# Leather couch repair
**URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/t/leather-couch-repair/653098
**Category:** In My Humble Opinion
**Created:** [March 16, 2013, 4:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/leather-couch-repair/653098 "2013-03-16T16:01:48Z")
**Posts on this page:** 10
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@yorick73](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/yorick73)
#### Post date: [March 16, 2013, 4:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/leather-couch-repair/653098/1 "2013-03-16T16:01:48Z")
I have a leather couch that I bought almost 4 years ago. The leather on one cushion has become very worn and cracked. A small tear appeared a few weeks ago and is slowly growing in size. The whole area seems thinner than less used sections of the couch.
I know there are companies that repair leather but I was wondering if there is anything I can do myself. I know that I can get small patches of leather to patch the hole but this doesn’t solve the problem of the whole thinned section of the cushion. I see that there is a seam encircling the entire top of this cushion so I suppose it could be replaced entirely…but that’s not something I am capable of doing. Does anyone have any experience with this or am I better off just calling a professional. Also, any ideas how expensive these companies can be?
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### Author:  [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)
#### Post date: [March 16, 2013, 4:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/leather-couch-repair/653098/2 "2013-03-16T16:04:42Z")
I’ve seen leather like that repaired with a patch on the interior to keep the crack from expanding.
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### Author:  [@yorick73](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/yorick73)
#### Post date: [March 17, 2013, 2:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/leather-couch-repair/653098/3 "2013-03-17T02:11:46Z")
I’ll assume from the sound of crickets in this thread that I need to have a professional fix it…either that or I should have posted this in GQ.
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### Author:  [@Doctor\_Jackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Doctor_Jackson)
#### Post date: [March 18, 2013, 5:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/leather-couch-repair/653098/4 "2013-03-18T17:43:28Z")
Is flipping the cushion an option? It obviously wouldn’t fix the thin area, but may give more life from the cushion.
If your name is Sheldon Cooper, never mind. It won’t feel right.
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### Author:  [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)
#### Post date: [March 18, 2013, 5:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/leather-couch-repair/653098/5 "2013-03-18T17:58:45Z")
I recommend getting a quote from a professional. If it’s an inexpensive leather couch, it may not be worth fixing.
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### Author:  [@Amateur\_Barbarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Amateur_Barbarian)
#### Post date: [March 18, 2013, 6:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/leather-couch-repair/653098/6 "2013-03-18T18:41:40Z")
> [@Dewey\_Finn](#):
>
> I recommend getting a quote from a professional. If it’s an inexpensive leather couch, it may not be worth fixing.
Expensive ones are often not worth fixing, either. We have a Nicoletti L-shaped sectional that needs cushion boosting something awful. The problem is that the construction method is to pull the completed skin over the finished frame as the very last step… so the only way to repair the cushions is to start with total disassembly.
Cheaper units may have sectional construction that will let you detach the cushions, do a cheapish rebuild and put them back on.
Since we don’t want a new unit any time soon (the Danes would break it in far too efficiently), I am looking at cutting into the cushions from under the deep front flap and inserting new “capsules”, then whip-stitching the cut closed. It should buy a few years and still leave a good, rebuildable core unit for further options.
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### Author:  [@yorick73](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/yorick73)
#### Post date: [March 18, 2013, 6:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/leather-couch-repair/653098/7 "2013-03-18T18:44:25Z")
> [@Doctor\_Jackson](#):
>
> Is flipping the cushion an option? It obviously wouldn’t fix the thin area, but may give more life from the cushion.
No…the cushions are sewed into place so flipping is out of the question.
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### Author:  [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)
#### Post date: [March 18, 2013, 8:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/leather-couch-repair/653098/8 "2013-03-18T20:11:05Z")
Alas! Poor yorick73, you may need a new couch.
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### Author:  [@yorick73](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/yorick73)
#### Post date: [March 19, 2013, 3:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/leather-couch-repair/653098/9 "2013-03-19T03:42:29Z")
> [@TriPolar](#):
>
> Alas! Poor yorick73, you may need a new couch.
A couch of infinite comfort. Of most excellent material (other than the leather). It hath borne me on its cushions a thousand times; and now, how abhorred in my imagination it is! my gorge rims at
it.
Actually, I’m pretty sure that a pro can swap out the top of the cushion for me.
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### Author:  [@Kiber](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kiber)
#### Post date: [March 20, 2013, 10:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/leather-couch-repair/653098/10 "2013-03-20T10:48:18Z")
Not much to offer regarding the thinning area - but I’ve had pretty good success repairing cracks or small tears using super glue. Just hold the 2 sides together and apply a small bead of super glue. Not perfect, but it dries clear and holds pretty well. Takes a bit of practice to perfect the technique - but pretty inexpensive.