I brought an old leather chair back to life using these products and the transformation is incredible

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• I had a worn antique leather armchair that needed to be revived.
• I used products from Clyde's Leather Company to transform the chair into one that looks brand new.
• The leather restoring products are a cost-effective way to extend the life of existing leather.

I inherited a beautiful leather armchair from my grandfather after he passed away last year. This chair is between 50 and 80 years old — my father recalls seeing it in his own grandparents' home as a child.  It's very sentimental to me and makes me think of him each time I sit in it.

However, the chair has aged quite a bit, with cracks on the armrests and the seat cushion, and the original leather has faded into a strange yellow color. After doing quite a bit of research on leather restoration, I found Clyde's Leather Company and decided to try its products to revive my armchair.

Our review of Clyde's Leather Company

Clyde's Leather Company offers a variety of products to repair both leather and vinyl. Everything from shoes to car upholstery can benefit from the company's products. Depending on a project's size, the process can take anywhere from a few hours to a few days. 

I restored my leather chair with 4 products

My chair restoration project required the Leather Cleaning Foam, Leather Prep and Deglazer, Recoloring Balm, and Remoisturizing Cream. It was a multistep process that yielded pretty incredible results. The products ranged between $24 to $40 in price, putting the total around $80 for my project. For this review, the company provided me with editorial review samples at no cost.

Clyde's Recoloring Balms are available in multiple colors. I tried out three samples before deciding on dark brown. If you don't see a color that matches your item, they can work with you to mix the perfect custom shade. They send everything you need to complete your leather repair, including gloves, sponges, and brushes.

Step 1: I determined whether the leather on my armchair was absorbent or if it had a coating

Per the instructions, I added a small droplet of water to the armrest. If the leather had no coating, it would have absorbed right away. In my case, the water did not absorb, indicating that I would need to use Clyde's Deglazer before applying the Recoloring Balm.

Step 2: I thoroughly cleaned the leather with the Interior Cleaning Foam

Now the process could begin. I used Clyde's Interior Cleaning Foam and a microfiber cloth to clean the chair, making sure to get in all the nooks and crannies. After patting it down and giving it about 20 minutes to dry, I vacuumed up any leftover dust and debris for good measure. 

Step 3: I removed the existing coating from the leather using the Deglazer

Next was the deglazing step. I used a combination of cotton pads and a cotton towel, plus Clyde's Deglazer, to get the top coating off of my chair. It actually came off black, which was very helpful as I could see each area that needed attention. 

Step 4: I applied the Recoloring Balm

Once the chair had fully dried from the deglazing, I began with the Recoloring Balm. Clyde's provides gloves for this step, which I highly recommend to avoid staining your fingers. I used the accompanying sponge to rub the balm in a circular motion into the leather.

It dried very quickly, so I could add a second coat within an hour. Clyde's recommends repeating this step until the desired color is achieved. For me, it was two coats, and I used about two jars of the balm. I then let the new color cure for at least 24 hours.

Step 5: I used the Remoisturizing Cream to give the leather a clean, protective finish

This step is crucial to add a protective finish to the recolored leather. I applied it with the provided brush and could literally see the cracks in the leather soaking up the product. Made with a mixture of beeswax and naturally occurring lipids and seed oils, it was extremely satisfying to see it repair my chair.

What we like about Clyde's Leather Company

I love that, at a relatively low cost, the Clyde's products gave my chair a complete face lift. I'm blown away that it will now have a long life ahead. The color is rich and beautifully saturated, and the cracks in the arms and seat are completely gone. It's been about two weeks since I applied the products and I'm pleased to say that it's holding up well and it continues to be my favorite reading spot.

The cons

There was a bit of trial and error on my part as I began the project. The instructions could have been clearer, either on the website or sent with the products. For example, I couldn't find any information on how long the Remoisturizing Cream needed to dry. Since the Recoloring Balm recommended a 24-hour cure, I decided to give that a shot for the cream. I would have loved to have a definitive answer though. 

The bottom line

I highly recommend Clyde's Leather Company for anyone who needs to refresh a leather product. Attempting to repair my leather chair was more cost-effective and environmentally friendly than purchasing something new. I'll be able to enjoy sitting in the armchair for years to come. I'd like to think that my grandpa would be pretty excited to see how his chair looks, after all these years. I wonder if he'd even recognize it. 

Pros: Cost-effective, user-friendly, highly transformative

Cons: Unclear instructions for certain products