Restore Leather Chesterfield Sofa

[@shakejones]

Great video+explanation+presentation! Thank you for sharing! Well done mate - NEW SUB 🙏🏻

[@vivijd14]

Beautiful work!

[@Dan-vt5mq]

We bought a custom made 3 seat leather Chesterfield sofa and single chair set circa 9 years ago and can honestly say it was one of (if not) the best purchases of my life. We had them custom made by a fairly local medium scale family furniture manufacturer who specializes in Chesterfields. Being mindful of the D.I.Y difficulty in fixing sagging buttoned seats after several years, we opted for removable cushioned seating on both, with 2 oversized cushions on the sofa and a single one on the chair. We further specified a splayed arms and back design contrary to the traditional 90 degrees design, a beautiful circa 3mm thick full grain leather with a suede backing; all built on a hard wood beech frame. We paid just circa £900 for the sofa and £500 for the chair. Subsequent to 9 years of use from two adults, our now 8 y/o daughter jumping all over them and our two whippets rutting on them to bed down and using them to parkour off at typical whippet speeds; they are still in a more than presentable condition...not to mention the sofa has sat just a few inches away from a circa 3m radiator it's entire life and the leather on the entire back closest to such still looks like new. The single chair has just a slack handful of very minor surface scratches only visible if you put your face a foot away and look hard, the two sofa seat cushions each have minor sagging and could do with having their foam replaced and have very, very slight colour fading of no concern. I will replace the foam in the two sofa seat cushions myself within the next 12 months at a total cost of under £100.00, and within the next circa 5 years I will refurbish and restore the faded colour of the sofa seat cushions for a similar price. I remember making a pot of tea and chatting to the two delivery drivers all those years back, they told me they were employed full time pertinent to U.K wide deliveries and on site repairs. They explained the companies customer base consisted of circa 80% individual customers such as myself, and circa 20% building furniture to help with the backorders of at least one of the UK's several largest furniture suppliers. They told me they typically build circa 30 chesterfield sofa sets each year for S*fology alone, that I paid substantially less than they charge them; and if I bought one of their standard specifications from them the sofa alone would have cost me circa £3'000...for my custom spec' circa £5'000. One of the buttons on the back of our sofa came loose a few weeks subsequent to delivery, the same two guys drove a circa 300 mile return trip in a day and repaired such with perfection. I doubt the leather on our Chesterfield would look that bad even after 50 years. Find a small local furniture manufacturer who employs skilled local craftsmen and upholsterers, the big box shops import their majority of stock from China and don't give a sh*t about anything other than profit. Well impressed pertinent to the concise restoration process...thank you.

[@Shabec2982]

Beautiful work

[@KevinGillan]

Thank you.

[@authbrannon]

That honestly is bad ass, thank you, i have never seen a sofa restoration before.

[@centraliawashingtonsimmanu8026]

You’re welcome and thank you for the kind comments I’m glad you enjoyed it

[@Rebexterrific]

I have x2 black chesterfields and I want to re stuff the seating part it looks identical to this chesterfield you restored. I want to do it at home (uk) do you have any advice please

[@KevinGillan]

What you are attempting usually requires decent upholstery skills and the appropriate equipment. The seat deck is sewn in so you have to approach the project from the underside. That means removing the cambric dust cover and removing the spring set or whatever suspension system you have internally to access the foam core under the leather. You'll find that each of the tufting cords will have to be cut to remove the original core (foam). Next is to bring the original core to a foam supplier who will cut a foam block consistent in size with the original, then reverse the process, re-tufting and replace or re assemble the suspension system. You may have to de-tack the leather from the frame to make it easier to access the internals. THIS IS A MAJOR JOB. Good luck with it.

[@carolinasarmienton.814]

Amazing! The sofa looks so beautiful. Thank you very much for sharing. I have one with color Bordeauxrot and It is going to be difficult to restore since it has red, bordeaux and black on it. Any suggestions?

[@alyfestyle86]

Wow! That's magnificent!

[@davesmith4804]

Amazing that, looks like new again

[@KevinGillan]

That’s always the goal. Though it’s not always possible. As long a the leather isn’t at the end of its useful file, it can be restored, even to a different color.

