Pleather & Leatherette Repair

Pleather (PVC), leatherette, PU leather, and faux leather are the polymer-coated fabrics found on most modern handbags, shoes, jackets, and accessories under $200. They wear differently than genuine leather — peeling, flaking, or cracking instead of cracking — and most cobblers refuse to work on them. Cobbler.ca specializes in pleather and leatherette repair using flexible polymer fillers, PU resurfacing compounds, and colour-matched topcoats that restore the look and prolong the life of synthetic leather goods.

Why Pleather Fails Differently Than Leather

Real leather is a single fibrous material that ages by drying out and cracking deeply. PU (polyurethane) leather is a thin polymer film bonded to a textile backing — when it fails, the polymer delaminates (peels off) or micro-cracks across the surface. PVC pleather is more rigid and tends to flake. Bonded leather (leather scraps mixed with polyurethane) usually combines both failure modes. Each requires a different repair approach.

What We Repair

• •Peeling and delamination on handbag handles, sneaker uppers, jacket sleeves
• •Surface scuffs and scratches on faux-leather sofas, chairs, and accessories *(garment and accessory only — not furniture)*
• •Cracking along stress lines (handbag corners, shoe creases, belt holes)
• •Discolouration and fading from sun and wear
• •Small tears (under 5cm) using flexible polymer patches
• •Hardware reattachment on faux-leather handbags

Our Process

1. Surface prep — degrease with isopropyl, lightly abrade flaking polymer, remove loose material.
2. Filler application — flexible PU-based filler ($25–$45 per area) levels deep cracks and small tears.
3. Colour matching — Angelus, Tarrago, and Fiebing's flexible leather paints, custom-blended for your item.
4. Topcoat sealing — flexible matte, satin, or gloss finish to match original sheen.

Pricing

• •Small touch-ups (under 5cm): $30–$60
• •Handbag handle restoration: $60–$120
• •Jacket sleeve refinish: $80–$160
• •Full handbag exterior refinish: $120–$240
• •Shoe upper resurfacing: $50–$90

When Pleather Repair Is *Not* Worth It

Be honest about value. If the item retailed for under $80 and the polymer is delaminating across more than 30% of the surface, replacement is more economical than repair. We'll tell you upfront — every estimate includes a "repair vs replace" recommendation.

Free estimates online or by phone.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can pleather actually be repaired?

Yes — most pleather (PVC), leatherette, and PU leather damage is repairable using flexible polymer fillers, PU resurfacing compounds, and colour-matched flexible topcoats. Peeling, delamination, scuffs, small tears (under 5cm), and surface cracking can all be restored. Severe full-surface delamination on cheap items often isn’t worth repairing — we’ll tell you upfront.

Is faux leather worth repairing?

It depends on the item’s value. For a faux-leather handbag, jacket, or accessory that retailed over $200, professional repair ($60–$240) is usually well worth it — especially for sentimental or branded items. For items under $80 with damage across more than 30% of the surface, replacement is more economical.

How is pleather repair different from genuine leather?

Genuine leather is a single fibrous material that ages by drying out and cracking deeply. PU leather is a thin polymer film bonded to a textile backing — when it fails, the polymer delaminates (peels) or micro-cracks. PVC pleather flakes. Each failure mode requires a different repair approach: flexible PU filler for delamination, abrasion + flexible topcoat for flaking, colour-matched flexible paint for crack repair.

What products do you use to repair pleather?

We use flexible PU-based fillers, Angelus and Tarrago flexible leather paints (custom-blended for colour matching), Fiebing’s pigments, and matte/satin/gloss flexible topcoats. All products are formulated for the flex and stretch behaviour of synthetic materials.

Can you repair peeling faux-leather furniture?

Furniture upholstery (couches, chairs, sofas) is outside our service scope — we focus on garments, footwear, and accessories. For furniture-specific pleather repair, we recommend specialized upholstery refinishers.