is a high-quality, natural Napa leather dyed with translucent aniline dyes that highlight its natural grain, including scars and wrinkles.
It has a soft, luxurious feel but is prone to stains, fading, and scratches, requiring regular care.
Semi-aniline leather offers a thin protective coating for durability, making it less prone to marks but slightly less soft. Both types benefit from conditioning to maintain their beauty and prevent drying or cracking.
Red Leather

Red leather is a type of leather that has been dyed or treated to achieve a rich red color. It is often used in the production of clothing, furniture, and accessories.
There are many different types of red leather available, including full-grain buffalo leather, cowhide tooling leather, and faux leather.
Ostritch Embossed Leather

Ostrich leather is naturally oily, so thoroughly buff off any residue before applying recoloring balm.
The raised bumps, where feathers once grew, absorb more color than the flat areas.
True ostrich leather is distinguishable from embossed ostrich print by its irregular, unique quill marks, while embossed prints have uniform bumps.
Napa Leather
Napa leather is a premium leather known for its fine grain and ultra-soft texture, made from unsplit sheepskin. The finer grain, with smaller bumps, gives it a softer feel than regular leather.
To maintain napa leather:
- Avoid direct sunlight to prevent drying.
- Moisturize every few months with Clyde’s Conditioning Cream.
- Spot clean with Clyde’s Cleaning Foam to remove stains gently.
- Avoid chemical-based cleaners to preserve softness.
Napa leather's unique qualities make it softer and more durable than standard leather, but it requires regular care to maintain its luxurious texture.
Alcantara Leather

Alcantara is a synthetic fabric made from polyester and polyurethane. Often compared to suede, Alcantara offers several advantages.
It is more durable, resistant to staining, and easier to clean; just wipe it down with a damp cloth.
Despite its popularity in various industries for its unique look and feel alongside durability, there are pros and cons to consider.
Bonded Leather

Bonded leather is crafted from a blend of genuine leather scraps and polyurethane, offering an affordable alternative to full-grain leather.
While it mimics the look and feel of authentic leather, bonded leather is less durable and prone to wear over time. Its smooth surface is easy to clean, making it a practical choice for budget-friendly furniture and accessories.

Frequently Asked Questions

What sets Clyde's apart from other leather care brands?

At Clyde's, we pride ourselves on our unique 4-Step Recoloring Process, which works for both absorbent and non-absorbent leathers. We also offer a lifetime guarantee, free returns, and 24/7 customer support.
What is Clyde's 4-Step Recoloring Process?

Our process includes cleaning, absorbency testing, recoloring, and conditioning, ensuring your leather is refreshed, supple, and long-lasting.
What makes your recoloring balm different from leather dye?

Unlike dyes, our balm recolors and conditions simultaneously. It absorbs instantly, doesn’t flake, and stays put, ensuring a smooth, vibrant finish.
Can I fix scratches or cracks before recoloring?

Yes, our Leather Paintable Filler repairs holes, scratches, and cracks, creating a smooth, flexible surface for recoloring.
Can I buy the products separately?

Yes, all our products, including the cleaning foam, deglazing solution, leather filler, recoloring balm, and conditioning cream, are available individually. On top of that, we also offer a "Build Your Kit" option, allowing you to select multiple products based on your specific needs. It's a great way to customize your leather care routine!
How long do the results last?

With proper care, results from our recoloring balm and conditioning cream can last for years. The conditioning cream helps extend the lifespan by protecting the leather from wear and tear.
What is your return policy?

We offer a 60-Day Return and Exchange Policy to ensure your satisfaction with our products. To learn more about our process or initiate a return, please visit our Returns Center.
Do you ship internationally?

Yes, we ship worldwide! Shipping fees and delivery times vary based on your location.

Leather Care Guides

Clyde's 4-step leather recoloring process is our simple yet highly effective method of leather repair and recoloring; backed by years of trial and error, customer reviews, and professional feedback.