[@win2024king]

Thank you Kevin.

[@KevinGillan]

You're welcome.

[@g..._anthony27]

Is chesterfield a style or manufacturer?

[@KevinGillan]

The word “chesterfield” refers to an architectural design or style and is manufactured by many different furniture companies.

[@edfash9976]

Ive always wanted one of these but i cant get them through the stairs Is there anyway you can get them in two or three parts?

[@camskea]

This looks so good. Id love to give this a go !! Do you ship your product to Australia? Or can you recommend any similar products that may be available here?

[@KevinGillan]

Contact Pat Bates - Leather Restoration Co @ www.leatherrestoration.com.au. 0493 106 005. Say hi to Pat for me.

[@brucebartlett5610]

What grit is the sandpaper used before moisturizer?

[@KevinGillan]

Enough grit to open up the leather by removing some of the topical color coat but no more than 300 grit. Best to us wet/dry sandpaper.

[@Jordan-ug7yk]

That is unbelievable

[@ebythebeach]

Amazeballs!

[@dominiques8884]

Hi Kevin, Awesome video and restoration! I own a chesterfield that has some wear and tear, dark spots from oils and color fading, but I have no idea where to begin fixing it up a bit. I'm in the Netherlands and would love to try it myself, but I'm worried I'd get the wrong color and mess up the couch, would it be possible to send in pictures to figure out what needs to be done and what kind of products I would need? And do y'all ship worldwide? Thank you!

[@KevinGillan]

Sorry for the delay in responding. Yes, send photos and I will reply with best advice.

[@KevinGillan]

We've created a system that mimics the mottling affect on leather. It's called base and print. A base color is applied everywhere, then the print color coat is applied erratically to create the mottling or color variation.

[@joangroark9168]

Kevin you agreed on the sofa I live in Dublin and I have aleather sofa but mysofa cost at t he time 2ooo ànd it did not wear wellat all lbought leather polish and skin started what should ido with it how should I treat the sofa

[@KevinGillan]

Send photos for me to evaluate. Send to: [e-mail]

[@Dan41Wright]

Beautiful video to watch! Im curious, would you be able to do this without a spray gun? I imagine just wiping at the print stage would mess with the final look?

[@KevinGillan]

We create DIY Leather Restoration kits for consumers. The vast majority do not have access to compressors and spray equipment. We modified the professional approach creating a consumer based wipe-on strategy. The mottling effect of the print coat is attained with a sea sponge like device (foam with an erratic surface) using a tamping motion accomplishes the goal. Here's a old KZbin video that shows a 9 year old girl demonstrating the process.

[@Dan41Wright]

Thanks Kev, appreciate the reply! Id love to give this a try someday

[@madiola1234]

wow those cushions look like they were never sat on....i wonder what company made this?

[@gabrielagonzalez6714]

Can you repair big ripes in the leather? I'm looking at aquiring, the leather looks half decent but there's two areas that would need to be repaired.

[@KevinGillan]

I would need to see photographs of the damage before I could offer an opinion about repairs. Send photographs to my email address: [e-mail]. I will respond with my opinion.

[@edfash9976]

I REALLY want one of these but I can't get anything bigger then a two seater to fit through my door and stairs. How do you turn these into Modular/comes in two prices. You guys seem to know your stuff. Thanks guys and well done and such a good restoration

[@KevinGillan]

It would be a major effort to disassemble the sofa to move into a small space, if even possible. In some cases the frames are manufactured in two main components, 1. the seat deck and 2. the back/armrests. If you cut open the dust cover under the piece and look inside you'll see how the piece is assembled. If the seat deck is attached by bolts, then undo them and separate. This will leave you with a U shaped frame (frame minus seat deck) that may make it easier to turn tight corners. Reassemble once in position. I hope this is helpful.

[@tonystylesofficial6844]

1500 sounds fair . Where are you located

[@KevinGillan]

Our leather restoration studio is in Anderson, CA. Your other option is for us to prepare a DIY kit for you and with our guidance, you can take on the project with a considerable savings. The kit for a chesterfield like the one shown would cost you about $300 plus shipping. It comes complete with everything you'd need for the job, including our knowledge.

