- There are several chemicals and applicators you'll need before you start. You will need several fresh sponges and detergent, as well as latex gloves to protect your hands and rags for drying. You will also need to lay newspaper or drop sheets around the couch to keep any spills off the floor. Purchase a leather couch painting kit at a furniture store. This kit will include everything you need to paint the couch: a prep solution, leather filler, colorant (which is a dye), leather/vinyl spray paint and finisher.
- The leather couch must be clean and dry before you apply any colorant or paint. Wipe it down thoroughly with a sponge dampened in soapy water. This will remove any grease or dirt that would otherwise come between the paint and the material. Dry it off.
- Rub prep solution over the couch with an applicator sponge. The prep solution will remove the manufacturer's original finish, which is what sits over the paint. Rub in the prep solution until you start to see the original color fade away or when it starts to appear on the sponge. Apply some filler over the cracks in the leather with a palette knife when that is finished. The filler will darken the cracks so they blend with the original material.
- The colorant is the dye that is painted directly onto the material and is separate from the paint. The colorant is applied first. Apply it with a sponge until you cover the whole couch. Use broad, sweeping strokes so that it's an even coating. Next you'll apply the spray paint, which covers the colorant. Two coats will typically be enough. Apply a clear coat of finisher after the paint dries for 24 hours; this will protect the coat of paint underneath. Wait at least 48 hours before you sit on your freshly painted couch.
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