[@rickdeckard9810]

3:50 Why not show each step of the restoration, for example the application of the base coat, might as well have been a brand new couch the way the video is edited.

[@KevinGillan]

Rick, You wrote: "...might as well have been a brand new couch ..." Thanks for the compliment. We often have that reaction to our work. However, the idea that we purchased a brand new $7,500 chesterfield sofa that is identical (same exact color) to the unit we were restoring just to deceive you is a bit over the top. For your benefit, here are two other KZbin videos that show the process. The first is a sectional, the second a chair where we changed to color. 1. kzbin.info/www/bejne/m5axfmuuf5ujl7M 2. kzbin.info/www/bejne/r5S9mX2KiNd-gJI I'm happy to answer any technical questions you have. my email is: [e-mail]

[@dearymcleary]

Very impressive.

[@KevinGillan]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@onthetarmacinc.4210]

How heavy are they?

[@KevinGillan]

Very.

[@shelbyheck5235]

My couch is similar in style and look to this one but only a few years old. I have fading on the top of it from the sun, and a few scratches on the armrests. How do I make it look like this one? Is there a home kit I can purchase to clean, moisturize, and stain it?

[@KevinGillan]

Please send photos for the issue so I can evaluate and offer best advice. Send to: [e-mail]

[@zayraa.5213]

Do you sell a repair kit for small scratches?

[@rtblade4]

How do you keep the leather from getting to the before stage? The salesman at the furniture store doesn’t seem to know.

[@KevinGillan]

Keep in mind the piece is 30 years old. So it took 30 years to get to that condition. And now it has another 30 years of life. The key to longevity is to buy quality leather in the first place, and then provide proper maintenance --- cleaning and conditioning the leather with the correct products like those from Advanced Leather Solutions. People make a huge mistake applying incorrect maintenance products which are too harsh for leather (wrong pH) and accelerate its demise.

[@jackieburns5257]

Can you go with a lighter color?

[@KevinGillan]

Yes. Because the coloring systems we manufacture are covering colors, you can covert the piece to a lighter color, including white if desired. The colors are opaque. The new color covers over the original color completely concealing it.

[@jackieburns5257]

@@KevinGillan Thanks, I see so many black leather sofas and was not sure about them.

[@suzannelundberg385]

what do you do when there are holes in the leather? can you patch if you dont want to bear the cost of reupholstery?

[@KevinGillan]

Holes can be repaired. If the holes are from the leather simply wearing out, then the repair won't last because the leather is at the end of its useful life. If the holes are in healthy leather, like you sat down with a screwdriver sticking out of your back pocket that poked a hole, then you can expect the repair to last the life of the leather.

[@jackieburns5257]

What about old , worn leather with dark spots? What causes that?

[@KevinGillan]

Dark areas on existing leather is typically caused by skin oil accumulation in the leather from a person's hands, or head. This is completely correctable. The key to success is the integrity of the leather. Leather that is truly worn out, that is its internal fiber structure is coming apart, would require leather replacement in those offended areas. Otherwise it can be fully restored to look new.

[@drewd7824]

How much??

[@KevinGillan]

Typical fee is $1,500. Varies based on the leather's condition.

[@mantislife7463]

How much would a restoration job like this cost?

[@KevinGillan]

Typical fee for a full restoration of a chesterfield sofa is $1,500.

[@suzannelundberg385]

it looks like the sand paper was that blue "wet and dry" sand paper.

[@david029014]

What color is that?

[@centraliawashingtonsimmanu8026]

Reddish brown.

[@Shino2600]

What would a job like this cost a customer?

[@KevinGillan]

A professional restoration of a leather Chesterfield as shown in the video would cost between $1,200 and $1,500 in our professional leather restoration studio. This does not include the cost to transport the piece to and from the studio. Your other option is a DIY approach where a Do-It-Yourself kit is specifically customized to your piece with everything you'll need for you to do the job yourself. The DIY approach is a color rub-on system and does not require spray equipment. Fee for a custom kit is around $300 plus shipping. to learn more, visit our web-site - AdvLeather.com.

[@Shino2600]

Kevin Gillan that is a lot of work so that price is justified. I might have to have my leather sofa re-dyed but if you do it in spots, does it make it look uneven? My feat is DIY dye kits have an unnatural look and feel in the final product

[@KevinGillan]

@@Shino2600 If there are only one or two spots, you can get away with spot touch up. However, like painting a wall, there comes a point when it makes more sense to just paint the whole wall. Regarding our DIY solution, your fear of an unnatural look is not well founded. Our DIY solution produces like professional results. When down right, paying attention to the instructions, you can expect excellent results.

[@stuartboyle3003]

Hi Kevin, I'm in the UK, is there anywhere over here I can purchase your products? Like the primer, moisturiser and top coat? The primer we use has a cross linker which not only leaves a bad feel to the leather but it's also carsogenic. I do alot of reseal at people's houses where we clean, colour and seal it so I'm just looking for a better primer/products etc. Cheers Stuart

[@KevinGillan]

We're happy to have you try our products. They were engineered by us as leather technicians as we knew the performance we want. So our products are not someone else's that we re-bottled. They are compounded by us. Go to our web-site www.advleather.com and ID the products your interested in and send an email and I can tell you their attributes. You may also find the e-book we've recently wrote - The Comprehensive Guide to Leather Repair and Restoration useful.

[@stanandre4539]

@@KevinGillan Hi, I'm in Europe but my sister is in the US, in case I cannot source something locally. My question: how (and how often) do you recommend caring for a nice leather jacket? The leather feels like it could be suppler, i assume it could use some maintenance. Sheepskin, brown. I'm asking you, because what you did here with this leather looks like witchcraft to me! Thanks!

[@KevinGillan]

@@stanandre4539 Sounds like you need a good quality leather conditioning agent and some aggressive milling. Our moisturizing gel will do the trick as a conditioner. I do not recommend the standard grade conditioners for a variety of technical reasons. Regarding milling... 1. Condition the leather. .2 Then insert on a pillowcase that you pin closed. Stick it in your dryer along with a few tennis shoes. Tumble on AIR ONLY! (no heat) for 15 - 20 minutes. This process will loosen the fibers and allow the moisturizing gel to do its job of lubricating the leather fibers.

[@minnievenkat]

Hi Kevin, we are over hear in Portland and have a pair of chesterfields that need the cushions under the seat replaced. Do you know of anyone here who does that?

[@PPJose-hq2gu]

Howmuch

[@KevinGillan]

Price depends on the condition of the leather. Typically somewhere between $1500 and $1800.

[@Minkyu85]

I thought that you would clean the leather surface before sanding.

[@KevinGillan]

That's not necessary as the sanding process creates a lot of dust, so we wipe it down AFTER we sand.

[@itsthemetho]

It looks fine and maybe it was the only way, but that looked like dyed leather. Your solution is a painted finish. I wonder if you couldn't have stuck with an alcohol based dye solution.

[@KevinGillan]

@@itsthemetho this piece had a “base and print” pigmented finish from the factory. Because it wasn’t raw leather, the dye solution wouldn’t penetrate. Furthermore, even if it were an aniline piece, dyes lack covering power as their molecular construct is very small so the outcome tends to be blotchy. Finally, you run the risk of the dye transferring on to people’s clothing.

[@levrone0075]

Shit a brick that is restoring! I can smell the products through the phone

[@KevinGillan]

Refinishing chemicals are all water based, there is virtually no odor.

[@zuhairkhan1604]

Wow

[@layhervamp]

Wow

[@KevinGillan]

Thank you for your "Wow" comment. Restoring leather back to like new is something we do every day for the last 30 plus years. So to us it's really nothing special, just another day at our leather restoration studio.

[@layhervamp]

@@KevinGillan i appreciate its just another day in the office for you but what a difference. Most would thrown out such a worn sofa but your work is incredible, what a transformation.

[@KevinGillan]

@@layhervamp Thanks for your comment. Yes, this is something we do all the time for the last 33 years and we do sort of take it for granted. It's always nice to receive supportive comments.